2d49e135091fa7e2c4b6abfc7e57a7a1ccaec3b1
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988-1996, 1998-2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
3 @c
4 @c %**start of header
5 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
6 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
7 @setfilename gdb.info
8 @c
9 @include gdb-cfg.texi
10 @c
11 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
12 @setchapternewpage odd
13 @c %**end of header
14
15 @iftex
16 @c @smallbook
17 @c @cropmarks
18 @end iftex
19
20 @finalout
21 @c To avoid file-name clashes between index.html and Index.html, when
22 @c the manual is produced on a Posix host and then moved to a
23 @c case-insensitive filesystem (e.g., MS-Windows), we separate the
24 @c indices into two: Concept Index and all the rest.
25 @syncodeindex ky fn
26 @syncodeindex tp fn
27
28 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
29 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
30 @syncodeindex vr fn
31 @syncodeindex fn fn
32
33 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
34 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
35 @set EDITION Tenth
36
37 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
38 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
39
40 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
41
42 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
43 @c manuals to an info tree.
44 @dircategory Software development
45 @direntry
46 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
47 @end direntry
48
49 @copying
50 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
51 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
52 2011, 2012
53 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
54
55 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
56 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
57 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
58 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
59 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
60 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
61
62 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
63 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
64 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
65 @end copying
66
67 @ifnottex
68 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
69
70 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
71 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
72 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
73 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
74 @end ifset
75 Version @value{GDBVN}.
76
77 @insertcopying
78 @end ifnottex
79
80 @titlepage
81 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
82 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
85 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
86 @sp 1
87 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
88 @end ifset
89 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
90 @page
91 @tex
92 {\parskip=0pt
93 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
94 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
95 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
96 }
97 @end tex
98
99 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
100 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
101 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
102 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
103 ISBN 978-0-9831592-3-0 @*
104
105 @insertcopying
106 @end titlepage
107 @page
108
109 @ifnottex
110 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
111
112 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
113
114 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
115
116 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
117 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
118 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
119 @end ifset
120 Version @value{GDBVN}.
121
122 Copyright (C) 1988-2012 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123
124 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
125 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
126 software in general. We will miss him.
127
128 @menu
129 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
130 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
131
132 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
133 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
134 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
135 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
136 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
137 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
138 * Stack:: Examining the stack
139 * Source:: Examining source files
140 * Data:: Examining data
141 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
142 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
143 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
144 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
145
146 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
147
148 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
149 * Altering:: Altering execution
150 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
151 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
152 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
153 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
154 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
155 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
156 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
157 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
158 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
159 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
160 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
161 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
162 * In-Process Agent:: In-Process Agent
163
164 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
165
166 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
169 @end ifset
170 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
171 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
172 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
173 @end ifclear
174 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
175 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
176 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
177 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
178 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
179 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
180 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
181 @value{GDBN}
182 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
183 the operating system
184 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
185 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
186 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
187 how you can copy and share GDB
188 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
189 * Concept Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} concepts
190 * Command and Variable Index:: Index of @value{GDBN} commands, variables,
191 functions, and Python data types
192 @end menu
193
194 @end ifnottex
195
196 @contents
197
198 @node Summary
199 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
200
201 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
202 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
203 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
204
205 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
206 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
207
208 @itemize @bullet
209 @item
210 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
211
212 @item
213 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
214
215 @item
216 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
217
218 @item
219 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
220 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
221 @end itemize
222
223 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
224 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
225 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
226
227 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
228 @ref{D,,D}.
229
230 @cindex Modula-2
231 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
232 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
233
234 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
235 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
236
237 @cindex Pascal
238 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
239 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
240 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
241 syntax.
242
243 @cindex Fortran
244 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
245 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
246 underscore.
247
248 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
249 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
250
251 @menu
252 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
253 * Free Documentation:: Free Software Needs Free Documentation
254 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
255 @end menu
256
257 @node Free Software
258 @unnumberedsec Free Software
259
260 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
261 General Public License
262 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
263 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
264 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
265 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
266 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
267 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
268
269 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
270 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
271 from anyone else.
272
273 @node Free Documentation
274 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
275
276 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
277 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
278 include with the free software. Many of our most important
279 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
280 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
281 when an important free software package does not come with a free
282 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
283 gaps today.
284
285 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
286 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
287 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
288 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
289 them from the free software world.
290
291 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
292 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
293 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
294 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
295 contract to make it non-free.
296
297 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
298 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
299 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
300 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
301 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
302 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
303 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
304
305 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
306 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
307 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
308 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
309
310 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
311 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
312 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
313 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
314 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
315 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
316 community.
317
318 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
319 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
320 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
321 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
322 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
323 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
324 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
325 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
326 of the manual.
327
328 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
329 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
330 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
331 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
332 manual to replace it.
333
334 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
335 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
336 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
337 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
338 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
339 the free software community.
340
341 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
342 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
343 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
344 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
345 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
346 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
347 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
348 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
349 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
350
351 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
352 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
353 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
354 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
355 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
356 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
357 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
358 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
359
360 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
361 published by other publishers, at
362 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
363
364 @node Contributors
365 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
366
367 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
368 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
369 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
370 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
371 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
372 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
373 blow-by-blow account.
374
375 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
376
377 @quotation
378 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
379 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
380 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
381 @end quotation
382
383 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
384 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
385 releases:
386 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
387 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
388 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
389 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
390 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
391 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
392 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
393 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
394 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
395
396 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
397 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
398
399 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
400 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
401 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
402 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
403 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
404
405 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
406 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
407 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
408
409 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
410 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
411
412 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
413
414 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
415 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
416 support.
417 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
418 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
419 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
420 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
421 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
422 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
423 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
424 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
425 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
426 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
427 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
428 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
429 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
430 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
431 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
432 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
433
434 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
435
436 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
437 libraries.
438
439 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
440 about several machine instruction sets.
441
442 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
443 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
444 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
445 and RDI targets, respectively.
446
447 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
448 command-line editing and command history.
449
450 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
451 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
452
453 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
454 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
455 symbols.
456
457 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
458 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
459
460 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
461
462 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
463 processors.
464
465 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
466
467 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
468
469 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
470
471 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
472 watchpoints.
473
474 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
475
476 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
477
478 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
479 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
480
481 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
482 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
483 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
484 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
485 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
486 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
487 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
488
489 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
490 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
491
492 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
493 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
494 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
495 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
496 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
497 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
498 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
499 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
500 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
501 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
502 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
503 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
504 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
505 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
506 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
507
508 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
509 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
510
511 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
512 Hat.
513
514 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
515 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
516 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
517 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
518 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
519 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
520
521 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
522 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
523 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
524 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
525 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
526 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
527 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
528 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
529 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
530 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
531 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
532 Weigand.
533
534 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
535 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
536 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
537 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
538
539 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
540 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
541
542 @node Sample Session
543 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
544
545 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
546 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
547 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
548
549 @iftex
550 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
551 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
552 @end iftex
553
554 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
555 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
556
557 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
558 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
559 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
560 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
561 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
562 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
563 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
564 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
565 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
566
567 @smallexample
568 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
569 $ @b{./m4}
570 @b{define(foo,0000)}
571
572 @b{foo}
573 0000
574 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
575
576 @b{bar}
577 0000
578 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
579
580 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
581 @b{baz}
582 @b{Ctrl-d}
583 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
584 @end smallexample
585
586 @noindent
587 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
588
589 @smallexample
590 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
591 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
592 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
593 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
594 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
595 the conditions.
596 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
597 for details.
598
599 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
600 (@value{GDBP})
601 @end smallexample
602
603 @noindent
604 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
605 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
606 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
607 that examples fit in this manual.
608
609 @smallexample
610 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
611 @end smallexample
612
613 @noindent
614 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
615 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
616 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
617 @code{break} command.
618
619 @smallexample
620 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
621 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
622 @end smallexample
623
624 @noindent
625 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
626 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
627 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
628
629 @smallexample
630 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
631 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
632 @b{define(foo,0000)}
633
634 @b{foo}
635 0000
636 @end smallexample
637
638 @noindent
639 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
640 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
641 context where it stops.
642
643 @smallexample
644 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
645
646 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
647 at builtin.c:879
648 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
649 @end smallexample
650
651 @noindent
652 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
653 the next line of the current function.
654
655 @smallexample
656 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
657 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
658 : nil,
659 @end smallexample
660
661 @noindent
662 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
663 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
664 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
665 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
666
667 @smallexample
668 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
669 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
670 at input.c:530
671 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
672 @end smallexample
673
674 @noindent
675 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
676 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
677 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
678 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
679 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
680 stack frame for each active subroutine.
681
682 @smallexample
683 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
684 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
685 at input.c:530
686 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
687 at builtin.c:882
688 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
689 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
690 at macro.c:71
691 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
692 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
693 @end smallexample
694
695 @noindent
696 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
697 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
698 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
699
700 @smallexample
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
702 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
703 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
704 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
705 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
706 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
707 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
708 : xstrdup(rq);
709 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
710 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
711 @end smallexample
712
713 @noindent
714 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
715 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
716 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
717 (@code{print}) to see their values.
718
719 @smallexample
720 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
721 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
722 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
723 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
724 @end smallexample
725
726 @noindent
727 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
728 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
729 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
730
731 @smallexample
732 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
733 533 xfree(rquote);
734 534
735 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
736 : xstrdup (lq);
737 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
738 : xstrdup (rq);
739 537
740 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
741 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
742 540 @}
743 541
744 542 void
745 @end smallexample
746
747 @noindent
748 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
749 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
750
751 @smallexample
752 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
753 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
754 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
755 540 @}
756 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
757 $3 = 9
758 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
759 $4 = 7
760 @end smallexample
761
762 @noindent
763 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
764 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
765 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
766 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
767 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
768 assignments.
769
770 @smallexample
771 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
772 $5 = 7
773 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
774 $6 = 9
775 @end smallexample
776
777 @noindent
778 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
779 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
780 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
781 example that caused trouble initially:
782
783 @smallexample
784 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
785 Continuing.
786
787 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
788
789 baz
790 0000
791 @end smallexample
792
793 @noindent
794 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
795 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
796 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
797
798 @smallexample
799 @b{Ctrl-d}
800 Program exited normally.
801 @end smallexample
802
803 @noindent
804 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
805 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
806 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
807
808 @smallexample
809 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
810 @end smallexample
811
812 @node Invocation
813 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
814
815 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
816 The essentials are:
817 @itemize @bullet
818 @item
819 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
820 @item
821 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
822 @end itemize
823
824 @menu
825 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
826 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
827 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
828 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
829 @end menu
830
831 @node Invoking GDB
832 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
833
834 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
835 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
836
837 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
838 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
839
840 The command-line options described here are designed
841 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
842 options may effectively be unavailable.
843
844 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
845 specifying an executable program:
846
847 @smallexample
848 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
849 @end smallexample
850
851 @noindent
852 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
853 specified:
854
855 @smallexample
856 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
857 @end smallexample
858
859 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
860 to debug a running process:
861
862 @smallexample
863 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
864 @end smallexample
865
866 @noindent
867 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
868 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
869
870 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
871 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
872 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
873 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
874 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
875
876 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
877 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
878 option processing.
879 @smallexample
880 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
881 @end smallexample
882 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
883 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
884
885 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
886 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
887
888 @smallexample
889 @value{GDBP} -silent
890 @end smallexample
891
892 @noindent
893 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
894 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
895
896 @noindent
897 Type
898
899 @smallexample
900 @value{GDBP} -help
901 @end smallexample
902
903 @noindent
904 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
905 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
906
907 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
908 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
909 @samp{-x} option is used.
910
911
912 @menu
913 * File Options:: Choosing files
914 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
915 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
916 @end menu
917
918 @node File Options
919 @subsection Choosing Files
920
921 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
922 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
923 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
924 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
925 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
926 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
927 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
928 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
929 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
930 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
931 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
932 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
933 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
934
935 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
936 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
937 argument and ignore it.
938
939 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
940 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
941 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
942 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
943 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
944
945 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
946 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
947 @c it.
948
949 @table @code
950 @item -symbols @var{file}
951 @itemx -s @var{file}
952 @cindex @code{--symbols}
953 @cindex @code{-s}
954 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
955
956 @item -exec @var{file}
957 @itemx -e @var{file}
958 @cindex @code{--exec}
959 @cindex @code{-e}
960 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
961 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
962
963 @item -se @var{file}
964 @cindex @code{--se}
965 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
966 file.
967
968 @item -core @var{file}
969 @itemx -c @var{file}
970 @cindex @code{--core}
971 @cindex @code{-c}
972 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
973
974 @item -pid @var{number}
975 @itemx -p @var{number}
976 @cindex @code{--pid}
977 @cindex @code{-p}
978 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
979
980 @item -command @var{file}
981 @itemx -x @var{file}
982 @cindex @code{--command}
983 @cindex @code{-x}
984 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
985 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
986 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
987
988 @item -eval-command @var{command}
989 @itemx -ex @var{command}
990 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
991 @cindex @code{-ex}
992 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
993
994 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
995 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
996
997 @smallexample
998 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
999 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
1000 @end smallexample
1001
1002 @item -init-command @var{file}
1003 @itemx -ix @var{file}
1004 @cindex @code{--init-command}
1005 @cindex @code{-ix}
1006 Execute commands from file @var{file} before loading the inferior (but
1007 after loading gdbinit files).
1008 @xref{Startup}.
1009
1010 @item -init-eval-command @var{command}
1011 @itemx -iex @var{command}
1012 @cindex @code{--init-eval-command}
1013 @cindex @code{-iex}
1014 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command before loading the inferior (but
1015 after loading gdbinit files).
1016 @xref{Startup}.
1017
1018 @item -directory @var{directory}
1019 @itemx -d @var{directory}
1020 @cindex @code{--directory}
1021 @cindex @code{-d}
1022 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
1023
1024 @item -r
1025 @itemx -readnow
1026 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1027 @cindex @code{-r}
1028 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1029 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1030 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1031
1032 @end table
1033
1034 @node Mode Options
1035 @subsection Choosing Modes
1036
1037 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1038 batch mode or quiet mode.
1039
1040 @table @code
1041 @anchor{-nx}
1042 @item -nx
1043 @itemx -n
1044 @cindex @code{--nx}
1045 @cindex @code{-n}
1046 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1047 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1048 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1049 Files}.
1050
1051 @item -quiet
1052 @itemx -silent
1053 @itemx -q
1054 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1055 @cindex @code{--silent}
1056 @cindex @code{-q}
1057 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1058 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1059
1060 @item -batch
1061 @cindex @code{--batch}
1062 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1063 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1064 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1065 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1066 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1067 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1068 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1069
1070 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1071 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1072 make this more useful, the message
1073
1074 @smallexample
1075 Program exited normally.
1076 @end smallexample
1077
1078 @noindent
1079 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1080 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1081 mode.
1082
1083 @item -batch-silent
1084 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1085 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1086 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1087 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1088 for an interactive session.
1089
1090 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1091 messages, for example.
1092
1093 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1094 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1095
1096 @item -return-child-result
1097 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1098 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1099 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1100
1101 @itemize @bullet
1102 @item
1103 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1104 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1105 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1106 @item
1107 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1108 @item
1109 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1110 the exit code will be -1.
1111 @end itemize
1112
1113 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1114 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1115 interface.
1116
1117 @item -nowindows
1118 @itemx -nw
1119 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1120 @cindex @code{-nw}
1121 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1122 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1123 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1124
1125 @item -windows
1126 @itemx -w
1127 @cindex @code{--windows}
1128 @cindex @code{-w}
1129 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1130 used if possible.
1131
1132 @item -cd @var{directory}
1133 @cindex @code{--cd}
1134 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1135 instead of the current directory.
1136
1137 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1138 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1139 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1140 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1141 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1142
1143 @item -fullname
1144 @itemx -f
1145 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1146 @cindex @code{-f}
1147 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1148 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1149 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1150 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1151 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1152 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1153 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1154 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1155 frame.
1156
1157 @item -epoch
1158 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1159 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1160 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1161 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1162 separate window.
1163
1164 @item -annotate @var{level}
1165 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1166 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1167 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1168 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1169 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1170 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1171 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1172 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1173 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1174
1175 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1176 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1177
1178 @item --args
1179 @cindex @code{--args}
1180 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1181 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1182 This option stops option processing.
1183
1184 @item -baud @var{bps}
1185 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1186 @cindex @code{--baud}
1187 @cindex @code{-b}
1188 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1189 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1190
1191 @item -l @var{timeout}
1192 @cindex @code{-l}
1193 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1194 for remote debugging.
1195
1196 @item -tty @var{device}
1197 @itemx -t @var{device}
1198 @cindex @code{--tty}
1199 @cindex @code{-t}
1200 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1201 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1202
1203 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1204 @item -tui
1205 @cindex @code{--tui}
1206 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1207 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1208 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1209 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Do not use this
1210 option if you run @value{GDBN} from Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,
1211 Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1212
1213 @c @item -xdb
1214 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1215 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1216 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1217 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1218 @c systems.
1219
1220 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1221 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1222 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1223 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1224 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1225 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1226
1227 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1228 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1229 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1230 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1231 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1232 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1233
1234 @item -write
1235 @cindex @code{--write}
1236 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1237 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1238 (@pxref{Patching}).
1239
1240 @item -statistics
1241 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1242 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1243 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1244
1245 @item -version
1246 @cindex @code{--version}
1247 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1248 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1249
1250 @end table
1251
1252 @node Startup
1253 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1254 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1255
1256 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1257
1258 @enumerate
1259 @item
1260 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1261 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1262
1263 @item
1264 @cindex init file
1265 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1266 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1267 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1268 that file.
1269
1270 @anchor{Home Directory Init File}
1271 @item
1272 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1273 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1274 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1275 that file.
1276
1277 @anchor{Option -init-eval-command}
1278 @item
1279 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-iex} and
1280 @samp{-ix} options in their specified order. Usually you should use the
1281 @samp{-ex} and @samp{-x} options instead, but this way you can apply
1282 settings before @value{GDBN} init files get executed and before inferior
1283 gets loaded.
1284
1285 @item
1286 Processes command line options and operands.
1287
1288 @anchor{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}
1289 @item
1290 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1291 working directory as long as @samp{set auto-load local-gdbinit} is set to
1292 @samp{on} (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory}).
1293 This is only done if the current directory is
1294 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1295 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1296 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1297 @value{GDBN}.
1298
1299 @item
1300 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1301 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1302 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1303 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1304
1305 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1306 you must do something like the following:
1307
1308 @smallexample
1309 $ gdb -iex "set auto-load python-scripts off" myprogram
1310 @end smallexample
1311
1312 Option @samp{-ex} does not work because the auto-loading is then turned
1313 off too late.
1314
1315 @item
1316 Executes commands and command files specified by the @samp{-ex} and
1317 @samp{-x} options in their specified order. @xref{Command Files}, for
1318 more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1319
1320 @item
1321 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1322 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1323 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1324 @end enumerate
1325
1326 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1327 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1328 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1329 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1330 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1331 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1332
1333 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1334 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1335
1336 @cindex init file name
1337 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1338 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1339 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1340 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1341 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1342 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1343 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1344 the file to the standard name.
1345
1346
1347 @node Quitting GDB
1348 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1349 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1350 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1351
1352 @table @code
1353 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1354 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1355 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1356 @itemx q
1357 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1358 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1359 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1360 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1361 error code.
1362 @end table
1363
1364 @cindex interrupt
1365 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1366 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1367 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1368 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1369 until a time when it is safe.
1370
1371 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1372 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1373 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1374
1375 @node Shell Commands
1376 @section Shell Commands
1377
1378 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1379 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1380 just use the @code{shell} command.
1381
1382 @table @code
1383 @kindex shell
1384 @kindex !
1385 @cindex shell escape
1386 @item shell @var{command-string}
1387 @itemx !@var{command-string}
1388 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command-string}.
1389 Note that no space is needed between @code{!} and @var{command-string}.
1390 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1391 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1392 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1393 @end table
1394
1395 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1396 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1397 @value{GDBN}:
1398
1399 @table @code
1400 @kindex make
1401 @cindex calling make
1402 @item make @var{make-args}
1403 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1404 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1405 @end table
1406
1407 @node Logging Output
1408 @section Logging Output
1409 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1410 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1411
1412 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1413 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1414
1415 @table @code
1416 @kindex set logging
1417 @item set logging on
1418 Enable logging.
1419 @item set logging off
1420 Disable logging.
1421 @cindex logging file name
1422 @item set logging file @var{file}
1423 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1424 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1425 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1426 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1427 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1428 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1429 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1430 @kindex show logging
1431 @item show logging
1432 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1433 @end table
1434
1435 @node Commands
1436 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1437
1438 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1439 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1440 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1441 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1442 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1443
1444 @menu
1445 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1446 * Completion:: Command completion
1447 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1448 @end menu
1449
1450 @node Command Syntax
1451 @section Command Syntax
1452
1453 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1454 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1455 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1456 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1457 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1458 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1459
1460 @cindex abbreviation
1461 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1462 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1463 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1464 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1465 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1466 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1467 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1468
1469 @cindex repeating commands
1470 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1471 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1472 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1473 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1474 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1475 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1476 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1477
1478 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1479 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1480 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1481
1482 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1483 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1484 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1485 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1486 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1487
1488 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1489 @cindex comment
1490 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1491 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1492 Files,,Command Files}).
1493
1494 @cindex repeating command sequences
1495 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1496 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1497 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1498 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1499 for editing.
1500
1501 @node Completion
1502 @section Command Completion
1503
1504 @cindex completion
1505 @cindex word completion
1506 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1507 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1508 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1509 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1510
1511 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1512 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1513 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1514 enter it). For example, if you type
1515
1516 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1517 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1518 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1519 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1520 @smallexample
1521 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1522 @end smallexample
1523
1524 @noindent
1525 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1526 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1527
1528 @smallexample
1529 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1530 @end smallexample
1531
1532 @noindent
1533 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1534 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1535 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1536 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1537 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1538 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1539
1540 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1541 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1542 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1543 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1544 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1545 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1546 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1547 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1548 example:
1549
1550 @smallexample
1551 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1552 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1553 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1554 make_abs_section make_function_type
1555 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1556 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1557 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1558 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1559 @end smallexample
1560
1561 @noindent
1562 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1563 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1564 command.
1565
1566 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1567 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1568 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1569 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1570 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1571
1572 @cindex quotes in commands
1573 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1574 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1575 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1576 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1577 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1578 @value{GDBN} commands.
1579
1580 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1581 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1582 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1583 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1584 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1585 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1586 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1587 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1588 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1589 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1590 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1591
1592 @smallexample
1593 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1594 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1595 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1596 @end smallexample
1597
1598 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1599 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1600 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1601 place:
1602
1603 @smallexample
1604 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1605 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1606 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1607 @end smallexample
1608
1609 @noindent
1610 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1611 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1612 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1613
1614 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1615 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1616 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1617 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1618
1619 @cindex completion of structure field names
1620 @cindex structure field name completion
1621 @cindex completion of union field names
1622 @cindex union field name completion
1623 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1624 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1625 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1626 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1627 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1628 left-hand-side:
1629
1630 @smallexample
1631 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1632 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1633 to_data to_isatty to_write
1634 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1635 to_flush to_read
1636 @end smallexample
1637
1638 @noindent
1639 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1640 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1641 follows:
1642
1643 @smallexample
1644 struct ui_file
1645 @{
1646 int *magic;
1647 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1648 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1649 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1650 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1651 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1652 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1653 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1654 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1655 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1656 void *to_data;
1657 @}
1658 @end smallexample
1659
1660
1661 @node Help
1662 @section Getting Help
1663 @cindex online documentation
1664 @kindex help
1665
1666 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1667 using the command @code{help}.
1668
1669 @table @code
1670 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1671 @item help
1672 @itemx h
1673 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1674 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1675
1676 @smallexample
1677 (@value{GDBP}) help
1678 List of classes of commands:
1679
1680 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1681 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1682 data -- Examining data
1683 files -- Specifying and examining files
1684 internals -- Maintenance commands
1685 obscure -- Obscure features
1686 running -- Running the program
1687 stack -- Examining the stack
1688 status -- Status inquiries
1689 support -- Support facilities
1690 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1691 stopping the program
1692 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1693
1694 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1695 commands in that class.
1696 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1697 documentation.
1698 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1699 (@value{GDBP})
1700 @end smallexample
1701 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1702
1703 @item help @var{class}
1704 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1705 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1706 help display for the class @code{status}:
1707
1708 @smallexample
1709 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1710 Status inquiries.
1711
1712 List of commands:
1713
1714 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1715 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1716 info -- Generic command for showing things
1717 about the program being debugged
1718 show -- Generic command for showing things
1719 about the debugger
1720
1721 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1722 documentation.
1723 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1724 (@value{GDBP})
1725 @end smallexample
1726
1727 @item help @var{command}
1728 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1729 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1730
1731 @kindex apropos
1732 @item apropos @var{args}
1733 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1734 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1735 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1736
1737 @smallexample
1738 apropos alias
1739 @end smallexample
1740
1741 @noindent
1742 results in:
1743
1744 @smallexample
1745 @c @group
1746 alias -- Define a new command that is an alias of an existing command
1747 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1748 d -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1749 del -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1750 delete -- Delete some breakpoints or auto-display expressions
1751 @c @end group
1752 @end smallexample
1753
1754 @kindex complete
1755 @item complete @var{args}
1756 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1757 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1758 command you want completed. For example:
1759
1760 @smallexample
1761 complete i
1762 @end smallexample
1763
1764 @noindent results in:
1765
1766 @smallexample
1767 @group
1768 if
1769 ignore
1770 info
1771 inspect
1772 @end group
1773 @end smallexample
1774
1775 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1776 @end table
1777
1778 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1779 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1780 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1781 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1782 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Command, Variable, and
1783 Function Index point to all the sub-commands. @xref{Command and Variable
1784 Index}.
1785
1786 @c @group
1787 @table @code
1788 @kindex info
1789 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1790 @item info
1791 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1792 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1793 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1794 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1795 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1796 @w{@code{help info}}.
1797
1798 @kindex set
1799 @item set
1800 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1801 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1802 @code{set prompt $}.
1803
1804 @kindex show
1805 @item show
1806 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1807 @value{GDBN} itself.
1808 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1809 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1810 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1811 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1812
1813 @kindex info set
1814 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1815 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1816 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1817 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1818 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1819 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1820 @end table
1821 @c @end group
1822
1823 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1824 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1825
1826 @table @code
1827 @kindex show version
1828 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1829 @item show version
1830 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1831 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1832 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1833 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1834 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1835 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1836 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1837 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1838 @value{GDBN}.
1839
1840 @kindex show copying
1841 @kindex info copying
1842 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1843 @item show copying
1844 @itemx info copying
1845 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1846
1847 @kindex show warranty
1848 @kindex info warranty
1849 @item show warranty
1850 @itemx info warranty
1851 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1852 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1853
1854 @end table
1855
1856 @node Running
1857 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1858
1859 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1860 debugging information when you compile it.
1861
1862 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1863 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1864 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1865 kill a child process.
1866
1867 @menu
1868 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1869 * Starting:: Starting your program
1870 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1871 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1872
1873 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1874 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1875 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1876 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1877
1878 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1879 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1880 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1881 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1882 @end menu
1883
1884 @node Compilation
1885 @section Compiling for Debugging
1886
1887 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1888 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1889 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1890 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1891 and addresses in the executable code.
1892
1893 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1894 the compiler.
1895
1896 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1897 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1898 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1899 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1900 executables containing debugging information.
1901
1902 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1903 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1904 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1905 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1906 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1907
1908 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1909 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1910 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1911
1912 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1913 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1914 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1915 the @option{-g} flag alone. Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC},
1916 the @sc{gnu} C compiler, provides macro information if you are using
1917 the DWARF debugging format, and specify the option @option{-g3}.
1918
1919 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
1920 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}, for more
1921 information on @value{NGCC} options affecting debug information.
1922
1923 You will have the best debugging experience if you use the latest
1924 version of the DWARF debugging format that your compiler supports.
1925 DWARF is currently the most expressive and best supported debugging
1926 format in @value{GDBN}.
1927
1928 @need 2000
1929 @node Starting
1930 @section Starting your Program
1931 @cindex starting
1932 @cindex running
1933
1934 @table @code
1935 @kindex run
1936 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1937 @item run
1938 @itemx r
1939 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1940 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1941 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1942 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1943 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1944
1945 @end table
1946
1947 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1948 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1949 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1950 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1951 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1952 message like this one:
1953
1954 @smallexample
1955 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1956 Try "help target" or "continue".
1957 @end smallexample
1958
1959 @noindent
1960 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1961 first (@pxref{load}).
1962
1963 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1964 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1965 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1966 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1967 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1968 divided into four categories:
1969
1970 @table @asis
1971 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1972 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1973 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1974 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1975 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1976 the arguments.
1977 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1978 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1979 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1980
1981 @item The @emph{environment.}
1982 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1983 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1984 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1985 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1986
1987 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1988 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1989 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1990 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1991
1992 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1993 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1994 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1995 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1996 set a different device for your program.
1997 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1998
1999 @cindex pipes
2000 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
2001 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
2002 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
2003 wrong program.
2004 @end table
2005
2006 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
2007 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
2008 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
2009 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
2010 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
2011
2012 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
2013 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
2014 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
2015 your current breakpoints.
2016
2017 @table @code
2018 @kindex start
2019 @item start
2020 @cindex run to main procedure
2021 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
2022 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
2023 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
2024 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
2025 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
2026 procedure, depending on the language used.
2027
2028 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
2029 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
2030 the @samp{run} command.
2031
2032 @cindex elaboration phase
2033 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
2034 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
2035 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
2036 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
2037 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
2038 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
2039 will remain to halt execution.
2040
2041 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
2042 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2043 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2044 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2045 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2046
2047 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2048 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2049 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2050 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2051 elaboration code before running your program.
2052
2053 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2054 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2055 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2056 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2057 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2058 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2059 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2060 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2061 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2062 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2063 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2064
2065 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2066 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2067 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2068 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2069
2070 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2071 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2072 environment:
2073
2074 @smallexample
2075 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2076 (@value{GDBP}) run
2077 @end smallexample
2078
2079 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2080 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2081
2082 @kindex set disable-randomization
2083 @item set disable-randomization
2084 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2085 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2086 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2087 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2088 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2089
2090 This feature is implemented only on certain targets, including @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2091 On @sc{gnu}/Linux you can get the same behavior using
2092
2093 @smallexample
2094 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2095 @end smallexample
2096
2097 @item set disable-randomization off
2098 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2099 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2100 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2101 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2102 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2103 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2104
2105 On targets where it is available, virtual address space randomization
2106 protects the programs against certain kinds of security attacks. In these
2107 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2108 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2109 a code at its expected addresses.
2110
2111 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2112 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2113 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2114 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2115 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2116 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2117 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2118 a randomly chosen address.
2119
2120 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2121 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2122 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2123 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2124 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2125
2126 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2127 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2128
2129 @item show disable-randomization
2130 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2131 the virtual address space of the started program.
2132
2133 @end table
2134
2135 @node Arguments
2136 @section Your Program's Arguments
2137
2138 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2139 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2140 @code{run} command.
2141 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2142 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2143 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2144 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2145 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2146
2147 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2148 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2149 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2150 the program, not by the shell.
2151
2152 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2153 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2154
2155 @table @code
2156 @kindex set args
2157 @item set args
2158 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2159 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2160 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2161 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2162 it again without arguments.
2163
2164 @kindex show args
2165 @item show args
2166 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2167 @end table
2168
2169 @node Environment
2170 @section Your Program's Environment
2171
2172 @cindex environment (of your program)
2173 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2174 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2175 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2176 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2177 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2178 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2179 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2180
2181 @table @code
2182 @kindex path
2183 @item path @var{directory}
2184 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2185 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2186 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2187 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2188 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2189 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2190 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2191
2192 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2193 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2194 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2195 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2196 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2197 @var{directory} to the search path.
2198 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2199 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2200
2201 @kindex show paths
2202 @item show paths
2203 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2204 environment variable).
2205
2206 @kindex show environment
2207 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2208 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2209 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2210 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2211 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2212
2213 @kindex set environment
2214 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2215 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2216 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2217 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2218 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2219 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2220 null value.
2221 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2222 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2223
2224 For example, this command:
2225
2226 @smallexample
2227 set env USER = foo
2228 @end smallexample
2229
2230 @noindent
2231 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2232 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2233 are not actually required.)
2234
2235 @kindex unset environment
2236 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2237 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2238 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2239 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2240 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2241 @end table
2242
2243 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2244 the shell indicated
2245 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2246 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2247 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2248 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2249 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2250 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2251 @file{.profile}.
2252
2253 @node Working Directory
2254 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2255
2256 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2257 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2258 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2259 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2260 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2261 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2262
2263 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2264 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2265 Specify Files}.
2266
2267 @table @code
2268 @kindex cd
2269 @cindex change working directory
2270 @item cd @r{[}@var{directory}@r{]}
2271 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}. If not
2272 given, @var{directory} uses @file{'~'}.
2273
2274 @kindex pwd
2275 @item pwd
2276 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2277 @end table
2278
2279 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2280 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2281 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2282 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2283 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2284 current working directory of the debuggee.
2285
2286 @node Input/Output
2287 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2288
2289 @cindex redirection
2290 @cindex i/o
2291 @cindex terminal
2292 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2293 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2294 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2295 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2296 running your program.
2297
2298 @table @code
2299 @kindex info terminal
2300 @item info terminal
2301 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2302 program is using.
2303 @end table
2304
2305 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2306 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2307
2308 @smallexample
2309 run > outfile
2310 @end smallexample
2311
2312 @noindent
2313 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2314
2315 @kindex tty
2316 @cindex controlling terminal
2317 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2318 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2319 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2320 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2321 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2322
2323 @smallexample
2324 tty /dev/ttyb
2325 @end smallexample
2326
2327 @noindent
2328 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2329 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2330 that as their controlling terminal.
2331
2332 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2333 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2334 terminal.
2335
2336 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2337 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2338 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2339 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2340
2341 @cindex inferior tty
2342 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2343 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2344 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2345 program.
2346
2347 @table @code
2348 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2349 @kindex set inferior-tty
2350 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2351
2352 @item show inferior-tty
2353 @kindex show inferior-tty
2354 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2355 @end table
2356
2357 @node Attach
2358 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2359 @kindex attach
2360 @cindex attach
2361
2362 @table @code
2363 @item attach @var{process-id}
2364 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2365 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2366 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2367 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2368 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2369
2370 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2371 executing the command.
2372 @end table
2373
2374 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2375 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2376 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2377 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2378
2379 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2380 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2381 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2382 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2383 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2384 Specify Files}.
2385
2386 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2387 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2388 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2389 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2390 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2391 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2392 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2393
2394 @table @code
2395 @kindex detach
2396 @item detach
2397 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2398 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2399 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2400 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2401 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2402 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2403 executing the command.
2404 @end table
2405
2406 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2407 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2408 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2409 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2410 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2411 Messages}).
2412
2413 @node Kill Process
2414 @section Killing the Child Process
2415
2416 @table @code
2417 @kindex kill
2418 @item kill
2419 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2420 @end table
2421
2422 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2423 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2424 is running.
2425
2426 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2427 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2428 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2429 outside the debugger.
2430
2431 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2432 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2433 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2434 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2435 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2436 breakpoint settings).
2437
2438 @node Inferiors and Programs
2439 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2440
2441 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2442 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2443 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2444 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2445 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2446 from multiple executables.
2447
2448 @cindex inferior
2449 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2450 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2451 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2452 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2453 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2454 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2455 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2456 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2457 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2458 threads running in it.
2459
2460 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2461 inferiors}}:
2462
2463 @table @code
2464 @kindex info inferiors
2465 @item info inferiors
2466 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2467
2468 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2469
2470 @enumerate
2471 @item
2472 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2473
2474 @item
2475 the target system's inferior identifier
2476
2477 @item
2478 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2479
2480 @end enumerate
2481
2482 @noindent
2483 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2484 indicates the current inferior.
2485
2486 For example,
2487 @end table
2488 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2489
2490 @smallexample
2491 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2492 Num Description Executable
2493 2 process 2307 hello
2494 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2495 @end smallexample
2496
2497 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2498
2499 @table @code
2500 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2501 @item inferior @var{infno}
2502 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2503 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2504 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2505 @end table
2506
2507
2508 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2509 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2510 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2511 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2512 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2513 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2514
2515 @table @code
2516 @kindex add-inferior
2517 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2518 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2519 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2520 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2521 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2522 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2523
2524 @kindex clone-inferior
2525 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2526 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2527 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2528 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2529 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2530
2531 @smallexample
2532 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2533 Num Description Executable
2534 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2535 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2536 Added inferior 2.
2537 1 inferiors added.
2538 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2539 Num Description Executable
2540 2 <null> helloworld
2541 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2542 @end smallexample
2543
2544 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2545
2546 @kindex remove-inferiors
2547 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2548 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2549 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2550 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2551
2552 @end table
2553
2554 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2555 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2556 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2557 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2558
2559 @table @code
2560 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2561 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2562 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2563 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2564 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2565 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2566
2567 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2568 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2569 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2570 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2571 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2572 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2573 @end table
2574
2575 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2576 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2577 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2578 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2579
2580
2581 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2582 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2583
2584 @table @code
2585 @kindex set print inferior-events
2586 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2587 @item set print inferior-events
2588 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2589 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2590 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2591 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2592 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2593 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2594
2595 @kindex show print inferior-events
2596 @item show print inferior-events
2597 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2598 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2599 @end table
2600
2601 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2602 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2603 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2604
2605
2606 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2607 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2608 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2609 info program-spaces}} command.
2610
2611 @table @code
2612 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2613 @item maint info program-spaces
2614 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2615 @value{GDBN}.
2616
2617 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2618
2619 @enumerate
2620 @item
2621 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2622
2623 @item
2624 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2625 the @code{file} command.
2626
2627 @end enumerate
2628
2629 @noindent
2630 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2631 indicates the current program space.
2632
2633 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2634 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2635 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2636
2637 @smallexample
2638 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2639 Id Executable
2640 2 goodbye
2641 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2642 * 1 hello
2643 @end smallexample
2644
2645 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2646 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2647 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2648 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2649 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2650
2651 @smallexample
2652 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2653 Id Executable
2654 * 1 vfork-test
2655 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2656 @end smallexample
2657
2658 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2659 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2660 @end table
2661
2662 @node Threads
2663 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2664
2665 @cindex threads of execution
2666 @cindex multiple threads
2667 @cindex switching threads
2668 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2669 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2670 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2671 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2672 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2673 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2674 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2675
2676 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2677 programs:
2678
2679 @itemize @bullet
2680 @item automatic notification of new threads
2681 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2682 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2683 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2684 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2685 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2686 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2687 messages on thread start and exit.
2688 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2689 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2690 isn't compatible with the program.
2691 @end itemize
2692
2693 @quotation
2694 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2695 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2696 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2697 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2698 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2699 like this:
2700
2701 @smallexample
2702 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2703 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2704 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2705 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2706 @end smallexample
2707 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2708 @c doesn't support threads"?
2709 @end quotation
2710
2711 @cindex focus of debugging
2712 @cindex current thread
2713 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2714 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2715 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2716 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2717 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2718
2719 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2720 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2721 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2722 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2723 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2724 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2725 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2726 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2727 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2728 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2729
2730 @smallexample
2731 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2732 @end smallexample
2733
2734 @noindent
2735 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2736 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2737 further qualifier.
2738
2739 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2740 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2741 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2742 @c program?
2743 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2744 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2745 @c threads ab initio?
2746
2747 @cindex thread number
2748 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2749 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2750 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2751
2752 @table @code
2753 @kindex info threads
2754 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2755 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2756 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2757 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2758 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2759
2760 @enumerate
2761 @item
2762 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2763
2764 @item
2765 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2766
2767 @item
2768 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2769 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2770 program itself.
2771
2772 @item
2773 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2774 @end enumerate
2775
2776 @noindent
2777 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2778 indicates the current thread.
2779
2780 For example,
2781 @end table
2782 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2783
2784 @smallexample
2785 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2786 Id Target Id Frame
2787 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2788 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2789 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2790 at threadtest.c:68
2791 @end smallexample
2792
2793 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2794 Solaris-specific command:
2795
2796 @table @code
2797 @item maint info sol-threads
2798 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2799 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2800 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2801 @end table
2802
2803 @table @code
2804 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2805 @item thread @var{threadno}
2806 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2807 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2808 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2809 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2810 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2811
2812 @smallexample
2813 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2814 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2815 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2816 8 printf ("hello\n");
2817 @end smallexample
2818
2819 @noindent
2820 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2821 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2822 threads.
2823
2824 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2825 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2826 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2827 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2828 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2829 information on convenience variables.
2830
2831 @kindex thread apply
2832 @cindex apply command to several threads
2833 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2834 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2835 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2836 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2837 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2838 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2839 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2840 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2841
2842 @kindex thread name
2843 @cindex name a thread
2844 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2845 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2846 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2847 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2848
2849 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2850 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2851 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2852 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2853 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2854
2855 @kindex thread find
2856 @cindex search for a thread
2857 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2858 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2859 matches the supplied regular expression.
2860
2861 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2862 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2863 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2864 is the LWP id.
2865
2866 @smallexample
2867 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2868 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2869 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2870 Id Target Id Frame
2871 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2872 @end smallexample
2873
2874 @kindex set print thread-events
2875 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2876 @item set print thread-events
2877 @itemx set print thread-events on
2878 @itemx set print thread-events off
2879 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2880 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2881 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2882 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2883 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2884
2885 @kindex show print thread-events
2886 @item show print thread-events
2887 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2888 have started and exited.
2889 @end table
2890
2891 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2892 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2893 programs with multiple threads.
2894
2895 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2896 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2897
2898 @anchor{set libthread-db-search-path}
2899 @table @code
2900 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2901 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2902 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2903 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2904 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2905 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2906 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2907 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2908 macro.
2909
2910 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2911 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2912 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2913 to find @code{libthread_db}. @value{GDBN} also consults first if inferior
2914 specific thread debugging library loading is enabled
2915 by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2916
2917 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2918 refers to the default system directories that are
2919 normally searched for loading shared libraries. The @samp{$sdir} entry
2920 is the only kind not needing to be enabled by @samp{set auto-load libthread-db}
2921 (@pxref{libthread_db.so.1 file}).
2922
2923 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2924 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2925 was loaded in the inferior process.
2926
2927 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2928 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2929 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2930 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2931 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2932 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2933 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2934
2935 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2936 only on some platforms.
2937
2938 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2939 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2940 Display current libthread_db search path.
2941
2942 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2943 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2944 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2945 @item set debug libthread-db
2946 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2947 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2948 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2949 @end table
2950
2951 @node Forks
2952 @section Debugging Forks
2953
2954 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2955 @cindex multiple processes
2956 @cindex processes, multiple
2957 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2958 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2959 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2960 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2961 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2962 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2963 will cause it to terminate.
2964
2965 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2966 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2967 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2968 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2969 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2970 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2971 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2972 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2973 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2974 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2975
2976 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2977 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2978 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2979 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2980
2981 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2982 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2983
2984 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2985 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2986
2987 @table @code
2988 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2989 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2990 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2991 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2992 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2993
2994 @table @code
2995 @item parent
2996 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2997 unimpeded. This is the default.
2998
2999 @item child
3000 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
3001 unimpeded.
3002
3003 @end table
3004
3005 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
3006 @item show follow-fork-mode
3007 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
3008 @end table
3009
3010 @cindex debugging multiple processes
3011 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
3012 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
3013
3014 @table @code
3015 @kindex set detach-on-fork
3016 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
3017 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
3018 retain debugger control over them both.
3019
3020 @table @code
3021 @item on
3022 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
3023 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
3024 independently. This is the default.
3025
3026 @item off
3027 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
3028 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
3029 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
3030 is held suspended.
3031
3032 @end table
3033
3034 @kindex show detach-on-fork
3035 @item show detach-on-fork
3036 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
3037 @end table
3038
3039 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
3040 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
3041 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
3042 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
3043 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
3044 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
3045
3046 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
3047 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
3048 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3049 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3050 and Programs}.
3051
3052 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3053 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3054 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3055 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3056 the child process's @code{main}.
3057
3058 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3059 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3060
3061 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3062 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3063 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3064 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3065 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3066 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3067 command.
3068
3069 @table @code
3070 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3071 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3072
3073 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3074 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3075
3076 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3077
3078 @table @code
3079 @item new
3080 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3081 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3082 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3083 original inferior.
3084
3085 For example:
3086
3087 @smallexample
3088 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3089 (gdb) info inferior
3090 Id Description Executable
3091 * 1 <null> prog1
3092 (@value{GDBP}) run
3093 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3094 Program exited normally.
3095 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3096 Id Description Executable
3097 * 2 <null> prog2
3098 1 <null> prog1
3099 @end smallexample
3100
3101 @item same
3102 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3103 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3104 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3105 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3106 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3107
3108 For example:
3109
3110 @smallexample
3111 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3112 Id Description Executable
3113 * 1 <null> prog1
3114 (@value{GDBP}) run
3115 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3116 Program exited normally.
3117 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3118 Id Description Executable
3119 * 1 <null> prog2
3120 @end smallexample
3121
3122 @end table
3123 @end table
3124
3125 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3126 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3127 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3128
3129 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3130 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3131
3132 @cindex checkpoint
3133 @cindex restart
3134 @cindex bookmark
3135 @cindex snapshot of a process
3136 @cindex rewind program state
3137
3138 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3139 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3140 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3141 later.
3142
3143 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3144 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3145 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3146 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3147 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3148
3149 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3150 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3151 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3152 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3153 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3154 start again from there.
3155
3156 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3157 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3158
3159 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3160
3161 @table @code
3162 @kindex checkpoint
3163 @item checkpoint
3164 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3165 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3166 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3167
3168 @kindex info checkpoints
3169 @item info checkpoints
3170 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3171 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3172 listed:
3173
3174 @table @code
3175 @item Checkpoint ID
3176 @item Process ID
3177 @item Code Address
3178 @item Source line, or label
3179 @end table
3180
3181 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3182 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3183 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3184 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3185 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3186 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3187 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3188
3189 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3190 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3191 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3192 the debugger.
3193
3194 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3195 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3196 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3197
3198 @end table
3199
3200 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3201 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3202 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3203 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3204 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3205 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3206 previously read data can be read again.
3207
3208 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3209 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3210 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3211 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3212 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3213 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3214
3215 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3216 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3217 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3218 different execution path this time.
3219
3220 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3221 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3222 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3223 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3224 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3225 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3226 potentially pose a problem.
3227
3228 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3229
3230 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3231 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3232 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3233 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3234 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3235 next.
3236
3237 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3238 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3239 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3240 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3241 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3242
3243 @node Stopping
3244 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3245
3246 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3247 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3248 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3249
3250 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3251 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3252 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3253 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3254 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3255 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3256 explicitly request this information at any time.
3257
3258 @table @code
3259 @kindex info program
3260 @item info program
3261 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3262 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3263 @end table
3264
3265 @menu
3266 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3267 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3268 * Skipping Over Functions and Files::
3269 Skipping over functions and files
3270 * Signals:: Signals
3271 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3272 @end menu
3273
3274 @node Breakpoints
3275 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3276
3277 @cindex breakpoints
3278 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3279 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3280 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3281 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3282 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3283 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3284 program.
3285
3286 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3287 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3288 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3289 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3290 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3291 call).
3292
3293 @cindex watchpoints
3294 @cindex data breakpoints
3295 @cindex memory tracing
3296 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3297 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3298 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3299 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3300 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3301 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3302 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3303 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3304 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3305 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3306 same commands.
3307
3308 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3309 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3310 Automatic Display}.
3311
3312 @cindex catchpoints
3313 @cindex breakpoint on events
3314 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3315 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3316 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3317 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3318 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3319 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3320 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3321
3322 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3323 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3324 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3325 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3326 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3327 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3328 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3329 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3330 enable it again.
3331
3332 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3333 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3334 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3335 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3336 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3337 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3338 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3339
3340 @menu
3341 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3342 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3343 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3344 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3345 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3346 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3347 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3348 * Dynamic Printf:: Dynamic printf
3349 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3350 * Static Probe Points:: Listing static probe points
3351 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3352 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3353 @end menu
3354
3355 @node Set Breaks
3356 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3357
3358 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3359 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3360 @c
3361 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3362
3363 @kindex break
3364 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3365 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3366 @cindex latest breakpoint
3367 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3368 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3369 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3370 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3371 convenience variables.
3372
3373 @table @code
3374 @item break @var{location}
3375 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3376 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3377 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3378 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3379 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3380
3381 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3382 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3383 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3384 that situation.
3385
3386 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3387 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3388 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3389
3390 @item break
3391 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3392 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3393 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3394 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3395 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3396 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3397 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3398 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3399 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3400 inside loops.
3401
3402 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3403 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3404 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3405 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3406 existed when your program stopped.
3407
3408 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3409 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3410 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3411 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3412 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3413 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3414 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3415
3416 @kindex tbreak
3417 @item tbreak @var{args}
3418 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3419 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3420 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3421 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3422
3423 @kindex hbreak
3424 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3425 @item hbreak @var{args}
3426 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3427 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3428 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3429 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3430 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3431 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3432 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3433 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3434 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3435 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3436 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3437 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3438 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3439 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3440 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3441 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3442 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3443 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3444
3445 @kindex thbreak
3446 @item thbreak @var{args}
3447 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3448 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3449 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3450 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3451 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3452 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3453 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3454 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3455
3456 @kindex rbreak
3457 @cindex regular expression
3458 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3459 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3460 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3461 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3462 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3463 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3464 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3465 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3466 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3467
3468 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3469 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3470 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3471 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3472 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3473 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3474
3475 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3476 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3477 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3478 classes.
3479
3480 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3481 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3482 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3483
3484 @smallexample
3485 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3486 @end smallexample
3487
3488 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3489 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3490 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3491 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3492 every function in a given file:
3493
3494 @smallexample
3495 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3496 @end smallexample
3497
3498 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3499 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3500
3501 @kindex info breakpoints
3502 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3503 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3504 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3505 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3506 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3507 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3508 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3509
3510 @table @emph
3511 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3512 @item Type
3513 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3514 @item Disposition
3515 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3516 @item Enabled or Disabled
3517 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3518 that are not enabled.
3519 @item Address
3520 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3521 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3522 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3523 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3524 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3525 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3526 @item What
3527 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3528 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3529 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3530 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3531 @end table
3532
3533 @noindent
3534 If a breakpoint is conditional, there are two evaluation modes: ``host'' and
3535 ``target''. If mode is ``host'', breakpoint condition evaluation is done by
3536 @value{GDBN} on the host's side. If it is ``target'', then the condition
3537 is evaluated by the target. The @code{info break} command shows
3538 the condition on the line following the affected breakpoint, together with
3539 its condition evaluation mode in between parentheses.
3540
3541 Breakpoint commands, if any, are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is
3542 allowed to have a condition specified for it. The condition is not parsed for
3543 validity until a shared library is loaded that allows the pending
3544 breakpoint to resolve to a valid location.
3545
3546 @noindent
3547 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3548 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3549 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3550 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3551 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3552
3553 @noindent
3554 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3555 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3556 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3557 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3558 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3559 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3560
3561 @noindent
3562 For a breakpoints with an enable count (xref) greater than 1,
3563 @code{info break} also displays that count.
3564
3565 @end table
3566
3567 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3568 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3569 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3570 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3571
3572 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3573 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3574 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3575 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3576
3577 @itemize @bullet
3578 @item
3579 Multiple functions in the program may have the same name.
3580
3581 @item
3582 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3583 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3584
3585 @item
3586 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3587 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3588
3589 @item
3590 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3591 several places where that function is inlined.
3592 @end itemize
3593
3594 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3595 the relevant locations.
3596
3597 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3598 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3599 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3600 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3601 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3602 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3603 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3604
3605 For example:
3606
3607 @smallexample
3608 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3609 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3610 stop only if i==1
3611 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3612 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3613 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3614 @end smallexample
3615
3616 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3617 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3618 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3619 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3620 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3621 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3622 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3623 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3624 that belong to that breakpoint.
3625
3626 @cindex pending breakpoints
3627 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3628 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3629 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3630 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3631 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3632 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3633 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3634 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3635 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3636 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3637 is not yet resolved.
3638
3639 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3640 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3641 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3642 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3643 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3644 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3645
3646 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3647 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3648 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3649 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3650
3651 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3652 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3653 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3654
3655 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3656 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3657 address specification to an address:
3658
3659 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3660 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3661 @table @code
3662 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3663 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3664 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3665
3666 @item set breakpoint pending on
3667 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3668 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3669
3670 @item set breakpoint pending off
3671 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3672 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3673 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3674
3675 @item show breakpoint pending
3676 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3677 @end table
3678
3679 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3680 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3681 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3682
3683 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3684 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3685 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3686 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3687 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3688 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3689 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3690 breakpoints.
3691
3692 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3693
3694 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3695 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3696 @table @code
3697 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3698 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3699 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3700 breakpoint must be used.
3701
3702 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3703 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3704 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3705 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3706 @end table
3707
3708 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3709 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3710 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3711 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3712 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3713 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3714 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3715 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3716 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3717
3718 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3719 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3720 @table @code
3721 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3722 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3723 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3724 removed from the target when it stops.
3725
3726 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3727 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3728 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3729 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3730 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3731
3732 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3733 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3734 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3735 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3736 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3737 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3738 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3739 @end table
3740
3741 @value{GDBN} handles conditional breakpoints by evaluating these conditions
3742 when a breakpoint breaks. If the condition is true, then the process being
3743 debugged stops, otherwise the process is resumed.
3744
3745 If the target supports evaluating conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} may
3746 download the breakpoint, together with its conditions, to it.
3747
3748 This feature can be controlled via the following commands:
3749
3750 @kindex set breakpoint condition-evaluation
3751 @kindex show breakpoint condition-evaluation
3752 @table @code
3753 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation host
3754 This option commands @value{GDBN} to evaluate the breakpoint
3755 conditions on the host's side. Unconditional breakpoints are sent to
3756 the target which in turn receives the triggers and reports them back to GDB
3757 for condition evaluation. This is the standard evaluation mode.
3758
3759 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation target
3760 This option commands @value{GDBN} to download breakpoint conditions
3761 to the target at the moment of their insertion. The target
3762 is responsible for evaluating the conditional expression and reporting
3763 breakpoint stop events back to @value{GDBN} whenever the condition
3764 is true. Due to limitations of target-side evaluation, some conditions
3765 cannot be evaluated there, e.g., conditions that depend on local data
3766 that is only known to the host. Examples include
3767 conditional expressions involving convenience variables, complex types
3768 that cannot be handled by the agent expression parser and expressions
3769 that are too long to be sent over to the target, specially when the
3770 target is a remote system. In these cases, the conditions will be
3771 evaluated by @value{GDBN}.
3772
3773 @item set breakpoint condition-evaluation auto
3774 This is the default mode. If the target supports evaluating breakpoint
3775 conditions on its end, @value{GDBN} will download breakpoint conditions to
3776 the target (limitations mentioned previously apply). If the target does
3777 not support breakpoint condition evaluation, then @value{GDBN} will fallback
3778 to evaluating all these conditions on the host's side.
3779 @end table
3780
3781
3782 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3783 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3784 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3785 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3786 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3787 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3788 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3789 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3790
3791
3792 @node Set Watchpoints
3793 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3794
3795 @cindex setting watchpoints
3796 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3797 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3798 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3799 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3800 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3801
3802 @itemize @bullet
3803 @item
3804 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3805
3806 @item
3807 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3808 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3809 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3810
3811 @item
3812 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3813 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3814 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3815 @end itemize
3816
3817 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3818 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3819 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3820 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3821 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3822 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3823 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3824 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3825 the expression changes.
3826
3827 @cindex software watchpoints
3828 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3829 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3830 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3831 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3832 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3833 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3834 culprit.)
3835
3836 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3837 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3838 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3839
3840 @table @code
3841 @kindex watch
3842 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3843 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3844 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3845 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3846 to watch the value of a single variable:
3847
3848 @smallexample
3849 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3850 @end smallexample
3851
3852 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3853 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3854 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3855 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3856 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3857 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3858
3859 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3860 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3861 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3862 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3863 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3864 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3865 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3866 error.
3867
3868 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3869 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3870 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3871 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3872 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3873 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3874 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3875 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3876 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3877 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3878 Examples:
3879
3880 @smallexample
3881 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3882 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3883 @end smallexample
3884
3885 @kindex rwatch
3886 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3887 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3888 by the program.
3889
3890 @kindex awatch
3891 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3892 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3893 or written into by the program.
3894
3895 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3896 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3897 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3898 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3899 @end table
3900
3901 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3902 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3903 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3904 a never-changing value:
3905
3906 @smallexample
3907 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3908 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3909 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3910 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3911 @end smallexample
3912
3913 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3914 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3915 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3916 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3917 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3918 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3919
3920 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3921 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3922 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3923 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3924 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3925 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3926 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3927 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3928
3929 @table @code
3930 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3931 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3932 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3933
3934 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3935 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3936 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3937 @end table
3938
3939 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3940 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3941 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3942
3943 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3944
3945 @smallexample
3946 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3947 @end smallexample
3948
3949 @noindent
3950 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3951
3952 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3953 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3954 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3955 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3956 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3957 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3958 will print a message like this:
3959
3960 @smallexample
3961 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3962 @end smallexample
3963
3964 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3965 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3966 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3967 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3968 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3969 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3970 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3971 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3972
3973 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3974 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3975 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3976 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3977 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3978 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3979
3980 @smallexample
3981 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3982 @end smallexample
3983
3984 @noindent
3985 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3986
3987 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3988 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3989 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3990 expression with separately allocated resources.
3991
3992 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3993 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3994 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3995
3996 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3997 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3998 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3999 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
4000 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
4001 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
4002 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
4003 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
4004 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
4005
4006 @cindex watchpoints and threads
4007 @cindex threads and watchpoints
4008 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
4009 watched expression from every thread.
4010
4011 @quotation
4012 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
4013 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
4014 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
4015 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
4016 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
4017 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
4018 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
4019 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
4020 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
4021 @end quotation
4022
4023 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
4024
4025 @node Set Catchpoints
4026 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
4027 @cindex catchpoints, setting
4028 @cindex exception handlers
4029 @cindex event handling
4030
4031 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
4032 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
4033 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
4034
4035 @table @code
4036 @kindex catch
4037 @item catch @var{event}
4038 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
4039 @table @code
4040 @item throw
4041 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
4042 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
4043
4044 @item catch
4045 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
4046
4047 @item exception
4048 @cindex Ada exception catching
4049 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
4050 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
4051 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
4052 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
4053 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
4054
4055 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
4056 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
4057 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
4058 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
4059 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
4060 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
4061 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
4062 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
4063
4064 @item exception unhandled
4065 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
4066
4067 @item assert
4068 A failed Ada assertion.
4069
4070 @item exec
4071 @cindex break on fork/exec
4072 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4073 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4074
4075 @item syscall
4076 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
4077 @cindex break on a system call.
4078 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
4079 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
4080 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
4081 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
4082 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
4083 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
4084 will be caught.
4085
4086 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
4087 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
4088 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
4089 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
4090
4091 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
4092 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
4093 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
4094 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
4095
4096 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
4097 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
4098 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
4099 available choices.
4100
4101 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
4102 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4103 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4104 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4105 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4106 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4107 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4108 behind the OS upgrades).
4109
4110 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4111 arguments to it:
4112
4113 @smallexample
4114 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4115 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4116 (@value{GDBP}) r
4117 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4118
4119 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4120 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4121 (@value{GDBP}) c
4122 Continuing.
4123
4124 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4125 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4126 (@value{GDBP})
4127 @end smallexample
4128
4129 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4130
4131 @smallexample
4132 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4133 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4134 (@value{GDBP}) r
4135 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4136
4137 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4138 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4139 (@value{GDBP}) c
4140 Continuing.
4141
4142 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4143 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4144 (@value{GDBP})
4145 @end smallexample
4146
4147 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4148 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4149 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4150
4151 @smallexample
4152 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4153 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4154 (@value{GDBP}) r
4155 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4156
4157 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4158 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4159 (@value{GDBP}) c
4160 Continuing.
4161
4162 Program exited normally.
4163 (@value{GDBP})
4164 @end smallexample
4165
4166 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4167 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4168 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4169 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4170
4171 @smallexample
4172 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4173 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4174 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4175 (@value{GDBP})
4176 @end smallexample
4177
4178 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4179 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4180 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4181 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4182 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4183 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4184
4185 @smallexample
4186 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4187 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4188 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4189 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4190 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4191 (@value{GDBP})
4192 @end smallexample
4193
4194 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4195
4196 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4197 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4198
4199 @smallexample
4200 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4201 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4202 @end smallexample
4203
4204 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4205
4206 @item fork
4207 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4208 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4209
4210 @item vfork
4211 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4212 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4213
4214 @item load @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4215 @itemx unload @r{[}regexp@r{]}
4216 The loading or unloading of a shared library. If @var{regexp} is
4217 given, then the catchpoint will stop only if the regular expression
4218 matches one of the affected libraries.
4219
4220 @end table
4221
4222 @item tcatch @var{event}
4223 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4224 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4225
4226 @end table
4227
4228 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4229
4230 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4231 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4232
4233 @itemize @bullet
4234 @item
4235 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4236 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4237 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4238 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4239 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4240 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4241 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4242 disabled within interactive calls.
4243
4244 @item
4245 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4246
4247 @item
4248 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4249 @end itemize
4250
4251 @cindex raise exceptions
4252 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4253 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4254 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4255 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4256 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4257 out where the exception was raised.
4258
4259 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4260 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4261 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4262 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4263
4264 @smallexample
4265 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4266 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4267 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4268 @end smallexample
4269
4270 @noindent
4271 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4272 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4273 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4274
4275 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4276 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4277 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4278 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4279 raised.
4280
4281
4282 @node Delete Breaks
4283 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4284
4285 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4286 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4287 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4288 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4289 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4290 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4291
4292 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4293 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4294 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4295 their breakpoint numbers.
4296
4297 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4298 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4299 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4300
4301 @table @code
4302 @kindex clear
4303 @item clear
4304 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4305 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4306 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4307 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4308
4309 @item clear @var{location}
4310 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4311 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4312 most useful ones are listed below:
4313
4314 @table @code
4315 @item clear @var{function}
4316 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4317 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4318
4319 @item clear @var{linenum}
4320 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4321 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4322 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4323 @end table
4324
4325 @cindex delete breakpoints
4326 @kindex delete
4327 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4328 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4329 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4330 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4331 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4332 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4333 @end table
4334
4335 @node Disabling
4336 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4337
4338 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4339 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4340 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4341 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4342 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4343
4344 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4345 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4346 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4347 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4348 do not know which numbers to use.
4349
4350 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4351 affects all of its locations.
4352
4353 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of several
4354 different states of enablement:
4355
4356 @itemize @bullet
4357 @item
4358 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4359 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4360 @item
4361 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4362 @item
4363 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4364 disabled.
4365 @item
4366 Enabled for a count. The breakpoint stops your program for the next
4367 N times, then becomes disabled.
4368 @item
4369 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4370 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4371 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4372 @end itemize
4373
4374 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4375 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4376
4377 @table @code
4378 @kindex disable
4379 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4380 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4381 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4382 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4383 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4384 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4385 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4386
4387 @kindex enable
4388 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4389 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4390 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4391
4392 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4393 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4394 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4395
4396 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} count @var{count} @var{range}@dots{}
4397 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} records
4398 @var{count} with each of the specified breakpoints, and decrements a
4399 breakpoint's count when it is hit. When any count reaches 0,
4400 @value{GDBN} disables that breakpoint. If a breakpoint has an ignore
4401 count (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}), that will be
4402 decremented to 0 before @var{count} is affected.
4403
4404 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4405 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4406 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4407 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4408 @end table
4409
4410 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4411 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4412 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4413 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4414 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4415 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4416 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4417 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4418 Stepping}.)
4419
4420 @node Conditions
4421 @subsection Break Conditions
4422 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4423 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4424
4425 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4426 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4427 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4428 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4429 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4430 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4431 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4432 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4433
4434 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4435 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4436 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4437 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4438 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4439
4440 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4441 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4442 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4443 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4444 one.
4445
4446 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4447 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4448 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4449 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4450 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4451 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4452 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4453 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4454 conditions for the
4455 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4456 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4457
4458 Breakpoint conditions can also be evaluated on the target's side if
4459 the target supports it. Instead of evaluating the conditions locally,
4460 @value{GDBN} encodes the expression into an agent expression
4461 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) suitable for execution on the target,
4462 independently of @value{GDBN}. Global variables become raw memory
4463 locations, locals become stack accesses, and so forth.
4464
4465 In this case, @value{GDBN} will only be notified of a breakpoint trigger
4466 when its condition evaluates to true. This mechanism may provide faster
4467 response times depending on the performance characteristics of the target
4468 since it does not need to keep @value{GDBN} informed about
4469 every breakpoint trigger, even those with false conditions.
4470
4471 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4472 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4473 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4474 with the @code{condition} command.
4475
4476 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4477 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4478 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4479 catchpoint.
4480
4481 @table @code
4482 @kindex condition
4483 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4484 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4485 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4486 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4487 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4488 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4489 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4490 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4491 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4492 prints an error message:
4493
4494 @smallexample
4495 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4496 @end smallexample
4497
4498 @noindent
4499 @value{GDBN} does
4500 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4501 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4502 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4503
4504 @item condition @var{bnum}
4505 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4506 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4507 @end table
4508
4509 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4510 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4511 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4512 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4513 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4514 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4515 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4516 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4517 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4518 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4519 your program reaches it.
4520
4521 @table @code
4522 @kindex ignore
4523 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4524 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4525 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4526 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4527 takes no action.
4528
4529 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4530 a count of zero.
4531
4532 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4533 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4534 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4535 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4536
4537 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4538 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4539 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4540
4541 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4542 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4543 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4544 Variables}.
4545 @end table
4546
4547 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4548
4549
4550 @node Break Commands
4551 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4552
4553 @cindex breakpoint commands
4554 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4555 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4556 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4557 enable other breakpoints.
4558
4559 @table @code
4560 @kindex commands
4561 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4562 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4563 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4564 @itemx end
4565 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4566 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4567 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4568
4569 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4570 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4571
4572 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4573 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4574 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4575 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4576 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4577 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4578 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4579 Expressions}).
4580 @end table
4581
4582 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4583 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4584
4585 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4586 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4587 that resumes execution.
4588
4589 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4590 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4591 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4592 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4593 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4594
4595 @kindex silent
4596 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4597 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4598 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4599 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4600 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4601 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4602
4603 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4604 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4605 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4606
4607 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4608 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4609
4610 @smallexample
4611 break foo if x>0
4612 commands
4613 silent
4614 printf "x is %d\n",x
4615 cont
4616 end
4617 @end smallexample
4618
4619 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4620 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4621 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4622 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4623 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4624 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4625 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4626
4627 @smallexample
4628 break 403
4629 commands
4630 silent
4631 set x = y + 4
4632 cont
4633 end
4634 @end smallexample
4635
4636 @node Dynamic Printf
4637 @subsection Dynamic Printf
4638
4639 @cindex dynamic printf
4640 @cindex dprintf
4641 The dynamic printf command @code{dprintf} combines a breakpoint with
4642 formatted printing of your program's data to give you the effect of
4643 inserting @code{printf} calls into your program on-the-fly, without
4644 having to recompile it.
4645
4646 In its most basic form, the output goes to the GDB console. However,
4647 you can set the variable @code{dprintf-style} for alternate handling.
4648 For instance, you can ask to format the output by calling your
4649 program's @code{printf} function. This has the advantage that the
4650 characters go to the program's output device, so they can recorded in
4651 redirects to files and so forth.
4652
4653 If you are doing remote debugging with a stub or agent, you can also
4654 ask to have the printf handled by the remote agent. In addition to
4655 ensuring that the output goes to the remote program's device along
4656 with any other output the program might produce, you can also ask that
4657 the dprintf remain active even after disconnecting from the remote
4658 target. Using the stub/agent is also more efficient, as it can do
4659 everything without needing to communicate with @value{GDBN}.
4660
4661 @table @code
4662 @kindex dprintf
4663 @item dprintf @var{location},@var{template},@var{expression}[,@var{expression}@dots{}]
4664 Whenever execution reaches @var{location}, print the values of one or
4665 more @var{expressions} under the control of the string @var{template}.
4666 To print several values, separate them with commas.
4667
4668 @item set dprintf-style @var{style}
4669 Set the dprintf output to be handled in one of several different
4670 styles enumerated below. A change of style affects all existing
4671 dynamic printfs immediately. (If you need individual control over the
4672 print commands, simply define normal breakpoints with
4673 explicitly-supplied command lists.)
4674
4675 @item gdb
4676 @kindex dprintf-style gdb
4677 Handle the output using the @value{GDBN} @code{printf} command.
4678
4679 @item call
4680 @kindex dprintf-style call
4681 Handle the output by calling a function in your program (normally
4682 @code{printf}).
4683
4684 @item agent
4685 @kindex dprintf-style agent
4686 Have the remote debugging agent (such as @code{gdbserver}) handle
4687 the output itself. This style is only available for agents that
4688 support running commands on the target.
4689
4690 @item set dprintf-function @var{function}
4691 Set the function to call if the dprintf style is @code{call}. By
4692 default its value is @code{printf}. You may set it to any expression.
4693 that @value{GDBN} can evaluate to a function, as per the @code{call}
4694 command.
4695
4696 @item set dprintf-channel @var{channel}
4697 Set a ``channel'' for dprintf. If set to a non-empty value,
4698 @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as an expression and pass the result as
4699 a first argument to the @code{dprintf-function}, in the manner of
4700 @code{fprintf} and similar functions. Otherwise, the dprintf format
4701 string will be the first argument, in the manner of @code{printf}.
4702
4703 As an example, if you wanted @code{dprintf} output to go to a logfile
4704 that is a standard I/O stream assigned to the variable @code{mylog},
4705 you could do the following:
4706
4707 @example
4708 (gdb) set dprintf-style call
4709 (gdb) set dprintf-function fprintf
4710 (gdb) set dprintf-channel mylog
4711 (gdb) dprintf 25,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob
4712 Dprintf 1 at 0x123456: file main.c, line 25.
4713 (gdb) info break
4714 1 dprintf keep y 0x00123456 in main at main.c:25
4715 call (void) fprintf (mylog,"at line 25, glob=%d\n",glob)
4716 continue
4717 (gdb)
4718 @end example
4719
4720 Note that the @code{info break} displays the dynamic printf commands
4721 as normal breakpoint commands; you can thus easily see the effect of
4722 the variable settings.
4723
4724 @item set disconnected-dprintf on
4725 @itemx set disconnected-dprintf off
4726 @kindex set disconnected-dprintf
4727 Choose whether @code{dprintf} commands should continue to run if
4728 @value{GDBN} has disconnected from the target. This only applies
4729 if the @code{dprintf-style} is @code{agent}.
4730
4731 @item show disconnected-dprintf off
4732 @kindex show disconnected-dprintf
4733 Show the current choice for disconnected @code{dprintf}.
4734
4735 @end table
4736
4737 @value{GDBN} does not check the validity of function and channel,
4738 relying on you to supply values that are meaningful for the contexts
4739 in which they are being used. For instance, the function and channel
4740 may be the values of local variables, but if that is the case, then
4741 all enabled dynamic prints must be at locations within the scope of
4742 those locals. If evaluation fails, @value{GDBN} will report an error.
4743
4744 @node Save Breakpoints
4745 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4746
4747 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4748 breakpoints}} command.
4749
4750 @table @code
4751 @kindex save breakpoints
4752 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4753 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4754 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4755 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4756 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4757 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4758 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4759 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4760 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4761 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4762 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4763 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4764 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4765 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4766 that can no longer be recreated.
4767 @end table
4768
4769 @node Static Probe Points
4770 @subsection Static Probe Points
4771
4772 @cindex static probe point, SystemTap
4773 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{SDT} probes in the code. @acronym{SDT} stands
4774 for Statically Defined Tracing, and the probes are designed to have a tiny
4775 runtime code and data footprint, and no dynamic relocations. They are
4776 usable from assembly, C and C@t{++} languages. See
4777 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/UserSpaceProbeImplementation}
4778 for a good reference on how the @acronym{SDT} probes are implemented.
4779
4780 Currently, @code{SystemTap} (@uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/})
4781 @acronym{SDT} probes are supported on ELF-compatible systems. See
4782 @uref{http://sourceware.org/systemtap/wiki/AddingUserSpaceProbingToApps}
4783 for more information on how to add @code{SystemTap} @acronym{SDT} probes
4784 in your applications.
4785
4786 @cindex semaphores on static probe points
4787 Some probes have an associated semaphore variable; for instance, this
4788 happens automatically if you defined your probe using a DTrace-style
4789 @file{.d} file. If your probe has a semaphore, @value{GDBN} will
4790 automatically enable it when you specify a breakpoint using the
4791 @samp{-probe-stap} notation. But, if you put a breakpoint at a probe's
4792 location by some other method (e.g., @code{break file:line}), then
4793 @value{GDBN} will not automatically set the semaphore.
4794
4795 You can examine the available static static probes using @code{info
4796 probes}, with optional arguments:
4797
4798 @table @code
4799 @kindex info probes
4800 @item info probes stap @r{[}@var{provider} @r{[}@var{name} @r{[}@var{objfile}@r{]}@r{]}@r{]}
4801 If given, @var{provider} is a regular expression used to match against provider
4802 names when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probes by all
4803 probes from all providers are listed.
4804
4805 If given, @var{name} is a regular expression to match against probe names
4806 when selecting which probes to list. If omitted, probe names are not
4807 considered when deciding whether to display them.
4808
4809 If given, @var{objfile} is a regular expression used to select which
4810 object files (executable or shared libraries) to examine. If not
4811 given, all object files are considered.
4812
4813 @item info probes all
4814 List the available static probes, from all types.
4815 @end table
4816
4817 @vindex $_probe_arg@r{, convenience variable}
4818 A probe may specify up to twelve arguments. These are available at the
4819 point at which the probe is defined---that is, when the current PC is
4820 at the probe's location. The arguments are available using the
4821 convenience variables (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
4822 @code{$_probe_arg0}@dots{}@code{$_probe_arg11}. Each probe argument is
4823 an integer of the appropriate size; types are not preserved. The
4824 convenience variable @code{$_probe_argc} holds the number of arguments
4825 at the current probe point.
4826
4827 These variables are always available, but attempts to access them at
4828 any location other than a probe point will cause @value{GDBN} to give
4829 an error message.
4830
4831
4832 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4833 @node Error in Breakpoints
4834 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4835
4836 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4837 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4838
4839 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4840 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4841 @smallexample
4842 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4843 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4844 @end smallexample
4845
4846 @noindent
4847 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4848 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4849 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4850
4851 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4852 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4853
4854 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4855 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4856 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4857
4858 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4859 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4860 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4861 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4862
4863 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4864 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4865 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4866 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4867 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4868 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4869 first in the bundle.
4870
4871 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4872 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4873 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4874 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4875 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4876 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4877 is hit.
4878
4879 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4880 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4881
4882 @smallexample
4883 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4884 @end smallexample
4885
4886 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4887 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4888 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4889 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4890 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4891 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4892 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4893 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4894
4895 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4896 adjusted breakpoints:
4897
4898 @smallexample
4899 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4900 to 0x00010410.
4901 @end smallexample
4902
4903 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4904 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4905 frequently than expected.
4906
4907 @node Continuing and Stepping
4908 @section Continuing and Stepping
4909
4910 @cindex stepping
4911 @cindex continuing
4912 @cindex resuming execution
4913 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4914 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4915 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4916 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4917 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4918 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4919 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4920 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4921
4922 @table @code
4923 @kindex continue
4924 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4925 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4926 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4927 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4928 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4929 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4930 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4931 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4932 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4933 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4934
4935 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4936 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4937 @code{continue} is ignored.
4938
4939 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4940 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4941 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4942 @code{continue}.
4943 @end table
4944
4945 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4946 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4947 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4948 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4949
4950 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4951 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4952 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4953 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4954 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4955 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4956
4957 @table @code
4958 @kindex step
4959 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4960 @item step
4961 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4962 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4963 abbreviated @code{s}.
4964
4965 @quotation
4966 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4967 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4968 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4969 @c distinction here.
4970 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4971 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4972 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4973 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4974 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4975 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4976 below.
4977 @end quotation
4978
4979 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4980 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4981 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4982 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4983 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4984 called within the line.
4985
4986 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4987 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4988 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4989 on @acronym{MIPS} machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4990 was any debugging information about the routine.
4991
4992 @item step @var{count}
4993 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4994 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4995 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4996
4997 @kindex next
4998 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4999 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5000 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
5001 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
5002 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
5003 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
5004 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
5005 is abbreviated @code{n}.
5006
5007 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
5008
5009
5010 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
5011 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
5012 @c
5013 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
5014 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
5015 @c function are executed without stopping.
5016
5017 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
5018 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
5019 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
5020
5021 @kindex set step-mode
5022 @item set step-mode
5023 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
5024 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
5025 @itemx set step-mode on
5026 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
5027 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
5028 information rather than stepping over it.
5029
5030 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
5031 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
5032 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
5033
5034 @item set step-mode off
5035 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
5036 debug information. This is the default.
5037
5038 @item show step-mode
5039 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
5040 source line debug information.
5041
5042 @kindex finish
5043 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
5044 @item finish
5045 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
5046 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
5047 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
5048
5049 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
5050 ,Returning from a Function}).
5051
5052 @kindex until
5053 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
5054 @cindex run until specified location
5055 @item until
5056 @itemx u
5057 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
5058 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
5059 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
5060 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
5061 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
5062 than the address of the jump.
5063
5064 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
5065 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
5066 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
5067 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
5068 through the next iteration.
5069
5070 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
5071 stack frame.
5072
5073 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
5074 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
5075 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
5076 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
5077 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
5078
5079 @smallexample
5080 (@value{GDBP}) f
5081 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
5082 206 expand_input();
5083 (@value{GDBP}) until
5084 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
5085 @end smallexample
5086
5087 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
5088 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
5089 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
5090 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
5091 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
5092 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
5093 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
5094
5095 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
5096 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
5097 argument.
5098
5099 @item until @var{location}
5100 @itemx u @var{location}
5101 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
5102 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
5103 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
5104 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
5105 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
5106 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
5107 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
5108 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
5109 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
5110 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
5111 invocations have returned.
5112
5113 @smallexample
5114 94 int factorial (int value)
5115 95 @{
5116 96 if (value > 1) @{
5117 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
5118 98 @}
5119 99 return (value);
5120 100 @}
5121 @end smallexample
5122
5123
5124 @kindex advance @var{location}
5125 @item advance @var{location}
5126 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
5127 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
5128 @ref{Specify Location}.
5129 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
5130 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
5131 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
5132 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
5133
5134
5135 @kindex stepi
5136 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
5137 @item stepi
5138 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
5139 @itemx si
5140 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
5141
5142 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
5143 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
5144 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
5145 Display,, Automatic Display}.
5146
5147 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
5148
5149 @need 750
5150 @kindex nexti
5151 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
5152 @item nexti
5153 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
5154 @itemx ni
5155 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
5156 proceed until the function returns.
5157
5158 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
5159 @end table
5160
5161 @node Skipping Over Functions and Files
5162 @section Skipping Over Functions and Files
5163 @cindex skipping over functions and files
5164
5165 The program you are debugging may contain some functions which are
5166 uninteresting to debug. The @code{skip} comand lets you tell @value{GDBN} to
5167 skip a function or all functions in a file when stepping.
5168
5169 For example, consider the following C function:
5170
5171 @smallexample
5172 101 int func()
5173 102 @{
5174 103 foo(boring());
5175 104 bar(boring());
5176 105 @}
5177 @end smallexample
5178
5179 @noindent
5180 Suppose you wish to step into the functions @code{foo} and @code{bar}, but you
5181 are not interested in stepping through @code{boring}. If you run @code{step}
5182 at line 103, you'll enter @code{boring()}, but if you run @code{next}, you'll
5183 step over both @code{foo} and @code{boring}!
5184
5185 One solution is to @code{step} into @code{boring} and use the @code{finish}
5186 command to immediately exit it. But this can become tedious if @code{boring}
5187 is called from many places.
5188
5189 A more flexible solution is to execute @kbd{skip boring}. This instructs
5190 @value{GDBN} never to step into @code{boring}. Now when you execute
5191 @code{step} at line 103, you'll step over @code{boring} and directly into
5192 @code{foo}.
5193
5194 You can also instruct @value{GDBN} to skip all functions in a file, with, for
5195 example, @code{skip file boring.c}.
5196
5197 @table @code
5198 @kindex skip function
5199 @item skip @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5200 @itemx skip function @r{[}@var{linespec}@r{]}
5201 After running this command, the function named by @var{linespec} or the
5202 function containing the line named by @var{linespec} will be skipped over when
5203 stepping. @xref{Specify Location}.
5204
5205 If you do not specify @var{linespec}, the function you're currently debugging
5206 will be skipped.
5207
5208 (If you have a function called @code{file} that you want to skip, use
5209 @kbd{skip function file}.)
5210
5211 @kindex skip file
5212 @item skip file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
5213 After running this command, any function whose source lives in @var{filename}
5214 will be skipped over when stepping.
5215
5216 If you do not specify @var{filename}, functions whose source lives in the file
5217 you're currently debugging will be skipped.
5218 @end table
5219
5220 Skips can be listed, deleted, disabled, and enabled, much like breakpoints.
5221 These are the commands for managing your list of skips:
5222
5223 @table @code
5224 @kindex info skip
5225 @item info skip @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5226 Print details about the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified,
5227 print a table with details about all functions and files marked for skipping.
5228 @code{info skip} prints the following information about each skip:
5229
5230 @table @emph
5231 @item Identifier
5232 A number identifying this skip.
5233 @item Type
5234 The type of this skip, either @samp{function} or @samp{file}.
5235 @item Enabled or Disabled
5236 Enabled skips are marked with @samp{y}. Disabled skips are marked with @samp{n}.
5237 @item Address
5238 For function skips, this column indicates the address in memory of the function
5239 being skipped. If you've set a function skip on a function which has not yet
5240 been loaded, this field will contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Once a shared library
5241 which has the function is loaded, @code{info skip} will show the function's
5242 address here.
5243 @item What
5244 For file skips, this field contains the filename being skipped. For functions
5245 skips, this field contains the function name and its line number in the file
5246 where it is defined.
5247 @end table
5248
5249 @kindex skip delete
5250 @item skip delete @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5251 Delete the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, delete all
5252 skips.
5253
5254 @kindex skip enable
5255 @item skip enable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5256 Enable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, enable all
5257 skips.
5258
5259 @kindex skip disable
5260 @item skip disable @r{[}@var{range}@r{]}
5261 Disable the specified skip(s). If @var{range} is not specified, disable all
5262 skips.
5263
5264 @end table
5265
5266 @node Signals
5267 @section Signals
5268 @cindex signals
5269
5270 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
5271 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
5272 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
5273 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
5274 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
5275 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
5276 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
5277 requested an alarm).
5278
5279 @cindex fatal signals
5280 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
5281 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
5282 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
5283 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
5284 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
5285 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
5286
5287 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
5288 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
5289 signal.
5290
5291 @cindex handling signals
5292 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
5293 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
5294 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
5295 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
5296 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
5297
5298 @table @code
5299 @kindex info signals
5300 @kindex info handle
5301 @item info signals
5302 @itemx info handle
5303 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
5304 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
5305 the defined types of signals.
5306
5307 @item info signals @var{sig}
5308 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
5309
5310 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
5311
5312 @kindex handle
5313 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
5314 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
5315 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
5316 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
5317 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
5318 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
5319 say what change to make.
5320 @end table
5321
5322 @c @group
5323 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
5324 Their full names are:
5325
5326 @table @code
5327 @item nostop
5328 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
5329 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
5330
5331 @item stop
5332 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
5333 the @code{print} keyword as well.
5334
5335 @item print
5336 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
5337
5338 @item noprint
5339 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
5340 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
5341
5342 @item pass
5343 @itemx noignore
5344 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
5345 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
5346 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
5347
5348 @item nopass
5349 @itemx ignore
5350 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
5351 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
5352 @end table
5353 @c @end group
5354
5355 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
5356 program until you
5357 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
5358 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
5359 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
5360 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
5361 program sees that signal when you continue.
5362
5363 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
5364 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
5365 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
5366 erroneous signals.
5367
5368 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
5369 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
5370 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
5371 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
5372 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
5373 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
5374 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
5375 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
5376 Program a Signal}.
5377
5378 @cindex extra signal information
5379 @anchor{extra signal information}
5380
5381 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
5382 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
5383 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
5384 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
5385 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
5386 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
5387 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
5388 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
5389 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
5390 system header.
5391
5392 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
5393 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
5394
5395 @smallexample
5396 @group
5397 (@value{GDBP}) continue
5398 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
5399 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
5400 69 *(int *)p = 0;
5401 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
5402 type = struct @{
5403 int si_signo;
5404 int si_errno;
5405 int si_code;
5406 union @{
5407 int _pad[28];
5408 struct @{...@} _kill;
5409 struct @{...@} _timer;
5410 struct @{...@} _rt;
5411 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5412 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5413 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5414 @} _sifields;
5415 @}
5416 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5417 type = struct @{
5418 void *si_addr;
5419 @}
5420 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5421 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5422 @end group
5423 @end smallexample
5424
5425 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5426
5427 @node Thread Stops
5428 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5429
5430 @cindex stopped threads
5431 @cindex threads, stopped
5432
5433 @cindex continuing threads
5434 @cindex threads, continuing
5435
5436 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5437 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5438 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5439 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5440 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5441 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5442 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5443 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5444 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5445
5446 @menu
5447 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5448 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5449 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5450 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5451 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5452 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5453 @end menu
5454
5455 @node All-Stop Mode
5456 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5457
5458 @cindex all-stop mode
5459
5460 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5461 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5462 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5463 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5464 underfoot.
5465
5466 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5467 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5468 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5469
5470 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5471 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5472 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5473 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5474 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5475 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5476 stops.
5477
5478 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5479 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5480 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5481 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5482
5483 @cindex automatic thread selection
5484 @cindex switching threads automatically
5485 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5486 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5487 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5488 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5489 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5490 thread.
5491
5492 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5493 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5494
5495 @table @code
5496 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5497 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5498 @cindex lock scheduler
5499 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5500 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5501 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5502 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5503 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5504 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5505 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5506 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5507 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5508 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5509 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5510 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5511
5512 @item show scheduler-locking
5513 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5514 @end table
5515
5516 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5517 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5518 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5519 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5520 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5521 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5522 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5523 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5524 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5525 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5526 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5527 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5528 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5529 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5530
5531 @table @code
5532 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5533 @item set schedule-multiple
5534 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5535 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5536 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5537 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5538 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5539 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5540
5541 @item show schedule-multiple
5542 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5543 multiple processes.
5544 @end table
5545
5546 @node Non-Stop Mode
5547 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5548
5549 @cindex non-stop mode
5550
5551 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5552 @c with more details.
5553
5554 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5555 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5556 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5557 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5558 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5559 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5560
5561 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5562 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5563 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5564 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5565 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5566 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5567 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5568 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5569 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5570 independently and simultaneously.
5571
5572 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5573 or attach to your program:
5574
5575 @smallexample
5576 # Enable the async interface.
5577 set target-async 1
5578
5579 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5580 set pagination off
5581
5582 # Finally, turn it on!
5583 set non-stop on
5584 @end smallexample
5585
5586 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5587
5588 @table @code
5589 @kindex set non-stop
5590 @item set non-stop on
5591 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5592 @item set non-stop off
5593 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5594 @kindex show non-stop
5595 @item show non-stop
5596 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5597 @end table
5598
5599 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5600 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5601 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5602 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5603 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5604 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5605 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5606 default.
5607
5608 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5609 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5610 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5611
5612 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5613 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5614 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5615 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5616 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5617
5618 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5619 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5620 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5621 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5622 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5623
5624 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5625
5626 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5627 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5628 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5629 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5630 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5631 previously current thread.
5632
5633 @node Background Execution
5634 @subsection Background Execution
5635
5636 @cindex foreground execution
5637 @cindex background execution
5638 @cindex asynchronous execution
5639 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5640
5641 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5642 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5643 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5644 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5645 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5646 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5647
5648 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5649 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5650 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5651
5652 @table @code
5653 @kindex set target-async
5654 @item set target-async on
5655 Enable asynchronous mode.
5656 @item set target-async off
5657 Disable asynchronous mode.
5658 @kindex show target-async
5659 @item show target-async
5660 Show the current target-async setting.
5661 @end table
5662
5663 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5664 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5665
5666 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5667 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5668 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5669 are:
5670
5671 @table @code
5672 @kindex run&
5673 @item run
5674 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5675
5676 @item attach
5677 @kindex attach&
5678 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5679
5680 @item step
5681 @kindex step&
5682 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5683
5684 @item stepi
5685 @kindex stepi&
5686 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5687
5688 @item next
5689 @kindex next&
5690 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5691
5692 @item nexti
5693 @kindex nexti&
5694 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5695
5696 @item continue
5697 @kindex continue&
5698 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5699
5700 @item finish
5701 @kindex finish&
5702 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5703
5704 @item until
5705 @kindex until&
5706 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5707
5708 @end table
5709
5710 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5711 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5712 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5713 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5714 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5715 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5716
5717 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5718 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5719
5720 @table @code
5721 @kindex interrupt
5722 @item interrupt
5723 @itemx interrupt -a
5724
5725 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5726 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5727 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5728 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5729 @end table
5730
5731 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5732 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5733
5734 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5735 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5736 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5737
5738 @table @code
5739 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5740 @cindex thread breakpoints
5741 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5742 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5743 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5744 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5745 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5746 specify some source line.
5747
5748 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5749 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5750 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5751 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5752 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5753
5754 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5755 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5756 program.
5757
5758 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5759 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5760 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5761
5762 @smallexample
5763 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5764 @end smallexample
5765
5766 @end table
5767
5768 @node Interrupted System Calls
5769 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5770
5771 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5772 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5773 @cindex premature return from system calls
5774 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5775 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5776 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5777 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5778 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5779 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5780 stop execution.
5781
5782 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5783 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5784 style anyways.
5785
5786 For example, do not write code like this:
5787
5788 @smallexample
5789 sleep (10);
5790 @end smallexample
5791
5792 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5793 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5794
5795 Instead, write this:
5796
5797 @smallexample
5798 int unslept = 10;
5799 while (unslept > 0)
5800 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5801 @end smallexample
5802
5803 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5804 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5805 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5806 @value{GDBN}.
5807
5808 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5809 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5810 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5811 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5812
5813 @node Observer Mode
5814 @subsection Observer Mode
5815
5816 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5817 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5818 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5819 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5820 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5821
5822 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5823 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5824 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5825 mode.
5826
5827 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5828 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5829 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5830 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5831 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5832
5833 @table @code
5834
5835 @kindex observer
5836 @item set observer on
5837 @itemx set observer off
5838 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5839 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5840 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5841 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5842
5843 @item show observer
5844 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5845
5846 @kindex may-write-registers
5847 @item set may-write-registers on
5848 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5849 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5850 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5851 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5852
5853 @item show may-write-registers
5854 Show the current permission to write registers.
5855
5856 @kindex may-write-memory
5857 @item set may-write-memory on
5858 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5859 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5860 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5861 defaults to @code{on}.
5862
5863 @item show may-write-memory
5864 Show the current permission to write memory.
5865
5866 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5867 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5868 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5869 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5870 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5871 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5872
5873 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5874 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5875
5876 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5877 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5878 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5879 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5880 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5881 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5882 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5883
5884 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5885 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5886
5887 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5888 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5889 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5890 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5891 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5892 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5893 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5894
5895 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5896 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5897
5898 @kindex may-interrupt
5899 @item set may-interrupt on
5900 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5901 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5902 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5903 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5904 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5905
5906 @item show may-interrupt
5907 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5908
5909 @end table
5910
5911 @node Reverse Execution
5912 @chapter Running programs backward
5913 @cindex reverse execution
5914 @cindex running programs backward
5915
5916 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5917 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5918 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5919 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5920
5921 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5922 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5923 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5924 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5925 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5926 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5927
5928 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5929 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5930 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5931 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5932 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5933 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5934 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5935 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5936 prior values@footnote{
5937 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5938 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5939 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5940
5941 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5942 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5943 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5944 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5945 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5946 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5947 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5948 }.
5949
5950 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5951 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5952
5953 @table @code
5954 @kindex reverse-continue
5955 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5956 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5957 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5958 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5959 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5960 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5961 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5962
5963 @kindex reverse-step
5964 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5965 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5966 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5967 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5968
5969 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5970 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5971 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5972 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5973 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5974 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5975
5976 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5977 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5978
5979 @kindex reverse-stepi
5980 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5981 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5982 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5983 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5984 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5985 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5986 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5987
5988 @kindex reverse-next
5989 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5990 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5991 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5992 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5993 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5994 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5995 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5996 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5997 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5998 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5999
6000 @kindex reverse-nexti
6001 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
6002 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
6003 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
6004 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
6005 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
6006 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
6007 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
6008 frame) is reached.
6009
6010 @kindex reverse-finish
6011 @item reverse-finish
6012 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
6013 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
6014 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
6015 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
6016
6017 @kindex set exec-direction
6018 @item set exec-direction
6019 Set the direction of target execution.
6020 @item set exec-direction reverse
6021 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
6022 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
6023 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
6024 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
6025 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
6026 @item set exec-direction forward
6027 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
6028 This is the default.
6029 @end table
6030
6031
6032 @node Process Record and Replay
6033 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
6034 @cindex process record and replay
6035 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
6036
6037 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
6038 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
6039 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
6040
6041 @cindex replay mode
6042 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
6043 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
6044 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
6045 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
6046 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
6047 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
6048 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
6049 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
6050 execution log.
6051
6052 @cindex record mode
6053 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
6054 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
6055 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
6056 for future replay.
6057
6058 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
6059 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
6060 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
6061 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
6062 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
6063 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
6064
6065 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
6066 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
6067 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
6068 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
6069
6070 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
6071 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
6072
6073 @table @code
6074 @kindex target record
6075 @kindex record
6076 @kindex rec
6077 @item target record
6078 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
6079 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
6080 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
6081 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
6082 the @kbd{target record} command.
6083
6084 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
6085
6086 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
6087 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
6088 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
6089 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
6090 doesn't support displaced stepping.
6091
6092 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
6093 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
6094 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
6095 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
6096 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
6097 support these two modes.
6098
6099 @kindex record stop
6100 @kindex rec s
6101 @item record stop
6102 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
6103 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
6104 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
6105
6106 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
6107 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
6108 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
6109 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
6110 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
6111
6112 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
6113 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
6114 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
6115 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
6116 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
6117
6118 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
6119 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
6120
6121 @kindex record save
6122 @item record save @var{filename}
6123 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6124 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
6125 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
6126
6127 @kindex record restore
6128 @item record restore @var{filename}
6129 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
6130 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
6131
6132 @kindex set record insn-number-max
6133 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
6134 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
6135
6136 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
6137 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
6138 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
6139 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
6140 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
6141 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
6142 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
6143 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
6144
6145 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
6146 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
6147 instructions is unlimited in this case.
6148
6149 @kindex show record insn-number-max
6150 @item show record insn-number-max
6151 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
6152
6153 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
6154 @item set record stop-at-limit
6155 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
6156 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
6157 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
6158 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
6159 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
6160 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
6161
6162 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
6163 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
6164
6165 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
6166 @item show record stop-at-limit
6167 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
6168
6169 @kindex set record memory-query
6170 @item set record memory-query
6171 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
6172 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
6173 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
6174
6175 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
6176 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
6177 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
6178 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
6179 results.
6180
6181 @kindex show record memory-query
6182 @item show record memory-query
6183 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
6184
6185 @kindex info record
6186 @item info record
6187 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
6188 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
6189
6190 @itemize @bullet
6191 @item
6192 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
6193 @item
6194 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
6195 @item
6196 Highest recorded instruction number.
6197 @item
6198 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
6199 @item
6200 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
6201 @item
6202 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
6203 @end itemize
6204
6205 @kindex record delete
6206 @kindex rec del
6207 @item record delete
6208 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
6209 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
6210 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
6211 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
6212 @end table
6213
6214
6215 @node Stack
6216 @chapter Examining the Stack
6217
6218 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
6219 stopped and how it got there.
6220
6221 @cindex call stack
6222 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
6223 is generated.
6224 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
6225 the arguments of the call,
6226 and the local variables of the function being called.
6227 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
6228 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
6229 stack}.
6230
6231 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
6232 stack allow you to see all of this information.
6233
6234 @cindex selected frame
6235 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
6236 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
6237 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
6238 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
6239 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
6240 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6241
6242 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
6243 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
6244 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
6245
6246 @menu
6247 * Frames:: Stack frames
6248 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
6249 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
6250 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
6251
6252 @end menu
6253
6254 @node Frames
6255 @section Stack Frames
6256
6257 @cindex frame, definition
6258 @cindex stack frame
6259 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
6260 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
6261 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
6262 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
6263 which the function is executing.
6264
6265 @cindex initial frame
6266 @cindex outermost frame
6267 @cindex innermost frame
6268 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
6269 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
6270 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
6271 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
6272 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
6273 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
6274 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
6275 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
6276
6277 @cindex frame pointer
6278 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
6279 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
6280 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
6281 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
6282 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
6283 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
6284
6285 @cindex frame number
6286 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
6287 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
6288 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
6289 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
6290 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
6291
6292 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
6293 @c underflow problems.
6294 @cindex frameless execution
6295 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
6296 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
6297 @smallexample
6298 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
6299 @end smallexample
6300 generates functions without a frame.)
6301 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
6302 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
6303 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
6304 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
6305 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
6306 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
6307 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
6308
6309 @table @code
6310 @kindex frame@r{, command}
6311 @cindex current stack frame
6312 @item frame @var{args}
6313 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
6314 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
6315 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
6316 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
6317
6318 @kindex select-frame
6319 @cindex selecting frame silently
6320 @item select-frame
6321 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
6322 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
6323 @code{frame}.
6324 @end table
6325
6326 @node Backtrace
6327 @section Backtraces
6328
6329 @cindex traceback
6330 @cindex call stack traces
6331 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
6332 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
6333 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
6334 stack.
6335
6336 @table @code
6337 @kindex backtrace
6338 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
6339 @item backtrace
6340 @itemx bt
6341 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
6342 frames in the stack.
6343
6344 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
6345 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
6346
6347 @item backtrace @var{n}
6348 @itemx bt @var{n}
6349 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
6350
6351 @item backtrace -@var{n}
6352 @itemx bt -@var{n}
6353 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
6354
6355 @item backtrace full
6356 @itemx bt full
6357 @itemx bt full @var{n}
6358 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
6359 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
6360 number of frames to print, as described above.
6361 @end table
6362
6363 @kindex where
6364 @kindex info stack
6365 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
6366 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
6367
6368 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
6369 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
6370 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
6371 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
6372 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
6373 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
6374 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
6375 multi-threaded program.
6376
6377 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
6378 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
6379 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
6380 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
6381 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
6382 line number.
6383
6384 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
6385 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
6386
6387 @smallexample
6388 @group
6389 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6390 at builtin.c:993
6391 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
6392 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
6393 at macro.c:71
6394 (More stack frames follow...)
6395 @end group
6396 @end smallexample
6397
6398 @noindent
6399 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
6400 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
6401 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
6402
6403 @noindent
6404 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
6405 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
6406 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
6407 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
6408 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6409
6410 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6411 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6412 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6413 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6414 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6415 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6416 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6417 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6418 such a backtrace might look like:
6419
6420 @smallexample
6421 @group
6422 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6423 at builtin.c:993
6424 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6425 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6426 at macro.c:71
6427 (More stack frames follow...)
6428 @end group
6429 @end smallexample
6430
6431 @noindent
6432 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6433 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6434
6435 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6436 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6437 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6438
6439 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6440 @cindex program entry point
6441 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6442 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6443 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6444 @code{main}@footnote{
6445 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6446 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6447 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6448 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6449 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6450 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6451
6452 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6453 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6454
6455 @table @code
6456 @item set backtrace past-main
6457 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6458 @kindex set backtrace
6459 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6460
6461 @item set backtrace past-main off
6462 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6463 default.
6464
6465 @item show backtrace past-main
6466 @kindex show backtrace
6467 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6468
6469 @item set backtrace past-entry
6470 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6471 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6472 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6473 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6474
6475 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6476 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6477 application. This is the default.
6478
6479 @item show backtrace past-entry
6480 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6481
6482 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6483 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6484 @cindex backtrace limit
6485 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6486 unlimited.
6487
6488 @item show backtrace limit
6489 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6490 @end table
6491
6492 @node Selection
6493 @section Selecting a Frame
6494
6495 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6496 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6497 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6498 of the stack frame just selected.
6499
6500 @table @code
6501 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6502 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6503 @item frame @var{n}
6504 @itemx f @var{n}
6505 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6506 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6507 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6508 @code{main}.
6509
6510 @item frame @var{addr}
6511 @itemx f @var{addr}
6512 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6513 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6514 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6515 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6516 switches between them.
6517
6518 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6519 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6520
6521 On the @acronym{MIPS} and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6522 pointer and a program counter.
6523
6524 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6525 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6526
6527 @kindex up
6528 @item up @var{n}
6529 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6530 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6531 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6532
6533 @kindex down
6534 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6535 @item down @var{n}
6536 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6537 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6538 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6539 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6540 @end table
6541
6542 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6543 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6544 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6545 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6546
6547 @need 1000
6548 For example:
6549
6550 @smallexample
6551 @group
6552 (@value{GDBP}) up
6553 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6554 at env.c:10
6555 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6556 @end group
6557 @end smallexample
6558
6559 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6560 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6561 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6562 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6563 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6564 for details.
6565
6566 @table @code
6567 @kindex down-silently
6568 @kindex up-silently
6569 @item up-silently @var{n}
6570 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6571 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6572 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6573 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6574 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6575 distracting.
6576 @end table
6577
6578 @node Frame Info
6579 @section Information About a Frame
6580
6581 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6582 stack frame.
6583
6584 @table @code
6585 @item frame
6586 @itemx f
6587 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6588 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6589 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6590 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6591 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6592
6593 @kindex info frame
6594 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6595 @item info frame
6596 @itemx info f
6597 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6598 including:
6599
6600 @itemize @bullet
6601 @item
6602 the address of the frame
6603 @item
6604 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6605 @item
6606 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6607 @item
6608 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6609 @item
6610 the address of the frame's arguments
6611 @item
6612 the address of the frame's local variables
6613 @item
6614 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6615 @item
6616 which registers were saved in the frame
6617 @end itemize
6618
6619 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6620 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6621 the usual conventions.
6622
6623 @item info frame @var{addr}
6624 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6625 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6626 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6627 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6628 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6629 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6630
6631 @kindex info args
6632 @item info args
6633 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6634
6635 @item info locals
6636 @kindex info locals
6637 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6638 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6639 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6640
6641 @end table
6642
6643
6644 @node Source
6645 @chapter Examining Source Files
6646
6647 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6648 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6649 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6650 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6651 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6652 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6653 source files by explicit command.
6654
6655 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6656 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6657 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6658
6659 @menu
6660 * List:: Printing source lines
6661 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6662 * Edit:: Editing source files
6663 * Search:: Searching source files
6664 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6665 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6666 @end menu
6667
6668 @node List
6669 @section Printing Source Lines
6670
6671 @kindex list
6672 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6673 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6674 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6675 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6676 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6677
6678 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6679
6680 @table @code
6681 @item list @var{linenum}
6682 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6683 current source file.
6684
6685 @item list @var{function}
6686 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6687 @var{function}.
6688
6689 @item list
6690 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6691 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6692 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6693 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6694 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6695
6696 @item list -
6697 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6698 @end table
6699
6700 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6701 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6702 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6703
6704 @table @code
6705 @kindex set listsize
6706 @item set listsize @var{count}
6707 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6708 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6709
6710 @kindex show listsize
6711 @item show listsize
6712 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6713 @end table
6714
6715 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6716 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6717 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6718 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6719 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6720
6721 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6722 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6723 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6724 to specify some source line.
6725
6726 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6727
6728 @table @code
6729 @item list @var{linespec}
6730 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6731
6732 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6733 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6734 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6735 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6736 the same source file as the first linespec.
6737
6738 @item list ,@var{last}
6739 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6740
6741 @item list @var{first},
6742 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6743
6744 @item list +
6745 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6746
6747 @item list -
6748 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6749
6750 @item list
6751 As described in the preceding table.
6752 @end table
6753
6754 @node Specify Location
6755 @section Specifying a Location
6756 @cindex specifying location
6757 @cindex linespec
6758
6759 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6760 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6761 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6762 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6763
6764 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6765 @value{GDBN} understands:
6766
6767 @table @code
6768 @item @var{linenum}
6769 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6770
6771 @item -@var{offset}
6772 @itemx +@var{offset}
6773 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6774 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6775 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6776 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6777 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6778 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6779 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6780 linespec.
6781
6782 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6783 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6784 If @var{filename} is a relative file name, then it will match any
6785 source file name with the same trailing components. For example, if
6786 @var{filename} is @samp{gcc/expr.c}, then it will match source file
6787 name of @file{/build/trunk/gcc/expr.c}, but not
6788 @file{/build/trunk/libcpp/expr.c} or @file{/build/trunk/gcc/x-expr.c}.
6789
6790 @item @var{function}
6791 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6792 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6793
6794 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
6795 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6796
6797 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6798 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6799 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6800 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6801 functions in different source files.
6802
6803 @item @var{label}
6804 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6805 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6806 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6807 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6808 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6809
6810 @item *@var{address}
6811 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6812 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6813 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6814 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6815 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6816 source files.
6817
6818 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6819 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6820 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6821 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6822 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6823 of @var{address}:
6824
6825 @table @code
6826 @item @var{expression}
6827 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6828
6829 @item @var{funcaddr}
6830 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6831 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6832 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6833 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6834 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6835 (although the Pascal form also works).
6836
6837 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6838 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6839
6840 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6841 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6842 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6843 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6844 functions with identical names in different source files.
6845 @end table
6846
6847 @cindex breakpoint at static probe point
6848 @item -pstap|-probe-stap @r{[}@var{objfile}:@r{[}@var{provider}:@r{]}@r{]}@var{name}
6849 The @sc{gnu}/Linux tool @code{SystemTap} provides a way for
6850 applications to embed static probes. @xref{Static Probe Points}, for more
6851 information on finding and using static probes. This form of linespec
6852 specifies the location of such a static probe.
6853
6854 If @var{objfile} is given, only probes coming from that shared library
6855 or executable matching @var{objfile} as a regular expression are considered.
6856 If @var{provider} is given, then only probes from that provider are considered.
6857 If several probes match the spec, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at
6858 each one of those probes.
6859
6860 @end table
6861
6862
6863 @node Edit
6864 @section Editing Source Files
6865 @cindex editing source files
6866
6867 @kindex edit
6868 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6869 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6870 The editing program of your choice
6871 is invoked with the current line set to
6872 the active line in the program.
6873 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6874 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6875
6876 @table @code
6877 @item edit @var{location}
6878 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6879 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6880 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6881 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6882 command most commonly used:
6883
6884 @table @code
6885 @item edit @var{number}
6886 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6887
6888 @item edit @var{function}
6889 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6890 @end table
6891
6892 @end table
6893
6894 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6895 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6896 @footnote{
6897 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6898 following command-line syntax:
6899 @smallexample
6900 ex +@var{number} file
6901 @end smallexample
6902 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6903 the file where to start editing.}.
6904 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6905 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6906 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6907 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6908 @smallexample
6909 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6910 export EDITOR
6911 gdb @dots{}
6912 @end smallexample
6913 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6914 @smallexample
6915 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6916 gdb @dots{}
6917 @end smallexample
6918
6919 @node Search
6920 @section Searching Source Files
6921 @cindex searching source files
6922
6923 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6924 regular expression.
6925
6926 @table @code
6927 @kindex search
6928 @kindex forward-search
6929 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6930 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6931 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6932 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6933 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6934 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6935 @code{fo}.
6936
6937 @kindex reverse-search
6938 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6939 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6940 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6941 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6942 this command as @code{rev}.
6943 @end table
6944
6945 @node Source Path
6946 @section Specifying Source Directories
6947
6948 @cindex source path
6949 @cindex directories for source files
6950 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6951 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6952 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6953 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6954 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6955 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6956 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6957
6958 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6959 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6960 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6961 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6962 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6963 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6964 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6965 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6966 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6967 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6968 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6969
6970 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6971 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6972 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6973 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6974 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6975 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6976
6977 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6978 source files.
6979
6980 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6981 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6982 each line is in the file.
6983
6984 @kindex directory
6985 @kindex dir
6986 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6987 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6988 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6989
6990 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6991 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6992
6993 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6994 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6995 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6996 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6997 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6998 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6999 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
7000 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
7001 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
7002 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
7003 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
7004 name to look up the sources.
7005
7006 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
7007 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
7008 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
7009 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
7010 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
7011 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
7012 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
7013 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
7014
7015 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
7016 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
7017 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
7018 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
7019 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
7020 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
7021 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
7022
7023 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
7024 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
7025 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
7026 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
7027 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
7028 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
7029 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
7030 command.
7031
7032 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
7033 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
7034 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
7035 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
7036 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
7037 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
7038 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
7039
7040 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
7041 @cindex default source path substitution
7042 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
7043 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
7044 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
7045 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
7046 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
7047 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
7048 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
7049 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
7050 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
7051 together.
7052
7053 @table @code
7054 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
7055 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
7056 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
7057 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
7058 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
7059 part of absolute file names) or
7060 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
7061 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
7062
7063 @kindex cdir
7064 @kindex cwd
7065 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
7066 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
7067 @cindex compilation directory
7068 @cindex current directory
7069 @cindex working directory
7070 @cindex directory, current
7071 @cindex directory, compilation
7072 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
7073 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
7074 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
7075 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
7076 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
7077 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
7078
7079 @item directory
7080 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
7081
7082 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
7083 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
7084
7085 @item set directories @var{path-list}
7086 @kindex set directories
7087 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
7088 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
7089
7090 @item show directories
7091 @kindex show directories
7092 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
7093
7094 @anchor{set substitute-path}
7095 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
7096 @kindex set substitute-path
7097 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
7098 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
7099 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
7100
7101 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
7102 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
7103
7104 @smallexample
7105 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
7106 @end smallexample
7107
7108 @noindent
7109 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
7110 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
7111 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
7112
7113 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
7114 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
7115 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
7116 the substitution.
7117
7118 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
7119
7120 @smallexample
7121 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
7122 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
7123 @end smallexample
7124
7125 @noindent
7126 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
7127 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
7128 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
7129 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
7130
7131
7132 @item unset substitute-path [path]
7133 @kindex unset substitute-path
7134 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
7135 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
7136 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
7137
7138 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
7139
7140 @item show substitute-path [path]
7141 @kindex show substitute-path
7142 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
7143 which would rewrite that path, if any.
7144
7145 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
7146 rules.
7147
7148 @end table
7149
7150 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
7151 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
7152 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
7153
7154 @enumerate
7155 @item
7156 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
7157
7158 @item
7159 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
7160 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
7161 directories in one command.
7162 @end enumerate
7163
7164 @node Machine Code
7165 @section Source and Machine Code
7166 @cindex source line and its code address
7167
7168 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
7169 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
7170 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
7171 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
7172 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
7173 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
7174 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
7175 well as hex.
7176
7177 @table @code
7178 @kindex info line
7179 @item info line @var{linespec}
7180 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
7181 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
7182 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
7183 @end table
7184
7185 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
7186 the object code for the first line of function
7187 @code{m4_changequote}:
7188
7189 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
7190 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
7191 @smallexample
7192 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
7193 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
7194 @end smallexample
7195
7196 @noindent
7197 @cindex code address and its source line
7198 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
7199 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
7200 @smallexample
7201 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
7202 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
7203 @end smallexample
7204
7205 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
7206 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
7207 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
7208 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
7209 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
7210 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
7211 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
7212 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7213 Variables}).
7214
7215 @table @code
7216 @kindex disassemble
7217 @cindex assembly instructions
7218 @cindex instructions, assembly
7219 @cindex machine instructions
7220 @cindex listing machine instructions
7221 @item disassemble
7222 @itemx disassemble /m
7223 @itemx disassemble /r
7224 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
7225 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
7226 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
7227 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
7228 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
7229 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
7230 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
7231 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
7232 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
7233 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
7234
7235 @table @code
7236 @item @var{start},@var{end}
7237 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
7238 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
7239 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
7240 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
7241 @end table
7242
7243 @noindent
7244 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
7245 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
7246
7247 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
7248 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
7249
7250 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
7251 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
7252 @end table
7253
7254 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
7255 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
7256
7257 @smallexample
7258 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
7259 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
7260 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
7261 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
7262 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7263 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
7264 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
7265 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
7266 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
7267 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
7268 End of assembler dump.
7269 @end smallexample
7270
7271 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
7272 program is stopped just after function prologue:
7273
7274 @smallexample
7275 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
7276 Dump of assembler code for function main:
7277 5 @{
7278 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
7279 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
7280 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
7281 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
7282 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
7283
7284 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
7285 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
7286 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
7287
7288 7 return 0;
7289 8 @}
7290 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
7291 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
7292 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
7293
7294 End of assembler dump.
7295 @end smallexample
7296
7297 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
7298
7299 @smallexample
7300 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
7301 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
7302 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
7303 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
7304 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
7305 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
7306 End of assembler dump.
7307 @end smallexample
7308
7309 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
7310 mnemonics or other syntax.
7311
7312 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
7313 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
7314 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
7315 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
7316 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
7317
7318 @table @code
7319 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
7320 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
7321 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
7322 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
7323 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
7324 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
7325
7326 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
7327 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
7328 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
7329 assemblers for x86-based targets.
7330
7331 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
7332 @item show disassembly-flavor
7333 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
7334 @end table
7335
7336 @table @code
7337 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
7338 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
7339 @item set disassemble-next-line
7340 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
7341 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
7342 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
7343 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
7344 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
7345 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
7346 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
7347 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
7348 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
7349 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
7350 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
7351 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
7352 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
7353 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
7354 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
7355 instruction.
7356 @end table
7357
7358
7359 @node Data
7360 @chapter Examining Data
7361
7362 @cindex printing data
7363 @cindex examining data
7364 @kindex print
7365 @kindex inspect
7366 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
7367 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
7368 @c different window or something like that.
7369 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
7370 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
7371 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
7372 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
7373 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
7374 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
7375
7376 @table @code
7377 @item print @var{expr}
7378 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
7379 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
7380 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
7381 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
7382 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
7383 Formats}.
7384
7385 @item print
7386 @itemx print /@var{f}
7387 @cindex reprint the last value
7388 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
7389 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
7390 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
7391 @end table
7392
7393 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
7394 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
7395 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7396
7397 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
7398 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
7399 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
7400 Table}.
7401
7402 @cindex exploring hierarchical data structures
7403 @kindex explore
7404 Another way of examining values of expressions and type information is
7405 through the Python extension command @code{explore} (available only if
7406 the @value{GDBN} build is configured with @code{--with-python}). It
7407 offers an interactive way to start at the highest level (or, the most
7408 abstract level) of the data type of an expression (or, the data type
7409 itself) and explore all the way down to leaf scalar values/fields
7410 embedded in the higher level data types.
7411
7412 @table @code
7413 @item explore @var{arg}
7414 @var{arg} is either an expression (in the source language), or a type
7415 visible in the current context of the program being debugged.
7416 @end table
7417
7418 The working of the @code{explore} command can be illustrated with an
7419 example. If a data type @code{struct ComplexStruct} is defined in your
7420 C program as
7421
7422 @smallexample
7423 struct SimpleStruct
7424 @{
7425 int i;
7426 double d;
7427 @};
7428
7429 struct ComplexStruct
7430 @{
7431 struct SimpleStruct *ss_p;
7432 int arr[10];
7433 @};
7434 @end smallexample
7435
7436 @noindent
7437 followed by variable declarations as
7438
7439 @smallexample
7440 struct SimpleStruct ss = @{ 10, 1.11 @};
7441 struct ComplexStruct cs = @{ &ss, @{ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 @} @};
7442 @end smallexample
7443
7444 @noindent
7445 then, the value of the variable @code{cs} can be explored using the
7446 @code{explore} command as follows.
7447
7448 @smallexample
7449 (gdb) explore cs
7450 The value of `cs' is a struct/class of type `struct ComplexStruct' with
7451 the following fields:
7452
7453 ss_p = <Enter 0 to explore this field of type `struct SimpleStruct *'>
7454 arr = <Enter 1 to explore this field of type `int [10]'>
7455
7456 Enter the field number of choice:
7457 @end smallexample
7458
7459 @noindent
7460 Since the fields of @code{cs} are not scalar values, you are being
7461 prompted to chose the field you want to explore. Let's say you choose
7462 the field @code{ss_p} by entering @code{0}. Then, since this field is a
7463 pointer, you will be asked if it is pointing to a single value. From
7464 the declaration of @code{cs} above, it is indeed pointing to a single
7465 value, hence you enter @code{y}. If you enter @code{n}, then you will
7466 be asked if it were pointing to an array of values, in which case this
7467 field will be explored as if it were an array.
7468
7469 @smallexample
7470 `cs.ss_p' is a pointer to a value of type `struct SimpleStruct'
7471 Continue exploring it as a pointer to a single value [y/n]: y
7472 The value of `*(cs.ss_p)' is a struct/class of type `struct
7473 SimpleStruct' with the following fields:
7474
7475 i = 10 .. (Value of type `int')
7476 d = 1.1100000000000001 .. (Value of type `double')
7477
7478 Press enter to return to parent value:
7479 @end smallexample
7480
7481 @noindent
7482 If the field @code{arr} of @code{cs} was chosen for exploration by
7483 entering @code{1} earlier, then since it is as array, you will be
7484 prompted to enter the index of the element in the array that you want
7485 to explore.
7486
7487 @smallexample
7488 `cs.arr' is an array of `int'.
7489 Enter the index of the element you want to explore in `cs.arr': 5
7490
7491 `(cs.arr)[5]' is a scalar value of type `int'.
7492
7493 (cs.arr)[5] = 4
7494
7495 Press enter to return to parent value:
7496 @end smallexample
7497
7498 In general, at any stage of exploration, you can go deeper towards the
7499 leaf values by responding to the prompts appropriately, or hit the
7500 return key to return to the enclosing data structure (the @i{higher}
7501 level data structure).
7502
7503 Similar to exploring values, you can use the @code{explore} command to
7504 explore types. Instead of specifying a value (which is typically a
7505 variable name or an expression valid in the current context of the
7506 program being debugged), you specify a type name. If you consider the
7507 same example as above, your can explore the type
7508 @code{struct ComplexStruct} by passing the argument
7509 @code{struct ComplexStruct} to the @code{explore} command.
7510
7511 @smallexample
7512 (gdb) explore struct ComplexStruct
7513 @end smallexample
7514
7515 @noindent
7516 By responding to the prompts appropriately in the subsequent interactive
7517 session, you can explore the type @code{struct ComplexStruct} in a
7518 manner similar to how the value @code{cs} was explored in the above
7519 example.
7520
7521 The @code{explore} command also has two sub-commands,
7522 @code{explore value} and @code{explore type}. The former sub-command is
7523 a way to explicitly specify that value exploration of the argument is
7524 being invoked, while the latter is a way to explicitly specify that type
7525 exploration of the argument is being invoked.
7526
7527 @table @code
7528 @item explore value @var{expr}
7529 @cindex explore value
7530 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the value of the
7531 expression @var{expr} (if @var{expr} is an expression valid in the
7532 current context of the program being debugged). The behavior of this
7533 command is identical to that of the behavior of the @code{explore}
7534 command being passed the argument @var{expr}.
7535
7536 @item explore type @var{arg}
7537 @cindex explore type
7538 This sub-command of @code{explore} explores the type of @var{arg} (if
7539 @var{arg} is a type visible in the current context of program being
7540 debugged), or the type of the value/expression @var{arg} (if @var{arg}
7541 is an expression valid in the current context of the program being
7542 debugged). If @var{arg} is a type, then the behavior of this command is
7543 identical to that of the @code{explore} command being passed the
7544 argument @var{arg}. If @var{arg} is an expression, then the behavior of
7545 this command will be identical to that of the @code{explore} command
7546 being passed the type of @var{arg} as the argument.
7547 @end table
7548
7549 @menu
7550 * Expressions:: Expressions
7551 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
7552 * Variables:: Program variables
7553 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
7554 * Output Formats:: Output formats
7555 * Memory:: Examining memory
7556 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
7557 * Print Settings:: Print settings
7558 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
7559 * Value History:: Value history
7560 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
7561 * Convenience Funs:: Convenience functions
7562 * Registers:: Registers
7563 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
7564 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7565 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7566 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7567 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7568 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7569 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7570 character set than GDB does
7571 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7572 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7573 @end menu
7574
7575 @node Expressions
7576 @section Expressions
7577
7578 @cindex expressions
7579 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7580 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7581 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7582 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7583 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7584 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7585 @ref{Compilation}.
7586
7587 @cindex arrays in expressions
7588 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7589 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7590 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7591 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7592 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7593 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7594
7595 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7596 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7597 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7598 languages.
7599
7600 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7601 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7602
7603 @cindex casts, in expressions
7604 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7605 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7606 at that address in memory.
7607 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7608
7609 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7610 to programming languages:
7611
7612 @table @code
7613 @item @@
7614 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7615 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7616
7617 @item ::
7618 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7619 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7620
7621 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7622 @cindex type casting memory
7623 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7624 @cindex casts, to view memory
7625 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7626 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7627 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7628 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7629 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7630 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7631 @end table
7632
7633 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7634 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7635 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7636
7637 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7638 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7639 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7640 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7641 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7642 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7643 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7644
7645 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7646 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7647 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7648 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7649 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7650 as well.
7651
7652 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7653 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7654 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7655 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7656 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7657 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7658 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7659 choices.
7660
7661 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7662 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7663 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7664
7665 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7666 @smallexample
7667 @group
7668 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7669 [0] cancel
7670 [1] all
7671 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7672 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7673 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7674 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7675 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7676 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7677 > 2 4 6
7678 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7679 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7680 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7681 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7682 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7683 breakpoints.
7684 (@value{GDBP})
7685 @end group
7686 @end smallexample
7687
7688 @table @code
7689 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7690 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7691 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7692
7693 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7694 is ambiguous.
7695
7696 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7697 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7698 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7699 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7700 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7701 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7702 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7703 in the use of the menu.
7704
7705 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7706 when an ambiguity is detected.
7707
7708 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7709 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7710
7711 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7712 @item show multiple-symbols
7713 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7714 @end table
7715
7716 @node Variables
7717 @section Program Variables
7718
7719 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7720 in your program.
7721
7722 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7723 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7724
7725 @itemize @bullet
7726 @item
7727 global (or file-static)
7728 @end itemize
7729
7730 @noindent or
7731
7732 @itemize @bullet
7733 @item
7734 visible according to the scope rules of the
7735 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7736 @end itemize
7737
7738 @noindent This means that in the function
7739
7740 @smallexample
7741 foo (a)
7742 int a;
7743 @{
7744 bar (a);
7745 @{
7746 int b = test ();
7747 bar (b);
7748 @}
7749 @}
7750 @end smallexample
7751
7752 @noindent
7753 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7754 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7755 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7756 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7757
7758 @cindex variable name conflict
7759 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7760 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7761 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7762 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7763 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7764 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file by
7765 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7766
7767 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7768 @ifnotinfo
7769 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7770 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7771 @end ifnotinfo
7772 @smallexample
7773 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7774 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7775 @end smallexample
7776
7777 @noindent
7778 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7779 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7780 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7781 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7782
7783 @smallexample
7784 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7785 @end smallexample
7786
7787 The @code{::} notation is normally used for referring to
7788 static variables, since you typically disambiguate uses of local variables
7789 in functions by selecting the appropriate frame and using the
7790 simple name of the variable. However, you may also use this notation
7791 to refer to local variables in frames enclosing the selected frame:
7792
7793 @smallexample
7794 void
7795 foo (int a)
7796 @{
7797 if (a < 10)
7798 bar (a);
7799 else
7800 process (a); /* Stop here */
7801 @}
7802
7803 int
7804 bar (int a)
7805 @{
7806 foo (a + 5);
7807 @}
7808 @end smallexample
7809
7810 @noindent
7811 For example, if there is a breakpoint at the commented line,
7812 here is what you might see
7813 when the program stops after executing the call @code{bar(0)}:
7814
7815 @smallexample
7816 (@value{GDBP}) p a
7817 $1 = 10
7818 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7819 $2 = 5
7820 (@value{GDBP}) up 2
7821 #2 0x080483d0 in foo (a=5) at foobar.c:12
7822 (@value{GDBP}) p a
7823 $3 = 5
7824 (@value{GDBP}) p bar::a
7825 $4 = 0
7826 @end smallexample
7827
7828 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7829 These uses of @samp{::} are very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7830 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7831 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7832 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7833 @c conflict?? --mew
7834
7835 @cindex wrong values
7836 @cindex variable values, wrong
7837 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7838 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7839 @quotation
7840 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7841 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7842 scope, and just before exit.
7843 @end quotation
7844 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7845 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7846 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7847 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7848 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7849 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7850 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7851 variable definitions may be gone.
7852
7853 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7854 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7855 when compiling.
7856
7857 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7858 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7859 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7860 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7861 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7862 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7863 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7864
7865 @smallexample
7866 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7867 @end smallexample
7868
7869 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7870 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7871 formats. @xref{Compilation}, for more information on choosing compiler
7872 options. @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug
7873 info formats that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7874
7875 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7876 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7877 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7878 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7879
7880 If you append @kbd{@@entry} string to a function parameter name you get its
7881 value at the time the function got called. If the value is not available an
7882 error message is printed. Entry values are available only with some compilers.
7883 Entry values are normally also printed at the function parameter list according
7884 to @ref{set print entry-values}.
7885
7886 @smallexample
7887 Breakpoint 1, d (i=30) at gdb.base/entry-value.c:29
7888 29 i++;
7889 (gdb) next
7890 30 e (i);
7891 (gdb) print i
7892 $1 = 31
7893 (gdb) print i@@entry
7894 $2 = 30
7895 @end smallexample
7896
7897 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7898 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7899 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7900 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7901 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7902 For program code
7903
7904 @smallexample
7905 char var0[] = "A";
7906 signed char var1[] = "A";
7907 @end smallexample
7908
7909 You get during debugging
7910 @smallexample
7911 (gdb) print var0
7912 $1 = "A"
7913 (gdb) print var1
7914 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7915 @end smallexample
7916
7917 @node Arrays
7918 @section Artificial Arrays
7919
7920 @cindex artificial array
7921 @cindex arrays
7922 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7923 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7924 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7925 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7926 program.
7927
7928 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7929 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7930 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7931 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7932 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7933 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7934 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7935 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7936 example. If a program says
7937
7938 @smallexample
7939 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7940 @end smallexample
7941
7942 @noindent
7943 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7944
7945 @smallexample
7946 p *array@@len
7947 @end smallexample
7948
7949 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7950 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7951 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7952 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7953 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7954
7955 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7956 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7957 The value need not be in memory:
7958 @smallexample
7959 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7960 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7961 @end smallexample
7962
7963 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7964 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7965 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7966 @smallexample
7967 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7968 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7969 @end smallexample
7970
7971 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7972 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7973 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7974 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7975 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7976 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7977 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7978 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7979 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7980 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7981
7982 @smallexample
7983 set $i = 0
7984 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7985 @key{RET}
7986 @key{RET}
7987 @dots{}
7988 @end smallexample
7989
7990 @node Output Formats
7991 @section Output Formats
7992
7993 @cindex formatted output
7994 @cindex output formats
7995 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7996 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7997 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7998 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7999 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
8000
8001 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
8002 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
8003 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
8004 letters supported are:
8005
8006 @table @code
8007 @item x
8008 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
8009 hexadecimal.
8010
8011 @item d
8012 Print as integer in signed decimal.
8013
8014 @item u
8015 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
8016
8017 @item o
8018 Print as integer in octal.
8019
8020 @item t
8021 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
8022 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
8023 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
8024 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
8025
8026 @item a
8027 @cindex unknown address, locating
8028 @cindex locate address
8029 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
8030 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
8031 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
8032
8033 @smallexample
8034 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
8035 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
8036 @end smallexample
8037
8038 @noindent
8039 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
8040 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
8041
8042 @item c
8043 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
8044 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
8045 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
8046 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
8047
8048 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
8049 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
8050 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
8051 data.
8052
8053 @item f
8054 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
8055 using typical floating point syntax.
8056
8057 @item s
8058 @cindex printing strings
8059 @cindex printing byte arrays
8060 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
8061 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
8062 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
8063 natural types.
8064
8065 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
8066 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
8067 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
8068 array.
8069
8070 @item r
8071 @cindex raw printing
8072 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
8073 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
8074 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
8075 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
8076 pretty-printer which might exist.
8077 @end table
8078
8079 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
8080
8081 @smallexample
8082 p/x $pc
8083 @end smallexample
8084
8085 @noindent
8086 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
8087 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
8088
8089 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
8090 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
8091 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
8092
8093 @node Memory
8094 @section Examining Memory
8095
8096 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
8097 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
8098
8099 @cindex examining memory
8100 @table @code
8101 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
8102 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
8103 @itemx x @var{addr}
8104 @itemx x
8105 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
8106 @end table
8107
8108 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
8109 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
8110 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
8111 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
8112 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
8113
8114 @table @r
8115 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
8116 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
8117 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
8118 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
8119 @c 4.1.2.
8120
8121 @item @var{f}, the display format
8122 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
8123 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
8124 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
8125 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
8126 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
8127
8128 @item @var{u}, the unit size
8129 The unit size is any of
8130
8131 @table @code
8132 @item b
8133 Bytes.
8134 @item h
8135 Halfwords (two bytes).
8136 @item w
8137 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
8138 @item g
8139 Giant words (eight bytes).
8140 @end table
8141
8142 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
8143 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
8144 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
8145 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
8146 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
8147 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
8148 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
8149 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
8150 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
8151 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
8152 be altered.
8153
8154 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
8155 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
8156 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
8157 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
8158 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
8159 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
8160 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
8161 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
8162 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
8163 a value from memory).
8164 @end table
8165
8166 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
8167 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
8168 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
8169 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
8170 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
8171
8172 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
8173 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
8174 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
8175 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
8176 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
8177
8178 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
8179 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
8180 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
8181 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
8182 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
8183 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
8184 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
8185 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
8186 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
8187
8188 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
8189 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
8190 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
8191 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
8192 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
8193 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
8194 for successive uses of @code{x}.
8195
8196 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
8197 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
8198
8199 @smallexample
8200 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
8201 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
8202 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
8203 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
8204 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
8205 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
8206 @end smallexample
8207
8208 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
8209 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
8210 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
8211 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
8212 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
8213 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
8214 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
8215 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
8216 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
8217
8218 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
8219 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
8220 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
8221
8222 @cindex remote memory comparison
8223 @cindex verify remote memory image
8224 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
8225 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
8226 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
8227 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
8228 situations.
8229
8230 @table @code
8231 @kindex compare-sections
8232 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
8233 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
8234 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
8235 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
8236 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
8237 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
8238 remote request.
8239 @end table
8240
8241 @node Auto Display
8242 @section Automatic Display
8243 @cindex automatic display
8244 @cindex display of expressions
8245
8246 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
8247 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
8248 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
8249 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
8250 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
8251 The automatic display looks like this:
8252
8253 @smallexample
8254 2: foo = 38
8255 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
8256 @end smallexample
8257
8258 @noindent
8259 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
8260 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
8261 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
8262 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
8263 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
8264 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
8265
8266 @table @code
8267 @kindex display
8268 @item display @var{expr}
8269 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
8270 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
8271
8272 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
8273
8274 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
8275 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
8276 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
8277 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
8278 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
8279
8280 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
8281 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
8282 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
8283 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
8284 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
8285 @end table
8286
8287 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
8288 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
8289 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8290
8291 @table @code
8292 @kindex delete display
8293 @kindex undisplay
8294 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
8295 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8296 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
8297 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
8298 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
8299 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
8300 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8301
8302 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
8303 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
8304
8305 @kindex disable display
8306 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8307 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
8308 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
8309 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
8310 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
8311 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
8312 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
8313 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8314
8315 @kindex enable display
8316 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
8317 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
8318 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
8319 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
8320 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
8321 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
8322 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
8323
8324 @item display
8325 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
8326 done when your program stops.
8327
8328 @kindex info display
8329 @item info display
8330 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
8331 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
8332 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
8333 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
8334 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
8335 @end table
8336
8337 @cindex display disabled out of scope
8338 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
8339 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
8340 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
8341 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
8342 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
8343 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
8344 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
8345 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
8346 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
8347 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
8348
8349 @node Print Settings
8350 @section Print Settings
8351
8352 @cindex format options
8353 @cindex print settings
8354 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
8355 and symbols are printed.
8356
8357 @noindent
8358 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
8359
8360 @table @code
8361 @kindex set print
8362 @item set print address
8363 @itemx set print address on
8364 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
8365 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
8366 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
8367 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
8368 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
8369 @code{set print address on}:
8370
8371 @smallexample
8372 @group
8373 (@value{GDBP}) f
8374 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
8375 at input.c:530
8376 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8377 @end group
8378 @end smallexample
8379
8380 @item set print address off
8381 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
8382 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
8383
8384 @smallexample
8385 @group
8386 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
8387 (@value{GDBP}) f
8388 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
8389 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
8390 @end group
8391 @end smallexample
8392
8393 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
8394 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
8395 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
8396 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
8397
8398 @kindex show print
8399 @item show print address
8400 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
8401 @end table
8402
8403 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
8404 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
8405 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
8406 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
8407 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
8408 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
8409 it prints a symbolic address:
8410
8411 @table @code
8412 @item set print symbol-filename on
8413 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
8414 @cindex symbol, source file and line
8415 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
8416 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8417
8418 @item set print symbol-filename off
8419 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
8420 default.
8421
8422 @item show print symbol-filename
8423 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
8424 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
8425 @end table
8426
8427 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
8428 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
8429 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
8430
8431 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
8432 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
8433
8434 @table @code
8435 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
8436 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
8437 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
8438 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
8439 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
8440 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
8441
8442 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
8443 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
8444 symbolic address.
8445 @end table
8446
8447 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
8448 @cindex pointer, finding referent
8449 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
8450 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
8451 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
8452 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
8453 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
8454 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
8455
8456 @smallexample
8457 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
8458 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
8459 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
8460 @end smallexample
8461
8462 @quotation
8463 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
8464 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
8465 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
8466 @end quotation
8467
8468 You can also enable @samp{/a}-like formatting all the time using
8469 @samp{set print symbol on}:
8470
8471 @table @code
8472 @item set print symbol on
8473 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the symbol corresponding to an address, if
8474 one exists.
8475
8476 @item set print symbol off
8477 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print the symbol corresponding to an
8478 address. In this mode, @value{GDBN} will still print the symbol
8479 corresponding to pointers to functions. This is the default.
8480
8481 @item show print symbol
8482 Show whether @value{GDBN} will display the symbol corresponding to an
8483 address.
8484 @end table
8485
8486 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
8487
8488 @table @code
8489 @item set print array
8490 @itemx set print array on
8491 @cindex pretty print arrays
8492 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
8493 but uses more space. The default is off.
8494
8495 @item set print array off
8496 Return to compressed format for arrays.
8497
8498 @item show print array
8499 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
8500 arrays.
8501
8502 @cindex print array indexes
8503 @item set print array-indexes
8504 @itemx set print array-indexes on
8505 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
8506 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
8507 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
8508
8509 @item set print array-indexes off
8510 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
8511
8512 @item show print array-indexes
8513 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
8514 arrays.
8515
8516 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
8517 @cindex number of array elements to print
8518 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
8519 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
8520 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
8521 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
8522 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
8523 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
8524 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
8525
8526 @item show print elements
8527 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
8528 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
8529
8530 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
8531 @kindex set print frame-arguments
8532 @cindex printing frame argument values
8533 @cindex print all frame argument values
8534 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
8535 @cindex do not print frame argument values
8536 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
8537 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
8538 values are:
8539
8540 @table @code
8541 @item all
8542 The values of all arguments are printed.
8543
8544 @item scalars
8545 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
8546 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
8547 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
8548 only scalar arguments are shown:
8549
8550 @smallexample
8551 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
8552 at frame-args.c:23
8553 @end smallexample
8554
8555 @item none
8556 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
8557 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
8558
8559 @smallexample
8560 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
8561 at frame-args.c:23
8562 @end smallexample
8563 @end table
8564
8565 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
8566 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
8567 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
8568 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
8569 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
8570 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
8571 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
8572 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
8573 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
8574 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
8575
8576 @item show print frame-arguments
8577 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
8578
8579 @anchor{set print entry-values}
8580 @item set print entry-values @var{value}
8581 @kindex set print entry-values
8582 Set printing of frame argument values at function entry. In some cases
8583 @value{GDBN} can determine the value of function argument which was passed by
8584 the function caller, even if the value was modified inside the called function
8585 and therefore is different. With optimized code, the current value could be
8586 unavailable, but the entry value may still be known.
8587
8588 The default value is @code{default} (see below for its description). Older
8589 @value{GDBN} behaved as with the setting @code{no}. Compilers not supporting
8590 this feature will behave in the @code{default} setting the same way as with the
8591 @code{no} setting.
8592
8593 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
8594 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
8595 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
8596 this information.
8597
8598 The @var{value} parameter can be one of the following:
8599
8600 @table @code
8601 @item no
8602 Print only actual parameter values, never print values from function entry
8603 point.
8604 @smallexample
8605 #0 equal (val=5)
8606 #0 different (val=6)
8607 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>)
8608 #0 born (val=10)
8609 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8610 @end smallexample
8611
8612 @item only
8613 Print only parameter values from function entry point. The actual parameter
8614 values are never printed.
8615 @smallexample
8616 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8617 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8618 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8619 #0 born (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8620 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8621 @end smallexample
8622
8623 @item preferred
8624 Print only parameter values from function entry point. If value from function
8625 entry point is not known while the actual value is known, print the actual
8626 value for such parameter.
8627 @smallexample
8628 #0 equal (val@@entry=5)
8629 #0 different (val@@entry=5)
8630 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8631 #0 born (val=10)
8632 #0 invalid (val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8633 @end smallexample
8634
8635 @item if-needed
8636 Print actual parameter values. If actual parameter value is not known while
8637 value from function entry point is known, print the entry point value for such
8638 parameter.
8639 @smallexample
8640 #0 equal (val=5)
8641 #0 different (val=6)
8642 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8643 #0 born (val=10)
8644 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8645 @end smallexample
8646
8647 @item both
8648 Always print both the actual parameter value and its value from function entry
8649 point, even if values of one or both are not available due to compiler
8650 optimizations.
8651 @smallexample
8652 #0 equal (val=5, val@@entry=5)
8653 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8654 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8655 #0 born (val=10, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8656 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=<optimized out>)
8657 @end smallexample
8658
8659 @item compact
8660 Print the actual parameter value if it is known and also its value from
8661 function entry point if it is known. If neither is known, print for the actual
8662 value @code{<optimized out>}. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and if both
8663 values are known and identical, print the shortened
8664 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8665 @smallexample
8666 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8667 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8668 #0 lost (val@@entry=5)
8669 #0 born (val=10)
8670 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8671 @end smallexample
8672
8673 @item default
8674 Always print the actual parameter value. Print also its value from function
8675 entry point, but only if it is known. If not in MI mode (@pxref{GDB/MI}) and
8676 if both values are known and identical, print the shortened
8677 @code{param=param@@entry=VALUE} notation.
8678 @smallexample
8679 #0 equal (val=val@@entry=5)
8680 #0 different (val=6, val@@entry=5)
8681 #0 lost (val=<optimized out>, val@@entry=5)
8682 #0 born (val=10)
8683 #0 invalid (val=<optimized out>)
8684 @end smallexample
8685 @end table
8686
8687 For analysis messages on possible failures of frame argument values at function
8688 entry resolution see @ref{set debug entry-values}.
8689
8690 @item show print entry-values
8691 Show the method being used for printing of frame argument values at function
8692 entry.
8693
8694 @item set print repeats
8695 @cindex repeated array elements
8696 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
8697 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
8698 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
8699 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
8700 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
8701 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
8702 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
8703
8704 @item show print repeats
8705 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
8706 elements.
8707
8708 @item set print null-stop
8709 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
8710 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
8711 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
8712 contain only short strings.
8713 The default is off.
8714
8715 @item show print null-stop
8716 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
8717 @sc{null} character.
8718
8719 @item set print pretty on
8720 @cindex print structures in indented form
8721 @cindex indentation in structure display
8722 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
8723 per line, like this:
8724
8725 @smallexample
8726 @group
8727 $1 = @{
8728 next = 0x0,
8729 flags = @{
8730 sweet = 1,
8731 sour = 1
8732 @},
8733 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
8734 @}
8735 @end group
8736 @end smallexample
8737
8738 @item set print pretty off
8739 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
8740
8741 @smallexample
8742 @group
8743 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
8744 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
8745 @end group
8746 @end smallexample
8747
8748 @noindent
8749 This is the default format.
8750
8751 @item show print pretty
8752 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
8753
8754 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
8755 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
8756 @cindex octal escapes in strings
8757 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
8758 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
8759 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
8760 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
8761 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
8762
8763 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
8764 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
8765 international character sets, and is the default.
8766
8767 @item show print sevenbit-strings
8768 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
8769
8770 @item set print union on
8771 @cindex unions in structures, printing
8772 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8773 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8774
8775 @item set print union off
8776 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8777 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8778 instead.
8779
8780 @item show print union
8781 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8782 structures and other unions.
8783
8784 For example, given the declarations
8785
8786 @smallexample
8787 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8788 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8789 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8790 Bug_forms;
8791
8792 struct thing @{
8793 Species it;
8794 union @{
8795 Tree_forms tree;
8796 Bug_forms bug;
8797 @} form;
8798 @};
8799
8800 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8801 @end smallexample
8802
8803 @noindent
8804 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8805
8806 @smallexample
8807 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8808 @end smallexample
8809
8810 @noindent
8811 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8812
8813 @smallexample
8814 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8815 @end smallexample
8816
8817 @noindent
8818 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8819 and in Pascal.
8820 @end table
8821
8822 @need 1000
8823 @noindent
8824 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8825
8826 @table @code
8827 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8828 @item set print demangle
8829 @itemx set print demangle on
8830 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8831 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8832 linkage. The default is on.
8833
8834 @item show print demangle
8835 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8836
8837 @item set print asm-demangle
8838 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8839 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8840 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8841 The default is off.
8842
8843 @item show print asm-demangle
8844 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8845 or demangled form.
8846
8847 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8848 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8849 @kindex set demangle-style
8850 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8851 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8852 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8853
8854 @table @code
8855 @item auto
8856 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8857
8858 @item gnu
8859 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8860 This is the default.
8861
8862 @item hp
8863 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8864
8865 @item lucid
8866 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8867
8868 @item arm
8869 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8870 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8871 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8872 require further enhancement to permit that.
8873
8874 @end table
8875 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8876
8877 @item show demangle-style
8878 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8879
8880 @item set print object
8881 @itemx set print object on
8882 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8883 @cindex display derived types
8884 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8885 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8886 the virtual function table. Note that the virtual function table is
8887 required---this feature can only work for objects that have run-time
8888 type identification; a single virtual method in the object's declared
8889 type is sufficient. Note that this setting is also taken into account when
8890 working with variable objects via MI (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
8891
8892 @item set print object off
8893 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8894 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8895
8896 @item show print object
8897 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8898
8899 @item set print static-members
8900 @itemx set print static-members on
8901 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8902 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8903
8904 @item set print static-members off
8905 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8906
8907 @item show print static-members
8908 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8909
8910 @item set print pascal_static-members
8911 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8912 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8913 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8914 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8915
8916 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8917 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8918
8919 @item show print pascal_static-members
8920 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8921
8922 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8923 @item set print vtbl
8924 @itemx set print vtbl on
8925 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8926 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8927 @cindex VTBL display
8928 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8929 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8930 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8931
8932 @item set print vtbl off
8933 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8934
8935 @item show print vtbl
8936 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8937 @end table
8938
8939 @node Pretty Printing
8940 @section Pretty Printing
8941
8942 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8943 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8944 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8945
8946 @menu
8947 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8948 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8949 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8950 @end menu
8951
8952 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8953 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8954
8955 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8956 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8957 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8958
8959 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8960 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8961 pretty-printers with their names.
8962 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8963 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8964 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8965 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8966
8967 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8968 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8969 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8970 do anything special.
8971
8972 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8973
8974 @itemize @bullet
8975 @item
8976 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8977 all inferiors.
8978
8979 @item
8980 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8981 when debugging that program.
8982 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8983
8984 @item
8985 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8986 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8987 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8988 @end itemize
8989
8990 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8991 pretty-printers are selected,
8992
8993 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8994 for new types.
8995
8996 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8997 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8998
8999 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
9000
9001 @smallexample
9002 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9003 $1 = @{
9004 static npos = 4294967295,
9005 _M_dataplus = @{
9006 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
9007 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
9008 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
9009 @},
9010 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
9011 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
9012 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
9013 @}
9014 @}
9015 @end smallexample
9016
9017 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
9018
9019 @smallexample
9020 (@value{GDBP}) print s
9021 $2 = "abcd"
9022 @end smallexample
9023
9024 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
9025 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
9026 @cindex pretty-printer commands
9027
9028 @table @code
9029 @kindex info pretty-printer
9030 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9031 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
9032 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
9033
9034 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
9035 whose pretty-printers to list.
9036 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
9037 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
9038 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
9039 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
9040 looks up a printer from these three objects.
9041
9042 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
9043 to list.
9044
9045 @kindex disable pretty-printer
9046 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9047 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9048 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
9049
9050 @kindex enable pretty-printer
9051 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
9052 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
9053 @end table
9054
9055 Example:
9056
9057 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
9058 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
9059 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
9060 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
9061
9062 @smallexample
9063 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9064 library1.so:
9065 foo
9066 library2.so:
9067 bar
9068 bar1
9069 bar2
9070 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9071 library2.so:
9072 bar
9073 bar1
9074 bar2
9075 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
9076 1 printer disabled
9077 2 of 3 printers enabled
9078 (gdb) info pretty-printer
9079 library1.so:
9080 foo [disabled]
9081 library2.so:
9082 bar
9083 bar1
9084 bar2
9085 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
9086 1 printer disabled
9087 1 of 3 printers enabled
9088 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9089 library1.so:
9090 foo [disabled]
9091 library2.so:
9092 bar
9093 bar1 [disabled]
9094 bar2
9095 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
9096 1 printer disabled
9097 0 of 3 printers enabled
9098 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
9099 library1.so:
9100 foo [disabled]
9101 library2.so:
9102 bar [disabled]
9103 bar1 [disabled]
9104 bar2
9105 @end smallexample
9106
9107 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
9108 as can each individual subprinter.
9109
9110 @node Value History
9111 @section Value History
9112
9113 @cindex value history
9114 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
9115 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
9116 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
9117 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
9118 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
9119 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
9120 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
9121 symbol table.
9122
9123 @cindex @code{$}
9124 @cindex @code{$$}
9125 @cindex history number
9126 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
9127 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
9128 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
9129 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
9130 history number.
9131
9132 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
9133 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
9134 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
9135 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
9136 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
9137 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
9138 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
9139
9140 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
9141 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
9142
9143 @smallexample
9144 p *$
9145 @end smallexample
9146
9147 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
9148 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
9149
9150 @smallexample
9151 p *$.next
9152 @end smallexample
9153
9154 @noindent
9155 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
9156 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
9157
9158 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
9159 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
9160
9161 @smallexample
9162 print x
9163 set x=5
9164 @end smallexample
9165
9166 @noindent
9167 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
9168 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
9169
9170 @table @code
9171 @kindex show values
9172 @item show values
9173 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
9174 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
9175 values} does not change the history.
9176
9177 @item show values @var{n}
9178 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
9179
9180 @item show values +
9181 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
9182 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
9183 @end table
9184
9185 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
9186 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
9187
9188 @node Convenience Vars
9189 @section Convenience Variables
9190
9191 @cindex convenience variables
9192 @cindex user-defined variables
9193 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
9194 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
9195 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
9196 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
9197 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
9198
9199 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
9200 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
9201 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
9202 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
9203 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
9204
9205 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
9206 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
9207 For example:
9208
9209 @smallexample
9210 set $foo = *object_ptr
9211 @end smallexample
9212
9213 @noindent
9214 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
9215 @code{object_ptr}.
9216
9217 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
9218 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
9219 value with another assignment at any time.
9220
9221 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
9222 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
9223 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
9224 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
9225
9226 @table @code
9227 @kindex show convenience
9228 @cindex show all user variables and functions
9229 @item show convenience
9230 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values,
9231 as well as a list of the convenience functions.
9232 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
9233
9234 @kindex init-if-undefined
9235 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
9236 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
9237 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
9238 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
9239 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
9240 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
9241 override default values used in a command script.
9242
9243 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
9244 any side-effects do not occur.
9245 @end table
9246
9247 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
9248 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
9249 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
9250
9251 @smallexample
9252 set $i = 0
9253 print bar[$i++]->contents
9254 @end smallexample
9255
9256 @noindent
9257 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
9258
9259 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
9260 values likely to be useful.
9261
9262 @table @code
9263 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
9264 @item $_
9265 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
9266 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
9267 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
9268 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
9269 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
9270 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
9271 to the type of @code{$__}.
9272
9273 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
9274 @item $__
9275 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
9276 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
9277 to match the format in which the data was printed.
9278
9279 @item $_exitcode
9280 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
9281 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
9282 the program being debugged terminates.
9283
9284 @item $_probe_argc
9285 @itemx $_probe_arg0@dots{}$_probe_arg11
9286 Arguments to a static probe. @xref{Static Probe Points}.
9287
9288 @item $_sdata
9289 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
9290 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
9291 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
9292 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
9293 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
9294
9295 @item $_siginfo
9296 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
9297 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
9298 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
9299 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
9300 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
9301
9302 @item $_tlb
9303 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
9304 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
9305 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
9306 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
9307 @xref{General Query Packets}.
9308 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
9309
9310 @end table
9311
9312 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
9313 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
9314 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
9315
9316 @node Convenience Funs
9317 @section Convenience Functions
9318
9319 @cindex convenience functions
9320 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
9321 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
9322 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
9323 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
9324 @value{GDBN}.
9325
9326 These functions require @value{GDBN} to be configured with
9327 @code{Python} support.
9328
9329 @table @code
9330
9331 @item $_memeq(@var{buf1}, @var{buf2}, @var{length})
9332 @findex $_memeq@r{, convenience function}
9333 Returns one if the @var{length} bytes at the addresses given by
9334 @var{buf1} and @var{buf2} are equal.
9335 Otherwise it returns zero.
9336
9337 @item $_regex(@var{str}, @var{regex})
9338 @findex $_regex@r{, convenience function}
9339 Returns one if the string @var{str} matches the regular expression
9340 @var{regex}. Otherwise it returns zero.
9341 The syntax of the regular expression is that specified by @code{Python}'s
9342 regular expression support.
9343
9344 @item $_streq(@var{str1}, @var{str2})
9345 @findex $_streq@r{, convenience function}
9346 Returns one if the strings @var{str1} and @var{str2} are equal.
9347 Otherwise it returns zero.
9348
9349 @item $_strlen(@var{str})
9350 @findex $_strlen@r{, convenience function}
9351 Returns the length of string @var{str}.
9352
9353 @end table
9354
9355 @value{GDBN} provides the ability to list and get help on
9356 convenience functions.
9357
9358 @table @code
9359 @item help function
9360 @kindex help function
9361 @cindex show all convenience functions
9362 Print a list of all convenience functions.
9363 @end table
9364
9365 @node Registers
9366 @section Registers
9367
9368 @cindex registers
9369 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
9370 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
9371 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
9372 your machine.
9373
9374 @table @code
9375 @kindex info registers
9376 @item info registers
9377 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
9378 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9379
9380 @kindex info all-registers
9381 @cindex floating point registers
9382 @item info all-registers
9383 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
9384 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
9385
9386 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
9387 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
9388 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
9389 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
9390 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
9391 @end table
9392
9393 @cindex stack pointer register
9394 @cindex program counter register
9395 @cindex process status register
9396 @cindex frame pointer register
9397 @cindex standard registers
9398 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
9399 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
9400 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
9401 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
9402 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
9403 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
9404 register that contains the processor status. For example,
9405 you could print the program counter in hex with
9406
9407 @smallexample
9408 p/x $pc
9409 @end smallexample
9410
9411 @noindent
9412 or print the instruction to be executed next with
9413
9414 @smallexample
9415 x/i $pc
9416 @end smallexample
9417
9418 @noindent
9419 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
9420 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
9421 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
9422 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
9423 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
9424 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
9425 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
9426
9427 @smallexample
9428 set $sp += 4
9429 @end smallexample
9430
9431 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
9432 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
9433 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
9434 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
9435 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
9436 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
9437 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
9438
9439 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
9440 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
9441 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
9442 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
9443 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
9444 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
9445 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
9446
9447 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
9448 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
9449 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
9450 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
9451 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
9452 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
9453 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
9454 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
9455 prints the data in both formats.
9456
9457 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
9458 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
9459 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
9460 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
9461 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
9462 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
9463 registers in @code{struct} notation:
9464
9465 @smallexample
9466 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
9467 $1 = @{
9468 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
9469 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
9470 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
9471 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
9472 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
9473 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
9474 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
9475 @}
9476 @end smallexample
9477
9478 @noindent
9479 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
9480 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
9481 value to a @code{struct} member:
9482
9483 @smallexample
9484 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
9485 @end smallexample
9486
9487 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
9488 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
9489 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
9490 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
9491 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
9492 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
9493
9494 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
9495 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
9496 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
9497 frame makes no difference.
9498
9499 @node Floating Point Hardware
9500 @section Floating Point Hardware
9501 @cindex floating point
9502
9503 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
9504 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
9505
9506 @table @code
9507 @kindex info float
9508 @item info float
9509 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
9510 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
9511 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
9512 the ARM and x86 machines.
9513 @end table
9514
9515 @node Vector Unit
9516 @section Vector Unit
9517 @cindex vector unit
9518
9519 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
9520 more information about the status of the vector unit.
9521
9522 @table @code
9523 @kindex info vector
9524 @item info vector
9525 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
9526 layout vary depending on the hardware.
9527 @end table
9528
9529 @node OS Information
9530 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
9531 @cindex OS information
9532
9533 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
9534 you debug your program.
9535
9536 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
9537 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
9538 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
9539 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
9540 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
9541 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
9542 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
9543 structure.
9544
9545 @table @code
9546 @item info udot
9547 @kindex info udot
9548 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
9549 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
9550 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
9551 the @code{examine} command.
9552 @end table
9553
9554 @cindex auxiliary vector
9555 @cindex vector, auxiliary
9556 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
9557 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
9558 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
9559 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
9560 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
9561 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
9562 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
9563 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
9564 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
9565 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
9566 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
9567
9568 @table @code
9569 @kindex info auxv
9570 @item info auxv
9571 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
9572 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
9573 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
9574 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
9575 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
9576 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
9577 an unrecognized tag.
9578 @end table
9579
9580 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating system-specific
9581 information and show it to you. The types of information available
9582 will differ depending on the type of operating system running on the
9583 target. The mechanism used to fetch the data is described in
9584 @ref{Operating System Information}. For remote targets, this
9585 functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
9586 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
9587
9588 @table @code
9589 @kindex info os
9590 @item info os @var{infotype}
9591
9592 Display OS information of the requested type.
9593
9594 On @sc{gnu}/Linux, the following values of @var{infotype} are valid:
9595
9596 @anchor{linux info os infotypes}
9597 @table @code
9598 @kindex info os processes
9599 @item processes
9600 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
9601 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, the
9602 command corresponding to the process, and the list of processor cores
9603 that the process is currently running on. (To understand what these
9604 properties mean, for this and the following info types, please consult
9605 the general @sc{gnu}/Linux documentation.)
9606
9607 @kindex info os procgroups
9608 @item procgroups
9609 Display the list of process groups on the target. For each process,
9610 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process group that it belongs
9611 to, the command corresponding to the process group leader, the process
9612 identifier, and the command line of the process. The list is sorted
9613 first by the process group identifier, then by the process identifier,
9614 so that processes belonging to the same process group are grouped together
9615 and the process group leader is listed first.
9616
9617 @kindex info os threads
9618 @item threads
9619 Display the list of threads running on the target. For each thread,
9620 @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process that the thread
9621 belongs to, the command of the process, the thread identifier, and the
9622 processor core that it is currently running on. The main thread of a
9623 process is not listed.
9624
9625 @kindex info os files
9626 @item files
9627 Display the list of open file descriptors on the target. For each
9628 file descriptor, @value{GDBN} prints the identifier of the process
9629 owning the descriptor, the command of the owning process, the value
9630 of the descriptor, and the target of the descriptor.
9631
9632 @kindex info os sockets
9633 @item sockets
9634 Display the list of Internet-domain sockets on the target. For each
9635 socket, @value{GDBN} prints the address and port of the local and
9636 remote endpoints, the current state of the connection, the creator of
9637 the socket, the IP address family of the socket, and the type of the
9638 connection.
9639
9640 @kindex info os shm
9641 @item shm
9642 Display the list of all System V shared-memory regions on the target.
9643 For each shared-memory region, @value{GDBN} prints the region key,
9644 the shared-memory identifier, the access permissions, the size of the
9645 region, the process that created the region, the process that last
9646 attached to or detached from the region, the current number of live
9647 attaches to the region, and the times at which the region was last
9648 attached to, detach from, and changed.
9649
9650 @kindex info os semaphores
9651 @item semaphores
9652 Display the list of all System V semaphore sets on the target. For each
9653 semaphore set, @value{GDBN} prints the semaphore set key, the semaphore
9654 set identifier, the access permissions, the number of semaphores in the
9655 set, the user and group of the owner and creator of the semaphore set,
9656 and the times at which the semaphore set was operated upon and changed.
9657
9658 @kindex info os msg
9659 @item msg
9660 Display the list of all System V message queues on the target. For each
9661 message queue, @value{GDBN} prints the message queue key, the message
9662 queue identifier, the access permissions, the current number of bytes
9663 on the queue, the current number of messages on the queue, the processes
9664 that last sent and received a message on the queue, the user and group
9665 of the owner and creator of the message queue, the times at which a
9666 message was last sent and received on the queue, and the time at which
9667 the message queue was last changed.
9668
9669 @kindex info os modules
9670 @item modules
9671 Display the list of all loaded kernel modules on the target. For each
9672 module, @value{GDBN} prints the module name, the size of the module in
9673 bytes, the number of times the module is used, the dependencies of the
9674 module, the status of the module, and the address of the loaded module
9675 in memory.
9676 @end table
9677
9678 @item info os
9679 If @var{infotype} is omitted, then list the possible values for
9680 @var{infotype} and the kind of OS information available for each
9681 @var{infotype}. If the target does not return a list of possible
9682 types, this command will report an error.
9683 @end table
9684
9685 @node Memory Region Attributes
9686 @section Memory Region Attributes
9687 @cindex memory region attributes
9688
9689 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
9690 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
9691 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
9692 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
9693 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
9694 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
9695 user can override the fetched regions.
9696
9697 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
9698 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
9699 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
9700 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
9701 all memory.
9702
9703 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
9704 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
9705
9706 @table @code
9707 @kindex mem
9708 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
9709 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
9710 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
9711 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
9712 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
9713 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
9714
9715 @item mem auto
9716 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
9717 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
9718
9719 @kindex delete mem
9720 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9721 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
9722 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
9723
9724 @kindex disable mem
9725 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9726 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9727 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
9728 It may be enabled again later.
9729
9730 @kindex enable mem
9731 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
9732 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
9733
9734 @kindex info mem
9735 @item info mem
9736 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
9737 for each region:
9738
9739 @table @emph
9740 @item Memory Region Number
9741 @item Enabled or Disabled.
9742 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
9743 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
9744
9745 @item Lo Address
9746 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
9747
9748 @item Hi Address
9749 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
9750
9751 @item Attributes
9752 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
9753 @end table
9754 @end table
9755
9756
9757 @subsection Attributes
9758
9759 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
9760 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
9761 write accesses to a memory region.
9762
9763 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
9764 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
9765 etc.@: from accessing memory.
9766
9767 @table @code
9768 @item ro
9769 Memory is read only.
9770 @item wo
9771 Memory is write only.
9772 @item rw
9773 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
9774 @end table
9775
9776 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
9777 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
9778 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
9779 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
9780 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
9781
9782 @table @code
9783 @item 8
9784 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
9785 @item 16
9786 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
9787 @item 32
9788 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
9789 @item 64
9790 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
9791 @end table
9792
9793 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
9794 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9795 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
9796 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
9797 @c
9798 @c @table @code
9799 @c @item hwbreak
9800 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
9801 @c @item swbreak (default)
9802 @c @end table
9803
9804 @subsubsection Data Cache
9805 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
9806 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
9807 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
9808 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
9809 registers.
9810
9811 @table @code
9812 @item cache
9813 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
9814 @item nocache
9815 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
9816 @end table
9817
9818 @subsection Memory Access Checking
9819 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
9820 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
9821 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
9822 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
9823
9824 @table @code
9825 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
9826 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
9827 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
9828 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
9829 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
9830 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
9831 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
9832 The default value is @code{on}.
9833 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
9834 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
9835 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
9836 @end table
9837
9838
9839 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
9840 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
9841 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
9842 @c
9843 @c @table @code
9844 @c @item verify
9845 @c @item noverify (default)
9846 @c @end table
9847
9848 @node Dump/Restore Files
9849 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
9850 @cindex dump/restore files
9851 @cindex append data to a file
9852 @cindex dump data to a file
9853 @cindex restore data from a file
9854
9855 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
9856 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
9857 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
9858 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
9859 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
9860 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
9861 files.
9862
9863 @table @code
9864
9865 @kindex dump
9866 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9867 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9868 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9869 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
9870
9871 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
9872 @table @code
9873 @item binary
9874 Raw binary form.
9875 @item ihex
9876 Intel hex format.
9877 @item srec
9878 Motorola S-record format.
9879 @item tekhex
9880 Tektronix Hex format.
9881 @end table
9882
9883 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
9884 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
9885 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
9886 form.
9887
9888 @kindex append
9889 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9890 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9891 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9892 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
9893 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
9894
9895 @kindex restore
9896 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
9897 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
9898 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
9899 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
9900 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
9901
9902 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9903 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9904 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9905 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9906 from that location.
9907
9908 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9909 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9910 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9911 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9912
9913 @end table
9914
9915 @node Core File Generation
9916 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9917 @cindex dump core from inferior
9918
9919 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9920 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9921 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9922 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9923 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9924 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9925 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9926
9927 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9928 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9929 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9930
9931 @table @code
9932 @kindex gcore
9933 @kindex generate-core-file
9934 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9935 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9936 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9937 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9938 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9939 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9940
9941 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9942 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9943 @end table
9944
9945 @node Character Sets
9946 @section Character Sets
9947 @cindex character sets
9948 @cindex charset
9949 @cindex translating between character sets
9950 @cindex host character set
9951 @cindex target character set
9952
9953 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9954 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9955 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9956 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9957 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9958 @dfn{target character set}.
9959
9960 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9961 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9962 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9963 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9964 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9965 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9966 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9967 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9968 character and string literals in expressions.
9969
9970 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9971 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9972 target-charset} command, described below.
9973
9974 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9975 support:
9976
9977 @table @code
9978 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9979 @kindex set target-charset
9980 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9981 list of supported target character sets, type
9982 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9983
9984 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9985 @kindex set host-charset
9986 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9987
9988 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9989 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9990 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9991 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9992 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9993
9994 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9995 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9996 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9997
9998 @item set charset @var{charset}
9999 @kindex set charset
10000 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
10001 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
10002 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
10003 for both host and target.
10004
10005 @item show charset
10006 @kindex show charset
10007 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
10008
10009 @item show host-charset
10010 @kindex show host-charset
10011 Show the name of the current host character set.
10012
10013 @item show target-charset
10014 @kindex show target-charset
10015 Show the name of the current target character set.
10016
10017 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
10018 @kindex set target-wide-charset
10019 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
10020 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
10021 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
10022 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
10023
10024 @item show target-wide-charset
10025 @kindex show target-wide-charset
10026 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
10027 @end table
10028
10029 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
10030 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
10031 @file{charset-test.c}:
10032
10033 @smallexample
10034 #include <stdio.h>
10035
10036 char ascii_hello[]
10037 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
10038 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
10039 char ibm1047_hello[]
10040 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
10041 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
10042
10043 main ()
10044 @{
10045 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10046 @}
10047 @end smallexample
10048
10049 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
10050 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
10051 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
10052
10053 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
10054
10055 @smallexample
10056 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
10057 $ gdb -nw charset-test
10058 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
10059 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10060 @dots{}
10061 (@value{GDBP})
10062 @end smallexample
10063
10064 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
10065 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
10066 strings:
10067
10068 @smallexample
10069 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10070 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
10071 (@value{GDBP})
10072 @end smallexample
10073
10074 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
10075 initial character set:
10076 @smallexample
10077 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
10078 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10079 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
10080 (@value{GDBP})
10081 @end smallexample
10082
10083 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
10084 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
10085 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
10086 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
10087 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
10088
10089 @smallexample
10090 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10091 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
10092 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10093 $2 = 72 'H'
10094 (@value{GDBP})
10095 @end smallexample
10096
10097 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
10098 literals you use in expressions:
10099
10100 @smallexample
10101 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10102 $3 = 43 '+'
10103 (@value{GDBP})
10104 @end smallexample
10105
10106 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
10107 character.
10108
10109 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
10110 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
10111 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
10112
10113 @smallexample
10114 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10115 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
10116 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10117 $5 = 200 '\310'
10118 (@value{GDBP})
10119 @end smallexample
10120
10121 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
10122 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
10123
10124 @smallexample
10125 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10126 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
10127 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
10128 @end smallexample
10129
10130 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
10131 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
10132 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
10133 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
10134 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
10135
10136 @smallexample
10137 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
10138 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
10139 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
10140 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
10141 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
10142 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
10143 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
10144 $7 = 72 '\110'
10145 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
10146 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
10147 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
10148 $9 = 200 'H'
10149 (@value{GDBP})
10150 @end smallexample
10151
10152 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
10153 string literals you use in expressions:
10154
10155 @smallexample
10156 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
10157 $10 = 78 '+'
10158 (@value{GDBP})
10159 @end smallexample
10160
10161 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
10162 character.
10163
10164 @node Caching Remote Data
10165 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
10166 @cindex caching data of remote targets
10167
10168 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
10169 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
10170 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
10171 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
10172 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
10173 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
10174 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
10175 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
10176 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
10177 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
10178 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
10179 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
10180 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
10181 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
10182 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
10183
10184 @table @code
10185 @kindex set remotecache
10186 @item set remotecache on
10187 @itemx set remotecache off
10188 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
10189 with old scripts.
10190
10191 @kindex show remotecache
10192 @item show remotecache
10193 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
10194
10195 @kindex set stack-cache
10196 @item set stack-cache on
10197 @itemx set stack-cache off
10198 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
10199 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
10200
10201 @kindex show stack-cache
10202 @item show stack-cache
10203 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
10204
10205 @kindex info dcache
10206 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
10207 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
10208 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
10209 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
10210 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
10211 operation.
10212
10213 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
10214 printed in hex.
10215
10216 @item set dcache size @var{size}
10217 @cindex dcache size
10218 @kindex set dcache size
10219 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
10220
10221 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
10222 @cindex dcache line-size
10223 @kindex set dcache line-size
10224 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
10225 Must be a power of 2.
10226
10227 @item show dcache size
10228 @kindex show dcache size
10229 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10230
10231 @item show dcache line-size
10232 @kindex show dcache line-size
10233 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
10234
10235 @end table
10236
10237 @node Searching Memory
10238 @section Search Memory
10239 @cindex searching memory
10240
10241 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
10242 @code{find} command.
10243
10244 @table @code
10245 @kindex find
10246 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10247 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
10248 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
10249 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
10250 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
10251 @end table
10252
10253 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
10254 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
10255
10256 @table @r
10257 @item @var{s}, search query size
10258 The size of each search query value.
10259
10260 @table @code
10261 @item b
10262 bytes
10263 @item h
10264 halfwords (two bytes)
10265 @item w
10266 words (four bytes)
10267 @item g
10268 giant words (eight bytes)
10269 @end table
10270
10271 All values are interpreted in the current language.
10272 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
10273 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
10274
10275 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
10276 value's type in the current language.
10277 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
10278 pattern as a mixture of types.
10279 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
10280 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
10281 which is typically four bytes.
10282
10283 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
10284 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
10285 @end table
10286
10287 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
10288 (@code{"}).
10289 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
10290 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
10291
10292 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
10293 number of matches found.
10294
10295 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
10296 @samp{$_}.
10297 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
10298
10299 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
10300
10301 @smallexample
10302 void
10303 hello ()
10304 @{
10305 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
10306 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
10307 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
10308 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
10309 printf ("%s\n", hello);
10310 @}
10311 @end smallexample
10312
10313 @noindent
10314 you get during debugging:
10315
10316 @smallexample
10317 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
10318 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10319 1 pattern found
10320 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
10321 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10322 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
10323 2 patterns found
10324 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
10325 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
10326 1 pattern found
10327 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
10328 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
10329 1 pattern found
10330 (gdb) print $numfound
10331 $1 = 1
10332 (gdb) print $_
10333 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
10334 @end smallexample
10335
10336 @node Optimized Code
10337 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
10338 @cindex optimized code, debugging
10339 @cindex debugging optimized code
10340
10341 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
10342 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
10343 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
10344 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
10345 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
10346 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
10347 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
10348
10349 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
10350 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
10351 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
10352 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
10353
10354 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
10355 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
10356 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
10357 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
10358 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
10359 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
10360
10361 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
10362 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
10363 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
10364 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
10365 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
10366
10367 @menu
10368 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
10369 * Tail Call Frames:: @value{GDBN} analysis of jumps to functions
10370 @end menu
10371
10372 @node Inline Functions
10373 @section Inline Functions
10374 @cindex inline functions, debugging
10375
10376 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
10377 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
10378 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
10379 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
10380 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
10381 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
10382 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
10383 @code{info frame} command.
10384
10385 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
10386 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
10387 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
10388 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
10389 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
10390 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
10391 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
10392 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
10393 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
10394 local variables in the caller.
10395
10396 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
10397 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
10398 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
10399 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
10400 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
10401 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
10402 instructions are executed.
10403
10404 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
10405 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
10406 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
10407 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
10408
10409 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
10410 function calls are the same as normal calls:
10411
10412 @itemize @bullet
10413 @item
10414 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
10415 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
10416 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
10417 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
10418 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
10419 or inside the inlined function instead.
10420
10421 @item
10422 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
10423 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
10424 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
10425 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
10426
10427 @end itemize
10428
10429 @node Tail Call Frames
10430 @section Tail Call Frames
10431 @cindex tail call frames, debugging
10432
10433 Function @code{B} can call function @code{C} in its very last statement. In
10434 unoptimized compilation the call of @code{C} is immediately followed by return
10435 instruction at the end of @code{B} code. Optimizing compiler may replace the
10436 call and return in function @code{B} into one jump to function @code{C}
10437 instead. Such use of a jump instruction is called @dfn{tail call}.
10438
10439 During execution of function @code{C}, there will be no indication in the
10440 function call stack frames that it was tail-called from @code{B}. If function
10441 @code{A} regularly calls function @code{B} which tail-calls function @code{C},
10442 then @value{GDBN} will see @code{A} as the caller of @code{C}. However, in
10443 some cases @value{GDBN} can determine that @code{C} was tail-called from
10444 @code{B}, and it will then create fictitious call frame for that, with the
10445 return address set up as if @code{B} called @code{C} normally.
10446
10447 This functionality is currently supported only by DWARF 2 debugging format and
10448 the compiler has to produce @samp{DW_TAG_GNU_call_site} tags. With
10449 @value{NGCC}, you need to specify @option{-O -g} during compilation, to get
10450 this information.
10451
10452 @kbd{info frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info}) will indicate the tail call frame
10453 kind by text @code{tail call frame} such as in this sample @value{GDBN} output:
10454
10455 @smallexample
10456 (gdb) x/i $pc - 2
10457 0x40066b <b(int, double)+11>: jmp 0x400640 <c(int, double)>
10458 (gdb) info frame
10459 Stack level 1, frame at 0x7fffffffda30:
10460 rip = 0x40066d in b (amd64-entry-value.cc:59); saved rip 0x4004c5
10461 tail call frame, caller of frame at 0x7fffffffda30
10462 source language c++.
10463 Arglist at unknown address.
10464 Locals at unknown address, Previous frame's sp is 0x7fffffffda30
10465 @end smallexample
10466
10467 The detection of all the possible code path executions can find them ambiguous.
10468 There is no execution history stored (possible @ref{Reverse Execution} is never
10469 used for this purpose) and the last known caller could have reached the known
10470 callee by multiple different jump sequences. In such case @value{GDBN} still
10471 tries to show at least all the unambiguous top tail callers and all the
10472 unambiguous bottom tail calees, if any.
10473
10474 @table @code
10475 @anchor{set debug entry-values}
10476 @item set debug entry-values
10477 @kindex set debug entry-values
10478 When set to on, enables printing of analysis messages for both frame argument
10479 values at function entry and tail calls. It will show all the possible valid
10480 tail calls code paths it has considered. It will also print the intersection
10481 of them with the final unambiguous (possibly partial or even empty) code path
10482 result.
10483
10484 @item show debug entry-values
10485 @kindex show debug entry-values
10486 Show the current state of analysis messages printing for both frame argument
10487 values at function entry and tail calls.
10488 @end table
10489
10490 The analysis messages for tail calls can for example show why the virtual tail
10491 call frame for function @code{c} has not been recognized (due to the indirect
10492 reference by variable @code{x}):
10493
10494 @smallexample
10495 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void);
10496 void (*x) (void) = c;
10497 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10498 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ a (); @}
10499 int main (void) @{ x (); return 0; @}
10500
10501 Breakpoint 1, DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving cannot find
10502 DW_TAG_GNU_call_site 0x40039a in main
10503 a () at t.c:3
10504 3 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ x++; @}
10505 (gdb) bt
10506 #0 a () at t.c:3
10507 #1 0x000000000040039a in main () at t.c:5
10508 @end smallexample
10509
10510 Another possibility is an ambiguous virtual tail call frames resolution:
10511
10512 @smallexample
10513 int i;
10514 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) f (void) @{ i++; @}
10515 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) e (void) @{ f (); @}
10516 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) d (void) @{ f (); @}
10517 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (void) @{ d (); @}
10518 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (void)
10519 @{ if (i) c (); else e (); @}
10520 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (void) @{ b (); @}
10521 int main (void) @{ a (); return 0; @}
10522
10523 tailcall: initial: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004ce(b) 0x4004b2(c) 0x4004a2(d)
10524 tailcall: compare: 0x4004d2(a) 0x4004cc(b) 0x400492(e)
10525 tailcall: reduced: 0x4004d2(a) |
10526 (gdb) bt
10527 #0 f () at t.c:2
10528 #1 0x00000000004004d2 in a () at t.c:8
10529 #2 0x0000000000400395 in main () at t.c:9
10530 @end smallexample
10531
10532 @set CALLSEQ1A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}c@value{ARROW}d@value{ARROW}f}
10533 @set CALLSEQ2A @code{main@value{ARROW}a@value{ARROW}b@value{ARROW}e@value{ARROW}f}
10534
10535 @c Convert CALLSEQ#A to CALLSEQ#B depending on HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK.
10536 @ifset HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10537 @set ARROW @click{}
10538 @set CALLSEQ1B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ1A}}
10539 @set CALLSEQ2B @clicksequence{@value{CALLSEQ2A}}
10540 @end ifset
10541 @ifclear HAVE_MAKEINFO_CLICK
10542 @set ARROW ->
10543 @set CALLSEQ1B @value{CALLSEQ1A}
10544 @set CALLSEQ2B @value{CALLSEQ2A}
10545 @end ifclear
10546
10547 Frames #0 and #2 are real, #1 is a virtual tail call frame.
10548 The code can have possible execution paths @value{CALLSEQ1B} or
10549 @value{CALLSEQ2B}, @value{GDBN} cannot find which one from the inferior state.
10550
10551 @code{initial:} state shows some random possible calling sequence @value{GDBN}
10552 has found. It then finds another possible calling sequcen - that one is
10553 prefixed by @code{compare:}. The non-ambiguous intersection of these two is
10554 printed as the @code{reduced:} calling sequence. That one could have many
10555 futher @code{compare:} and @code{reduced:} statements as long as there remain
10556 any non-ambiguous sequence entries.
10557
10558 For the frame of function @code{b} in both cases there are different possible
10559 @code{$pc} values (@code{0x4004cc} or @code{0x4004ce}), therefore this frame is
10560 also ambigous. The only non-ambiguous frame is the one for function @code{a},
10561 therefore this one is displayed to the user while the ambiguous frames are
10562 omitted.
10563
10564 There can be also reasons why printing of frame argument values at function
10565 entry may fail:
10566
10567 @smallexample
10568 int v;
10569 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) c (int i) @{ v++; @}
10570 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i);
10571 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) b (int i) @{ a (i); @}
10572 static void __attribute__((noinline, noclone)) a (int i)
10573 @{ if (i) b (i - 1); else c (0); @}
10574 int main (void) @{ a (5); return 0; @}
10575
10576 (gdb) bt
10577 #0 c (i=i@@entry=0) at t.c:2
10578 #1 0x0000000000400428 in a (DW_OP_GNU_entry_value resolving has found
10579 function "a" at 0x400420 can call itself via tail calls
10580 i=<optimized out>) at t.c:6
10581 #2 0x000000000040036e in main () at t.c:7
10582 @end smallexample
10583
10584 @value{GDBN} cannot find out from the inferior state if and how many times did
10585 function @code{a} call itself (via function @code{b}) as these calls would be
10586 tail calls. Such tail calls would modify thue @code{i} variable, therefore
10587 @value{GDBN} cannot be sure the value it knows would be right - @value{GDBN}
10588 prints @code{<optimized out>} instead.
10589
10590 @node Macros
10591 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
10592
10593 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
10594 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
10595 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
10596 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
10597 where it was defined.
10598
10599 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
10600 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
10601 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
10602 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
10603
10604 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
10605 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
10606 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
10607 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
10608 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
10609 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
10610 see @ref{List}.
10611
10612 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
10613 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
10614 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
10615
10616 @table @code
10617
10618 @kindex macro expand
10619 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
10620 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
10621 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
10622 @item macro expand @var{expression}
10623 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
10624 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
10625 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
10626 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
10627 it can be any string of tokens.
10628
10629 @kindex macro exp1
10630 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
10631 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
10632 @cindex expand macro once
10633 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
10634 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
10635 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
10636 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
10637 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
10638 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
10639 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
10640 can be any string of tokens.
10641
10642 @kindex info macro
10643 @cindex macro definition, showing
10644 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
10645 @cindex macros, from debug info
10646 @item info macro [-a|-all] [--] @var{macro}
10647 Show the current definition or all definitions of the named @var{macro},
10648 and describe the source location or compiler command-line where that
10649 definition was established. The optional double dash is to signify the end of
10650 argument processing and the beginning of @var{macro} for non C-like macros where
10651 the macro may begin with a hyphen.
10652
10653 @kindex info macros
10654 @item info macros @var{linespec}
10655 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
10656 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
10657 command-line where those definitions were established.
10658
10659 @kindex macro define
10660 @cindex user-defined macros
10661 @cindex defining macros interactively
10662 @cindex macros, user-defined
10663 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
10664 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
10665 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
10666 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
10667 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
10668 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
10669 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
10670 @var{arglist}.
10671
10672 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
10673 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
10674 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
10675 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
10676 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
10677
10678 @kindex macro undef
10679 @item macro undef @var{macro}
10680 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
10681 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
10682 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
10683 in the program being debugged.
10684
10685 @kindex macro list
10686 @item macro list
10687 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
10688 @end table
10689
10690 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
10691 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
10692 show our source files:
10693
10694 @smallexample
10695 $ cat sample.c
10696 #include <stdio.h>
10697 #include "sample.h"
10698
10699 #define M 42
10700 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10701
10702 main ()
10703 @{
10704 #define N 28
10705 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10706 #undef N
10707 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10708 #define N 1729
10709 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10710 @}
10711 $ cat sample.h
10712 #define Q <
10713 $
10714 @end smallexample
10715
10716 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
10717 @value{NGCC}. We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2}@footnote{This is the
10718 minimum. Recent versions of @value{NGCC} support @option{-gdwarf-3}
10719 and @option{-gdwarf-4}; we recommend always choosing the most recent
10720 version of DWARF.} @emph{and} @option{-g3} flags to ensure the compiler
10721 includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
10722 information.
10723
10724 @smallexample
10725 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
10726 $
10727 @end smallexample
10728
10729 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
10730
10731 @smallexample
10732 $ gdb -nw sample
10733 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
10734 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
10735 GDB is free software, @dots{}
10736 (@value{GDBP})
10737 @end smallexample
10738
10739 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
10740 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
10741 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
10742
10743 @smallexample
10744 (@value{GDBP}) list main
10745 3
10746 4 #define M 42
10747 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10748 6
10749 7 main ()
10750 8 @{
10751 9 #define N 28
10752 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10753 11 #undef N
10754 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10755 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
10756 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
10757 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
10758 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
10759 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
10760 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
10761 #define Q <
10762 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
10763 expands to: (42 + 1)
10764 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
10765 expands to: once (M + 1)
10766 (@value{GDBP})
10767 @end smallexample
10768
10769 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
10770 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
10771 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
10772 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
10773
10774 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
10775 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
10776
10777 @smallexample
10778 (@value{GDBP}) break main
10779 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
10780 (@value{GDBP}) run
10781 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
10782
10783 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
10784 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
10785 (@value{GDBP})
10786 @end smallexample
10787
10788 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
10789
10790 @smallexample
10791 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10792 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
10793 #define N 28
10794 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10795 expands to: 28 < 42
10796 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10797 $1 = 1
10798 (@value{GDBP})
10799 @end smallexample
10800
10801 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
10802 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
10803 thereof) in force at each point:
10804
10805 @smallexample
10806 (@value{GDBP}) next
10807 Hello, world!
10808 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
10809 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10810 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
10811 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
10812 (@value{GDBP}) next
10813 We're so creative.
10814 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
10815 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
10816 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
10817 #define N 1729
10818 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
10819 expands to: 1729 < 42
10820 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
10821 $2 = 0
10822 (@value{GDBP})
10823 @end smallexample
10824
10825 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
10826 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
10827 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
10828 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
10829
10830 @smallexample
10831 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
10832 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
10833 -D__STDC__=1
10834 (@value{GDBP})
10835 @end smallexample
10836
10837
10838 @node Tracepoints
10839 @chapter Tracepoints
10840 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
10841 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
10842
10843 @cindex tracepoints
10844 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
10845 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
10846 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
10847 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
10848 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
10849 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
10850 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
10851
10852 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
10853 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
10854 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
10855 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
10856 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
10857 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
10858 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
10859 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
10860 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
10861 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
10862 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
10863
10864 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
10865 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
10866 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
10867 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
10868 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
10869 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
10870 Packets}.
10871
10872 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
10873 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
10874 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
10875
10876 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
10877
10878 @menu
10879 * Set Tracepoints::
10880 * Analyze Collected Data::
10881 * Tracepoint Variables::
10882 * Trace Files::
10883 @end menu
10884
10885 @node Set Tracepoints
10886 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
10887
10888 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
10889 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
10890 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
10891 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
10892 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
10893 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
10894 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
10895
10896 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
10897 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
10898 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
10899 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
10900 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
10901 tracepoint was hit.
10902
10903 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
10904 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
10905 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
10906 either.
10907
10908 @cindex fast tracepoints
10909 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
10910 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
10911 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
10912
10913 @cindex static tracepoints
10914 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
10915 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
10916 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
10917 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
10918 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
10919 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
10920 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
10921 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
10922 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
10923 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
10924 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
10925 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
10926 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
10927 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
10928 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
10929 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
10930 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
10931 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
10932 static tracepoint marker.
10933
10934 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
10935 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
10936
10937 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
10938 conditions and actions.
10939
10940 @menu
10941 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
10942 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
10943 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
10944 * Tracepoint Conditions::
10945 * Trace State Variables::
10946 * Tracepoint Actions::
10947 * Listing Tracepoints::
10948 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
10949 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
10950 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
10951 @end menu
10952
10953 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
10954 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
10955
10956 @table @code
10957 @cindex set tracepoint
10958 @kindex trace
10959 @item trace @var{location}
10960 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
10961 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
10962 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
10963 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
10964 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
10965 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
10966 changing its actions takes effect immediately if the remote stub
10967 supports the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature (@pxref{install tracepoint
10968 in tracing}).
10969 If remote stub doesn't support the @samp{InstallInTrace} feature, all
10970 these changes don't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
10971 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
10972 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts. In addition,
10973 @value{GDBN} supports @dfn{pending tracepoints}---tracepoints whose
10974 address is not yet resolved. (This is similar to pending breakpoints.)
10975 Pending tracepoints are not downloaded to the target and not installed
10976 until they are resolved. The resolution of pending tracepoints requires
10977 @value{GDBN} support---when debugging with the remote target, and
10978 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the remote stub (@pxref{disconnected
10979 tracing}), pending tracepoints can not be resolved (and downloaded to
10980 the remote stub) while @value{GDBN} is disconnected.
10981
10982 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
10983
10984 @smallexample
10985 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
10986
10987 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
10988
10989 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
10990
10991 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
10992
10993 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
10994 @end smallexample
10995
10996 @noindent
10997 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
10998
10999 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
11000 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
11001 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
11002 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
11003 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
11004 information on tracepoint conditions.
11005
11006 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11007 @cindex set fast tracepoint
11008 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
11009 @kindex ftrace
11010 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
11011 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
11012 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
11013 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
11014 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
11015 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
11016 message.
11017
11018 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
11019 @code{trace}.
11020
11021 On 32-bit x86-architecture systems, fast tracepoints normally need to
11022 be placed at an instruction that is 5 bytes or longer, but can be
11023 placed at 4-byte instructions if the low 64K of memory of the target
11024 program is available to install trampolines. Some Unix-type systems,
11025 such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, exclude low addresses from the program's
11026 address space; but for instance with the Linux kernel it is possible
11027 to let @value{GDBN} use this area by doing a @command{sysctl} command
11028 to set the @code{mmap_min_addr} kernel parameter, as in
11029
11030 @example
11031 sudo sysctl -w vm.mmap_min_addr=32768
11032 @end example
11033
11034 @noindent
11035 which sets the low address to 32K, which leaves plenty of room for
11036 trampolines. The minimum address should be set to a page boundary.
11037
11038 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
11039 @cindex set static tracepoint
11040 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
11041 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
11042 @kindex strace
11043 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
11044 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
11045 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
11046 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
11047 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
11048
11049 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
11050 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
11051 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
11052 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
11053 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
11054 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
11055 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
11056 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
11057 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
11058 tracing engine:
11059
11060 @smallexample
11061 main ()
11062 @{
11063 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
11064 @}
11065 @end smallexample
11066
11067 @noindent
11068 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
11069 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
11070
11071 @smallexample
11072 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11073 Cnt Enb ID Address What
11074 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
11075 Data: "str %s"
11076 [etc...]
11077 @end smallexample
11078
11079 @noindent
11080 so you may probe the marker above with:
11081
11082 @smallexample
11083 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
11084 @end smallexample
11085
11086 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
11087 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
11088 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
11089 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
11090 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
11091 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
11092 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
11093 the @samp{Data:} field.
11094
11095 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
11096 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
11097 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
11098
11099 @vindex $tpnum
11100 @cindex last tracepoint number
11101 @cindex recent tracepoint number
11102 @cindex tracepoint number
11103 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
11104 of the most recently set tracepoint.
11105
11106 @kindex delete tracepoint
11107 @cindex tracepoint deletion
11108 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11109 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
11110 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
11111 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
11112
11113 Examples:
11114
11115 @smallexample
11116 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
11117
11118 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
11119 @end smallexample
11120
11121 @noindent
11122 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
11123 @end table
11124
11125 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11126 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
11127
11128 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
11129
11130 @table @code
11131 @kindex disable tracepoint
11132 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11133 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
11134 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
11135 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
11136 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
11137 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
11138 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
11139 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
11140 next trace experiment.
11141
11142 @kindex enable tracepoint
11143 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11144 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
11145 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
11146 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
11147 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
11148 next time a trace experiment is run.
11149 @end table
11150
11151 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
11152 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
11153
11154 @table @code
11155 @kindex passcount
11156 @cindex tracepoint pass count
11157 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
11158 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
11159 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
11160 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
11161 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
11162 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
11163 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
11164 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
11165 user.
11166
11167 Examples:
11168
11169 @smallexample
11170 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
11171 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
11172
11173 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
11174 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
11175 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11176 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
11177 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
11178 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
11179 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
11180 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
11181 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
11182 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
11183 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
11184 @end smallexample
11185 @end table
11186
11187 @node Tracepoint Conditions
11188 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
11189 @cindex conditional tracepoints
11190 @cindex tracepoint conditions
11191
11192 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
11193 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
11194 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
11195 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
11196 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
11197 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
11198 is true.
11199
11200 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
11201 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
11202 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
11203 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
11204 just as with breakpoints.
11205
11206 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
11207 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
11208 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
11209 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
11210 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
11211 accesses, and so forth.
11212
11213 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
11214 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
11215 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
11216 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
11217 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
11218 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
11219 search through.
11220
11221 @smallexample
11222 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
11223 @end smallexample
11224
11225 @node Trace State Variables
11226 @subsection Trace State Variables
11227 @cindex trace state variables
11228
11229 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
11230 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
11231 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
11232 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
11233 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
11234 integers.
11235
11236 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
11237 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
11238 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
11239 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
11240
11241 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
11242 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
11243 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
11244 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
11245 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
11246 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
11247 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
11248 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
11249 variable with the same name.
11250
11251 @table @code
11252
11253 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
11254 @kindex tvariable
11255 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
11256 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
11257 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
11258 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
11259 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
11260 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
11261 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
11262 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
11263 value. The default initial value is 0.
11264
11265 @item info tvariables
11266 @kindex info tvariables
11267 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
11268 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
11269 currently running.
11270
11271 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
11272 @kindex delete tvariable
11273 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
11274 are specified.
11275
11276 @end table
11277
11278 @node Tracepoint Actions
11279 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
11280
11281 @table @code
11282 @kindex actions
11283 @cindex tracepoint actions
11284 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
11285 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
11286 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
11287 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
11288 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
11289 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
11290 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
11291 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
11292 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
11293 @code{while-stepping}.
11294
11295 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
11296 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
11297 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
11298
11299 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
11300 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
11301 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
11302
11303 @smallexample
11304 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
11305
11306 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
11307
11308 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
11309 @end smallexample
11310
11311 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
11312 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
11313 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
11314 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
11315 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
11316 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
11317 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
11318 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
11319
11320 @smallexample
11321 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
11322 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11323 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
11324 > collect bar,baz
11325 > collect $regs
11326 > while-stepping 12
11327 > collect $pc, arr[i]
11328 > end
11329 end
11330 @end smallexample
11331
11332 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
11333 @item collect@r{[}/@var{mods}@r{]} @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11334 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
11335 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
11336 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
11337 special arguments are supported:
11338
11339 @table @code
11340 @item $regs
11341 Collect all registers.
11342
11343 @item $args
11344 Collect all function arguments.
11345
11346 @item $locals
11347 Collect all local variables.
11348
11349 @item $_ret
11350 Collect the return address. This is helpful if you want to see more
11351 of a backtrace.
11352
11353 @item $_probe_argc
11354 Collects the number of arguments from the static probe at which the
11355 tracepoint is located.
11356 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11357
11358 @item $_probe_arg@var{n}
11359 @var{n} is an integer between 0 and 11. Collects the @var{n}th argument
11360 from the static probe at which the tracepoint is located.
11361 @xref{Static Probe Points}.
11362
11363 @item $_sdata
11364 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
11365 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
11366 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
11367 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
11368 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
11369 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
11370 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
11371 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
11372 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
11373
11374 @smallexample
11375 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
11376 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
11377 @end smallexample
11378
11379 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
11380 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
11381 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
11382 @value{GDBN}.
11383 @end table
11384
11385 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
11386 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
11387 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
11388
11389 The optional @var{mods} changes the usual handling of the arguments.
11390 @code{s} requests that pointers to chars be handled as strings, in
11391 particular collecting the contents of the memory being pointed at, up
11392 to the first zero. The upper bound is by default the value of the
11393 @code{print elements} variable; if @code{s} is followed by a decimal
11394 number, that is the upper bound instead. So for instance
11395 @samp{collect/s25 mystr} collects as many as 25 characters at
11396 @samp{mystr}.
11397
11398 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
11399 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
11400
11401 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
11402 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11403 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
11404 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
11405 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
11406 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
11407 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
11408 action were used.
11409
11410 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
11411 @item while-stepping @var{n}
11412 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
11413 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
11414 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
11415 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
11416
11417 @smallexample
11418 > while-stepping 12
11419 > collect $regs, myglobal
11420 > end
11421 >
11422 @end smallexample
11423
11424 @noindent
11425 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
11426 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
11427 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
11428 @code{stepping}.
11429
11430 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
11431 @kindex set default-collect
11432 @cindex default collection action
11433 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
11434 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
11435 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
11436 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
11437 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
11438 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
11439
11440 @item show default-collect
11441 @kindex show default-collect
11442 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
11443 tracepoint hit.
11444
11445 @end table
11446
11447 @node Listing Tracepoints
11448 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
11449
11450 @table @code
11451 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11452 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
11453 @cindex information about tracepoints
11454 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
11455 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
11456 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
11457 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
11458 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
11459 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
11460
11461 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
11462 tracing:
11463
11464 @itemize @bullet
11465 @item
11466 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
11467 @end itemize
11468
11469 @smallexample
11470 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
11471 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
11472 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
11473 while-stepping 20
11474 collect globfoo, $regs
11475 end
11476 collect globfoo2
11477 end
11478 pass count 1200
11479 (@value{GDBP})
11480 @end smallexample
11481
11482 @noindent
11483 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
11484 @end table
11485
11486 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11487 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
11488
11489 @table @code
11490 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
11491 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
11492 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
11493 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
11494 program.
11495
11496 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
11497
11498 @table @emph
11499 @item Count
11500 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
11501 stable identifier.
11502 @item ID
11503 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
11504 @item Enabled or Disabled
11505 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
11506 that are not enabled.
11507 @item Address
11508 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
11509 @item What
11510 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
11511 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
11512 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
11513 will be left blank.
11514 @end table
11515
11516 @noindent
11517 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
11518
11519 @table @emph
11520 @item Data
11521 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
11522 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
11523 marker call.
11524 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
11525 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
11526 @end table
11527
11528 @smallexample
11529 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
11530 Cnt ID Enb Address What
11531 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
11532 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
11533 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
11534 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
11535 Data: str %s
11536 (@value{GDBP})
11537 @end smallexample
11538 @end table
11539
11540 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11541 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
11542
11543 @table @code
11544 @kindex tstart [ @var{notes} ]
11545 @cindex start a new trace experiment
11546 @cindex collected data discarded
11547 @item tstart
11548 This command starts the trace experiment, and begins collecting data.
11549 It has the side effect of discarding all the data collected in the
11550 trace buffer during the previous trace experiment. If any arguments
11551 are supplied, they are taken as a note and stored with the trace
11552 experiment's state. The notes may be arbitrary text, and are
11553 especially useful with disconnected tracing in a multi-user context;
11554 the notes can explain what the trace is doing, supply user contact
11555 information, and so forth.
11556
11557 @kindex tstop [ @var{notes} ]
11558 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
11559 @item tstop
11560 This command stops the trace experiment. If any arguments are
11561 supplied, they are recorded with the experiment as a note. This is
11562 useful if you are stopping a trace started by someone else, for
11563 instance if the trace is interfering with the system's behavior and
11564 needs to be stopped quickly.
11565
11566 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
11567 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
11568 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
11569
11570 @kindex tstatus
11571 @cindex status of trace data collection
11572 @cindex trace experiment, status of
11573 @item tstatus
11574 This command displays the status of the current trace data
11575 collection.
11576 @end table
11577
11578 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
11579
11580 @smallexample
11581 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
11582 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11583 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
11584 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
11585 > while-stepping 11
11586 > collect $regs
11587 > end
11588 > end
11589 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11590 [time passes @dots{}]
11591 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
11592 @end smallexample
11593
11594 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
11595 @cindex disconnected tracing
11596 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
11597 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
11598 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
11599 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
11600 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
11601 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
11602 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
11603 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
11604
11605 @table @code
11606 @item set disconnected-tracing on
11607 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
11608 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
11609 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
11610 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
11611 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
11612 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
11613 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
11614
11615 @item show disconnected-tracing
11616 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
11617 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
11618
11619 @end table
11620
11621 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
11622 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
11623 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
11624 it will continue after reconnection.
11625
11626 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
11627 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
11628 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
11629 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
11630 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
11631 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
11632 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
11633 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
11634 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
11635 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
11636
11637 @cindex circular trace buffer
11638 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
11639 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
11640 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
11641 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
11642 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
11643 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
11644 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
11645 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
11646 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
11647 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
11648 the next run.
11649
11650 @table @code
11651 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
11652 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
11653 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
11654 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
11655 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
11656 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
11657 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
11658
11659 @item show circular-trace-buffer
11660 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
11661 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
11662 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
11663 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
11664 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
11665
11666 @end table
11667
11668 @table @code
11669 @item set trace-user @var{text}
11670 @kindex set trace-user
11671
11672 @item show trace-user
11673 @kindex show trace-user
11674
11675 @item set trace-notes @var{text}
11676 @kindex set trace-notes
11677 Set the trace run's notes.
11678
11679 @item show trace-notes
11680 @kindex show trace-notes
11681 Show the trace run's notes.
11682
11683 @item set trace-stop-notes @var{text}
11684 @kindex set trace-stop-notes
11685 Set the trace run's stop notes. The handling of the note is as for
11686 @code{tstop} arguments; the set command is convenient way to fix a
11687 stop note that is mistaken or incomplete.
11688
11689 @item show trace-stop-notes
11690 @kindex show trace-stop-notes
11691 Show the trace run's stop notes.
11692
11693 @end table
11694
11695 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
11696 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
11697
11698 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
11699 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
11700 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
11701 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
11702 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
11703 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
11704 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
11705 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
11706 mentioned here.
11707
11708 @itemize @bullet
11709
11710 @item
11711 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
11712 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
11713 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
11714 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
11715 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
11716 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
11717 cannot be collected either.
11718
11719 @item
11720 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
11721 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
11722 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
11723 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
11724 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
11725 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
11726 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
11727 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
11728 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
11729 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
11730
11731 @item
11732 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
11733 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
11734 in a misleading way.
11735
11736 @item
11737 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
11738 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
11739 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
11740 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
11741 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
11742 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
11743 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
11744 by @code{ptr}.
11745
11746 @item
11747 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
11748 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
11749 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*(unsigned char *)$esp@@300}
11750 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
11751 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
11752 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
11753 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
11754 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
11755 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
11756 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
11757 invalid address.
11758
11759 @item
11760 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
11761 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
11762 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
11763 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
11764 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
11765 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
11766 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
11767 it to zero.
11768
11769 @end itemize
11770
11771 @node Analyze Collected Data
11772 @section Using the Collected Data
11773
11774 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
11775 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
11776 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
11777 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
11778 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
11779 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
11780 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
11781 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
11782 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
11783 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
11784 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
11785 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
11786 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
11787 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
11788 the buffer will fail.
11789
11790 @menu
11791 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
11792 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
11793 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
11794 @end menu
11795
11796 @node tfind
11797 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
11798
11799 @kindex tfind
11800 @cindex select trace snapshot
11801 @cindex find trace snapshot
11802 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
11803 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
11804 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
11805 snapshot is selected.
11806
11807 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
11808
11809 @table @code
11810 @item tfind start
11811 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
11812 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
11813
11814 @item tfind none
11815 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
11816
11817 @item tfind end
11818 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
11819
11820 @item tfind
11821 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
11822
11823 @item tfind -
11824 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
11825 retracing earlier steps.
11826
11827 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
11828 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
11829 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
11830 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
11831 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
11832
11833 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
11834 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
11835 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
11836 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
11837 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
11838
11839 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11840 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
11841 addresses (exclusive).
11842
11843 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
11844 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
11845 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
11846
11847 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
11848 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
11849 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
11850 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
11851 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
11852 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
11853 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
11854 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
11855 @end table
11856
11857 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
11858 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
11859 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
11860 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
11861 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
11862 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
11863 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
11864 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
11865 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
11866 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
11867 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
11868 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
11869 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
11870 tracepoint as the current one.
11871
11872 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
11873 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
11874 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
11875 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
11876 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
11877
11878 @smallexample
11879 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11880 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11881 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
11882 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
11883 > tfind
11884 > end
11885
11886 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
11887 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
11888 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
11889 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
11890 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
11891 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
11892 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
11893 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
11894 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
11895 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
11896 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
11897 @end smallexample
11898
11899 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
11900 the buffer:
11901
11902 @smallexample
11903 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
11904 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
11905 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
11906 > tfind line
11907 > end
11908
11909 Frame 0, X = 1
11910 Frame 7, X = 2
11911 Frame 13, X = 255
11912 @end smallexample
11913
11914 @node tdump
11915 @subsection @code{tdump}
11916 @kindex tdump
11917 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
11918 @cindex tracepoint data, display
11919
11920 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
11921 the current trace snapshot.
11922
11923 @smallexample
11924 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
11925 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
11926 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
11927 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
11928 > end
11929
11930 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
11931
11932 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
11933 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
11934 at gdb_test.c:444
11935 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
11936
11937 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
11938 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
11939 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
11940 d1 0x18 24
11941 d2 0x80 128
11942 d3 0x33 51
11943 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
11944 d5 0x22 34
11945 d6 0xe0 224
11946 d7 0x380035 3670069
11947 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
11948 a1 0x3000668 50333288
11949 a2 0x100 256
11950 a3 0x322000 3284992
11951 a4 0x3000698 50333336
11952 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
11953 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
11954 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
11955 ps 0x0 0
11956 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
11957 fpcontrol 0x0 0
11958 fpstatus 0x0 0
11959 fpiaddr 0x0 0
11960 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
11961 p1 = (void *) 0x11
11962 p2 = (void *) 0x22
11963 p3 = (void *) 0x33
11964 p4 = (void *) 0x44
11965 p5 = (void *) 0x55
11966 p6 = (void *) 0x66
11967 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
11968
11969 (@value{GDBP})
11970 @end smallexample
11971
11972 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
11973 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
11974 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
11975 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
11976
11977 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
11978 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
11979 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
11980 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
11981 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
11982 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
11983 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
11984 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
11985 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
11986 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
11987
11988 @node save tracepoints
11989 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
11990 @kindex save tracepoints
11991 @kindex save-tracepoints
11992 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
11993
11994 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
11995 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
11996 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
11997 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
11998 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
11999 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
12000
12001 @node Tracepoint Variables
12002 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
12003 @cindex tracepoint variables
12004 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
12005
12006 @table @code
12007 @vindex $trace_frame
12008 @item (int) $trace_frame
12009 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
12010 snapshot is selected.
12011
12012 @vindex $tracepoint
12013 @item (int) $tracepoint
12014 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
12015
12016 @vindex $trace_line
12017 @item (int) $trace_line
12018 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
12019
12020 @vindex $trace_file
12021 @item (char []) $trace_file
12022 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
12023
12024 @vindex $trace_func
12025 @item (char []) $trace_func
12026 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
12027 @end table
12028
12029 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
12030 use @code{output} instead.
12031
12032 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
12033 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
12034 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
12035 which are managed by the target.
12036
12037 @smallexample
12038 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
12039
12040 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
12041 > output $trace_file
12042 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
12043 > tfind
12044 > end
12045 @end smallexample
12046
12047 @node Trace Files
12048 @section Using Trace Files
12049 @cindex trace files
12050
12051 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
12052 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
12053 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
12054 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
12055 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
12056
12057 @table @code
12058
12059 @kindex tsave
12060 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
12061 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
12062 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
12063 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
12064 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
12065 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
12066 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
12067 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
12068 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
12069
12070 @kindex target tfile
12071 @kindex tfile
12072 @item target tfile @var{filename}
12073 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
12074 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
12075 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
12076 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
12077 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
12078 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
12079
12080 @end table
12081
12082 @node Overlays
12083 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
12084 @cindex overlays
12085
12086 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
12087 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
12088 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
12089 use overlays.
12090
12091 @menu
12092 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
12093 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
12094 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
12095 mapped by asking the inferior.
12096 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
12097 @end menu
12098
12099 @node How Overlays Work
12100 @section How Overlays Work
12101 @cindex mapped overlays
12102 @cindex unmapped overlays
12103 @cindex load address, overlay's
12104 @cindex mapped address
12105 @cindex overlay area
12106
12107 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
12108 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
12109 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
12110 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
12111 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
12112
12113 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
12114 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
12115 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
12116 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
12117 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
12118 largest overlay as well.
12119
12120 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
12121 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
12122 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
12123 there.
12124
12125 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
12126 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
12127 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
12128
12129 @smallexample
12130 @group
12131 Data Instruction Larger
12132 Address Space Address Space Address Space
12133 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
12134 | | | | | |
12135 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
12136 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
12137 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
12138 | and heap | | | | | |
12139 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
12140 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
12141 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
12142 | | | | | |
12143 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
12144 address | | | | | |
12145 | overlay | <-' | | |
12146 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
12147 | | <---. | | load address
12148 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
12149 | | | |
12150 +-----------+ | |
12151 +-----------+
12152 | |
12153 +-----------+
12154
12155 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
12156 @end group
12157 @end smallexample
12158
12159 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
12160 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
12161 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
12162 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
12163 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
12164 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
12165 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
12166 program and the overlay area.
12167
12168 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
12169 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
12170 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
12171 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
12172 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
12173 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
12174 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
12175
12176 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
12177 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
12178 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
12179
12180 @itemize @bullet
12181
12182 @item
12183 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
12184 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
12185 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
12186 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
12187
12188 @item
12189 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
12190 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
12191 your program's performance.
12192
12193 @item
12194 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
12195 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
12196 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
12197 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
12198 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
12199 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
12200 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
12201
12202 @item
12203 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
12204 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
12205 instruction and data spaces.
12206
12207 @end itemize
12208
12209 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
12210 improved in many ways:
12211
12212 @itemize @bullet
12213
12214 @item
12215 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
12216 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
12217 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
12218 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
12219 area in the usual way.
12220
12221 @item
12222 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
12223 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
12224
12225 @item
12226 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
12227 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
12228 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
12229 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
12230 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
12231 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
12232 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
12233
12234 @end itemize
12235
12236
12237 @node Overlay Commands
12238 @section Overlay Commands
12239
12240 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
12241 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
12242 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
12243 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
12244 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
12245 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
12246
12247 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
12248 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
12249
12250 @table @code
12251 @item overlay off
12252 @kindex overlay
12253 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
12254 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
12255 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
12256 overlay support is disabled.
12257
12258 @item overlay manual
12259 @cindex manual overlay debugging
12260 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12261 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
12262 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
12263 commands described below.
12264
12265 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
12266 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
12267 @cindex map an overlay
12268 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
12269 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
12270 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
12271 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
12272 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
12273 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
12274
12275 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
12276 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
12277 @cindex unmap an overlay
12278 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
12279 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
12280 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
12281 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
12282
12283 @item overlay auto
12284 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
12285 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
12286 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
12287 Overlay Debugging}.
12288
12289 @item overlay load-target
12290 @itemx overlay load
12291 @cindex reloading the overlay table
12292 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
12293 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
12294 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
12295 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
12296 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
12297
12298 @item overlay list-overlays
12299 @itemx overlay list
12300 @cindex listing mapped overlays
12301 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
12302 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
12303
12304 @end table
12305
12306 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
12307 of the function the address falls in:
12308
12309 @smallexample
12310 (@value{GDBP}) print main
12311 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
12312 @end smallexample
12313 @noindent
12314 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
12315 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
12316 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
12317 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
12318
12319 @smallexample
12320 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12321 No sections are mapped.
12322 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12323 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
12324 @end smallexample
12325 @noindent
12326 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
12327 name normally:
12328
12329 @smallexample
12330 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
12331 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
12332 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
12333 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
12334 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
12335 @end smallexample
12336
12337 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
12338 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
12339 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
12340 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
12341 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
12342
12343 @itemize @bullet
12344 @item
12345 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
12346 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
12347 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
12348 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
12349 @item
12350 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
12351 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
12352 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
12353 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
12354 breakpoints properly.
12355 @end itemize
12356
12357
12358 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
12359 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
12360 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
12361
12362 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
12363 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
12364 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
12365 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
12366 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
12367 current state of the overlays.
12368
12369 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
12370 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
12371
12372 @table @asis
12373
12374 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
12375 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
12376
12377 @smallexample
12378 struct
12379 @{
12380 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
12381 unsigned long vma;
12382
12383 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
12384 unsigned long size;
12385
12386 /* The overlay's load address. */
12387 unsigned long lma;
12388
12389 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
12390 zero otherwise. */
12391 unsigned long mapped;
12392 @}
12393 @end smallexample
12394
12395 @item @code{_novlys}:
12396 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
12397 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
12398
12399 @end table
12400
12401 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
12402 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
12403 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
12404 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
12405 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
12406 currently mapped.
12407
12408 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
12409 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
12410 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
12411 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
12412 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
12413 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
12414 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
12415 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
12416 are not being executed.
12417
12418 @node Overlay Sample Program
12419 @section Overlay Sample Program
12420 @cindex overlay example program
12421
12422 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
12423 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
12424 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
12425 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
12426 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
12427 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
12428 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
12429
12430 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
12431 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
12432 suite. The program consists of the following files from
12433 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
12434
12435 @table @file
12436 @item overlays.c
12437 The main program file.
12438 @item ovlymgr.c
12439 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
12440 @item foo.c
12441 @itemx bar.c
12442 @itemx baz.c
12443 @itemx grbx.c
12444 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
12445 @item d10v.ld
12446 @itemx m32r.ld
12447 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
12448 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
12449 @end table
12450
12451 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
12452 cross-compiler like this:
12453
12454 @smallexample
12455 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
12456 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
12457 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
12458 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
12459 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
12460 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
12461 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
12462 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
12463 @end smallexample
12464
12465 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
12466 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
12467 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
12468
12469
12470 @node Languages
12471 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
12472 @cindex languages
12473
12474 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
12475 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
12476 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
12477 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
12478 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
12479 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
12480
12481 @cindex working language
12482 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
12483 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
12484 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
12485 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
12486 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
12487 language}.
12488
12489 @menu
12490 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
12491 * Show:: Displaying the language
12492 * Checks:: Type and range checks
12493 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
12494 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
12495 @end menu
12496
12497 @node Setting
12498 @section Switching Between Source Languages
12499
12500 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
12501 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
12502 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
12503 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
12504 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
12505 are printed, etc.
12506
12507 In addition to the working language, every source file that
12508 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
12509 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
12510 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
12511 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
12512 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
12513 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
12514 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
12515 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
12516 Displaying the Language}.
12517
12518 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
12519 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
12520 another language. In that case, make the
12521 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
12522 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
12523 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
12524
12525 @menu
12526 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
12527 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
12528 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
12529 @end menu
12530
12531 @node Filenames
12532 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
12533
12534 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
12535 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
12536
12537 @table @file
12538 @item .ada
12539 @itemx .ads
12540 @itemx .adb
12541 @itemx .a
12542 Ada source file.
12543
12544 @item .c
12545 C source file
12546
12547 @item .C
12548 @itemx .cc
12549 @itemx .cp
12550 @itemx .cpp
12551 @itemx .cxx
12552 @itemx .c++
12553 C@t{++} source file
12554
12555 @item .d
12556 D source file
12557
12558 @item .m
12559 Objective-C source file
12560
12561 @item .f
12562 @itemx .F
12563 Fortran source file
12564
12565 @item .mod
12566 Modula-2 source file
12567
12568 @item .s
12569 @itemx .S
12570 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
12571 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
12572 @end table
12573
12574 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
12575 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
12576
12577 @node Manually
12578 @subsection Setting the Working Language
12579
12580 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
12581 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
12582 your program.
12583
12584 @kindex set language
12585 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
12586 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
12587 a language, such as
12588 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
12589 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
12590
12591 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
12592 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
12593 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
12594 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
12595 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
12596 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
12597 command such as:
12598
12599 @smallexample
12600 print a = b + c
12601 @end smallexample
12602
12603 @noindent
12604 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
12605 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
12606 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
12607 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
12608
12609 @node Automatically
12610 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
12611
12612 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
12613 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
12614 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
12615 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
12616 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
12617 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
12618 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
12619 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
12620 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
12621
12622 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
12623 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
12624 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
12625 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
12626 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
12627
12628 @node Show
12629 @section Displaying the Language
12630
12631 The following commands help you find out which language is the
12632 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
12633
12634 @table @code
12635 @item show language
12636 @kindex show language
12637 Display the current working language. This is the
12638 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
12639 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
12640
12641 @item info frame
12642 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
12643 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
12644 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
12645 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
12646 information listed here.
12647
12648 @item info source
12649 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
12650 Display the source language of this source file.
12651 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
12652 information listed here.
12653 @end table
12654
12655 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
12656 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
12657 with a language explicitly:
12658
12659 @table @code
12660 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
12661 @kindex set extension-language
12662 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
12663 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
12664
12665 @item info extensions
12666 @kindex info extensions
12667 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
12668 @end table
12669
12670 @node Checks
12671 @section Type and Range Checking
12672
12673 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
12674 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
12675 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators and making
12676 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
12677 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
12678 by eliminating type mismatches and providing active checks for range
12679 errors when your program is running.
12680
12681 By default @value{GDBN} checks for these errors according to the
12682 rules of the current source language. Although @value{GDBN} does not check
12683 the statements in your program, it can check expressions entered directly
12684 into @value{GDBN} for evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example.
12685
12686 @menu
12687 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
12688 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
12689 @end menu
12690
12691 @cindex type checking
12692 @cindex checks, type
12693 @node Type Checking
12694 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
12695
12696 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, are strongly typed, meaning that the
12697 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
12698 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
12699 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
12700
12701 @smallexample
12702 int klass::my_method(char *b) @{ return b ? 1 : 2; @}
12703
12704 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0)
12705 $1 = 2
12706 @exdent but
12707 (@value{GDBP}) print obj.my_method (0x1234)
12708 Cannot resolve method klass::my_method to any overloaded instance
12709 @end smallexample
12710
12711 The second example fails because in C@t{++} the integer constant
12712 @samp{0x1234} is not type-compatible with the pointer parameter type.
12713
12714 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
12715 @value{GDBN} to not enforce strict type checking or
12716 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
12717 When type checking is disabled, @value{GDBN} successfully evaluates
12718 expressions like the second example above.
12719
12720 Even if type checking is off, there may be other reasons
12721 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
12722 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
12723 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
12724 with the language in use and usually arise from expressions which make
12725 little sense to evaluate anyway.
12726
12727 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling type checking:
12728
12729 @kindex set check type
12730 @kindex show check type
12731 @table @code
12732 @item set check type on
12733 @itemx set check type off
12734 Set strict type checking on or off. If any type mismatches occur in
12735 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
12736 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
12737
12738 @item show check type
12739 Show the current setting of type checking and whether @value{GDBN}
12740 is enforcing strict type checking rules.
12741 @end table
12742
12743 @cindex range checking
12744 @cindex checks, range
12745 @node Range Checking
12746 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
12747
12748 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
12749 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
12750 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
12751 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
12752 not exceed the bounds of the array.
12753
12754 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
12755 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
12756 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
12757 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
12758
12759 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
12760 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
12761 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
12762 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
12763 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
12764 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
12765
12766 @smallexample
12767 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
12768 @end smallexample
12769
12770 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
12771 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
12772 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
12773
12774 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
12775
12776 @kindex set check range
12777 @kindex show check range
12778 @table @code
12779 @item set check range auto
12780 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
12781 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
12782 each language.
12783
12784 @item set check range on
12785 @itemx set check range off
12786 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
12787 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
12788 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
12789 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
12790
12791 @item set check range warn
12792 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
12793 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
12794 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
12795 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
12796 systems).
12797
12798 @item show range
12799 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
12800 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
12801 @end table
12802
12803 @node Supported Languages
12804 @section Supported Languages
12805
12806 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Go, Objective-C, Fortran, Java,
12807 OpenCL C, Pascal, assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
12808 @c This is false ...
12809 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
12810 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
12811 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
12812 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
12813 language.
12814
12815 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
12816 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
12817 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
12818 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
12819 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
12820 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
12821 language reference or tutorial.
12822
12823 @menu
12824 * C:: C and C@t{++}
12825 * D:: D
12826 * Go:: Go
12827 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
12828 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
12829 * Fortran:: Fortran
12830 * Pascal:: Pascal
12831 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
12832 * Ada:: Ada
12833 @end menu
12834
12835 @node C
12836 @subsection C and C@t{++}
12837
12838 @cindex C and C@t{++}
12839 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
12840
12841 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
12842 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
12843 together.
12844
12845 @cindex C@t{++}
12846 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
12847 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
12848 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
12849 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
12850 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
12851 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
12852 compiler (@code{aCC}).
12853
12854 @menu
12855 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
12856 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
12857 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
12858 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
12859 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
12860 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
12861 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
12862 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
12863 @end menu
12864
12865 @node C Operators
12866 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
12867
12868 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
12869
12870 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12871 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12872 often defined on groups of types.
12873
12874 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
12875
12876 @itemize @bullet
12877
12878 @item
12879 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
12880 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
12881
12882 @item
12883 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
12884 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
12885
12886 @item
12887 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
12888
12889 @item
12890 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
12891
12892 @end itemize
12893
12894 @noindent
12895 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
12896 in order of increasing precedence:
12897
12898 @table @code
12899 @item ,
12900 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
12901 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
12902 expression being the last expression evaluated.
12903
12904 @item =
12905 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
12906 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
12907
12908 @item @var{op}=
12909 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
12910 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
12911 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
12912 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
12913 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
12914
12915 @item ?:
12916 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
12917 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
12918 integral type.
12919
12920 @item ||
12921 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12922
12923 @item &&
12924 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12925
12926 @item |
12927 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12928
12929 @item ^
12930 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
12931
12932 @item &
12933 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
12934
12935 @item ==@r{, }!=
12936 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
12937 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
12938
12939 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
12940 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
12941 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
12942 and non-zero for true.
12943
12944 @item <<@r{, }>>
12945 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
12946
12947 @item @@
12948 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12949
12950 @item +@r{, }-
12951 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
12952 pointer types.
12953
12954 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
12955 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
12956 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
12957 integral types.
12958
12959 @item ++@r{, }--
12960 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
12961 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
12962 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
12963 operation takes place.
12964
12965 @item *
12966 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
12967 @code{++}.
12968
12969 @item &
12970 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
12971
12972 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
12973 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
12974 to examine the address
12975 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
12976 stored.
12977
12978 @item -
12979 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
12980 precedence as @code{++}.
12981
12982 @item !
12983 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12984 @code{++}.
12985
12986 @item ~
12987 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
12988 @code{++}.
12989
12990
12991 @item .@r{, }->
12992 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
12993 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
12994 pointer based on the stored type information.
12995 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
12996
12997 @item .*@r{, }->*
12998 Dereferences of pointers to members.
12999
13000 @item []
13001 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
13002 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13003
13004 @item ()
13005 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
13006
13007 @item ::
13008 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
13009 and @code{class} types.
13010
13011 @item ::
13012 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
13013 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
13014 above.
13015 @end table
13016
13017 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
13018 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
13019 predefined meaning.
13020
13021 @node C Constants
13022 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
13023
13024 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
13025
13026 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
13027 following ways:
13028
13029 @itemize @bullet
13030 @item
13031 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
13032 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
13033 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
13034 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
13035 @code{long} value.
13036
13037 @item
13038 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
13039 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
13040 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
13041 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
13042 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
13043 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
13044 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
13045 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
13046 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
13047 constant.
13048
13049 @item
13050 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
13051 integral equivalents.
13052
13053 @item
13054 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
13055 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
13056 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
13057 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
13058 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
13059 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
13060 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
13061 @samp{\n} for newline.
13062
13063 Wide character constants can be written by prefixing a character
13064 constant with @samp{L}, as in C. For example, @samp{L'x'} is the wide
13065 form of @samp{x}. The target wide character set is used when
13066 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13067
13068 @item
13069 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
13070 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
13071 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
13072 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
13073 characters.
13074
13075 Wide string constants can be written by prefixing a string constant
13076 with @samp{L}, as in C. The target wide character set is used when
13077 computing the value of this constant (@pxref{Character Sets}).
13078
13079 @item
13080 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
13081 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
13082
13083 @item
13084 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
13085 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
13086 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
13087 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
13088 @end itemize
13089
13090 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
13091 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
13092
13093 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
13094 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
13095
13096 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
13097 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
13098 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
13099 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
13100 @quotation
13101 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use
13102 the proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently,
13103 @value{GDBN} works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled
13104 with the most recent version of @value{NGCC} possible. The DWARF
13105 debugging format is preferred; @value{NGCC} defaults to this on most
13106 popular platforms. Other compilers and/or debug formats are likely to
13107 work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug C@t{++}
13108 code. @xref{Compilation}.
13109 @end quotation
13110
13111 @enumerate
13112
13113 @cindex member functions
13114 @item
13115 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
13116
13117 @smallexample
13118 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
13119 @end smallexample
13120
13121 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
13122 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
13123 @item
13124 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
13125 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
13126 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
13127 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}. @code{using}
13128 declarations in the current scope are also respected by @value{GDBN}.
13129
13130 @cindex call overloaded functions
13131 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
13132 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
13133 @item
13134 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
13135 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
13136 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
13137 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
13138 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
13139 default arguments.
13140
13141 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
13142 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
13143 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
13144 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
13145 number of function arguments.
13146
13147 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
13148 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
13149 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
13150
13151 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
13152 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
13153 @smallexample
13154 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
13155 @end smallexample
13156
13157 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
13158 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
13159
13160 @cindex reference declarations
13161 @item
13162 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
13163 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
13164 dereferenced.
13165
13166 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
13167 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
13168 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
13169 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
13170 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
13171
13172 @item
13173 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
13174 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
13175 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
13176 necessary, for example in an expression like
13177 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
13178 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
13179 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
13180
13181 @item
13182 @value{GDBN} performs argument-dependent lookup, following the C@t{++}
13183 specification.
13184 @end enumerate
13185
13186 @node C Defaults
13187 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
13188
13189 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
13190
13191 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set range checking automatically, it
13192 defaults to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
13193 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
13194 selects the working language.
13195
13196 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
13197 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
13198 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
13199 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
13200 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
13201 for further details.
13202
13203 @node C Checks
13204 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
13205
13206 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
13207
13208 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, strict type
13209 checking is used. However, if you turn type checking off, @value{GDBN}
13210 will allow certain non-standard conversions, such as promoting integer
13211 constants to pointers.
13212
13213 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
13214 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
13215 that is not itself an array.
13216
13217 @node Debugging C
13218 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
13219
13220 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
13221 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
13222 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
13223 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
13224
13225 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
13226 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
13227 ,Expressions}.
13228
13229 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
13230 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
13231
13232 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
13233
13234 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
13235 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
13236
13237 @table @code
13238 @cindex break in overloaded functions
13239 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
13240 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
13241 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
13242 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
13243 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
13244
13245 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
13246 @item rbreak @var{regex}
13247 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
13248 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
13249 classes.
13250 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
13251
13252 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
13253 @item catch throw
13254 @itemx catch catch
13255 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
13256 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
13257
13258 @cindex inheritance
13259 @item ptype @var{typename}
13260 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
13261 @var{typename}.
13262 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
13263
13264 @item info vtbl @var{expression}.
13265 The @code{info vtbl} command can be used to display the virtual
13266 method tables of the object computed by @var{expression}. This shows
13267 one entry per virtual table; there may be multiple virtual tables when
13268 multiple inheritance is in use.
13269
13270 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
13271 @item set print demangle
13272 @itemx show print demangle
13273 @itemx set print asm-demangle
13274 @itemx show print asm-demangle
13275 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
13276 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
13277 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13278
13279 @item set print object
13280 @itemx show print object
13281 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
13282 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13283
13284 @item set print vtbl
13285 @itemx show print vtbl
13286 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
13287 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
13288 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
13289 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
13290
13291 @kindex set overload-resolution
13292 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
13293 @item set overload-resolution on
13294 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
13295 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
13296 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
13297 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
13298 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
13299 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
13300
13301 @item set overload-resolution off
13302 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
13303 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13304 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
13305 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
13306 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
13307 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
13308 argument types.
13309
13310 @kindex show overload-resolution
13311 @item show overload-resolution
13312 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
13313
13314 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
13315 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
13316 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
13317 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
13318 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
13319 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
13320 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
13321 @end table
13322
13323 @node Decimal Floating Point
13324 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
13325 @cindex decimal floating point format
13326
13327 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
13328 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
13329 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
13330 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
13331
13332 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
13333 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
13334 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
13335 target.
13336
13337 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
13338 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
13339 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
13340
13341 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
13342 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
13343 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
13344
13345 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
13346 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
13347 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
13348
13349 @node D
13350 @subsection D
13351
13352 @cindex D
13353 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
13354 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
13355 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
13356
13357 @node Go
13358 @subsection Go
13359
13360 @cindex Go (programming language)
13361 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Go and compiled with
13362 @file{gccgo} or @file{6g} compilers.
13363
13364 Here is a summary of the Go-specific features and restrictions:
13365
13366 @table @code
13367 @cindex current Go package
13368 @item The current Go package
13369 The name of the current package does not need to be specified when
13370 specifying global variables and functions.
13371
13372 For example, given the program:
13373
13374 @example
13375 package main
13376 var myglob = "Shall we?"
13377 func main () @{
13378 // ...
13379 @}
13380 @end example
13381
13382 When stopped inside @code{main} either of these work:
13383
13384 @example
13385 (gdb) p myglob
13386 (gdb) p main.myglob
13387 @end example
13388
13389 @cindex builtin Go types
13390 @item Builtin Go types
13391 The @code{string} type is recognized by @value{GDBN} and is printed
13392 as a string.
13393
13394 @cindex builtin Go functions
13395 @item Builtin Go functions
13396 The @value{GDBN} expression parser recognizes the @code{unsafe.Sizeof}
13397 function and handles it internally.
13398
13399 @cindex restrictions on Go expressions
13400 @item Restrictions on Go expressions
13401 All Go operators are supported except @code{&^}.
13402 The Go @code{_} ``blank identifier'' is not supported.
13403 Automatic dereferencing of pointers is not supported.
13404 @end table
13405
13406 @node Objective-C
13407 @subsection Objective-C
13408
13409 @cindex Objective-C
13410 This section provides information about some commands and command
13411 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
13412 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
13413 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
13414
13415 @menu
13416 * Method Names in Commands::
13417 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
13418 @end menu
13419
13420 @node Method Names in Commands
13421 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
13422
13423 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
13424 names as line specifications:
13425
13426 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
13427 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
13428 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
13429 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
13430 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
13431 @itemize
13432 @item @code{clear}
13433 @item @code{break}
13434 @item @code{info line}
13435 @item @code{jump}
13436 @item @code{list}
13437 @end itemize
13438
13439 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
13440
13441 @smallexample
13442 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
13443 @end smallexample
13444
13445 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
13446 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
13447 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
13448 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
13449 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
13450 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
13451 debugged, enter:
13452
13453 @smallexample
13454 break -[Fruit create]
13455 @end smallexample
13456
13457 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
13458 enter:
13459
13460 @smallexample
13461 list +[NSText initialize]
13462 @end smallexample
13463
13464 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
13465 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
13466 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
13467 is also possible to specify just a method name:
13468
13469 @smallexample
13470 break create
13471 @end smallexample
13472
13473 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
13474 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
13475 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
13476 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
13477 none apply.
13478
13479 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
13480 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
13481
13482 @smallexample
13483 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
13484 @end smallexample
13485
13486 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
13487 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
13488 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
13489 @kindex print-object
13490 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
13491
13492 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
13493
13494 @smallexample
13495 print -[@var{object} hash]
13496 @end smallexample
13497
13498 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
13499 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
13500 @noindent
13501 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
13502 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
13503 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
13504 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
13505 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
13506 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
13507
13508 @node OpenCL C
13509 @subsection OpenCL C
13510
13511 @cindex OpenCL C
13512 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
13513
13514 @menu
13515 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
13516 * OpenCL C Expressions::
13517 * OpenCL C Operators::
13518 @end menu
13519
13520 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
13521 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
13522
13523 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
13524 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
13525 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
13526 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
13527 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
13528
13529 @node OpenCL C Expressions
13530 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
13531
13532 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
13533 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
13534 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
13535 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
13536
13537 @node OpenCL C Operators
13538 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
13539
13540 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
13541 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
13542 vector data types.
13543
13544 @node Fortran
13545 @subsection Fortran
13546 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
13547
13548 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
13549 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
13550
13551 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
13552 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
13553 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
13554 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
13555 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
13556 underscore.
13557
13558 @menu
13559 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
13560 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
13561 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
13562 @end menu
13563
13564 @node Fortran Operators
13565 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
13566
13567 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
13568
13569 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13570 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
13571 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
13572
13573 @table @code
13574 @item **
13575 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
13576 of the second one.
13577
13578 @item :
13579 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
13580 represent a section of array.
13581
13582 @item %
13583 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
13584 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
13585 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
13586 union type.
13587 @end table
13588
13589 @node Fortran Defaults
13590 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
13591
13592 @cindex Fortran Defaults
13593
13594 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
13595 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
13596 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
13597 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
13598
13599 @node Special Fortran Commands
13600 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
13601
13602 @cindex Special Fortran commands
13603
13604 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
13605 such as displaying common blocks.
13606
13607 @table @code
13608 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
13609 @kindex info common
13610 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
13611 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
13612 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
13613 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
13614 printed.
13615 @end table
13616
13617 @node Pascal
13618 @subsection Pascal
13619
13620 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
13621 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
13622 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
13623 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
13624 syntax.
13625
13626 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
13627 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
13628 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
13629
13630 @node Modula-2
13631 @subsection Modula-2
13632
13633 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
13634
13635 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
13636 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
13637 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
13638 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13639 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
13640 table.
13641
13642 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
13643 @menu
13644 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
13645 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
13646 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
13647 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
13648 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
13649 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
13650 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
13651 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13652 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13653 @end menu
13654
13655 @node M2 Operators
13656 @subsubsection Operators
13657 @cindex Modula-2 operators
13658
13659 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
13660 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
13661 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
13662 following definitions hold:
13663
13664 @itemize @bullet
13665
13666 @item
13667 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
13668 their subranges.
13669
13670 @item
13671 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
13672
13673 @item
13674 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
13675
13676 @item
13677 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
13678 @var{type}}.
13679
13680 @item
13681 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
13682
13683 @item
13684 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
13685
13686 @item
13687 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
13688 @end itemize
13689
13690 @noindent
13691 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
13692 increasing precedence:
13693
13694 @table @code
13695 @item ,
13696 Function argument or array index separator.
13697
13698 @item :=
13699 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
13700 @var{value}.
13701
13702 @item <@r{, }>
13703 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
13704 types.
13705
13706 @item <=@r{, }>=
13707 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
13708 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
13709 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
13710
13711 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
13712 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
13713 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
13714 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
13715 comment character.
13716
13717 @item IN
13718 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
13719 Same precedence as @code{<}.
13720
13721 @item OR
13722 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13723
13724 @item AND@r{, }&
13725 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
13726
13727 @item @@
13728 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
13729
13730 @item +@r{, }-
13731 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
13732 and difference on set types.
13733
13734 @item *
13735 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
13736 on set types.
13737
13738 @item /
13739 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
13740 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
13741
13742 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
13743 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
13744 precedence as @code{*}.
13745
13746 @item -
13747 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
13748
13749 @item ^
13750 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
13751
13752 @item NOT
13753 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
13754 @code{^}.
13755
13756 @item .
13757 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
13758 precedence as @code{^}.
13759
13760 @item []
13761 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
13762
13763 @item ()
13764 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
13765 as @code{^}.
13766
13767 @item ::@r{, }.
13768 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
13769 @end table
13770
13771 @quotation
13772 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
13773 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
13774 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
13775 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
13776 @end quotation
13777
13778
13779 @node Built-In Func/Proc
13780 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
13781 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
13782
13783 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
13784 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
13785
13786 @table @var
13787
13788 @item a
13789 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
13790
13791 @item c
13792 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
13793
13794 @item i
13795 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
13796
13797 @item m
13798 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
13799 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
13800 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
13801
13802 @item n
13803 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
13804
13805 @item r
13806 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
13807
13808 @item t
13809 represents a type.
13810
13811 @item v
13812 represents a variable.
13813
13814 @item x
13815 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
13816 explanation of the function for details.
13817 @end table
13818
13819 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
13820
13821 @table @code
13822 @item ABS(@var{n})
13823 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
13824
13825 @item CAP(@var{c})
13826 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
13827 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
13828
13829 @item CHR(@var{i})
13830 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13831
13832 @item DEC(@var{v})
13833 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13834
13835 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
13836 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13837 new value.
13838
13839 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13840 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
13841 set.
13842
13843 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
13844 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
13845
13846 @item HIGH(@var{a})
13847 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
13848
13849 @item INC(@var{v})
13850 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
13851
13852 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
13853 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
13854 new value.
13855
13856 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
13857 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
13858 there. Returns the new set.
13859
13860 @item MAX(@var{t})
13861 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
13862
13863 @item MIN(@var{t})
13864 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
13865
13866 @item ODD(@var{i})
13867 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
13868
13869 @item ORD(@var{x})
13870 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
13871 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
13872 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
13873 integral, character and enumerated types.
13874
13875 @item SIZE(@var{x})
13876 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13877
13878 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
13879 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
13880
13881 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
13882 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
13883
13884 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
13885 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
13886 @end table
13887
13888 @quotation
13889 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
13890 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
13891 an error.
13892 @end quotation
13893
13894 @cindex Modula-2 constants
13895 @node M2 Constants
13896 @subsubsection Constants
13897
13898 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
13899 ways:
13900
13901 @itemize @bullet
13902
13903 @item
13904 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
13905 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
13906 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
13907 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
13908
13909 @item
13910 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
13911 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
13912 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
13913 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
13914 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
13915 digits.
13916
13917 @item
13918 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
13919 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
13920 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
13921 followed by a @samp{C}.
13922
13923 @item
13924 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
13925 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
13926 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
13927 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
13928 sequences.
13929
13930 @item
13931 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
13932
13933 @item
13934 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
13935 @code{FALSE}.
13936
13937 @item
13938 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
13939
13940 @item
13941 Set constants are not yet supported.
13942 @end itemize
13943
13944 @node M2 Types
13945 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
13946 @cindex Modula-2 types
13947
13948 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
13949 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
13950 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
13951 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
13952 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
13953 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
13954
13955 The first example contains the following section of code:
13956
13957 @smallexample
13958 VAR
13959 s: SET OF CHAR ;
13960 r: [20..40] ;
13961 @end smallexample
13962
13963 @noindent
13964 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
13965 @code{r} and @code{s}.
13966
13967 @smallexample
13968 (@value{GDBP}) print s
13969 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
13970 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13971 SET OF CHAR
13972 (@value{GDBP}) print r
13973 21
13974 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
13975 [20..40]
13976 @end smallexample
13977
13978 @noindent
13979 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
13980
13981 @smallexample
13982 VAR
13983 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
13984 @end smallexample
13985
13986 @noindent
13987 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
13988
13989 @smallexample
13990 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
13991 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
13992 @end smallexample
13993
13994 @noindent
13995 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
13996 expressions using the debugger.
13997
13998 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
13999 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
14000
14001 @smallexample
14002 VAR
14003 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
14004 @end smallexample
14005
14006 @smallexample
14007 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14008 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
14009 @end smallexample
14010
14011 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
14012 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
14013 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
14014 above.
14015
14016 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
14017
14018 @smallexample
14019 TYPE
14020 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
14021 t = [blue..yellow] ;
14022 VAR
14023 s: t ;
14024 BEGIN
14025 s := blue ;
14026 @end smallexample
14027
14028 @noindent
14029 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
14030 and value of a variable.
14031
14032 @smallexample
14033 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14034 $1 = blue
14035 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
14036 type = [blue..yellow]
14037 @end smallexample
14038
14039 @noindent
14040 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
14041 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
14042 their @code{C} counterparts.
14043
14044 @smallexample
14045 VAR
14046 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14047 BEGIN
14048 s[1] := 1 ;
14049 @end smallexample
14050
14051 @smallexample
14052 (@value{GDBP}) print s
14053 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
14054 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14055 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14056 @end smallexample
14057
14058 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
14059 pointer types as shown in this example:
14060
14061 @smallexample
14062 VAR
14063 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
14064 BEGIN
14065 NEW(s) ;
14066 s^[1] := 1 ;
14067 @end smallexample
14068
14069 @noindent
14070 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
14071
14072 @smallexample
14073 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14074 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
14075 @end smallexample
14076
14077 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
14078 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
14079 types:
14080
14081 @smallexample
14082 TYPE
14083 foo = RECORD
14084 f1: CARDINAL ;
14085 f2: CHAR ;
14086 f3: myarray ;
14087 END ;
14088
14089 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
14090 myrange = [-2..2] ;
14091 VAR
14092 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
14093 @end smallexample
14094
14095 @noindent
14096 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
14097 below.
14098
14099 @smallexample
14100 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
14101 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
14102 f1 : CARDINAL;
14103 f2 : CHAR;
14104 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
14105 END
14106 @end smallexample
14107
14108 @node M2 Defaults
14109 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
14110 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
14111
14112 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
14113 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
14114 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
14115 selected the working language.
14116
14117 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
14118 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
14119 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
14120 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
14121
14122 @node Deviations
14123 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
14124 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
14125
14126 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
14127 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
14128
14129 @itemize @bullet
14130 @item
14131 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
14132 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
14133 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
14134 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
14135 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
14136 returned a pointer.)
14137
14138 @item
14139 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
14140 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
14141 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
14142 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
14143
14144 @item
14145 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
14146 argument.
14147
14148 @item
14149 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
14150 @end itemize
14151
14152 @node M2 Checks
14153 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
14154 @cindex Modula-2 checks
14155
14156 @quotation
14157 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
14158 range checking.
14159 @end quotation
14160 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
14161
14162 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
14163
14164 @itemize @bullet
14165 @item
14166 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
14167 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
14168
14169 @item
14170 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
14171 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
14172 @end itemize
14173
14174 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
14175 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
14176
14177 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
14178 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
14179
14180 @node M2 Scope
14181 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
14182 @cindex scope
14183 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
14184 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
14185 @ifinfo
14186 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
14187 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
14188 @end ifinfo
14189 @ifnotinfo
14190 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
14191 @end ifnotinfo
14192
14193 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
14194 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
14195 similar syntax:
14196
14197 @smallexample
14198
14199 @var{module} . @var{id}
14200 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
14201 @end smallexample
14202
14203 @noindent
14204 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
14205 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
14206 identifier within your program, except another module.
14207
14208 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
14209 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
14210 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
14211 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
14212
14213 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
14214 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
14215 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
14216 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
14217 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
14218 @var{module}.
14219
14220 @node GDB/M2
14221 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
14222
14223 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
14224 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
14225 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
14226 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
14227 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
14228 analogue in Modula-2.
14229
14230 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
14231 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
14232 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
14233 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
14234 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
14235 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
14236
14237 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
14238 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
14239 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
14240
14241 @node Ada
14242 @subsection Ada
14243 @cindex Ada
14244
14245 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
14246 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
14247 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
14248 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
14249 to be difficult.
14250
14251
14252 @cindex expressions in Ada
14253 @menu
14254 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
14255 and semantics supported by Ada mode
14256 in @value{GDBN}.
14257 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
14258 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
14259 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
14260 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
14261 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14262 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
14263 Profile
14264 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
14265 @end menu
14266
14267 @node Ada Mode Intro
14268 @subsubsection Introduction
14269 @cindex Ada mode, general
14270
14271 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
14272 syntax, with some extensions.
14273 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
14274
14275 @itemize @bullet
14276 @item
14277 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
14278 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
14279 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
14280 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
14281
14282 @item
14283 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
14284 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14285
14286 @item
14287 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
14288 @end itemize
14289
14290 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
14291 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
14292 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
14293 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
14294 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
14295
14296 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
14297 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
14298 was translated from an Ada source file.
14299
14300 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
14301 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
14302 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
14303 middle (to allow based literals).
14304
14305 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
14306 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
14307 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
14308 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
14309 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
14310 functions to procedures elsewhere.
14311
14312 @node Omissions from Ada
14313 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
14314 @cindex Ada, omissions from
14315
14316 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
14317
14318 @itemize @bullet
14319 @item
14320 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
14321
14322 @itemize @minus
14323 @item
14324 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
14325 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
14326
14327 @item
14328 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
14329
14330 @item
14331 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
14332
14333 @item
14334 @t{'Tag}.
14335
14336 @item
14337 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
14338 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
14339
14340 @item
14341 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
14342 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
14343
14344 @item
14345 @t{'Address}.
14346 @end itemize
14347
14348 @item
14349 The names in
14350 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
14351 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
14352 not currently available.
14353
14354 @item
14355 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
14356 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
14357 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
14358 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
14359 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
14360 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
14361 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
14362 indeterminate values.
14363
14364 @item
14365 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
14366 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
14367 are not implemented.
14368
14369 @item
14370 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
14371 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
14372 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
14373 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
14374 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
14375
14376 @smallexample
14377 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
14378 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
14379 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
14380 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
14381 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
14382 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
14383 @end smallexample
14384
14385 Changing a
14386 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
14387 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
14388 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
14389 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
14390 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
14391 declared to have a type such as:
14392
14393 @smallexample
14394 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
14395 Id : Integer;
14396 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
14397 end record;
14398 @end smallexample
14399
14400 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
14401 assignments:
14402
14403 @smallexample
14404 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
14405 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
14406 @end smallexample
14407
14408 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
14409 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
14410 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
14411 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
14412 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
14413 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
14414 redundant component associations, although which component values are
14415 assigned in such cases is not defined.
14416
14417 @item
14418 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
14419
14420 @item
14421 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
14422 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
14423 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
14424 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
14425 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
14426 the proper resolution.
14427
14428 @item
14429 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
14430
14431 @item
14432 Entry calls are not implemented.
14433
14434 @item
14435 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
14436 formats are not supported.
14437
14438 @item
14439 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
14440
14441 @item
14442 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
14443 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
14444 context.
14445 Should your program
14446 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
14447 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
14448 @end itemize
14449
14450 @node Additions to Ada
14451 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
14452 @cindex Ada, deviations from
14453
14454 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
14455 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
14456
14457 @itemize @bullet
14458 @item
14459 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
14460 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
14461 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
14462 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
14463 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
14464 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
14465 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
14466 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
14467
14468 @item
14469 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
14470 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
14471 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
14472
14473 @item
14474 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
14475 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
14476
14477 @item
14478 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
14479 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
14480 @end itemize
14481
14482 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
14483 additions specific to Ada:
14484
14485 @itemize @bullet
14486 @item
14487 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
14488 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
14489
14490 @smallexample
14491 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
14492 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
14493 @end smallexample
14494
14495 @item
14496 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
14497 the value of its right-hand operand.
14498 This allows, for example,
14499 complex conditional breaks:
14500
14501 @smallexample
14502 (@value{GDBP}) break f
14503 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
14504 @end smallexample
14505
14506 @item
14507 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
14508 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
14509 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
14510 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
14511 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
14512 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
14513 in strings. For example,
14514 @smallexample
14515 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
14516 @end smallexample
14517 @noindent
14518 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
14519 after each period.
14520
14521 @item
14522 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
14523 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
14524 to write
14525
14526 @smallexample
14527 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
14528 @end smallexample
14529
14530 @item
14531 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
14532 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
14533 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
14534 of 3 might print as
14535
14536 @smallexample
14537 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
14538 @end smallexample
14539
14540 @noindent
14541 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
14542 clause.
14543
14544 @item
14545 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
14546 multi-character subsequence of
14547 their names (an exact match gets preference).
14548 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
14549 in place of @t{a'length}.
14550
14551 @item
14552 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
14553 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
14554 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
14555 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
14556 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
14557 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
14558 For example,
14559 @smallexample
14560 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
14561 @end smallexample
14562
14563 @item
14564 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
14565 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
14566 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
14567 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
14568 object.
14569
14570 @end itemize
14571
14572 @node Stopping Before Main Program
14573 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
14574
14575 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
14576 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
14577 before reaching the main procedure.
14578 As defined in the Ada Reference
14579 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
14580 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
14581 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
14582 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
14583
14584 @node Ada Tasks
14585 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
14586 @cindex Ada, tasking
14587
14588 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
14589 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
14590
14591 @table @code
14592 @kindex info tasks
14593 @item info tasks
14594 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
14595
14596
14597 @smallexample
14598 @iftex
14599 @leftskip=0.5cm
14600 @end iftex
14601 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14602 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14603 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14604 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
14605 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
14606 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
14607
14608 @end smallexample
14609
14610 @noindent
14611 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
14612 task currently being inspected.
14613
14614 @table @asis
14615 @item ID
14616 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
14617
14618 @item TID
14619 The Ada task ID.
14620
14621 @item P-ID
14622 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
14623
14624 @item Pri
14625 The base priority of the task.
14626
14627 @item State
14628 Current state of the task.
14629
14630 @table @code
14631 @item Unactivated
14632 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
14633 executing.
14634
14635 @item Runnable
14636 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
14637 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
14638
14639 @item Terminated
14640 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
14641 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
14642 terminated themselves.
14643
14644 @item Child Activation Wait
14645 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
14646
14647 @item Accept Statement
14648 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
14649
14650 @item Waiting on entry call
14651 The task is waiting on an entry call.
14652
14653 @item Async Select Wait
14654 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
14655 select statement.
14656
14657 @item Delay Sleep
14658 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
14659 alternative open.
14660
14661 @item Child Termination Wait
14662 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
14663 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
14664 waiting on a terminate Phase.
14665
14666 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
14667 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
14668 finish terminating.
14669
14670 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
14671 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
14672 @end table
14673
14674 @item Name
14675 Name of the task in the program.
14676
14677 @end table
14678
14679 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
14680 @item info task @var{taskno}
14681 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
14682 the following example:
14683 @smallexample
14684 @iftex
14685 @leftskip=0.5cm
14686 @end iftex
14687 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14688 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14689 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14690 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
14691 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
14692 Ada Task: 0x807c468
14693 Name: task_1
14694 Thread: 0x807f378
14695 Parent: 1 (main_task)
14696 Base Priority: 15
14697 State: Runnable
14698 @end smallexample
14699
14700 @item task
14701 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
14702 @cindex current Ada task ID
14703 This command prints the ID of the current task.
14704
14705 @smallexample
14706 @iftex
14707 @leftskip=0.5cm
14708 @end iftex
14709 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14710 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14711 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14712 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14713 (@value{GDBP}) task
14714 [Current task is 2]
14715 @end smallexample
14716
14717 @item task @var{taskno}
14718 @cindex Ada task switching
14719 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
14720 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
14721 from the current task to the given task.
14722
14723 @smallexample
14724 @iftex
14725 @leftskip=0.5cm
14726 @end iftex
14727 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14728 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14729 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14730 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
14731 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
14732 [Switching to task 1]
14733 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14734 (@value{GDBP}) bt
14735 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
14736 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
14737 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
14738 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
14739 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
14740 @end smallexample
14741
14742 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
14743 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
14744 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
14745 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
14746 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
14747 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
14748 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
14749 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
14750 in @ref{Specify Location}.
14751
14752 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
14753 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
14754 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
14755 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
14756 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
14757
14758 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
14759 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
14760 program.
14761
14762 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
14763 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
14764 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
14765
14766 For example,
14767
14768 @smallexample
14769 @iftex
14770 @leftskip=0.5cm
14771 @end iftex
14772 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14773 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14774 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14775 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
14776 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14777 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
14778 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
14779 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
14780 (@value{GDBP}) cont
14781 Continuing.
14782 task # 1 running
14783 task # 2 running
14784
14785 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
14786 15 flush;
14787 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
14788 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
14789 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
14790 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
14791 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
14792 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
14793 @end smallexample
14794 @end table
14795
14796 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
14797 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
14798 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
14799
14800 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
14801 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
14802 the platform being used.
14803 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
14804 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
14805 as usual.
14806
14807 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
14808 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
14809 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
14810 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
14811 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
14812 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
14813
14814 @node Ravenscar Profile
14815 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
14816 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
14817
14818 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
14819 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
14820 requirements.
14821
14822 @table @code
14823 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
14824 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
14825 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
14826 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14827 Profile. This is the default.
14828
14829 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
14830 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
14831 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
14832 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
14833 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
14834 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
14835 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
14836
14837 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
14838 @item show ravenscar task-switching
14839 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
14840 using the Ravenscar Profile.
14841
14842 @end table
14843
14844 @node Ada Glitches
14845 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
14846 @cindex Ada, problems
14847
14848 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
14849 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
14850 @value{GDBN},
14851 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
14852 and the GNU Ada compiler.
14853
14854 @itemize @bullet
14855 @item
14856 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
14857 storage are invisible to the debugger.
14858
14859 @item
14860 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
14861 argument lists are treated as positional).
14862
14863 @item
14864 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
14865
14866 @item
14867 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
14868 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
14869 the host machine.
14870
14871 @item
14872 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
14873 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
14874 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
14875 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
14876 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
14877 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
14878 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
14879 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
14880 you can usually resolve the confusion
14881 by qualifying the problematic names with package
14882 @code{Standard} explicitly.
14883 @end itemize
14884
14885 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
14886 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
14887 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
14888 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
14889 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
14890 enabled.
14891
14892 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14893 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
14894 @table @code
14895
14896 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
14897 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
14898 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
14899 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
14900 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
14901 This is the default.
14902
14903 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
14904 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
14905 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
14906 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
14907 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
14908 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
14909 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
14910
14911 @end table
14912
14913 @node Unsupported Languages
14914 @section Unsupported Languages
14915
14916 @cindex unsupported languages
14917 @cindex minimal language
14918 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
14919 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
14920 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
14921 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
14922 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
14923 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
14924
14925 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
14926 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
14927 language.
14928
14929 @node Symbols
14930 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
14931
14932 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
14933 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
14934 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
14935 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
14936 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
14937 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
14938 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
14939
14940 @cindex symbol names
14941 @cindex names of symbols
14942 @cindex quoting names
14943 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
14944 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
14945 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
14946 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
14947 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
14948 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
14949 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
14950 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
14951
14952 @smallexample
14953 p 'foo.c'::x
14954 @end smallexample
14955
14956 @noindent
14957 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
14958
14959 @table @code
14960 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
14961 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
14962 @kindex set case-sensitive
14963 @item set case-sensitive on
14964 @itemx set case-sensitive off
14965 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
14966 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
14967 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
14968 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
14969 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
14970 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
14971 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
14972 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
14973 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
14974 case-insensitive matches.
14975
14976 @kindex show case-sensitive
14977 @item show case-sensitive
14978 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
14979 lookups.
14980
14981 @kindex info address
14982 @cindex address of a symbol
14983 @item info address @var{symbol}
14984 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
14985 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
14986 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
14987 is always stored.
14988
14989 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
14990 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
14991 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
14992
14993 @kindex info symbol
14994 @cindex symbol from address
14995 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
14996 @item info symbol @var{addr}
14997 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
14998 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
14999 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
15000
15001 @smallexample
15002 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
15003 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
15004 @end smallexample
15005
15006 @noindent
15007 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
15008 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
15009
15010 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
15011 library containing the symbol is also printed:
15012
15013 @smallexample
15014 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
15015 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
15016 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
15017 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
15018 @end smallexample
15019
15020 @kindex whatis
15021 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
15022 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
15023 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
15024 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15025
15026 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
15027 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
15028 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
15029
15030 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
15031 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
15032 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
15033 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
15034 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
15035 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
15036 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
15037 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
15038 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
15039
15040 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
15041 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
15042 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
15043 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
15044 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
15045 unroll it.
15046
15047 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
15048 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
15049 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
15050
15051 @kindex ptype
15052 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
15053 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
15054 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
15055 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
15056
15057 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
15058 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
15059 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
15060 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
15061 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
15062 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
15063 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
15064 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
15065
15066 For example, for this variable declaration:
15067
15068 @smallexample
15069 typedef double real_t;
15070 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
15071 typedef struct complex complex_t;
15072 complex_t var;
15073 real_t *real_pointer_var;
15074 @end smallexample
15075
15076 @noindent
15077 the two commands give this output:
15078
15079 @smallexample
15080 @group
15081 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
15082 type = complex_t
15083 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
15084 type = struct complex @{
15085 real_t real;
15086 double imag;
15087 @}
15088 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
15089 type = struct complex
15090 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
15091 type = struct complex
15092 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
15093 type = struct complex @{
15094 real_t real;
15095 double imag;
15096 @}
15097 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
15098 type = real_t *
15099 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
15100 type = double *
15101 @end group
15102 @end smallexample
15103
15104 @noindent
15105 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
15106 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
15107
15108 @cindex incomplete type
15109 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
15110 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
15111 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
15112 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
15113 given these declarations:
15114
15115 @smallexample
15116 struct foo;
15117 struct foo *fooptr;
15118 @end smallexample
15119
15120 @noindent
15121 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
15122
15123 @smallexample
15124 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
15125 $1 = <incomplete type>
15126 @end smallexample
15127
15128 @noindent
15129 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
15130 completely specified.
15131
15132 @kindex info types
15133 @item info types @var{regexp}
15134 @itemx info types
15135 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
15136 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
15137 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
15138 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
15139 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
15140 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
15141 name is @code{value}.
15142
15143 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
15144 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
15145 lists all source files where a type is defined.
15146
15147 @kindex info scope
15148 @cindex local variables
15149 @item info scope @var{location}
15150 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
15151 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
15152 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
15153 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
15154 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
15155
15156 @smallexample
15157 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
15158 Scope for command_line_handler:
15159 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
15160 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
15161 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
15162 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
15163 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
15164 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
15165 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
15166 @end smallexample
15167
15168 @noindent
15169 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
15170 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
15171 collect}.
15172
15173 @kindex info source
15174 @item info source
15175 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
15176 the function containing the current point of execution:
15177 @itemize @bullet
15178 @item
15179 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
15180 @item
15181 the directory it was compiled in,
15182 @item
15183 its length, in lines,
15184 @item
15185 which programming language it is written in,
15186 @item
15187 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
15188 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
15189 @item
15190 whether the debugging information includes information about
15191 preprocessor macros.
15192 @end itemize
15193
15194
15195 @kindex info sources
15196 @item info sources
15197 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
15198 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
15199 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
15200
15201 @kindex info functions
15202 @item info functions
15203 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
15204
15205 @item info functions @var{regexp}
15206 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
15207 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
15208 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
15209 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
15210 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
15211 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
15212 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
15213
15214 @kindex info variables
15215 @item info variables
15216 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
15217 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
15218
15219 @item info variables @var{regexp}
15220 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
15221 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
15222 @var{regexp}.
15223
15224 @kindex info classes
15225 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
15226 @item info classes
15227 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
15228 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
15229 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15230 expression.
15231
15232 @kindex info selectors
15233 @item info selectors
15234 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
15235 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
15236 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
15237 expression.
15238
15239 @ignore
15240 This was never implemented.
15241 @kindex info methods
15242 @item info methods
15243 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
15244 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
15245 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
15246 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
15247 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
15248 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
15249 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
15250 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
15251 @end ignore
15252
15253 @cindex opaque data types
15254 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
15255 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
15256 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
15257 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
15258 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
15259 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
15260 another source file. The default is on.
15261
15262 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
15263 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
15264
15265 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
15266 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
15267 is printed as follows:
15268 @smallexample
15269 @{<no data fields>@}
15270 @end smallexample
15271
15272 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
15273 @item show opaque-type-resolution
15274 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
15275
15276 @kindex maint print symbols
15277 @cindex symbol dump
15278 @kindex maint print psymbols
15279 @cindex partial symbol dump
15280 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
15281 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
15282 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
15283 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
15284 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
15285 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
15286 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
15287 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
15288 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
15289 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
15290 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
15291 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
15292 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
15293 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
15294 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
15295 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
15296 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
15297
15298 @kindex maint info symtabs
15299 @kindex maint info psymtabs
15300 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
15301 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15302 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15303 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
15304 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15305 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
15306
15307 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
15308 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
15309 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
15310 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
15311 structure in more detail. For example:
15312
15313 @smallexample
15314 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
15315 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15316 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15317 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15318 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
15319 readin no
15320 fullname (null)
15321 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
15322 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
15323 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
15324 dependencies (none)
15325 @}
15326 @}
15327 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15328 (@value{GDBP})
15329 @end smallexample
15330 @noindent
15331 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
15332 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
15333 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
15334 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
15335 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
15336
15337 @smallexample
15338 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
15339 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
15340 line 1574.
15341 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
15342 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
15343 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
15344 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
15345 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
15346 dirname (null)
15347 fullname (null)
15348 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
15349 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
15350 debugformat DWARF 2
15351 @}
15352 @}
15353 (@value{GDBP})
15354 @end smallexample
15355 @end table
15356
15357
15358 @node Altering
15359 @chapter Altering Execution
15360
15361 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
15362 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
15363 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
15364 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
15365 program.
15366
15367 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
15368 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
15369 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
15370
15371 @menu
15372 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
15373 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
15374 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
15375 * Returning:: Returning from a function
15376 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
15377 * Patching:: Patching your program
15378 @end menu
15379
15380 @node Assignment
15381 @section Assignment to Variables
15382
15383 @cindex assignment
15384 @cindex setting variables
15385 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
15386 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
15387
15388 @smallexample
15389 print x=4
15390 @end smallexample
15391
15392 @noindent
15393 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
15394 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
15395 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
15396 information on operators in supported languages.
15397
15398 @kindex set variable
15399 @cindex variables, setting
15400 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
15401 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
15402 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
15403 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
15404 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
15405
15406 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
15407 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
15408 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
15409 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
15410 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
15411 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
15412 command @code{set width}:
15413
15414 @smallexample
15415 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
15416 type = double
15417 (@value{GDBP}) p width
15418 $4 = 13
15419 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
15420 Invalid syntax in expression.
15421 @end smallexample
15422
15423 @noindent
15424 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
15425 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
15426
15427 @smallexample
15428 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
15429 @end smallexample
15430
15431 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
15432 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
15433 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
15434 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
15435 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
15436 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
15437
15438 @smallexample
15439 @group
15440 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
15441 type = double
15442 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15443 $1 = 1
15444 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
15445 (@value{GDBP}) p g
15446 $2 = 1
15447 (@value{GDBP}) r
15448 The program being debugged has been started already.
15449 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
15450 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
15451 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
15452 Invalid bfd target.
15453 (@value{GDBP}) show g
15454 The current BFD target is "=4".
15455 @end group
15456 @end smallexample
15457
15458 @noindent
15459 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
15460 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
15461 @code{g}, use
15462
15463 @smallexample
15464 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
15465 @end smallexample
15466
15467 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
15468 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
15469 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
15470 same length or shorter.
15471 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
15472 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
15473
15474 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
15475 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
15476 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
15477 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
15478 and representation in memory), and
15479
15480 @smallexample
15481 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
15482 @end smallexample
15483
15484 @noindent
15485 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
15486
15487 @node Jumping
15488 @section Continuing at a Different Address
15489
15490 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
15491 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
15492 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
15493
15494 @table @code
15495 @kindex jump
15496 @item jump @var{linespec}
15497 @itemx jump @var{location}
15498 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
15499 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
15500 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
15501 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
15502 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
15503 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
15504
15505 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
15506 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
15507 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
15508 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
15509 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
15510 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
15511 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
15512 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
15513 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
15514 @end table
15515
15516 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
15517 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
15518 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
15519 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
15520 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
15521 example,
15522
15523 @smallexample
15524 set $pc = 0x485
15525 @end smallexample
15526
15527 @noindent
15528 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
15529 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
15530 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
15531
15532 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
15533 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
15534 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
15535 detail.
15536
15537 @c @group
15538 @node Signaling
15539 @section Giving your Program a Signal
15540 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
15541
15542 @table @code
15543 @kindex signal
15544 @item signal @var{signal}
15545 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
15546 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
15547 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
15548 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
15549
15550 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
15551 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
15552 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
15553 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
15554 signal.
15555
15556 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
15557 after executing the command.
15558 @end table
15559 @c @end group
15560
15561 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
15562 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
15563 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
15564 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
15565 passes the signal directly to your program.
15566
15567
15568 @node Returning
15569 @section Returning from a Function
15570
15571 @table @code
15572 @cindex returning from a function
15573 @kindex return
15574 @item return
15575 @itemx return @var{expression}
15576 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
15577 command. If you give an
15578 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
15579 value.
15580 @end table
15581
15582 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
15583 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
15584 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
15585 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
15586
15587 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
15588 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
15589 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
15590 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
15591 of functions.
15592
15593 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
15594 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
15595 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
15596 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
15597 selected stack frame returns naturally.
15598
15599 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
15600 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
15601 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
15602 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
15603 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
15604 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
15605 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
15606 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
15607 assignment into the right register(s).
15608
15609 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
15610 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
15611 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
15612 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
15613 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
15614 into a @code{long long int}:
15615
15616 @smallexample
15617 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
15618 29 return 31;
15619 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15620 Make func return now? (y or n) y
15621 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
15622 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
15623 (@value{GDBP})
15624 @end smallexample
15625
15626 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
15627 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
15628 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
15629 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
15630 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
15631 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
15632 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
15633 an appropriate cast explicitly:
15634
15635 @smallexample
15636 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
15637 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
15638 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
15639 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
15640 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
15641 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
15642 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
15643 (@value{GDBP})
15644 @end smallexample
15645
15646 @node Calling
15647 @section Calling Program Functions
15648
15649 @table @code
15650 @cindex calling functions
15651 @cindex inferior functions, calling
15652 @item print @var{expr}
15653 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
15654 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
15655 debugged.
15656
15657 @kindex call
15658 @item call @var{expr}
15659 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
15660 returned values.
15661
15662 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
15663 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
15664 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
15665 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
15666 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
15667 value history.
15668 @end table
15669
15670 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
15671 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
15672 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
15673 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
15674
15675 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
15676 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
15677 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
15678 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
15679 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
15680 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
15681 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
15682 in that case is controlled by the
15683 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
15684
15685 @table @code
15686 @item set unwindonsignal
15687 @kindex set unwindonsignal
15688 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
15689 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
15690 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
15691 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
15692 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
15693 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
15694 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
15695 received.
15696
15697 @item show unwindonsignal
15698 @kindex show unwindonsignal
15699 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15700 @value{GDBN}.
15701
15702 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15703 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
15704 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
15705 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
15706 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
15707 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
15708 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
15709 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
15710 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
15711 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
15712
15713 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15714 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
15715 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
15716 @value{GDBN}.
15717
15718 @end table
15719
15720 @cindex weak alias functions
15721 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
15722 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
15723 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
15724 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
15725 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
15726 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
15727 function instead.
15728
15729 @node Patching
15730 @section Patching Programs
15731
15732 @cindex patching binaries
15733 @cindex writing into executables
15734 @cindex writing into corefiles
15735
15736 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
15737 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
15738 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
15739 patching your program's binary.
15740
15741 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
15742 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
15743 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
15744 repairs.
15745
15746 @table @code
15747 @kindex set write
15748 @item set write on
15749 @itemx set write off
15750 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
15751 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
15752 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
15753
15754 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
15755 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
15756 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
15757
15758 @item show write
15759 @kindex show write
15760 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
15761 as well as reading.
15762 @end table
15763
15764 @node GDB Files
15765 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
15766
15767 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
15768 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
15769 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
15770 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
15771
15772 @menu
15773 * Files:: Commands to specify files
15774 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
15775 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
15776 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
15777 * Data Files:: GDB data files
15778 @end menu
15779
15780 @node Files
15781 @section Commands to Specify Files
15782
15783 @cindex symbol table
15784 @cindex core dump file
15785
15786 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
15787 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
15788 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
15789 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
15790
15791 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
15792 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
15793 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
15794 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
15795 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
15796 new files are useful.
15797
15798 @table @code
15799 @cindex executable file
15800 @kindex file
15801 @item file @var{filename}
15802 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
15803 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
15804 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
15805 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
15806 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
15807 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
15808 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
15809 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
15810
15811 @cindex unlinked object files
15812 @cindex patching object files
15813 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
15814 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
15815 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
15816 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
15817 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
15818 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
15819 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
15820 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
15821
15822 @item file
15823 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
15824 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
15825
15826 @kindex exec-file
15827 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15828 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
15829 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
15830 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
15831 discard information on the executable file.
15832
15833 @kindex symbol-file
15834 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
15835 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
15836 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
15837 table and program to run from the same file.
15838
15839 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
15840 program's symbol table.
15841
15842 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
15843 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
15844 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
15845 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
15846 @value{GDBN}.
15847
15848 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
15849 executing it once.
15850
15851 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
15852 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
15853 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
15854 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
15855 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
15856 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
15857 optimized code.
15858
15859 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
15860 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
15861 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
15862 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
15863 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
15864
15865 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
15866 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
15867 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
15868 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
15869 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
15870 Warnings and Messages}.)
15871
15872 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
15873 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
15874 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
15875 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
15876 in stabs format.
15877
15878 @kindex readnow
15879 @cindex reading symbols immediately
15880 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
15881 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15882 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
15883 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
15884 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
15885 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
15886 entire symbol table available.
15887
15888 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
15889 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
15890 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
15891 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
15892 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
15893 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
15894 @c files.
15895
15896 @kindex core-file
15897 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
15898 @itemx core
15899 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
15900 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
15901 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
15902 executable file itself for other parts.
15903
15904 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
15905 to be used.
15906
15907 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
15908 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
15909 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
15910 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
15911 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
15912
15913 @kindex add-symbol-file
15914 @cindex dynamic linking
15915 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
15916 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
15917 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} -s @var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
15918 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
15919 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
15920 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
15921 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
15922 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
15923 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
15924 of @samp{-s @var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
15925 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
15926 @var{address} as an expression.
15927
15928 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
15929 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
15930 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
15931 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
15932 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
15933
15934 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
15935 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
15936 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
15937 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
15938 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
15939 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
15940 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
15941 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
15942 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
15943
15944 @itemize @bullet
15945 @item
15946 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
15947 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
15948 @item
15949 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
15950 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
15951 @item
15952 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
15953 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15954 @end itemize
15955
15956 @noindent
15957 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
15958 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
15959 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
15960 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
15961 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
15962 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
15963 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
15964 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
15965 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
15966 way.
15967
15968 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
15969
15970 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
15971 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
15972 @cindex load symbols from memory
15973 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
15974 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
15975 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
15976 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
15977 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
15978 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
15979 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
15980 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
15981 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
15982
15983 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
15984 @kindex assf
15985 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
15986 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
15987 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
15988 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
15989 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
15990 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
15991 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
15992 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
15993 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
15994 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
15995
15996 @kindex section
15997 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
15998 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
15999 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
16000 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
16001 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
16002 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
16003 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
16004 their addresses.
16005
16006 @kindex info files
16007 @kindex info target
16008 @item info files
16009 @itemx info target
16010 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
16011 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
16012 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
16013 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
16014 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
16015 current ones.
16016
16017 @kindex maint info sections
16018 @item maint info sections
16019 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
16020 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
16021 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
16022 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
16023 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
16024 may be arbitrarily combined):
16025
16026 @table @code
16027 @item ALLOBJ
16028 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
16029 @item @var{sections}
16030 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
16031 @item @var{section-flags}
16032 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
16033 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
16034 @table @code
16035 @item ALLOC
16036 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
16037 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
16038 @item LOAD
16039 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
16040 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
16041 @item RELOC
16042 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
16043 @item READONLY
16044 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
16045 @item CODE
16046 Section contains executable code only.
16047 @item DATA
16048 Section contains data only (no executable code).
16049 @item ROM
16050 Section will reside in ROM.
16051 @item CONSTRUCTOR
16052 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
16053 @item HAS_CONTENTS
16054 Section is not empty.
16055 @item NEVER_LOAD
16056 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
16057 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
16058 A notification to the linker that the section contains
16059 COFF shared library information.
16060 @item IS_COMMON
16061 Section contains common symbols.
16062 @end table
16063 @end table
16064 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
16065 @cindex read-only sections
16066 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
16067 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
16068 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
16069 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
16070 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
16071 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
16072 enhancement to debugging performance.
16073
16074 The default is off.
16075
16076 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
16077 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
16078 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
16079 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
16080
16081 @item show trust-readonly-sections
16082 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
16083 @end table
16084
16085 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
16086 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
16087 name and remembers it that way.
16088
16089 @cindex shared libraries
16090 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
16091 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
16092 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
16093
16094 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
16095 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
16096
16097 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
16098 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
16099 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
16100 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
16101 debugging a core file).
16102
16103 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
16104 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
16105
16106 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
16107 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
16108 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
16109
16110 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
16111 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
16112 particularly large or there are many of them.
16113
16114 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
16115 commands:
16116
16117 @table @code
16118 @kindex set auto-solib-add
16119 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
16120 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
16121 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
16122 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
16123 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
16124 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
16125 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
16126
16127 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
16128 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
16129 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
16130 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
16131 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
16132 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
16133 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
16134 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
16135 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
16136
16137 @kindex show auto-solib-add
16138 @item show auto-solib-add
16139 Display the current autoloading mode.
16140 @end table
16141
16142 @cindex load shared library
16143 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
16144 command:
16145
16146 @table @code
16147 @kindex info sharedlibrary
16148 @kindex info share
16149 @item info share @var{regex}
16150 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16151 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
16152 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
16153 all shared libraries that are loaded.
16154
16155 @kindex sharedlibrary
16156 @kindex share
16157 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
16158 @itemx share @var{regex}
16159 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
16160 Unix regular expression.
16161 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
16162 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
16163 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
16164 loaded.
16165
16166 @item nosharedlibrary
16167 @kindex nosharedlibrary
16168 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
16169 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
16170 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
16171 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
16172 discarded.
16173 @end table
16174
16175 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
16176 when any of shared library events happen. The best way to do this is
16177 to use @code{catch load} and @code{catch unload} (@pxref{Set
16178 Catchpoints}).
16179
16180 @value{GDBN} also supports the the @code{set stop-on-solib-events}
16181 command for this. This command exists for historical reasons. It is
16182 less useful than setting a catchpoint, because it does not allow for
16183 conditions or commands as a catchpoint does.
16184
16185 @table @code
16186 @item set stop-on-solib-events
16187 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
16188 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
16189 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
16190 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
16191 shared library.
16192
16193 @item show stop-on-solib-events
16194 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
16195 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
16196 library events happen.
16197 @end table
16198
16199 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
16200 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
16201 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
16202 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
16203 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
16204 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
16205 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
16206 not.
16207
16208 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
16209 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
16210 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
16211 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
16212 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
16213
16214 @table @code
16215 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
16216 @cindex system root, alternate
16217 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
16218 @kindex set sysroot
16219 @item set sysroot @var{path}
16220 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
16221 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
16222 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
16223 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
16224 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
16225 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
16226 under @var{path}.
16227
16228 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
16229 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
16230 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
16231 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
16232 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
16233 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
16234 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
16235 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
16236 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
16237
16238 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
16239 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
16240 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
16241 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
16242 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
16243
16244 @smallexample
16245 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
16246 @end smallexample
16247
16248 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
16249 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
16250 system:
16251
16252 @smallexample
16253 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
16254 @end smallexample
16255
16256 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
16257 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
16258 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
16259 colons:
16260
16261 @smallexample
16262 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
16263 @end smallexample
16264
16265 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
16266 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
16267 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
16268 @samp{z}):
16269
16270 @smallexample
16271 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
16272 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16273 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
16274 @end smallexample
16275
16276 @noindent
16277 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
16278 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
16279 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
16280
16281 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
16282 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
16283
16284 @smallexample
16285 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
16286 @end smallexample
16287
16288 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
16289 if you don't want or need to.
16290
16291 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
16292 sysroot}.
16293
16294 @cindex default system root
16295 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
16296 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
16297 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
16298 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16299 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
16300 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16301 location.
16302
16303 @kindex show sysroot
16304 @item show sysroot
16305 Display the current shared library prefix.
16306
16307 @kindex set solib-search-path
16308 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
16309 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16310 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
16311 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
16312 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
16313 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
16314 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
16315 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
16316 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
16317 of shared library symbols.
16318
16319 @kindex show solib-search-path
16320 @item show solib-search-path
16321 Display the current shared library search path.
16322
16323 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
16324 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
16325 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
16326 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
16327 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
16328
16329 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
16330 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
16331 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
16332 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
16333 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
16334 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
16335 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
16336 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
16337 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
16338 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
16339 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
16340 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
16341 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
16342 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
16343 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
16344 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
16345 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
16346 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
16347 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
16348 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
16349 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
16350 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
16351
16352 @table @code
16353 @item unix
16354 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
16355 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
16356 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
16357 the forward slash.
16358
16359 @item dos-based
16360 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
16361 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
16362 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
16363 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
16364 considered directory separators.
16365
16366 @item auto
16367 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
16368 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
16369 This is the default.
16370 @end table
16371 @end table
16372
16373 @cindex file name canonicalization
16374 @cindex base name differences
16375 When processing file names provided by the user, @value{GDBN}
16376 frequently needs to compare them to the file names recorded in the
16377 program's debug info. Normally, @value{GDBN} compares just the
16378 @dfn{base names} of the files as strings, which is reasonably fast
16379 even for very large programs. (The base name of a file is the last
16380 portion of its name, after stripping all the leading directories.)
16381 This shortcut in comparison is based upon the assumption that files
16382 cannot have more than one base name. This is usually true, but
16383 references to files that use symlinks or similar filesystem
16384 facilities violate that assumption. If your program records files
16385 using such facilities, or if you provide file names to @value{GDBN}
16386 using symlinks etc., you can set @code{basenames-may-differ} to
16387 @code{true} to instruct @value{GDBN} to completely canonicalize each
16388 pair of file names it needs to compare. This will make file-name
16389 comparisons accurate, but at a price of a significant slowdown.
16390
16391 @table @code
16392 @item set basenames-may-differ
16393 @kindex set basenames-may-differ
16394 Set whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16395
16396 @item show basenames-may-differ
16397 @kindex show basenames-may-differ
16398 Show whether a source file may have multiple base names.
16399 @end table
16400
16401 @node Separate Debug Files
16402 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
16403 @cindex separate debugging information files
16404 @cindex debugging information in separate files
16405 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
16406 @cindex debugging information directory, global
16407 @cindex global debugging information directories
16408 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
16409 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
16410
16411 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
16412 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
16413 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
16414 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
16415 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
16416 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
16417 install only when they need to debug a problem.
16418
16419 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
16420 file:
16421
16422 @itemize @bullet
16423 @item
16424 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
16425 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
16426 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
16427 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
16428 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
16429 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
16430 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
16431 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
16432
16433 @item
16434 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
16435 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
16436 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
16437 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
16438 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
16439 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
16440 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
16441 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
16442 below.
16443 @end itemize
16444
16445 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
16446 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
16447
16448 @itemize @bullet
16449 @item
16450 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
16451 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
16452 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under each one of the global debug
16453 directories, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
16454 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
16455
16456 @item
16457 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
16458 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of each one of the global debug directories for
16459 a file named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
16460 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
16461 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
16462 hex characters, not 10.)
16463 @end itemize
16464
16465 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
16466 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
16467 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
16468 @code{abcdef1234}. If the list of the global debug directories includes
16469 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
16470 debug information files, in the indicated order:
16471
16472 @itemize @minus
16473 @item
16474 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
16475 @item
16476 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
16477 @item
16478 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
16479 @item
16480 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
16481 @end itemize
16482
16483 @anchor{debug-file-directory}
16484 Global debugging info directories default to what is set by @value{GDBN}
16485 configure option @option{--with-separate-debug-dir}. During @value{GDBN} run
16486 you can also set the global debugging info directories, and view the list
16487 @value{GDBN} is currently using.
16488
16489 @table @code
16490
16491 @kindex set debug-file-directory
16492 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
16493 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16494 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple path components can be set
16495 concatenating them by a path separator.
16496
16497 @kindex show debug-file-directory
16498 @item show debug-file-directory
16499 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
16500 information files.
16501
16502 @end table
16503
16504 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
16505 @cindex debug link sections
16506 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
16507 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
16508
16509 @itemize
16510 @item
16511 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
16512 a zero byte,
16513 @item
16514 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
16515 boundary within the section, and
16516 @item
16517 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
16518 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
16519 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
16520 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
16521 @end itemize
16522
16523 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
16524 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
16525 described above.
16526
16527 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
16528 @cindex build ID sections
16529 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
16530 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
16531 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
16532 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
16533 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
16534 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
16535 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
16536 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
16537 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
16538
16539 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
16540 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
16541 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
16542 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
16543 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
16544 in an ordinary executable.
16545
16546 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
16547 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
16548 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
16549 following commands:
16550
16551 @smallexample
16552 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
16553 @kbd{strip -g foo}
16554 @end smallexample
16555
16556 @noindent
16557 These commands remove the debugging
16558 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
16559 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
16560 two files:
16561
16562 @itemize @bullet
16563 @item
16564 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
16565 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
16566
16567 @smallexample
16568 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
16569 @end smallexample
16570
16571 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
16572 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
16573 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
16574 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
16575
16576 @item
16577 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
16578 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
16579 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
16580 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
16581 @end itemize
16582
16583 @noindent
16584
16585 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
16586 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
16587 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
16588
16589 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
16590 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
16591 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
16592 @c different ways!
16593 @ifhtml
16594 @display
16595 @html
16596 <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>
16597 + <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
16598 @end html
16599 @end display
16600 @end ifhtml
16601 @ifnothtml
16602 @display
16603 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
16604 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
16605 @end display
16606 @end ifnothtml
16607
16608 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
16609 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
16610 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
16611 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
16612 CRC.
16613
16614 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
16615 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
16616 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
16617 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
16618 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
16619 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
16620
16621 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
16622 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
16623 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
16624 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
16625 @code{0xffffffff}.
16626
16627 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
16628 @smallexample
16629 unsigned long
16630 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
16631 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
16632 @{
16633 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
16634 @{
16635 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
16636 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
16637 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
16638 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
16639 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
16640 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
16641 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
16642 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
16643 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
16644 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
16645 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
16646 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
16647 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
16648 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
16649 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
16650 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
16651 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
16652 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
16653 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
16654 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
16655 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
16656 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
16657 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
16658 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
16659 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
16660 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
16661 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
16662 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
16663 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
16664 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
16665 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
16666 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
16667 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
16668 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
16669 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
16670 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
16671 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
16672 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
16673 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
16674 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
16675 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
16676 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
16677 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
16678 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
16679 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
16680 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
16681 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
16682 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
16683 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
16684 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
16685 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
16686 0x2d02ef8d
16687 @};
16688 unsigned char *end;
16689
16690 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16691 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
16692 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
16693 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
16694 @}
16695 @end smallexample
16696
16697 @noindent
16698 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
16699
16700
16701 @node Index Files
16702 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
16703 @cindex index files
16704 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
16705
16706 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
16707 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
16708 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
16709 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
16710 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
16711 startup.
16712
16713 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
16714 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
16715 using @command{objcopy}.
16716
16717 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
16718
16719 @table @code
16720 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
16721 @kindex save gdb-index
16722 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
16723 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
16724 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
16725 @var{directory}.
16726 @end table
16727
16728 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
16729 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
16730
16731 @smallexample
16732 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
16733 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
16734 @end smallexample
16735
16736 @value{GDBN} will normally ignore older versions of @file{.gdb_index}
16737 sections that have been deprecated. Usually they are deprecated because
16738 they are missing a new feature or have performance issues.
16739 To tell @value{GDBN} to use a deprecated index section anyway
16740 specify @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
16741 The default is @code{off}.
16742 This can speed up startup, but may result in some functionality being lost.
16743 @xref{Index Section Format}.
16744
16745 @emph{Warning:} Setting @code{use-deprecated-index-sections} to @code{on}
16746 must be done before gdb reads the file. The following will not work:
16747
16748 @smallexample
16749 $ gdb -ex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
16750 @end smallexample
16751
16752 Instead you must do, for example,
16753
16754 @smallexample
16755 $ gdb -iex "set use-deprecated-index-sections on" <program>
16756 @end smallexample
16757
16758 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
16759 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
16760 currently work for programs using Ada.
16761
16762 @node Symbol Errors
16763 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
16764
16765 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
16766 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
16767 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
16768 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
16769 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
16770 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
16771 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
16772 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
16773 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
16774 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16775 Messages}).
16776
16777 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
16778
16779 @table @code
16780 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
16781
16782 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
16783 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
16784 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
16785 in its outer scope blocks.
16786
16787 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
16788 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
16789 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
16790 function.
16791
16792 @item block at @var{address} out of order
16793
16794 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
16795 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
16796 do so.
16797
16798 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
16799 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
16800 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
16801 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
16802 Messages}.)
16803
16804 @item bad block start address patched
16805
16806 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
16807 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
16808 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
16809
16810 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
16811 starting on the previous source line.
16812
16813 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
16814
16815 @cindex foo
16816 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
16817 larger than the size of the string table.
16818
16819 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
16820 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
16821 with this name.
16822
16823 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
16824
16825 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
16826 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
16827 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
16828
16829 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
16830 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
16831 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
16832 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
16833 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
16834 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
16835
16836 @item stub type has NULL name
16837
16838 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
16839
16840 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
16841 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
16842 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
16843 it.
16844
16845 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
16846
16847 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
16848
16849 @end table
16850
16851 @node Data Files
16852 @section GDB Data Files
16853
16854 @cindex prefix for data files
16855 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
16856 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
16857
16858 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
16859 is currently using.
16860
16861 @table @code
16862 @kindex set data-directory
16863 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
16864 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
16865 to @var{directory}.
16866
16867 @kindex show data-directory
16868 @item show data-directory
16869 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
16870 @end table
16871
16872 @cindex default data directory
16873 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
16874 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
16875 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
16876 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
16877 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
16878 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
16879 location.
16880
16881 The data directory may also be specified with the
16882 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
16883 @xref{Mode Options}.
16884
16885 @node Targets
16886 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
16887
16888 @cindex debugging target
16889 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
16890
16891 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
16892 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
16893 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
16894 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
16895 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
16896 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
16897 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
16898 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
16899
16900 @cindex target architecture
16901 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
16902 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
16903 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
16904 command.
16905
16906 @table @code
16907 @kindex set architecture
16908 @kindex show architecture
16909 @item set architecture @var{arch}
16910 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
16911 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
16912 supported architectures.
16913
16914 @item show architecture
16915 Show the current target architecture.
16916
16917 @item set processor
16918 @itemx processor
16919 @kindex set processor
16920 @kindex show processor
16921 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
16922 and @code{show architecture}.
16923 @end table
16924
16925 @menu
16926 * Active Targets:: Active targets
16927 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
16928 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
16929 @end menu
16930
16931 @node Active Targets
16932 @section Active Targets
16933
16934 @cindex stacking targets
16935 @cindex active targets
16936 @cindex multiple targets
16937
16938 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
16939 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
16940 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
16941 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
16942 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
16943 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
16944 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
16945 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
16946 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
16947
16948 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
16949 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
16950 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
16951 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
16952
16953 @node Target Commands
16954 @section Commands for Managing Targets
16955
16956 @table @code
16957 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
16958 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
16959 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
16960 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
16961 protocol of the target machine.
16962
16963 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
16964 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
16965 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
16966
16967 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
16968 after executing the command.
16969
16970 @kindex help target
16971 @item help target
16972 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
16973 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
16974 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
16975
16976 @item help target @var{name}
16977 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
16978 select it.
16979
16980 @kindex set gnutarget
16981 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
16982 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
16983 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
16984 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
16985 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
16986 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
16987
16988 @quotation
16989 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
16990 you must know the actual BFD name.
16991 @end quotation
16992
16993 @noindent
16994 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
16995
16996 @kindex show gnutarget
16997 @item show gnutarget
16998 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
16999 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
17000 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
17001 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
17002 @end table
17003
17004 @cindex common targets
17005 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
17006 configuration):
17007
17008 @table @code
17009 @kindex target
17010 @item target exec @var{program}
17011 @cindex executable file target
17012 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
17013 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
17014
17015 @item target core @var{filename}
17016 @cindex core dump file target
17017 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
17018 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
17019
17020 @item target remote @var{medium}
17021 @cindex remote target
17022 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
17023 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
17024 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
17025
17026 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
17027 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
17028
17029 @smallexample
17030 target remote /dev/ttya
17031 @end smallexample
17032
17033 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
17034 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
17035 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
17036 clobbered by the download.
17037
17038 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
17039 @cindex built-in simulator target
17040 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
17041 In general,
17042 @smallexample
17043 target sim
17044 load
17045 run
17046 @end smallexample
17047 @noindent
17048 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
17049 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
17050 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
17051 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
17052 Processors}.
17053
17054 @end table
17055
17056 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
17057
17058 @table @code
17059
17060 @item target nrom @var{dev}
17061 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
17062 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
17063
17064 @end table
17065
17066 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
17067 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
17068
17069 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
17070 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
17071 various aspects of this process.
17072
17073 @table @code
17074
17075 @item set hash
17076 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17077 @cindex hash mark while downloading
17078 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
17079 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
17080 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
17081 monitor.
17082
17083 @item show hash
17084 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
17085 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
17086
17087 @item set debug monitor
17088 @kindex set debug monitor
17089 @cindex display remote monitor communications
17090 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
17091 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17092
17093 @item show debug monitor
17094 @kindex show debug monitor
17095 Show the current status of displaying communications between
17096 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
17097 @end table
17098
17099 @table @code
17100
17101 @kindex load @var{filename}
17102 @item load @var{filename}
17103 @anchor{load}
17104 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
17105 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
17106 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
17107 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
17108 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
17109 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
17110
17111 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
17112 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
17113 target is @dots{}}''
17114
17115 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
17116 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
17117 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
17118 specifies a fixed address.
17119 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
17120
17121 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
17122 load programs into flash memory.
17123
17124 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
17125 @end table
17126
17127 @node Byte Order
17128 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
17129
17130 @cindex choosing target byte order
17131 @cindex target byte order
17132
17133 Some types of processors, such as the @acronym{MIPS}, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
17134 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
17135 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
17136 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
17137 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
17138 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
17139
17140 @table @code
17141 @kindex set endian
17142 @item set endian big
17143 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
17144
17145 @item set endian little
17146 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
17147
17148 @item set endian auto
17149 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
17150 executable.
17151
17152 @item show endian
17153 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
17154
17155 @end table
17156
17157 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
17158 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
17159 target system.
17160
17161
17162 @node Remote Debugging
17163 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
17164 @cindex remote debugging
17165
17166 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
17167 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
17168 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
17169 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
17170 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
17171
17172 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
17173 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
17174 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
17175 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
17176 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
17177 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
17178
17179 Other remote targets may be available in your
17180 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
17181
17182 @menu
17183 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
17184 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
17185 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
17186 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
17187 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
17188 @end menu
17189
17190 @node Connecting
17191 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
17192
17193 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
17194 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
17195 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
17196 program as the first argument.
17197
17198 @cindex @code{target remote}
17199 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
17200 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
17201 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
17202 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
17203 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
17204 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
17205
17206 @table @code
17207
17208 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
17209 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
17210 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
17211 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
17212
17213 @smallexample
17214 target remote /dev/ttyb
17215 @end smallexample
17216
17217 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
17218 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
17219 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
17220 @code{target} command.
17221
17222 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
17223 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17224 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
17225 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
17226 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
17227 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
17228 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
17229 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
17230 target.
17231
17232 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
17233 @code{manyfarms}:
17234
17235 @smallexample
17236 target remote manyfarms:2828
17237 @end smallexample
17238
17239 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
17240 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
17241 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
17242 port 1234 on your local machine:
17243
17244 @smallexample
17245 target remote :1234
17246 @end smallexample
17247 @noindent
17248
17249 Note that the colon is still required here.
17250
17251 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
17252 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
17253 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
17254 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
17255
17256 @smallexample
17257 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
17258 @end smallexample
17259
17260 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
17261 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
17262 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
17263 cause havoc with your debugging session.
17264
17265 @item target remote | @var{command}
17266 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
17267 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
17268 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
17269 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
17270 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
17271 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
17272 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
17273 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
17274
17275 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
17276 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
17277 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
17278
17279 @end table
17280
17281 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
17282 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
17283 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
17284 need to use @kbd{run}.
17285
17286 @cindex interrupting remote programs
17287 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
17288 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
17289 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
17290 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
17291 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
17292 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
17293
17294 @smallexample
17295 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
17296 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
17297 @end smallexample
17298
17299 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
17300 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
17301 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
17302 goes back to waiting.
17303
17304 @table @code
17305 @kindex detach (remote)
17306 @item detach
17307 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
17308 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
17309 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
17310 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
17311 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
17312
17313 @kindex disconnect
17314 @item disconnect
17315 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
17316 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
17317 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
17318 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
17319 another target.
17320
17321 @cindex send command to remote monitor
17322 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
17323 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
17324 @kindex monitor
17325 @item monitor @var{cmd}
17326 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
17327 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
17328 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
17329 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
17330 and implement.
17331 @end table
17332
17333 @node File Transfer
17334 @section Sending files to a remote system
17335 @cindex remote target, file transfer
17336 @cindex file transfer
17337 @cindex sending files to remote systems
17338
17339 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
17340 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
17341 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
17342 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
17343 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
17344 the only way to upload or download files.
17345
17346 Not all remote targets support these commands.
17347
17348 @table @code
17349 @kindex remote put
17350 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
17351 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
17352 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
17353
17354 @kindex remote get
17355 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
17356 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
17357 on the host system.
17358
17359 @kindex remote delete
17360 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
17361 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
17362
17363 @end table
17364
17365 @node Server
17366 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
17367
17368 @kindex gdbserver
17369 @cindex remote connection without stubs
17370 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
17371 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
17372 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
17373
17374 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
17375 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
17376 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
17377 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
17378 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
17379 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
17380 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
17381 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
17382 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
17383 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
17384 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
17385 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
17386 choice for debugging.
17387
17388 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
17389 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
17390 protocol.
17391
17392 @quotation
17393 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
17394 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
17395 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
17396 target system with the same privileges as the user running
17397 @code{gdbserver}.
17398 @end quotation
17399
17400 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
17401 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
17402 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
17403
17404 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
17405 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
17406 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
17407 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
17408 system does all the symbol handling.
17409
17410 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
17411 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
17412 syntax is:
17413
17414 @smallexample
17415 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
17416 @end smallexample
17417
17418 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line), or a TCP
17419 hostname and portnumber, or @code{-} or @code{stdio} to use
17420 stdin/stdout of @code{gdbserver}.
17421 For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
17422 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
17423 @file{/dev/com1}:
17424
17425 @smallexample
17426 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
17427 @end smallexample
17428
17429 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
17430 with it.
17431
17432 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
17433
17434 @smallexample
17435 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
17436 @end smallexample
17437
17438 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
17439 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
17440 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
17441 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
17442 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
17443 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
17444 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
17445 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
17446 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
17447 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
17448 @code{target remote} command.
17449
17450 The @code{stdio} connection is useful when starting @code{gdbserver}
17451 with ssh:
17452
17453 @smallexample
17454 (gdb) target remote | ssh -T hostname gdbserver - hello
17455 @end smallexample
17456
17457 The @samp{-T} option to ssh is provided because we don't need a remote pty,
17458 and we don't want escape-character handling. Ssh does this by default when
17459 a command is provided, the flag is provided to make it explicit.
17460 You could elide it if you want to.
17461
17462 Programs started with stdio-connected gdbserver have @file{/dev/null} for
17463 @code{stdin}, and @code{stdout},@code{stderr} are sent back to gdb for
17464 display through a pipe connected to gdbserver.
17465 Both @code{stdout} and @code{stderr} use the same pipe.
17466
17467 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
17468 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
17469 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
17470
17471 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
17472 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
17473
17474 @smallexample
17475 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
17476 @end smallexample
17477
17478 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
17479 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
17480
17481 @pindex pidof
17482 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
17483 @code{pidof} utility:
17484
17485 @smallexample
17486 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
17487 @end smallexample
17488
17489 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
17490 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
17491 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
17492
17493 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
17494 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
17495 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
17496
17497 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
17498 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
17499 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
17500 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
17501
17502 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
17503 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
17504 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
17505 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
17506 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
17507 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
17508 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
17509 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
17510 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
17511
17512 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
17513 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
17514 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
17515 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
17516 the program you want to debug.
17517
17518 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
17519 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
17520 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
17521 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
17522 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
17523 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
17524
17525 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
17526
17527 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
17528
17529 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
17530 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
17531 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
17532 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
17533 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
17534 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
17535 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
17536 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
17537
17538 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
17539 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
17540 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
17541
17542 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
17543 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
17544 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
17545 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
17546 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
17547 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
17548 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
17549 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
17550 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
17551 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
17552 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
17553 instance closes its port after the first connection.
17554
17555 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
17556
17557 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17558 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
17559 status information about the debugging process.
17560 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
17561 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
17562 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
17563 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
17564
17565 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
17566 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
17567 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
17568 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
17569 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
17570
17571 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
17572 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
17573 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
17574 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
17575
17576 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
17577 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
17578 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
17579 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
17580
17581 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
17582 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
17583 environment:
17584
17585 @smallexample
17586 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
17587 @end smallexample
17588
17589 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
17590
17591 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
17592
17593 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
17594 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
17595 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
17596 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
17597
17598 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
17599 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
17600 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
17601 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
17602 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
17603 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
17604 programs.
17605
17606 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17607 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
17608 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
17609 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
17610 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
17611 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
17612 already on the target.
17613
17614 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
17615 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
17616 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
17617
17618 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
17619 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
17620 Here are the available commands.
17621
17622 @table @code
17623 @item monitor help
17624 List the available monitor commands.
17625
17626 @item monitor set debug 0
17627 @itemx monitor set debug 1
17628 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
17629
17630 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
17631 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
17632 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
17633 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
17634
17635 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
17636 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
17637 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
17638 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
17639 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
17640 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
17641
17642 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
17643 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
17644
17645 @item monitor exit
17646 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
17647 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
17648 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
17649 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
17650 of a multi-process mode debug session.
17651
17652 @end table
17653
17654 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17655 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
17656
17657 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
17658 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
17659
17660 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
17661 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
17662 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
17663 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
17664 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
17665 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
17666 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
17667 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
17668 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
17669 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
17670 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
17671 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
17672
17673 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
17674
17675 @table @code
17676 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
17677
17678 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
17679 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
17680 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
17681
17682 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
17683
17684 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
17685 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
17686 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
17687 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
17688 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
17689 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
17690
17691 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
17692
17693 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
17694 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
17695 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
17696 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
17697 command for that. For example:
17698
17699 @smallexample
17700 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
17701 @end smallexample
17702
17703 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
17704 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
17705 @end table
17706
17707 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
17708 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
17709 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
17710 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
17711 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
17712 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
17713 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
17714 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
17715 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
17716 @code{gdbserver} like so:
17717
17718 @smallexample
17719 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
17720 @end smallexample
17721
17722 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
17723
17724 @smallexample
17725 $ gdb myprogram
17726 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
17727 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
17728 (@value{GDBP}) b main
17729 (@value{GDBP}) continue
17730 @end smallexample
17731
17732 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
17733 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
17734 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
17735 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
17736 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
17737 tracing.
17738
17739 @node Remote Configuration
17740 @section Remote Configuration
17741
17742 @kindex set remote
17743 @kindex show remote
17744 This section documents the configuration options available when
17745 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
17746 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
17747 system-call-allowed}.
17748
17749 @table @code
17750 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
17751 @cindex address size for remote targets
17752 @cindex bits in remote address
17753 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
17754 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
17755 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
17756 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
17757
17758 @item show remoteaddresssize
17759 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
17760
17761 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
17762 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
17763 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
17764 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
17765 remote targets.
17766
17767 @item show remotebaud
17768 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
17769
17770 @item set remotebreak
17771 @cindex interrupt remote programs
17772 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
17773 @anchor{set remotebreak}
17774 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
17775 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
17776 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
17777 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
17778 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
17779
17780 @item show remotebreak
17781 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
17782 interrupt the remote program.
17783
17784 @item set remoteflow on
17785 @itemx set remoteflow off
17786 @kindex set remoteflow
17787 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
17788 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
17789
17790 @item show remoteflow
17791 @kindex show remoteflow
17792 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
17793
17794 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
17795 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
17796 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
17797 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
17798 @code{ascii}.
17799
17800 @item show remotelogbase
17801 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
17802 protocol.
17803
17804 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
17805 @cindex record serial communications on file
17806 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
17807 default is not to record at all.
17808
17809 @item show remotelogfile.
17810 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
17811 serial communications.
17812
17813 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
17814 @cindex timeout for serial communications
17815 @cindex remote timeout
17816 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
17817 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
17818
17819 @item show remotetimeout
17820 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
17821 responses.
17822
17823 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
17824 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
17825 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
17826 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
17827 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
17828 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
17829 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
17830 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
17831
17832 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
17833 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
17834 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
17835 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
17836 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
17837 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
17838 as unlimited.
17839
17840 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
17841 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
17842 a remote hardware watchpoint.
17843
17844 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
17845 @itemx show remote exec-file
17846 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
17847 @cindex executable file, for remote target
17848 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
17849 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
17850 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
17851 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
17852
17853 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
17854 @cindex interrupt remote programs
17855 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
17856 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
17857 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
17858 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
17859 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
17860 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
17861 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
17862 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
17863
17864 @item show interrupt-sequence
17865 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
17866 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
17867 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
17868 also known as Magic SysRq g.
17869
17870 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
17871 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
17872 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
17873 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
17874 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
17875 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
17876
17877 @item show interrupt-on-connect
17878 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
17879 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
17880
17881 @kindex set tcp
17882 @kindex show tcp
17883 @item set tcp auto-retry on
17884 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
17885 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
17886 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
17887 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
17888 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
17889 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
17890 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
17891 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
17892
17893 @item set tcp auto-retry off
17894 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
17895
17896 @item show tcp auto-retry
17897 Show the current auto-retry setting.
17898
17899 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
17900 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
17901 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
17902 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
17903 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
17904 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
17905 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
17906 value.
17907
17908 @item show tcp connect-timeout
17909 Show the current connection timeout setting.
17910 @end table
17911
17912 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
17913 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
17914 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
17915 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
17916 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
17917 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
17918 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
17919 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
17920 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
17921
17922 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
17923 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
17924 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
17925 @value{GDBN} developers.
17926
17927 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
17928 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
17929 are:
17930
17931 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
17932 @item Command Name
17933 @tab Remote Packet
17934 @tab Related Features
17935
17936 @item @code{fetch-register}
17937 @tab @code{p}
17938 @tab @code{info registers}
17939
17940 @item @code{set-register}
17941 @tab @code{P}
17942 @tab @code{set}
17943
17944 @item @code{binary-download}
17945 @tab @code{X}
17946 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
17947
17948 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
17949 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
17950 @tab @code{info auxv}
17951
17952 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
17953 @tab @code{qSymbol}
17954 @tab Detecting multiple threads
17955
17956 @item @code{attach}
17957 @tab @code{vAttach}
17958 @tab @code{attach}
17959
17960 @item @code{verbose-resume}
17961 @tab @code{vCont}
17962 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
17963
17964 @item @code{run}
17965 @tab @code{vRun}
17966 @tab @code{run}
17967
17968 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
17969 @tab @code{Z0}
17970 @tab @code{break}
17971
17972 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
17973 @tab @code{Z1}
17974 @tab @code{hbreak}
17975
17976 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
17977 @tab @code{Z2}
17978 @tab @code{watch}
17979
17980 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
17981 @tab @code{Z3}
17982 @tab @code{rwatch}
17983
17984 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
17985 @tab @code{Z4}
17986 @tab @code{awatch}
17987
17988 @item @code{target-features}
17989 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
17990 @tab @code{set architecture}
17991
17992 @item @code{library-info}
17993 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
17994 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
17995
17996 @item @code{memory-map}
17997 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
17998 @tab @code{info mem}
17999
18000 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
18001 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
18002 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
18003
18004 @item @code{read-spu-object}
18005 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
18006 @tab @code{info spu}
18007
18008 @item @code{write-spu-object}
18009 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
18010 @tab @code{info spu}
18011
18012 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
18013 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
18014 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
18015
18016 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
18017 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
18018 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
18019
18020 @item @code{threads}
18021 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
18022 @tab @code{info threads}
18023
18024 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
18025 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
18026 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
18027
18028 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
18029 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
18030 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
18031
18032 @item @code{search-memory}
18033 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
18034 @tab @code{find}
18035
18036 @item @code{supported-packets}
18037 @tab @code{qSupported}
18038 @tab Remote communications parameters
18039
18040 @item @code{pass-signals}
18041 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
18042 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18043
18044 @item @code{program-signals}
18045 @tab @code{QProgramSignals}
18046 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
18047
18048 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
18049 @tab @code{vFile:close}
18050 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18051
18052 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
18053 @tab @code{vFile:open}
18054 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18055
18056 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
18057 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
18058 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18059
18060 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
18061 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
18062 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
18063
18064 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
18065 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
18066 @tab @code{remote delete}
18067
18068 @item @code{hostio-readlink-packet}
18069 @tab @code{vFile:readlink}
18070 @tab Host I/O
18071
18072 @item @code{noack-packet}
18073 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
18074 @tab Packet acknowledgment
18075
18076 @item @code{osdata}
18077 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
18078 @tab @code{info os}
18079
18080 @item @code{query-attached}
18081 @tab @code{qAttached}
18082 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
18083
18084 @item @code{traceframe-info}
18085 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
18086 @tab Traceframe info
18087
18088 @item @code{install-in-trace}
18089 @tab @code{InstallInTrace}
18090 @tab Install tracepoint in tracing
18091
18092 @item @code{disable-randomization}
18093 @tab @code{QDisableRandomization}
18094 @tab @code{set disable-randomization}
18095
18096 @item @code{conditional-breakpoints-packet}
18097 @tab @code{Z0 and Z1}
18098 @tab @code{Support for target-side breakpoint condition evaluation}
18099 @end multitable
18100
18101 @node Remote Stub
18102 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
18103
18104 @cindex debugging stub, example
18105 @cindex remote stub, example
18106 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
18107 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
18108 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
18109 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
18110 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
18111 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
18112 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
18113 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
18114
18115 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
18116 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
18117 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
18118 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
18119 program, you need:
18120
18121 @enumerate
18122 @item
18123 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
18124 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
18125 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
18126
18127 @item
18128 A C subroutine library to support your program's
18129 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
18130
18131 @item
18132 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
18133 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
18134 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
18135 documentation.
18136 @end enumerate
18137
18138 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
18139 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
18140 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
18141
18142 @table @emph
18143 @item On the host,
18144 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
18145 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
18146 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
18147
18148 @item On the target,
18149 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
18150 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
18151 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
18152
18153 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
18154 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
18155 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
18156 @end table
18157
18158 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
18159 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
18160 @sc{sparc} boards.
18161
18162 @cindex remote serial stub list
18163 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
18164
18165 @table @code
18166
18167 @item i386-stub.c
18168 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
18169 @cindex Intel
18170 @cindex i386
18171 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
18172
18173 @item m68k-stub.c
18174 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
18175 @cindex Motorola 680x0
18176 @cindex m680x0
18177 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
18178
18179 @item sh-stub.c
18180 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
18181 @cindex Renesas
18182 @cindex SH
18183 For Renesas SH architectures.
18184
18185 @item sparc-stub.c
18186 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
18187 @cindex Sparc
18188 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
18189
18190 @item sparcl-stub.c
18191 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
18192 @cindex Fujitsu
18193 @cindex SparcLite
18194 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
18195
18196 @end table
18197
18198 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
18199 recently added stubs.
18200
18201 @menu
18202 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
18203 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
18204 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
18205 @end menu
18206
18207 @node Stub Contents
18208 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
18209
18210 @cindex remote serial stub
18211 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
18212 subroutines:
18213
18214 @table @code
18215 @item set_debug_traps
18216 @findex set_debug_traps
18217 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
18218 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
18219 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly in your
18220 program's startup code.
18221
18222 @item handle_exception
18223 @findex handle_exception
18224 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
18225 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
18226 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
18227 run when a trap is triggered.
18228
18229 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
18230 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
18231 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
18232 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
18233 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
18234 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
18235 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
18236 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
18237 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
18238 machine.
18239
18240 @item breakpoint
18241 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
18242 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
18243 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
18244 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
18245 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
18246 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
18247 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
18248 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
18249 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
18250 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
18251 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
18252
18253 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
18254 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
18255 start of your debugging session.
18256 @end table
18257
18258 @node Bootstrapping
18259 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
18260
18261 @cindex remote stub, support routines
18262 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
18263 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
18264 debugging target machine.
18265
18266 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
18267 serial port.
18268
18269 @table @code
18270 @item int getDebugChar()
18271 @findex getDebugChar
18272 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
18273 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
18274 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18275
18276 @item void putDebugChar(int)
18277 @findex putDebugChar
18278 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
18279 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
18280 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
18281 @end table
18282
18283 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
18284 @cindex interrupting remote targets
18285 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
18286 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
18287 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
18288 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
18289 remote system to stop.
18290
18291 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
18292 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
18293 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
18294 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
18295
18296 Other routines you need to supply are:
18297
18298 @table @code
18299 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
18300 @findex exceptionHandler
18301 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
18302 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
18303 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
18304 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
18305 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
18306 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
18307 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
18308 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
18309 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
18310 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
18311 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
18312 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
18313 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
18314
18315 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
18316 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
18317 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
18318 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
18319 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
18320
18321 @item void flush_i_cache()
18322 @findex flush_i_cache
18323 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
18324 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
18325 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
18326
18327 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
18328 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
18329 @end table
18330
18331 @noindent
18332 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
18333
18334 @table @code
18335 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
18336 @findex memset
18337 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
18338 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
18339 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
18340 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
18341 @end table
18342
18343 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
18344 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
18345 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
18346 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
18347
18348
18349 @node Debug Session
18350 @subsection Putting it All Together
18351
18352 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
18353 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
18354 steps.
18355
18356 @enumerate
18357 @item
18358 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
18359 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
18360 @display
18361 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
18362 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
18363 @end display
18364
18365 @item
18366 Insert these lines in your program's startup code, before the main
18367 procedure is called:
18368
18369 @smallexample
18370 set_debug_traps();
18371 breakpoint();
18372 @end smallexample
18373
18374 On some machines, when a breakpoint trap is raised, the hardware
18375 automatically makes the PC point to the instruction after the
18376 breakpoint. If your machine doesn't do that, you may need to adjust
18377 @code{handle_exception} to arrange for it to return to the instruction
18378 after the breakpoint on this first invocation, so that your program
18379 doesn't keep hitting the initial breakpoint instead of making
18380 progress.
18381
18382 @item
18383 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
18384 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
18385
18386 @smallexample
18387 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
18388 @end smallexample
18389
18390 @noindent
18391 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
18392 function in your program, that function is called when
18393 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
18394 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
18395 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
18396
18397 @item
18398 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
18399 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
18400
18401 @item
18402 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
18403 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
18404
18405 @item
18406 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
18407 @c document that. FIXME.
18408 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
18409 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
18410
18411 @item
18412 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
18413 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
18414
18415 @end enumerate
18416
18417 @node Configurations
18418 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
18419
18420 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
18421 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
18422 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
18423
18424 There are three major categories of configurations: native
18425 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
18426 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
18427 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
18428 are quite different from each other.
18429
18430 @menu
18431 * Native::
18432 * Embedded OS::
18433 * Embedded Processors::
18434 * Architectures::
18435 @end menu
18436
18437 @node Native
18438 @section Native
18439
18440 This section describes details specific to particular native
18441 configurations.
18442
18443 @menu
18444 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
18445 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
18446 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
18447 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
18448 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
18449 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
18450 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
18451 @end menu
18452
18453 @node HP-UX
18454 @subsection HP-UX
18455
18456 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
18457 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
18458 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
18459
18460
18461 @node BSD libkvm Interface
18462 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
18463
18464 @cindex libkvm
18465 @cindex kernel memory image
18466 @cindex kernel crash dump
18467
18468 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
18469 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
18470 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
18471 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
18472 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
18473 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
18474 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
18475 @code{kvm} target:
18476
18477 @smallexample
18478 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
18479 @end smallexample
18480
18481 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
18482 argument:
18483
18484 @smallexample
18485 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
18486 @end smallexample
18487
18488 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
18489 available:
18490
18491 @table @code
18492 @kindex kvm
18493 @item kvm pcb
18494 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
18495
18496 @item kvm proc
18497 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
18498 modern FreeBSD systems.
18499 @end table
18500
18501 @node SVR4 Process Information
18502 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
18503 @cindex /proc
18504 @cindex examine process image
18505 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
18506
18507 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
18508 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
18509 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
18510 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
18511 proc} is available to report information about the process running
18512 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
18513 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
18514 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
18515 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
18516
18517 @table @code
18518 @kindex info proc
18519 @cindex process ID
18520 @item info proc
18521 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
18522 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
18523 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
18524 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
18525 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
18526 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
18527 executable file's absolute file name.
18528
18529 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
18530 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
18531 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
18532 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
18533 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
18534 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
18535
18536 @item info proc mappings
18537 @cindex memory address space mappings
18538 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
18539 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
18540 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
18541 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
18542 memory access rights to that range.
18543
18544 @item info proc stat
18545 @itemx info proc status
18546 @cindex process detailed status information
18547 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
18548 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
18549 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
18550 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
18551 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
18552 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
18553 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
18554
18555 @item info proc all
18556 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
18557 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
18558
18559 @ignore
18560 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
18561 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
18562 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
18563 @kindex info proc times
18564 @item info proc times
18565 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
18566 its children.
18567
18568 @kindex info proc id
18569 @item info proc id
18570 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
18571 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
18572 @end ignore
18573
18574 @item set procfs-trace
18575 @kindex set procfs-trace
18576 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
18577 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
18578
18579 @item show procfs-trace
18580 @kindex show procfs-trace
18581 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
18582
18583 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
18584 @kindex set procfs-file
18585 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
18586 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
18587 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
18588 standard output.
18589
18590 @item show procfs-file
18591 @kindex show procfs-file
18592 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
18593
18594 @item proc-trace-entry
18595 @itemx proc-trace-exit
18596 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
18597 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
18598 @kindex proc-trace-entry
18599 @kindex proc-trace-exit
18600 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
18601 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
18602 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
18603 from the @code{syscall} interface.
18604
18605 @item info pidlist
18606 @kindex info pidlist
18607 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
18608 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
18609 processes and all the threads within each process.
18610
18611 @item info meminfo
18612 @kindex info meminfo
18613 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
18614 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
18615 @end table
18616
18617 @node DJGPP Native
18618 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
18619 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
18620 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
18621 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
18622
18623 @cindex DPMI
18624 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
18625 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
18626 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
18627 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
18628
18629 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
18630 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
18631 subsection describes those commands.
18632
18633 @table @code
18634 @kindex info dos
18635 @item info dos
18636 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
18637 information about the target system and important OS structures.
18638
18639 @kindex sysinfo
18640 @cindex MS-DOS system info
18641 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
18642 @item info dos sysinfo
18643 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
18644 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
18645 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
18646
18647 @cindex GDT
18648 @cindex LDT
18649 @cindex IDT
18650 @cindex segment descriptor tables
18651 @cindex descriptor tables display
18652 @item info dos gdt
18653 @itemx info dos ldt
18654 @itemx info dos idt
18655 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
18656 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
18657 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
18658 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
18659 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
18660 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
18661 rights.
18662
18663 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
18664 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
18665 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
18666 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
18667 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
18668
18669 @cindex garbled pointers
18670 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
18671 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
18672 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
18673 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
18674 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
18675 debugged program's data segment:
18676
18677 @smallexample
18678 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
18679 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
18680 @end smallexample
18681
18682 @noindent
18683 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
18684 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
18685
18686 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
18687 @item info dos pde
18688 @itemx info dos pte
18689 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
18690 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
18691 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
18692 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
18693 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
18694 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
18695 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
18696 that is currently in use.
18697
18698 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
18699 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
18700 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
18701 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
18702 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
18703 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
18704 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
18705
18706 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
18707 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
18708 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
18709 controller.
18710
18711 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
18712
18713 @cindex physical address from linear address
18714 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
18715 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
18716 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
18717 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
18718 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
18719 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
18720 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
18721
18722 @smallexample
18723 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
18724 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
18725 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
18726 @end smallexample
18727
18728 @noindent
18729 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
18730 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
18731 attributes of that page.
18732
18733 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
18734 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
18735 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
18736 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
18737 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
18738 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
18739
18740 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
18741 transfer buffer:
18742
18743 @smallexample
18744 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
18745 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
18746 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
18747 @end smallexample
18748
18749 @noindent
18750 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
18751 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
18752 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
18753 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
18754 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
18755
18756 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
18757 @end table
18758
18759 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
18760 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
18761 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
18762 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
18763
18764 @table @code
18765 @kindex set com1base
18766 @kindex set com1irq
18767 @kindex set com2base
18768 @kindex set com2irq
18769 @kindex set com3base
18770 @kindex set com3irq
18771 @kindex set com4base
18772 @kindex set com4irq
18773 @item set com1base @var{addr}
18774 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
18775 port.
18776
18777 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
18778 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
18779 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
18780
18781 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
18782 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
18783 other 3 COM ports.
18784
18785 @kindex show com1base
18786 @kindex show com1irq
18787 @kindex show com2base
18788 @kindex show com2irq
18789 @kindex show com3base
18790 @kindex show com3irq
18791 @kindex show com4base
18792 @kindex show com4irq
18793 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
18794 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
18795 lines used by the COM ports.
18796
18797 @item info serial
18798 @kindex info serial
18799 @cindex DOS serial port status
18800 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
18801 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
18802 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
18803 counts of various errors encountered so far.
18804 @end table
18805
18806
18807 @node Cygwin Native
18808 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
18809 @cindex MS Windows debugging
18810 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
18811 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
18812
18813 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
18814 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
18815
18816 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
18817 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
18818 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
18819 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
18820 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
18821 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
18822 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
18823 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
18824
18825 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
18826 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
18827 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
18828
18829 @table @code
18830 @kindex info w32
18831 @item info w32
18832 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
18833 information about the target system and important OS structures.
18834
18835 @item info w32 selector
18836 This command displays information returned by
18837 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
18838 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
18839 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
18840 Without argument, this command displays information
18841 about the six segment registers.
18842
18843 @item info w32 thread-information-block
18844 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
18845 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
18846 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
18847
18848 @kindex info dll
18849 @item info dll
18850 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
18851
18852 @kindex dll-symbols
18853 @item dll-symbols
18854 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
18855 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
18856
18857 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
18858 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
18859 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
18860 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
18861 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
18862 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
18863 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
18864 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
18865 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
18866 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
18867 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
18868
18869 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
18870 @item show cygwin-exceptions
18871 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
18872 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
18873
18874 @kindex set new-console
18875 @item set new-console @var{mode}
18876 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
18877 be started in a new console on next start.
18878 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
18879 be started in the same console as the debugger.
18880
18881 @kindex show new-console
18882 @item show new-console
18883 Displays whether a new console is used
18884 when the debuggee is started.
18885
18886 @kindex set new-group
18887 @item set new-group @var{mode}
18888 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
18889 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
18890 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
18891 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
18892
18893 @kindex show new-group
18894 @item show new-group
18895 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
18896
18897 @kindex set debugevents
18898 @item set debugevents
18899 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
18900 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
18901 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
18902 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
18903 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
18904
18905 @kindex set debugexec
18906 @item set debugexec
18907 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
18908 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
18909
18910 @kindex set debugexceptions
18911 @item set debugexceptions
18912 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
18913 debuggee seen by the debugger.
18914
18915 @kindex set debugmemory
18916 @item set debugmemory
18917 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
18918 and writes by the debugger.
18919
18920 @kindex set shell
18921 @item set shell
18922 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
18923 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
18924
18925 @kindex show shell
18926 @item show shell
18927 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
18928
18929 @end table
18930
18931 @menu
18932 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
18933 @end menu
18934
18935 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
18936 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
18937 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
18938 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
18939
18940 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
18941 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
18942 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
18943 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
18944 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
18945 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
18946 ``minimal symbols''.
18947
18948 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
18949 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
18950 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
18951 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
18952 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
18953 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
18954 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
18955 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
18956 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
18957 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
18958
18959 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
18960
18961 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
18962 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
18963 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
18964 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
18965 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
18966 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
18967 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
18968 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
18969 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
18970
18971 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
18972 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
18973 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
18974 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
18975 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
18976 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
18977
18978 @smallexample
18979 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
18980 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
18981
18982 Non-debugging symbols:
18983 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
18984 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
18985 @end smallexample
18986
18987 @smallexample
18988 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
18989 All functions matching regular expression "!":
18990
18991 Non-debugging symbols:
18992 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
18993 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
18994 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
18995 [etc...]
18996 @end smallexample
18997
18998 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
18999
19000 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
19001 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
19002 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
19003 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
19004 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
19005 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
19006 a function within a DLL without a running program.
19007
19008 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
19009 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
19010 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
19011 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
19012 problem:
19013
19014 @smallexample
19015 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
19016 $1 = 268572168
19017 @end smallexample
19018
19019 @smallexample
19020 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
19021 0x10021610: "\230y\""
19022 @end smallexample
19023
19024 And two possible solutions:
19025
19026 @smallexample
19027 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
19028 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19029 @end smallexample
19030
19031 @smallexample
19032 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
19033 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
19034 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
19035 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
19036 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
19037 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
19038 @end smallexample
19039
19040 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
19041 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
19042 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
19043 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
19044 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
19045
19046 @smallexample
19047 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
19048 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
19049 @end smallexample
19050
19051 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
19052 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
19053 safe.
19054
19055 @node Hurd Native
19056 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
19057 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
19058
19059 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
19060 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
19061
19062 @table @code
19063 @item set signals
19064 @itemx set sigs
19065 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
19066 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19067 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
19068 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
19069 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
19070 @code{signals}.
19071
19072 @item show signals
19073 @itemx show sigs
19074 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
19075 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
19076 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
19077
19078 @item set signal-thread
19079 @itemx set sigthread
19080 @kindex set signal-thread
19081 @kindex set sigthread
19082 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
19083 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
19084 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
19085 signal-thread}.
19086
19087 @item show signal-thread
19088 @itemx show sigthread
19089 @kindex show signal-thread
19090 @kindex show sigthread
19091 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
19092 delivered a signal.
19093
19094 @item set stopped
19095 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19096 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
19097 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
19098 continued by delivering a signal to it.
19099
19100 @item show stopped
19101 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
19102 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
19103 stopped.
19104
19105 @item set exceptions
19106 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19107 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
19108 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
19109 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
19110 trapping on.
19111
19112 @item show exceptions
19113 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
19114 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
19115
19116 @item set task pause
19117 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
19118 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19119 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19120 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
19121 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
19122 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
19123 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
19124 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
19125 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
19126
19127 @item show task pause
19128 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
19129 Show the current state of task suspension.
19130
19131 @item set task detach-suspend-count
19132 @cindex task suspend count
19133 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19134 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
19135 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
19136
19137 @item show task detach-suspend-count
19138 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
19139
19140 @item set task exception-port
19141 @itemx set task excp
19142 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19143 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
19144 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
19145 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
19146
19147 @item set noninvasive
19148 @cindex noninvasive task options
19149 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
19150 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
19151 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
19152 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
19153
19154 @item info send-rights
19155 @itemx info receive-rights
19156 @itemx info port-rights
19157 @itemx info port-sets
19158 @itemx info dead-names
19159 @itemx info ports
19160 @itemx info psets
19161 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19162 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19163 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19164 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19165 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19166 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
19167 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
19168 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
19169 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
19170
19171 @item set thread pause
19172 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
19173 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19174 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
19175 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
19176 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
19177 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
19178 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
19179 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
19180 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
19181 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
19182 only the current thread.
19183
19184 @item show thread pause
19185 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
19186 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
19187
19188 @item set thread run
19189 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19190
19191 @item show thread run
19192 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
19193
19194 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
19195 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19196 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19197 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
19198 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
19199 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
19200 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
19201
19202 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
19203 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
19204 detaching.
19205
19206 @item set thread exception-port
19207 @itemx set thread excp
19208 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
19209 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
19210 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
19211
19212 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
19213 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
19214 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
19215 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
19216
19217 @item set thread default
19218 @itemx show thread default
19219 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
19220 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
19221 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
19222 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
19223 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
19224 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
19225 the non-default commands.
19226 @end table
19227
19228 @node Darwin
19229 @subsection Darwin
19230 @cindex Darwin
19231
19232 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
19233
19234 @table @code
19235 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
19236 @kindex set debug darwin
19237 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
19238 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
19239
19240 @item show debug darwin
19241 @kindex show debug darwin
19242 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
19243
19244 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
19245 @kindex set debug mach-o
19246 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
19247 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
19248 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
19249 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
19250 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
19251 usage.
19252
19253 @item show debug mach-o
19254 @kindex show debug mach-o
19255 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
19256
19257 @item set mach-exceptions on
19258 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
19259 @kindex set mach-exceptions
19260 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
19261 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
19262 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
19263 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
19264
19265 @item show mach-exceptions
19266 @kindex show mach-exceptions
19267 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
19268 @end table
19269
19270
19271 @node Embedded OS
19272 @section Embedded Operating Systems
19273
19274 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
19275 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
19276 architectures.
19277
19278 @menu
19279 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19280 @end menu
19281
19282 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
19283 various real-time operating systems.
19284
19285 @node VxWorks
19286 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
19287
19288 @cindex VxWorks
19289
19290 @table @code
19291
19292 @kindex target vxworks
19293 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
19294 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
19295 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
19296
19297 @end table
19298
19299 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
19300 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
19301
19302 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
19303 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
19304 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19305 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
19306 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
19307 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
19308 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
19309
19310 @table @code
19311 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
19312 @kindex vxworks-timeout
19313 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
19314 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19315 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
19316 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
19317 of a thin network line.
19318 @end table
19319
19320 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
19321 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
19322 procedures.
19323
19324 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
19325 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
19326 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
19327 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
19328 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
19329 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
19330 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
19331 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
19332 manual.
19333 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
19334
19335 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
19336 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19337 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
19338 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
19339
19340 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19341
19342 @smallexample
19343 (vxgdb)
19344 @end smallexample
19345
19346 @menu
19347 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
19348 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
19349 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
19350 @end menu
19351
19352 @node VxWorks Connection
19353 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
19354
19355 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
19356 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
19357
19358 @smallexample
19359 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
19360 @end smallexample
19361
19362 @need 750
19363 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19364
19365 @smallexample
19366 Attaching remote machine across net...
19367 Connected to tt.
19368 @end smallexample
19369
19370 @need 1000
19371 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
19372 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
19373 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
19374 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
19375 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
19376
19377 @smallexample
19378 prog.o: No such file or directory.
19379 @end smallexample
19380
19381 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
19382 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
19383 command again.
19384
19385 @node VxWorks Download
19386 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
19387
19388 @cindex download to VxWorks
19389 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
19390 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
19391 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
19392 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
19393 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
19394 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
19395 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
19396 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
19397 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
19398 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
19399 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
19400 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
19401 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
19402 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
19403 program, type this on VxWorks:
19404
19405 @smallexample
19406 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
19407 @end smallexample
19408
19409 @noindent
19410 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19411
19412 @smallexample
19413 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
19414 (vxgdb) load prog.o
19415 @end smallexample
19416
19417 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
19418
19419 @smallexample
19420 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
19421 @end smallexample
19422
19423 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
19424 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
19425 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
19426 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
19427 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
19428 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
19429 table.)
19430
19431 @node VxWorks Attach
19432 @subsubsection Running Tasks
19433
19434 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
19435 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
19436 follows:
19437
19438 @smallexample
19439 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
19440 @end smallexample
19441
19442 @noindent
19443 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
19444 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
19445 the time of attachment.
19446
19447 @node Embedded Processors
19448 @section Embedded Processors
19449
19450 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
19451 configurations.
19452
19453 @cindex send command to simulator
19454 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
19455 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
19456
19457 @table @code
19458 @item sim @var{command}
19459 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
19460 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
19461 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
19462 acceptable commands.
19463 @end table
19464
19465
19466 @menu
19467 * ARM:: ARM RDI
19468 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
19469 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
19470 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
19471 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
19472 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
19473 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
19474 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
19475 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
19476 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
19477 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
19478 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
19479 * CRIS:: CRIS
19480 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
19481 @end menu
19482
19483 @node ARM
19484 @subsection ARM
19485 @cindex ARM RDI
19486
19487 @table @code
19488 @kindex target rdi
19489 @item target rdi @var{dev}
19490 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
19491 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
19492 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
19493
19494 @kindex target rdp
19495 @item target rdp @var{dev}
19496 ARM Demon monitor.
19497
19498 @end table
19499
19500 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
19501
19502 @table @code
19503 @item set arm disassembler
19504 @kindex set arm
19505 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
19506 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
19507
19508 @item show arm disassembler
19509 @kindex show arm
19510 Show the current disassembly style.
19511
19512 @item set arm apcs32
19513 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
19514 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
19515
19516 @item show arm apcs32
19517 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
19518
19519 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
19520 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
19521 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
19522
19523 @table @code
19524 @item auto
19525 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
19526 @item softfpa
19527 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
19528 processors.
19529 @item fpa
19530 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
19531 @item softvfp
19532 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
19533 @item vfp
19534 VFP co-processor.
19535 @end table
19536
19537 @item show arm fpu
19538 Show the current type of the FPU.
19539
19540 @item set arm abi
19541 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
19542
19543 @item show arm abi
19544 Show the currently used ABI.
19545
19546 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19547 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
19548 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
19549 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
19550 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
19551 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
19552 register).
19553
19554 @item show arm fallback-mode
19555 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
19556
19557 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
19558 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
19559 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
19560 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
19561 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
19562
19563 @item show arm force-mode
19564 Show the current forced instruction mode.
19565
19566 @item set debug arm
19567 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
19568 target support subsystem.
19569
19570 @item show debug arm
19571 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
19572 @end table
19573
19574 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
19575 using the RDI interface:
19576
19577 @table @code
19578 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19579 @kindex rdilogfile
19580 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
19581 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
19582 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
19583 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
19584 @file{rdi.log}.
19585
19586 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
19587 @kindex rdilogenable
19588 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
19589 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
19590 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
19591 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
19592 are logged to a file.
19593
19594 @item set rdiromatzero
19595 @kindex set rdiromatzero
19596 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
19597 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
19598 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
19599 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
19600 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
19601
19602 @item show rdiromatzero
19603 @kindex show rdiromatzero
19604 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
19605
19606 @item set rdiheartbeat
19607 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
19608 @cindex RDI heartbeat
19609 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
19610 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
19611 well as the Angel monitor.
19612
19613 @item show rdiheartbeat
19614 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
19615 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
19616 @end table
19617
19618 @table @code
19619 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
19620 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
19621
19622 @table @code
19623 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
19624 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
19625 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
19626 The default value is @code{all}.
19627
19628 @table @code
19629 @item none
19630 @item demon
19631 @item angel
19632 @item redboot
19633 @item all
19634 @end table
19635 @end table
19636 @end table
19637
19638 @node M32R/D
19639 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
19640
19641 @table @code
19642 @kindex target m32r
19643 @item target m32r @var{dev}
19644 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
19645
19646 @kindex target m32rsdi
19647 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
19648 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
19649 @end table
19650
19651 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
19652
19653 @table @code
19654 @item set download-path @var{path}
19655 @kindex set download-path
19656 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
19657 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19658
19659 @item show download-path
19660 @kindex show download-path
19661 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
19662
19663 @item set board-address @var{addr}
19664 @kindex set board-address
19665 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
19666 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
19667
19668 @item show board-address
19669 @kindex show board-address
19670 Show the current IP address of the target board.
19671
19672 @item set server-address @var{addr}
19673 @kindex set server-address
19674 @cindex download server address (M32R)
19675 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
19676 host machine.
19677
19678 @item show server-address
19679 @kindex show server-address
19680 Display the IP address of the download server.
19681
19682 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19683 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
19684 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
19685 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
19686 executable file is uploaded.
19687
19688 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
19689 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
19690 Test the @code{upload} command.
19691 @end table
19692
19693 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
19694
19695 @table @code
19696 @item sdireset
19697 @kindex sdireset
19698 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
19699 This command resets the SDI connection.
19700
19701 @item sdistatus
19702 @kindex sdistatus
19703 This command shows the SDI connection status.
19704
19705 @item debug_chaos
19706 @kindex debug_chaos
19707 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
19708 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
19709
19710 @item use_debug_dma
19711 @kindex use_debug_dma
19712 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
19713
19714 @item use_mon_code
19715 @kindex use_mon_code
19716 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
19717
19718 @item use_ib_break
19719 @kindex use_ib_break
19720 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
19721
19722 @item use_dbt_break
19723 @kindex use_dbt_break
19724 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
19725 @end table
19726
19727 @node M68K
19728 @subsection M68k
19729
19730 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
19731 target command for the following ROM monitor.
19732
19733 @table @code
19734
19735 @kindex target dbug
19736 @item target dbug @var{dev}
19737 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
19738
19739 @end table
19740
19741 @node MicroBlaze
19742 @subsection MicroBlaze
19743 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
19744 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
19745
19746 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
19747 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
19748 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
19749 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
19750 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
19751 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
19752 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
19753 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
19754 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
19755 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
19756 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
19757
19758 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
19759
19760 @table @code
19761 @item target remote :1234
19762 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
19763 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
19764
19765 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
19766 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
19767 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
19768
19769 @item load
19770 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
19771
19772 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
19773 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
19774
19775 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
19776 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
19777 @end table
19778
19779 @node MIPS Embedded
19780 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Embedded
19781
19782 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} boards
19783 @value{GDBN} can use the @acronym{MIPS} remote debugging protocol to talk to a
19784 @acronym{MIPS} board attached to a serial line. This is available when
19785 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-elf}.
19786
19787 @need 1000
19788 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
19789
19790 @table @code
19791 @item target mips @var{port}
19792 @kindex target mips @var{port}
19793 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
19794 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
19795 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
19796 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
19797 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
19798 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
19799
19800 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
19801 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
19802 debugger:
19803
19804 @smallexample
19805 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
19806 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
19807 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
19808 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
19809 (@value{GDBP}) run
19810 @end smallexample
19811
19812 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
19813 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
19814 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
19815 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
19816 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
19817
19818 @item target pmon @var{port}
19819 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
19820 PMON ROM monitor.
19821
19822 @item target ddb @var{port}
19823 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
19824 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
19825
19826 @item target lsi @var{port}
19827 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
19828 LSI variant of PMON.
19829
19830 @kindex target r3900
19831 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
19832 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
19833
19834 @kindex target array
19835 @item target array @var{dev}
19836 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
19837
19838 @end table
19839
19840
19841 @noindent
19842 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for @acronym{MIPS} targets:
19843
19844 @table @code
19845 @item set mipsfpu double
19846 @itemx set mipsfpu single
19847 @itemx set mipsfpu none
19848 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
19849 @itemx show mipsfpu
19850 @kindex set mipsfpu
19851 @kindex show mipsfpu
19852 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} remote floating point
19853 @cindex floating point, @acronym{MIPS} remote
19854 If your target board does not support the @acronym{MIPS} floating point
19855 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
19856 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
19857 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
19858 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
19859 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
19860 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
19861 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
19862 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
19863 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
19864 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
19865
19866 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
19867 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
19868 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
19869
19870 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
19871 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
19872
19873 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
19874 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
19875 @itemx show timeout
19876 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
19877 @cindex @code{timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
19878 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, @acronym{MIPS} protocol
19879 @kindex set timeout
19880 @kindex show timeout
19881 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
19882 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
19883 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the @acronym{MIPS}
19884 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
19885 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
19886 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
19887 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
19888 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
19889 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
19890 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-elf}.)
19891
19892 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
19893 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
19894 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
19895 to run before stopping.
19896
19897 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
19898 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19899 @cindex synchronize with remote @acronym{MIPS} target
19900 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
19901 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
19902 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
19903
19904 @item show syn-garbage-limit
19905 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19906 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
19907 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
19908
19909 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
19910 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19911 @cindex remote monitor prompt
19912 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
19913 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
19914 @table @asis
19915 @item pmon target
19916 @samp{PMON}
19917 @item ddb target
19918 @samp{NEC010}
19919 @item lsi target
19920 @samp{PMON>}
19921 @end table
19922
19923 @item show monitor-prompt
19924 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19925 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
19926 remote monitor.
19927
19928 @item set monitor-warnings
19929 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19930 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
19931 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
19932 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
19933 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
19934
19935 @item show monitor-warnings
19936 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19937 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
19938
19939 @item pmon @var{command}
19940 @kindex pmon@r{, @acronym{MIPS} remote}
19941 @cindex send PMON command
19942 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
19943 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
19944 @end table
19945
19946 @node OpenRISC 1000
19947 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
19948 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
19949
19950 @cindex or1k boards
19951 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
19952 about platform and commands.
19953
19954 @table @code
19955
19956 @kindex target jtag
19957 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
19958
19959 Connects to remote JTAG server.
19960 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
19961 connected via parallel port to the board.
19962
19963 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
19964
19965 @kindex or1ksim
19966 @item or1ksim @var{command}
19967 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
19968 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
19969
19970 @kindex info or1k spr
19971 @item info or1k spr
19972 Displays spr groups.
19973
19974 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
19975 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
19976 Displays register names in selected group.
19977
19978 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
19979 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
19980 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
19981 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
19982 Shows information about specified spr register.
19983
19984 @kindex spr
19985 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
19986 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
19987 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
19988 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
19989 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
19990 @end table
19991
19992 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
19993 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
19994 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
19995 triggers can be set using:
19996 @table @code
19997 @item $LEA/$LDATA
19998 Load effective address/data
19999 @item $SEA/$SDATA
20000 Store effective address/data
20001 @item $AEA/$ADATA
20002 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
20003 @item $FETCH
20004 Fetch data
20005 @end table
20006
20007 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
20008 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
20009
20010 @code{htrace} commands:
20011 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
20012 @table @code
20013 @kindex hwatch
20014 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
20015 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
20016 or Data. For example:
20017
20018 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
20019
20020 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
20021
20022 @kindex htrace
20023 @item htrace info
20024 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
20025
20026 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
20027 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
20028
20029 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
20030 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
20031
20032 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
20033 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
20034
20035 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
20036 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
20037 triggered.
20038
20039 @item htrace enable
20040 @itemx htrace disable
20041 Enables/disables the HW trace.
20042
20043 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
20044 Clears currently recorded trace data.
20045
20046 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
20047 will be written there.
20048
20049 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
20050 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
20051
20052 @item htrace mode continuous
20053 Set continuous trace mode.
20054
20055 @item htrace mode suspend
20056 Set suspend trace mode.
20057
20058 @end table
20059
20060 @node PowerPC Embedded
20061 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
20062
20063 @cindex DVC register
20064 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
20065 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
20066
20067 @smallexample
20068 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
20069 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
20070 @end smallexample
20071
20072 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
20073 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
20074 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
20075 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
20076 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
20077 or newer.
20078
20079 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
20080 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
20081 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
20082 watching variables of scalar types.
20083
20084 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
20085 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
20086
20087 @smallexample
20088 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
20089 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
20090 @end smallexample
20091
20092 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
20093 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
20094
20095 @cindex ranged breakpoint
20096 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
20097 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
20098 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
20099 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
20100 use the @code{break-range} command.
20101
20102 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
20103
20104 @table @code
20105 @kindex break-range
20106 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
20107 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
20108 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
20109 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
20110 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
20111 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
20112 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
20113 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
20114 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
20115
20116 @kindex set powerpc
20117 @item set powerpc soft-float
20118 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
20119 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
20120 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
20121 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20122
20123 @item set powerpc vector-abi
20124 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
20125 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
20126 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
20127 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
20128 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
20129 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
20130 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
20131
20132 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
20133 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
20134 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
20135 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
20136 address of its first byte.
20137
20138 @kindex target dink32
20139 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
20140 DINK32 ROM monitor.
20141
20142 @kindex target ppcbug
20143 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
20144 @kindex target ppcbug1
20145 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
20146 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
20147
20148 @kindex target sds
20149 @item target sds @var{dev}
20150 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
20151 @end table
20152
20153 @cindex SDS protocol
20154 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
20155 by @value{GDBN}:
20156
20157 @table @code
20158 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
20159 @kindex set sdstimeout
20160 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
20161 default is 2 seconds.
20162
20163 @item show sdstimeout
20164 @kindex show sdstimeout
20165 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
20166
20167 @item sds @var{command}
20168 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
20169 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
20170 @end table
20171
20172
20173 @node PA
20174 @subsection HP PA Embedded
20175
20176 @table @code
20177
20178 @kindex target op50n
20179 @item target op50n @var{dev}
20180 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
20181
20182 @kindex target w89k
20183 @item target w89k @var{dev}
20184 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
20185
20186 @end table
20187
20188 @node Sparclet
20189 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
20190
20191 @cindex Sparclet
20192
20193 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
20194 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
20195 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
20196 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
20197 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
20198
20199 @table @code
20200 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
20201 @kindex remotetimeout
20202 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
20203 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
20204 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
20205 @end table
20206
20207 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
20208 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
20209 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
20210 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
20211 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
20212
20213 @smallexample
20214 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
20215 @end smallexample
20216
20217 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
20218
20219 @smallexample
20220 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
20221 @end smallexample
20222
20223 @cindex running, on Sparclet
20224 Once you have set
20225 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
20226 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
20227 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
20228
20229 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
20230
20231 @smallexample
20232 (gdbslet)
20233 @end smallexample
20234
20235 @menu
20236 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
20237 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
20238 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
20239 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
20240 @end menu
20241
20242 @node Sparclet File
20243 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
20244
20245 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
20246
20247 @smallexample
20248 (gdbslet) file prog
20249 @end smallexample
20250
20251 @need 1000
20252 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
20253 @value{GDBN} locates
20254 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
20255 path.
20256 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
20257 files will be searched as well.
20258 @value{GDBN} locates
20259 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
20260 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
20261 If it fails
20262 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
20263
20264 @smallexample
20265 prog: No such file or directory.
20266 @end smallexample
20267
20268 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
20269 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
20270 @code{target} command again.
20271
20272 @node Sparclet Connection
20273 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
20274
20275 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
20276 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
20277
20278 @smallexample
20279 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
20280 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
20281 main () at ../prog.c:3
20282 @end smallexample
20283
20284 @need 750
20285 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
20286
20287 @smallexample
20288 Connected to ttya.
20289 @end smallexample
20290
20291 @node Sparclet Download
20292 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
20293
20294 @cindex download to Sparclet
20295 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
20296 you can use the @value{GDBN}
20297 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
20298 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
20299 command.
20300 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
20301 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
20302 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
20303 of each of the file's sections.
20304 For instance, if the program
20305 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
20306 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
20307
20308 @smallexample
20309 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
20310 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
20311 @end smallexample
20312
20313 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
20314 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
20315 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
20316
20317 @node Sparclet Execution
20318 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
20319
20320 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
20321 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
20322 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
20323 manual for the list of commands.
20324
20325 @smallexample
20326 (gdbslet) b main
20327 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
20328 (gdbslet) run
20329 Starting program: prog
20330 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
20331 3 char *symarg = 0;
20332 (gdbslet) step
20333 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
20334 (gdbslet)
20335 @end smallexample
20336
20337 @node Sparclite
20338 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
20339
20340 @table @code
20341
20342 @kindex target sparclite
20343 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
20344 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
20345 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
20346 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
20347 remote protocol.
20348
20349 @end table
20350
20351 @node Z8000
20352 @subsection Zilog Z8000
20353
20354 @cindex Z8000
20355 @cindex simulator, Z8000
20356 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
20357
20358 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
20359 a Z8000 simulator.
20360
20361 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
20362 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
20363 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
20364 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
20365
20366 @table @code
20367 @item target sim @var{args}
20368 @kindex sim
20369 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
20370 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
20371 options, specify them via @var{args}.
20372 @end table
20373
20374 @noindent
20375 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
20376 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
20377 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
20378 to run your program, and so on.
20379
20380 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
20381 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
20382 additional items of information as specially named registers:
20383
20384 @table @code
20385
20386 @item cycles
20387 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
20388
20389 @item insts
20390 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
20391
20392 @item time
20393 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
20394
20395 @end table
20396
20397 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
20398 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
20399 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
20400 simulated clock ticks.
20401
20402 @node AVR
20403 @subsection Atmel AVR
20404 @cindex AVR
20405
20406 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
20407 following AVR-specific commands:
20408
20409 @table @code
20410 @item info io_registers
20411 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
20412 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
20413 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
20414 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
20415 @end table
20416
20417 @node CRIS
20418 @subsection CRIS
20419 @cindex CRIS
20420
20421 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
20422 following CRIS-specific commands:
20423
20424 @table @code
20425 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
20426 @cindex CRIS version
20427 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
20428 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
20429 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
20430
20431 @item show cris-version
20432 Show the current CRIS version.
20433
20434 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
20435 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
20436 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
20437 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
20438 @code{R59}.
20439
20440 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
20441 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
20442
20443 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
20444 @cindex CRIS mode
20445 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
20446 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
20447 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
20448
20449 @item show cris-mode
20450 Show the current CRIS mode.
20451 @end table
20452
20453 @node Super-H
20454 @subsection Renesas Super-H
20455 @cindex Super-H
20456
20457 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
20458 commands:
20459
20460 @table @code
20461 @item regs
20462 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
20463 This command is deprecated, and @code{info all-registers} should be
20464 used instead.
20465
20466 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
20467
20468 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
20469 @kindex set sh calling-convention
20470 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
20471 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
20472 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
20473 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
20474 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
20475 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
20476 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
20477 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
20478 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
20479 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
20480
20481 @item show sh calling-convention
20482 @kindex show sh calling-convention
20483 Show the current calling convention setting.
20484
20485 @end table
20486
20487
20488 @node Architectures
20489 @section Architectures
20490
20491 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
20492 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
20493
20494 @menu
20495 * i386::
20496 * Alpha::
20497 * MIPS::
20498 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
20499 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20500 * PowerPC::
20501 @end menu
20502
20503 @node i386
20504 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
20505
20506 @table @code
20507 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
20508 @kindex set struct-convention
20509 @cindex struct return convention
20510 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
20511 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
20512 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
20513 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
20514 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
20515 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
20516 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
20517 be returned in a register.
20518
20519 @item show struct-convention
20520 @kindex show struct-convention
20521 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
20522 from functions.
20523 @end table
20524
20525 @node Alpha
20526 @subsection Alpha
20527
20528 See the following section.
20529
20530 @node MIPS
20531 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}
20532
20533 @cindex stack on Alpha
20534 @cindex stack on @acronym{MIPS}
20535 @cindex Alpha stack
20536 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} stack
20537 Alpha- and @acronym{MIPS}-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
20538 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
20539 find the beginning of a function.
20540
20541 @cindex response time, @acronym{MIPS} debugging
20542 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
20543 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
20544 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
20545 commands:
20546
20547 @table @code
20548 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, @acronym{MIPS})
20549 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
20550 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
20551 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
20552 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
20553 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
20554 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
20555 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
20556
20557 @item show heuristic-fence-post
20558 Display the current limit.
20559 @end table
20560
20561 @noindent
20562 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
20563 for debugging programs on Alpha or @acronym{MIPS} processors.
20564
20565 Several @acronym{MIPS}-specific commands are available when debugging @acronym{MIPS}
20566 programs:
20567
20568 @table @code
20569 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
20570 @kindex set mips abi
20571 @cindex set ABI for @acronym{MIPS}
20572 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
20573 values of @var{arg} are:
20574
20575 @table @samp
20576 @item auto
20577 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
20578 default).
20579 @item o32
20580 @item o64
20581 @item n32
20582 @item n64
20583 @item eabi32
20584 @item eabi64
20585 @end table
20586
20587 @item show mips abi
20588 @kindex show mips abi
20589 Show the @acronym{MIPS} ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20590
20591 @item set mips compression @var{arg}
20592 @kindex set mips compression
20593 @cindex code compression, @acronym{MIPS}
20594 Tell @value{GDBN} which @acronym{MIPS} compressed
20595 @acronym{ISA, Instruction Set Architecture} encoding is used by the
20596 inferior. @value{GDBN} uses this for code disassembly and other
20597 internal interpretation purposes. This setting is only referred to
20598 when no executable has been associated with the debugging session or
20599 the executable does not provide information about the encoding it uses.
20600 Otherwise this setting is automatically updated from information
20601 provided by the executable.
20602
20603 Possible values of @var{arg} are @samp{mips16} and @samp{micromips}.
20604 The default compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding is @samp{mips16}, as
20605 executables containing @acronym{MIPS16} code frequently are not
20606 identified as such.
20607
20608 This setting is ``sticky''; that is, it retains its value across
20609 debugging sessions until reset either explicitly with this command or
20610 implicitly from an executable.
20611
20612 The compiler and/or assembler typically add symbol table annotations to
20613 identify functions compiled for the @acronym{MIPS16} or
20614 @acronym{microMIPS} @acronym{ISA}s. If these function-scope annotations
20615 are present, @value{GDBN} uses them in preference to the global
20616 compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding setting.
20617
20618 @item show mips compression
20619 @kindex show mips compression
20620 Show the @acronym{MIPS} compressed @acronym{ISA} encoding used by
20621 @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
20622
20623 @item set mipsfpu
20624 @itemx show mipsfpu
20625 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
20626
20627 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
20628 @kindex set mips mask-address
20629 @cindex @acronym{MIPS} addresses, masking
20630 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
20631 @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
20632 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
20633 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
20634
20635 @item show mips mask-address
20636 @kindex show mips mask-address
20637 Show whether the upper 32 bits of @acronym{MIPS} addresses are masked off or
20638 not.
20639
20640 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20641 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20642 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit @acronym{MIPS} targets that
20643 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old @acronym{MIPS} 64 target
20644 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
20645 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
20646
20647 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20648 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
20649 Show the current setting of compatibility with older @acronym{MIPS} 64 targets.
20650
20651 @item set debug mips
20652 @kindex set debug mips
20653 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the @acronym{MIPS}-specific
20654 target code in @value{GDBN}.
20655
20656 @item show debug mips
20657 @kindex show debug mips
20658 Show the current setting of @acronym{MIPS} debugging messages.
20659 @end table
20660
20661
20662 @node HPPA
20663 @subsection HPPA
20664 @cindex HPPA support
20665
20666 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
20667 following special commands:
20668
20669 @table @code
20670 @item set debug hppa
20671 @kindex set debug hppa
20672 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
20673 messages are to be displayed.
20674
20675 @item show debug hppa
20676 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
20677
20678 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
20679 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
20680 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
20681 given @var{address}.
20682
20683 @end table
20684
20685
20686 @node SPU
20687 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
20688 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
20689 @cindex SPU
20690
20691 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
20692 it provides the following special commands:
20693
20694 @table @code
20695 @item info spu event
20696 @kindex info spu
20697 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
20698 and pending event status.
20699
20700 @item info spu signal
20701 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
20702 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
20703 notification channels.
20704
20705 @item info spu mailbox
20706 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
20707 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
20708 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
20709
20710 @item info spu dma
20711 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20712 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20713 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20714
20715 @item info spu proxydma
20716 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
20717 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
20718 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
20719
20720 @end table
20721
20722 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
20723 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
20724 special commands:
20725
20726 @table @code
20727 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
20728 @kindex set spu
20729 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
20730 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
20731 function. The default is @code{off}.
20732
20733 @item show spu stop-on-load
20734 @kindex show spu
20735 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
20736
20737 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
20738 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
20739 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
20740 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
20741 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
20742 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
20743
20744 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
20745 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
20746
20747 @end table
20748
20749 @node PowerPC
20750 @subsection PowerPC
20751 @cindex PowerPC architecture
20752
20753 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
20754 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
20755 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
20756 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
20757 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
20758
20759 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
20760 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
20761 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
20762
20763 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
20764 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
20765
20766
20767 @node Controlling GDB
20768 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
20769
20770 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
20771 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
20772 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
20773 described here.
20774
20775 @menu
20776 * Prompt:: Prompt
20777 * Editing:: Command editing
20778 * Command History:: Command history
20779 * Screen Size:: Screen size
20780 * Numbers:: Numbers
20781 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
20782 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading associated files
20783 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
20784 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
20785 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
20786 @end menu
20787
20788 @node Prompt
20789 @section Prompt
20790
20791 @cindex prompt
20792
20793 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
20794 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
20795 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
20796 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
20797 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
20798 which one you are talking to.
20799
20800 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
20801 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
20802 or a prompt that does not.
20803
20804 @table @code
20805 @kindex set prompt
20806 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
20807 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
20808
20809 @kindex show prompt
20810 @item show prompt
20811 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
20812 @end table
20813
20814 Versions of @value{GDBN} that ship with Python scripting enabled have
20815 prompt extensions. The commands for interacting with these extensions
20816 are:
20817
20818 @table @code
20819 @kindex set extended-prompt
20820 @item set extended-prompt @var{prompt}
20821 Set an extended prompt that allows for substitutions.
20822 @xref{gdb.prompt}, for a list of escape sequences that can be used for
20823 substitution. Any escape sequences specified as part of the prompt
20824 string are replaced with the corresponding strings each time the prompt
20825 is displayed.
20826
20827 For example:
20828
20829 @smallexample
20830 set extended-prompt Current working directory: \w (gdb)
20831 @end smallexample
20832
20833 Note that when an extended-prompt is set, it takes control of the
20834 @var{prompt_hook} hook. @xref{prompt_hook}, for further information.
20835
20836 @kindex show extended-prompt
20837 @item show extended-prompt
20838 Prints the extended prompt. Any escape sequences specified as part of
20839 the prompt string with @code{set extended-prompt}, are replaced with the
20840 corresponding strings each time the prompt is displayed.
20841 @end table
20842
20843 @node Editing
20844 @section Command Editing
20845 @cindex readline
20846 @cindex command line editing
20847
20848 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
20849 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
20850 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
20851 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
20852 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
20853 debugging sessions.
20854
20855 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
20856 command @code{set}.
20857
20858 @table @code
20859 @kindex set editing
20860 @cindex editing
20861 @item set editing
20862 @itemx set editing on
20863 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
20864
20865 @item set editing off
20866 Disable command line editing.
20867
20868 @kindex show editing
20869 @item show editing
20870 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
20871 @end table
20872
20873 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20874 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
20875 @end ifset
20876 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20877 @xref{Command Line Editing},
20878 @end ifclear
20879 for more details about the Readline
20880 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
20881 encouraged to read that chapter.
20882
20883 @node Command History
20884 @section Command History
20885 @cindex command history
20886
20887 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
20888 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
20889 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
20890 history facility.
20891
20892 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
20893 package, to provide the history facility.
20894 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20895 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
20896 @end ifset
20897 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20898 @xref{Using History Interactively},
20899 @end ifclear
20900 for the detailed description of the History library.
20901
20902 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
20903 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
20904 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
20905 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
20906 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
20907 pressed on a line by itself.
20908
20909 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
20910 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
20911 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
20912 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
20913
20914 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
20915 history.
20916
20917 @table @code
20918 @cindex history substitution
20919 @cindex history file
20920 @kindex set history filename
20921 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
20922 @item set history filename @var{fname}
20923 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
20924 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
20925 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
20926 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
20927 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
20928 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
20929 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
20930 is not set.
20931
20932 @cindex save command history
20933 @kindex set history save
20934 @item set history save
20935 @itemx set history save on
20936 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
20937 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
20938
20939 @item set history save off
20940 Stop recording command history in a file.
20941
20942 @cindex history size
20943 @kindex set history size
20944 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
20945 @item set history size @var{size}
20946 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
20947 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
20948 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
20949 @end table
20950
20951 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
20952 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
20953 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
20954 @end ifset
20955 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
20956 @xref{Event Designators},
20957 @end ifclear
20958 for more details.
20959
20960 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
20961 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
20962 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
20963 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
20964 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
20965 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
20966 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
20967 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
20968
20969 The commands to control history expansion are:
20970
20971 @table @code
20972 @item set history expansion on
20973 @itemx set history expansion
20974 @kindex set history expansion
20975 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
20976
20977 @item set history expansion off
20978 Disable history expansion.
20979
20980 @c @group
20981 @kindex show history
20982 @item show history
20983 @itemx show history filename
20984 @itemx show history save
20985 @itemx show history size
20986 @itemx show history expansion
20987 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
20988 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
20989 @c @end group
20990 @end table
20991
20992 @table @code
20993 @kindex show commands
20994 @cindex show last commands
20995 @cindex display command history
20996 @item show commands
20997 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
20998
20999 @item show commands @var{n}
21000 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
21001
21002 @item show commands +
21003 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
21004 @end table
21005
21006 @node Screen Size
21007 @section Screen Size
21008 @cindex size of screen
21009 @cindex pauses in output
21010
21011 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
21012 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
21013 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
21014 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
21015 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
21016 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
21017 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
21018 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
21019
21020 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
21021 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
21022 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
21023 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
21024 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
21025 width} commands:
21026
21027 @table @code
21028 @kindex set height
21029 @kindex set width
21030 @kindex show width
21031 @kindex show height
21032 @item set height @var{lpp}
21033 @itemx show height
21034 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
21035 @itemx show width
21036 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
21037 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
21038 commands display the current settings.
21039
21040 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
21041 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
21042 file or to an editor buffer.
21043
21044 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
21045 from wrapping its output.
21046
21047 @item set pagination on
21048 @itemx set pagination off
21049 @kindex set pagination
21050 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
21051 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
21052 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
21053 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
21054
21055 @item show pagination
21056 @kindex show pagination
21057 Show the current pagination mode.
21058 @end table
21059
21060 @node Numbers
21061 @section Numbers
21062 @cindex number representation
21063 @cindex entering numbers
21064
21065 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
21066 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
21067 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
21068 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
21069 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
21070 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
21071 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
21072 both input and output with the commands described below.
21073
21074 @table @code
21075 @kindex set input-radix
21076 @item set input-radix @var{base}
21077 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
21078 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21079 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
21080 example, any of
21081
21082 @smallexample
21083 set input-radix 012
21084 set input-radix 10.
21085 set input-radix 0xa
21086 @end smallexample
21087
21088 @noindent
21089 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
21090 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
21091 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
21092 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
21093 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
21094 change the radix.
21095
21096 @kindex set output-radix
21097 @item set output-radix @var{base}
21098 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
21099 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
21100 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
21101
21102 @kindex show input-radix
21103 @item show input-radix
21104 Display the current default base for numeric input.
21105
21106 @kindex show output-radix
21107 @item show output-radix
21108 Display the current default base for numeric display.
21109
21110 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
21111 @itemx show radix
21112 @kindex set radix
21113 @kindex show radix
21114 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
21115 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
21116 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
21117 default value of 10.
21118
21119 @end table
21120
21121 @node ABI
21122 @section Configuring the Current ABI
21123
21124 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
21125 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
21126 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
21127 current ABI.
21128
21129 @cindex OS ABI
21130 @kindex set osabi
21131 @kindex show osabi
21132
21133 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
21134 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
21135 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
21136 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
21137 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
21138 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
21139 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
21140 platform provides.
21141
21142 @table @code
21143 @item show osabi
21144 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
21145
21146 @item set osabi
21147 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
21148
21149 @item set osabi @var{abi}
21150 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
21151 @end table
21152
21153 @cindex float promotion
21154
21155 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
21156 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
21157 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
21158 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
21159 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
21160 @code{double} and then passed.
21161
21162 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
21163 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
21164 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
21165
21166 @table @code
21167 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
21168 @item set coerce-float-to-double
21169 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
21170 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
21171 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
21172
21173 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
21174 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
21175 functions.
21176
21177 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
21178 @item show coerce-float-to-double
21179 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
21180 @end table
21181
21182 @kindex set cp-abi
21183 @kindex show cp-abi
21184 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
21185 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
21186 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
21187 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
21188 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
21189 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
21190 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
21191 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
21192 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
21193 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
21194 ``auto''.
21195
21196 @table @code
21197 @item show cp-abi
21198 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
21199
21200 @item set cp-abi
21201 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
21202
21203 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
21204 @itemx set cp-abi auto
21205 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
21206 @end table
21207
21208 @node Auto-loading
21209 @section Automatically loading associated files
21210 @cindex auto-loading
21211
21212 @value{GDBN} sometimes reads files with commands and settings automatically,
21213 without being explicitly told so by the user. We call this feature
21214 @dfn{auto-loading}. While auto-loading is useful for automatically adapting
21215 @value{GDBN} to the needs of your project, it can sometimes produce unexpected
21216 results or introduce security risks (e.g., if the file comes from untrusted
21217 sources).
21218
21219 Note that loading of these associated files (including the local @file{.gdbinit}
21220 file) requires accordingly configured @code{auto-load safe-path}
21221 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21222
21223 For these reasons, @value{GDBN} includes commands and options to let you
21224 control when to auto-load files and which files should be auto-loaded.
21225
21226 @table @code
21227 @anchor{set auto-load off}
21228 @kindex set auto-load off
21229 @item set auto-load off
21230 Globally disable loading of all auto-loaded files.
21231 You may want to use this command with the @samp{-iex} option
21232 (@pxref{Option -init-eval-command}) such as:
21233 @smallexample
21234 $ @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load off" untrusted-executable corefile}
21235 @end smallexample
21236
21237 Be aware that system init file (@pxref{System-wide configuration})
21238 and init files from your home directory (@pxref{Home Directory Init File})
21239 still get read (as they come from generally trusted directories).
21240 To prevent @value{GDBN} from auto-loading even those init files, use the
21241 @option{-nx} option (@pxref{Mode Options}), in addition to
21242 @code{set auto-load no}.
21243
21244 @anchor{show auto-load}
21245 @kindex show auto-load
21246 @item show auto-load
21247 Show whether auto-loading of each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) is enabled
21248 or disabled.
21249
21250 @smallexample
21251 (gdb) show auto-load
21252 gdb-scripts: Auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is on.
21253 libthread-db: Auto-loading of inferior specific libthread_db is on.
21254 local-gdbinit: Auto-loading of .gdbinit script from current directory
21255 is on.
21256 python-scripts: Auto-loading of Python scripts is on.
21257 safe-path: List of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21258 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21259 scripts-directory: List of directories from which to load auto-loaded scripts
21260 is $debugdir:$datadir/auto-load.
21261 @end smallexample
21262
21263 @anchor{info auto-load}
21264 @kindex info auto-load
21265 @item info auto-load
21266 Print whether each specific @samp{auto-load} file(s) have been auto-loaded or
21267 not.
21268
21269 @smallexample
21270 (gdb) info auto-load
21271 gdb-scripts:
21272 Loaded Script
21273 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb
21274 libthread-db: No auto-loaded libthread-db.
21275 local-gdbinit: Local .gdbinit file "/home/user/gdb/.gdbinit" has been
21276 loaded.
21277 python-scripts:
21278 Loaded Script
21279 Yes /home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py
21280 @end smallexample
21281 @end table
21282
21283 These are various kinds of files @value{GDBN} can automatically load:
21284
21285 @itemize @bullet
21286 @item
21287 @xref{objfile-gdb.py file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21288 @item
21289 @xref{objfile-gdb.gdb file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21290 @item
21291 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section},
21292 controlled by @ref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21293 @item
21294 @xref{Init File in the Current Directory},
21295 controlled by @ref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21296 @item
21297 @xref{libthread_db.so.1 file}, controlled by @ref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21298 @end itemize
21299
21300 These are @value{GDBN} control commands for the auto-loading:
21301
21302 @multitable @columnfractions .5 .5
21303 @item @xref{set auto-load off}.
21304 @tab Disable auto-loading globally.
21305 @item @xref{show auto-load}.
21306 @tab Show setting of all kinds of files.
21307 @item @xref{info auto-load}.
21308 @tab Show state of all kinds of files.
21309 @item @xref{set auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21310 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21311 @item @xref{show auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21312 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21313 @item @xref{info auto-load gdb-scripts}.
21314 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} command scripts.
21315 @item @xref{set auto-load python-scripts}.
21316 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21317 @item @xref{show auto-load python-scripts}.
21318 @tab Show setting of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21319 @item @xref{info auto-load python-scripts}.
21320 @tab Show state of @value{GDBN} Python scripts.
21321 @item @xref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21322 @tab Control for @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21323 @item @xref{show auto-load scripts-directory}.
21324 @tab Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
21325 @item @xref{set auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21326 @tab Control for init file in the current directory.
21327 @item @xref{show auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21328 @tab Show setting of init file in the current directory.
21329 @item @xref{info auto-load local-gdbinit}.
21330 @tab Show state of init file in the current directory.
21331 @item @xref{set auto-load libthread-db}.
21332 @tab Control for thread debugging library.
21333 @item @xref{show auto-load libthread-db}.
21334 @tab Show setting of thread debugging library.
21335 @item @xref{info auto-load libthread-db}.
21336 @tab Show state of thread debugging library.
21337 @item @xref{set auto-load safe-path}.
21338 @tab Control directories trusted for automatic loading.
21339 @item @xref{show auto-load safe-path}.
21340 @tab Show directories trusted for automatic loading.
21341 @item @xref{add-auto-load-safe-path}.
21342 @tab Add directory trusted for automatic loading.
21343 @end multitable
21344
21345 @menu
21346 * Init File in the Current Directory:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21347 * libthread_db.so.1 file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load libthread-db}
21348 * objfile-gdb.gdb file:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load gdb-script}
21349 * Auto-loading safe path:: @samp{set/show/info auto-load safe-path}
21350 * Auto-loading verbose mode:: @samp{set/show debug auto-load}
21351 @xref{Python Auto-loading}.
21352 @end menu
21353
21354 @node Init File in the Current Directory
21355 @subsection Automatically loading init file in the current directory
21356 @cindex auto-loading init file in the current directory
21357
21358 By default, @value{GDBN} reads and executes the canned sequences of commands
21359 from init file (if any) in the current working directory,
21360 see @ref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}.
21361
21362 Note that loading of this local @file{.gdbinit} file also requires accordingly
21363 configured @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21364
21365 @table @code
21366 @anchor{set auto-load local-gdbinit}
21367 @kindex set auto-load local-gdbinit
21368 @item set auto-load local-gdbinit [on|off]
21369 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands
21370 (@pxref{Sequences}) found in init file in the current directory.
21371
21372 @anchor{show auto-load local-gdbinit}
21373 @kindex show auto-load local-gdbinit
21374 @item show auto-load local-gdbinit
21375 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21376 current directory is enabled or disabled.
21377
21378 @anchor{info auto-load local-gdbinit}
21379 @kindex info auto-load local-gdbinit
21380 @item info auto-load local-gdbinit
21381 Print whether canned sequences of commands from init file in the
21382 current directory have been auto-loaded.
21383 @end table
21384
21385 @node libthread_db.so.1 file
21386 @subsection Automatically loading thread debugging library
21387 @cindex auto-loading libthread_db.so.1
21388
21389 This feature is currently present only on @sc{gnu}/Linux native hosts.
21390
21391 @value{GDBN} reads in some cases thread debugging library from places specific
21392 to the inferior (@pxref{set libthread-db-search-path}).
21393
21394 The special @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entry @samp{$sdir} is processed
21395 without checking this @samp{set auto-load libthread-db} switch as system
21396 libraries have to be trusted in general. In all other cases of
21397 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} entries @value{GDBN} checks first if @samp{set
21398 auto-load libthread-db} is enabled before trying to open such thread debugging
21399 library.
21400
21401 Note that loading of this debugging library also requires accordingly configured
21402 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21403
21404 @table @code
21405 @anchor{set auto-load libthread-db}
21406 @kindex set auto-load libthread-db
21407 @item set auto-load libthread-db [on|off]
21408 Enable or disable the auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library.
21409
21410 @anchor{show auto-load libthread-db}
21411 @kindex show auto-load libthread-db
21412 @item show auto-load libthread-db
21413 Show whether auto-loading of inferior specific thread debugging library is
21414 enabled or disabled.
21415
21416 @anchor{info auto-load libthread-db}
21417 @kindex info auto-load libthread-db
21418 @item info auto-load libthread-db
21419 Print the list of all loaded inferior specific thread debugging libraries and
21420 for each such library print list of inferior @var{pid}s using it.
21421 @end table
21422
21423 @node objfile-gdb.gdb file
21424 @subsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file
21425 @cindex auto-loading @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb}
21426
21427 @value{GDBN} tries to load an @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.gdb} file containing
21428 canned sequences of commands (@pxref{Sequences}), as long as @samp{set
21429 auto-load gdb-scripts} is set to @samp{on}.
21430
21431 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
21432 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
21433
21434 For more background refer to the similar Python scripts auto-loading
21435 description (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file}).
21436
21437 @table @code
21438 @anchor{set auto-load gdb-scripts}
21439 @kindex set auto-load gdb-scripts
21440 @item set auto-load gdb-scripts [on|off]
21441 Enable or disable the auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts.
21442
21443 @anchor{show auto-load gdb-scripts}
21444 @kindex show auto-load gdb-scripts
21445 @item show auto-load gdb-scripts
21446 Show whether auto-loading of canned sequences of commands scripts is enabled or
21447 disabled.
21448
21449 @anchor{info auto-load gdb-scripts}
21450 @kindex info auto-load gdb-scripts
21451 @cindex print list of auto-loaded canned sequences of commands scripts
21452 @item info auto-load gdb-scripts [@var{regexp}]
21453 Print the list of all canned sequences of commands scripts that @value{GDBN}
21454 auto-loaded.
21455 @end table
21456
21457 If @var{regexp} is supplied only canned sequences of commands scripts with
21458 matching names are printed.
21459
21460 @node Auto-loading safe path
21461 @subsection Security restriction for auto-loading
21462 @cindex auto-loading safe-path
21463
21464 As the files of inferior can come from untrusted source (such as submitted by
21465 an application user) @value{GDBN} does not always load any files automatically.
21466 @value{GDBN} provides the @samp{set auto-load safe-path} setting to list
21467 directories trusted for loading files not explicitly requested by user.
21468 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern.
21469
21470 If the path is not set properly you will see a warning and the file will not
21471 get loaded:
21472
21473 @smallexample
21474 $ ./gdb -q ./gdb
21475 Reading symbols from /home/user/gdb/gdb...done.
21476 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been
21477 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21478 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21479 warning: File "/home/user/gdb/gdb-gdb.py" auto-loading has been
21480 declined by your `auto-load safe-path' set
21481 to "$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load".
21482 @end smallexample
21483
21484 The list of trusted directories is controlled by the following commands:
21485
21486 @table @code
21487 @anchor{set auto-load safe-path}
21488 @kindex set auto-load safe-path
21489 @item set auto-load safe-path @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
21490 Set the list of directories (and their subdirectories) trusted for automatic
21491 loading and execution of scripts. You can also enter a specific trusted file.
21492 Each directory can also be a shell wildcard pattern; wildcards do not match
21493 directory separator - see @code{FNM_PATHNAME} for system function @code{fnmatch}
21494 (@pxref{Wildcard Matching, fnmatch, , libc, GNU C Library Reference Manual}).
21495 If you omit @var{directories}, @samp{auto-load safe-path} will be reset to
21496 its default value as specified during @value{GDBN} compilation.
21497
21498 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
21499 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
21500 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
21501
21502 @anchor{show auto-load safe-path}
21503 @kindex show auto-load safe-path
21504 @item show auto-load safe-path
21505 Show the list of directories trusted for automatic loading and execution of
21506 scripts.
21507
21508 @anchor{add-auto-load-safe-path}
21509 @kindex add-auto-load-safe-path
21510 @item add-auto-load-safe-path
21511 Add an entry (or list of entries) the list of directories trusted for automatic
21512 loading and execution of scripts. Multiple entries may be delimited by the
21513 host platform path separator in use.
21514 @end table
21515
21516 This variable defaults to what @code{--with-auto-load-dir} has been configured
21517 to (@pxref{with-auto-load-dir}). @file{$debugdir} and @file{$datadir}
21518 substitution applies the same as for @ref{set auto-load scripts-directory}.
21519 The default @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by
21520 @value{GDBN} configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-safe-path}.
21521
21522 Setting this variable to @file{/} disables this security protection,
21523 corresponding @value{GDBN} configuration option is
21524 @option{--without-auto-load-safe-path}.
21525 This variable is supposed to be set to the system directories writable by the
21526 system superuser only. Users can add their source directories in init files in
21527 their home directories (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). See also deprecated
21528 init file in the current directory
21529 (@pxref{Init File in the Current Directory during Startup}).
21530
21531 To force @value{GDBN} to load the files it declined to load in the previous
21532 example, you could use one of the following ways:
21533
21534 @table @asis
21535 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{add-auto-load-safe-path ~/src/gdb}
21536 Specify this trusted directory (or a file) as additional component of the list.
21537 You have to specify also any existing directories displayed by
21538 by @samp{show auto-load safe-path} (such as @samp{/usr:/bin} in this example).
21539
21540 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /usr:/bin:~/src/gdb" @dots{}}
21541 Specify this directory as in the previous case but just for a single
21542 @value{GDBN} session.
21543
21544 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load safe-path /" @dots{}}
21545 Disable auto-loading safety for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21546 This assumes all the files you debug during this @value{GDBN} session will come
21547 from trusted sources.
21548
21549 @item @kbd{./configure --without-auto-load-safe-path}
21550 During compilation of @value{GDBN} you may disable any auto-loading safety.
21551 This assumes all the files you will ever debug with this @value{GDBN} come from
21552 trusted sources.
21553 @end table
21554
21555 On the other hand you can also explicitly forbid automatic files loading which
21556 also suppresses any such warning messages:
21557
21558 @table @asis
21559 @item @kbd{gdb -iex "set auto-load no" @dots{}}
21560 You can use @value{GDBN} command-line option for a single @value{GDBN} session.
21561
21562 @item @file{~/.gdbinit}: @samp{set auto-load no}
21563 Disable auto-loading globally for the user
21564 (@pxref{Home Directory Init File}). While it is improbable, you could also
21565 use system init file instead (@pxref{System-wide configuration}).
21566 @end table
21567
21568 This setting applies to the file names as entered by user. If no entry matches
21569 @value{GDBN} tries as a last resort to also resolve all the file names into
21570 their canonical form (typically resolving symbolic links) and compare the
21571 entries again. @value{GDBN} already canonicalizes most of the filenames on its
21572 own before starting the comparison so a canonical form of directories is
21573 recommended to be entered.
21574
21575 @node Auto-loading verbose mode
21576 @subsection Displaying files tried for auto-load
21577 @cindex auto-loading verbose mode
21578
21579 For better visibility of all the file locations where you can place scripts to
21580 be auto-loaded with inferior --- or to protect yourself against accidental
21581 execution of untrusted scripts --- @value{GDBN} provides a feature for printing
21582 all the files attempted to be loaded. Both existing and non-existing files may
21583 be printed.
21584
21585 For example the list of directories from which it is safe to auto-load files
21586 (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}) applies also to canonicalized filenames which
21587 may not be too obvious while setting it up.
21588
21589 @smallexample
21590 (gdb) set debug auto-load on
21591 (gdb) file ~/src/t/true
21592 auto-load: Loading canned sequences of commands script "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb"
21593 for objfile "/tmp/true".
21594 auto-load: Updating directories of "/usr:/opt".
21595 auto-load: Using directory "/usr".
21596 auto-load: Using directory "/opt".
21597 warning: File "/tmp/true-gdb.gdb" auto-loading has been declined
21598 by your `auto-load safe-path' set to "/usr:/opt".
21599 @end smallexample
21600
21601 @table @code
21602 @anchor{set debug auto-load}
21603 @kindex set debug auto-load
21604 @item set debug auto-load [on|off]
21605 Set whether to print the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded.
21606
21607 @anchor{show debug auto-load}
21608 @kindex show debug auto-load
21609 @item show debug auto-load
21610 Show whether printing of the filenames attempted to be auto-loaded is turned
21611 on or off.
21612 @end table
21613
21614 @node Messages/Warnings
21615 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
21616
21617 @cindex verbose operation
21618 @cindex optional warnings
21619 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
21620 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
21621 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
21622 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
21623
21624 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
21625 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
21626 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
21627
21628 @table @code
21629 @kindex set verbose
21630 @item set verbose on
21631 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
21632
21633 @item set verbose off
21634 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
21635
21636 @kindex show verbose
21637 @item show verbose
21638 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
21639 @end table
21640
21641 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
21642 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
21643 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
21644 Symbol Files}).
21645
21646 @table @code
21647
21648 @kindex set complaints
21649 @item set complaints @var{limit}
21650 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
21651 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
21652 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
21653 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
21654
21655 @kindex show complaints
21656 @item show complaints
21657 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
21658
21659 @end table
21660
21661 @anchor{confirmation requests}
21662 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
21663 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
21664 you try to run a program which is already running:
21665
21666 @smallexample
21667 (@value{GDBP}) run
21668 The program being debugged has been started already.
21669 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
21670 @end smallexample
21671
21672 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
21673 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
21674
21675 @table @code
21676
21677 @kindex set confirm
21678 @cindex flinching
21679 @cindex confirmation
21680 @cindex stupid questions
21681 @item set confirm off
21682 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
21683 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
21684 automatically disables confirmation requests.
21685
21686 @item set confirm on
21687 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
21688
21689 @kindex show confirm
21690 @item show confirm
21691 Displays state of confirmation requests.
21692
21693 @end table
21694
21695 @cindex command tracing
21696 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
21697 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
21698 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
21699 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
21700
21701 @table @code
21702 @kindex set trace-commands
21703 @cindex command scripts, debugging
21704 @item set trace-commands on
21705 Enable command tracing.
21706 @item set trace-commands off
21707 Disable command tracing.
21708 @item show trace-commands
21709 Display the current state of command tracing.
21710 @end table
21711
21712 @node Debugging Output
21713 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
21714 @cindex optional debugging messages
21715
21716 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
21717 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
21718 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
21719 section documents those commands.
21720
21721 @table @code
21722 @kindex set exec-done-display
21723 @item set exec-done-display
21724 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
21725 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
21726 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
21727 @kindex show exec-done-display
21728 @item show exec-done-display
21729 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
21730 notification.
21731 @kindex set debug
21732 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
21733 @cindex architecture debugging info
21734 @item set debug arch
21735 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
21736 @kindex show debug
21737 @item show debug arch
21738 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
21739 @item set debug aix-thread
21740 @cindex AIX threads
21741 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
21742 module.
21743 @item show debug aix-thread
21744 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
21745 @item set debug check-physname
21746 @cindex physname
21747 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
21748 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
21749 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
21750 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
21751 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
21752 both ways and display any discrepancies.
21753 @item show debug check-physname
21754 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
21755 @item set debug dwarf2-die
21756 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
21757 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
21758 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
21759 A value of zero turns off the display.
21760 @item show debug dwarf2-die
21761 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
21762 @item set debug dwarf2-read
21763 @cindex DWARF2 Reading
21764 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to reading
21765 DWARF debug info. The default is off.
21766 @item show debug dwarf2-read
21767 Show the current state of DWARF2 reader debugging.
21768 @item set debug displaced
21769 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
21770 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
21771 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
21772 @item show debug displaced
21773 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
21774 related to displaced stepping.
21775 @item set debug event
21776 @cindex event debugging info
21777 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
21778 default is off.
21779 @item show debug event
21780 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
21781 info.
21782 @item set debug expression
21783 @cindex expression debugging info
21784 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
21785 expression parsing. The default is off.
21786 @item show debug expression
21787 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
21788 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
21789 @item set debug frame
21790 @cindex frame debugging info
21791 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
21792 default is off.
21793 @item show debug frame
21794 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
21795 info.
21796 @item set debug gnu-nat
21797 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
21798 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
21799 @item show debug gnu-nat
21800 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
21801 @item set debug infrun
21802 @cindex inferior debugging info
21803 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
21804 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
21805 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
21806 @item show debug infrun
21807 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
21808 @item set debug jit
21809 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
21810 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
21811 @item show debug jit
21812 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
21813 @item set debug lin-lwp
21814 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
21815 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
21816 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
21817 @item show debug lin-lwp
21818 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
21819 @item set debug observer
21820 @cindex observer debugging info
21821 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
21822 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
21823 @item show debug observer
21824 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
21825 @item set debug overload
21826 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
21827 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
21828 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
21829 is off.
21830 @item show debug overload
21831 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
21832 debugging info.
21833 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
21834 @cindex debug expression parser
21835 @item set debug parser
21836 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
21837 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
21838 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
21839 details. The default is off.
21840 @item show debug parser
21841 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
21842 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
21843 @cindex serial connections, debugging
21844 @cindex debug remote protocol
21845 @cindex remote protocol debugging
21846 @cindex display remote packets
21847 @item set debug remote
21848 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
21849 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
21850 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
21851 @item show debug remote
21852 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
21853 @item set debug serial
21854 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
21855 default is off.
21856 @item show debug serial
21857 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
21858 info.
21859 @item set debug solib-frv
21860 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
21861 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
21862 @item show debug solib-frv
21863 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
21864 messages.
21865 @item set debug symtab-create
21866 @cindex symbol table creation
21867 Turns on or off display of debugging messages related to symbol table creation.
21868 The default is off.
21869 @item show debug symtab-create
21870 Show the current state of symbol table creation debugging.
21871 @item set debug target
21872 @cindex target debugging info
21873 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
21874 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
21875 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
21876 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
21877 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
21878 @item show debug target
21879 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
21880 info.
21881 @item set debug timestamp
21882 @cindex timestampping debugging info
21883 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
21884 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
21885 message.
21886 @item show debug timestamp
21887 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
21888 debugging info.
21889 @item set debugvarobj
21890 @cindex variable object debugging info
21891 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
21892 info. The default is off.
21893 @item show debugvarobj
21894 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
21895 debugging info.
21896 @item set debug xml
21897 @cindex XML parser debugging
21898 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
21899 @item show debug xml
21900 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
21901 @end table
21902
21903 @node Other Misc Settings
21904 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
21905 @cindex miscellaneous settings
21906
21907 @table @code
21908 @kindex set interactive-mode
21909 @item set interactive-mode
21910 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
21911 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
21912 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
21913 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
21914 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
21915 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
21916 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
21917 is, non-interactively otherwise.
21918
21919 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
21920 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
21921 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
21922 inside a cygwin window.
21923
21924 @kindex show interactive-mode
21925 @item show interactive-mode
21926 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
21927 @end table
21928
21929 @node Extending GDB
21930 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
21931 @cindex extending GDB
21932
21933 @value{GDBN} provides three mechanisms for extension. The first is based
21934 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, the second is based on the
21935 Python scripting language, and the third is for defining new aliases of
21936 existing commands.
21937
21938 To facilitate the use of the first two extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
21939 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
21940 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
21941 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
21942 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
21943 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
21944
21945 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
21946 setting:
21947
21948 @table @code
21949 @kindex set script-extension
21950 @kindex show script-extension
21951 @item set script-extension off
21952 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
21953
21954 @item set script-extension soft
21955 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
21956 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
21957 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
21958 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
21959
21960 @item set script-extension strict
21961 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
21962 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
21963 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
21964
21965 @item show script-extension
21966 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
21967
21968 @end table
21969
21970 @menu
21971 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
21972 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
21973 * Aliases:: Creating new spellings of existing commands
21974 @end menu
21975
21976 @node Sequences
21977 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
21978
21979 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
21980 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
21981 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
21982 files.
21983
21984 @menu
21985 * Define:: How to define your own commands
21986 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
21987 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
21988 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
21989 @end menu
21990
21991 @node Define
21992 @subsection User-defined Commands
21993
21994 @cindex user-defined command
21995 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
21996 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
21997 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
21998 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
21999 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
22000 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
22001
22002 @smallexample
22003 define adder
22004 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22005 end
22006 @end smallexample
22007
22008 @noindent
22009 To execute the command use:
22010
22011 @smallexample
22012 adder 1 2 3
22013 @end smallexample
22014
22015 @noindent
22016 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
22017 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
22018 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
22019 functions calls.
22020
22021 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
22022 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
22023 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
22024 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
22025
22026 @smallexample
22027 define adder
22028 if $argc == 2
22029 print $arg0 + $arg1
22030 end
22031 if $argc == 3
22032 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
22033 end
22034 end
22035 @end smallexample
22036
22037 @table @code
22038
22039 @kindex define
22040 @item define @var{commandname}
22041 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
22042 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
22043 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
22044 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
22045 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
22046 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
22047
22048 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
22049 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
22050 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22051
22052 @kindex document
22053 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
22054 @item document @var{commandname}
22055 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
22056 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
22057 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
22058 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
22059 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
22060 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
22061
22062 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
22063 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
22064 does not change the documentation.
22065
22066 @kindex dont-repeat
22067 @cindex don't repeat command
22068 @item dont-repeat
22069 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
22070 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
22071 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
22072
22073 @kindex help user-defined
22074 @item help user-defined
22075 List all user-defined commands and all python commands defined in class
22076 COMAND_USER. The first line of the documentation or docstring is
22077 included (if any).
22078
22079 @kindex show user
22080 @item show user
22081 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
22082 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
22083 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
22084 definitions for all user-defined commands.
22085 This does not work for user-defined python commands.
22086
22087 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
22088 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
22089 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
22090 @item show max-user-call-depth
22091 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
22092 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
22093 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
22094 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
22095 This does not apply to user-defined python commands.
22096 @end table
22097
22098 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
22099 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
22100
22101 When user-defined commands are executed, the
22102 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
22103 stops execution of the user-defined command.
22104
22105 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
22106 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
22107 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
22108 messages when used in a user-defined command.
22109
22110 @node Hooks
22111 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
22112 @cindex command hooks
22113 @cindex hooks, for commands
22114 @cindex hooks, pre-command
22115
22116 @kindex hook
22117 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
22118 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
22119 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
22120 before that command.
22121
22122 @cindex hooks, post-command
22123 @kindex hookpost
22124 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
22125 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
22126 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
22127 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
22128 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
22129
22130 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
22131 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
22132
22133 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
22134 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
22135
22136 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
22137 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
22138 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
22139 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
22140 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
22141
22142 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
22143 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
22144 you could define:
22145
22146 @smallexample
22147 define hook-stop
22148 handle SIGALRM nopass
22149 end
22150
22151 define hook-run
22152 handle SIGALRM pass
22153 end
22154
22155 define hook-continue
22156 handle SIGALRM pass
22157 end
22158 @end smallexample
22159
22160 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
22161 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
22162 you could define:
22163
22164 @smallexample
22165 define hook-echo
22166 echo <<<---
22167 end
22168
22169 define hookpost-echo
22170 echo --->>>\n
22171 end
22172
22173 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
22174 <<<---Hello World--->>>
22175 (@value{GDBP})
22176
22177 @end smallexample
22178
22179 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
22180 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
22181 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
22182 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
22183 @c or not?
22184 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
22185 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
22186 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
22187
22188 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
22189 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
22190 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
22191
22192 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
22193 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
22194
22195 @node Command Files
22196 @subsection Command Files
22197
22198 @cindex command files
22199 @cindex scripting commands
22200 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
22201 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
22202 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
22203 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
22204 terminal.
22205
22206 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
22207 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
22208 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
22209 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
22210 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
22211
22212 @table @code
22213 @kindex source
22214 @cindex execute commands from a file
22215 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
22216 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
22217 @end table
22218
22219 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
22220 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
22221 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
22222 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
22223 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
22224
22225 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
22226 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
22227 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
22228 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
22229 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
22230 is not relevant to scripts.
22231
22232 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
22233 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
22234 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
22235 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
22236 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22237 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
22238 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
22239 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
22240 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
22241 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
22242 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
22243 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
22244 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
22245 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
22246
22247 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
22248 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
22249 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
22250
22251 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
22252 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
22253 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
22254 when called from command files.
22255
22256 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
22257 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
22258 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
22259 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
22260 the next command.
22261
22262 @smallexample
22263 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
22264 @end smallexample
22265
22266 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
22267 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
22268 would be directed to @file{log}.
22269
22270 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
22271 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
22272 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
22273 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
22274 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
22275 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
22276 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
22277 conditionally, etc.
22278
22279 @table @code
22280 @kindex if
22281 @kindex else
22282 @item if
22283 @itemx else
22284 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
22285 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
22286 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
22287 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
22288 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
22289 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
22290 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
22291
22292 @kindex while
22293 @item while
22294 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
22295 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
22296 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
22297 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
22298 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
22299 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
22300
22301 @kindex loop_break
22302 @item loop_break
22303 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
22304 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
22305 line.
22306
22307 @kindex loop_continue
22308 @item loop_continue
22309 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
22310 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
22311 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
22312 the controlling expression.
22313
22314 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
22315 @item end
22316 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
22317 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
22318 @end table
22319
22320
22321 @node Output
22322 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
22323
22324 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
22325 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
22326 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
22327 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
22328 want.
22329
22330 @table @code
22331 @kindex echo
22332 @item echo @var{text}
22333 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
22334 @c because it is not in ANSI.
22335 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
22336 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
22337 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
22338 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
22339 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
22340 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
22341 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
22342 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
22343 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
22344
22345 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
22346 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
22347
22348 @smallexample
22349 echo This is some text\n\
22350 which is continued\n\
22351 onto several lines.\n
22352 @end smallexample
22353
22354 produces the same output as
22355
22356 @smallexample
22357 echo This is some text\n
22358 echo which is continued\n
22359 echo onto several lines.\n
22360 @end smallexample
22361
22362 @kindex output
22363 @item output @var{expression}
22364 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
22365 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
22366 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
22367 on expressions.
22368
22369 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
22370 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
22371 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
22372 Formats}, for more information.
22373
22374 @kindex printf
22375 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22376 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22377 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
22378 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
22379 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
22380 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
22381 executing the code below:
22382
22383 @smallexample
22384 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
22385 @end smallexample
22386
22387 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
22388 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
22389 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
22390 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
22391 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
22392 printed.
22393
22394 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
22395
22396 @smallexample
22397 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
22398 @end smallexample
22399
22400 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
22401 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
22402 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
22403
22404 @itemize @bullet
22405 @item
22406 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
22407
22408 @item
22409 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
22410 width.
22411
22412 @item
22413 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
22414 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
22415
22416 @item
22417 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
22418 supported.
22419
22420 @item
22421 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
22422
22423 @item
22424 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
22425 @end itemize
22426
22427 @noindent
22428 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
22429 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
22430 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
22431 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
22432
22433 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
22434 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
22435 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
22436 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
22437 supported.
22438
22439 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
22440 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
22441 together with a floating point specifier.
22442 letters:
22443
22444 @itemize @bullet
22445 @item
22446 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
22447
22448 @item
22449 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
22450
22451 @item
22452 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
22453 @end itemize
22454
22455 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
22456 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
22457 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
22458
22459 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
22460 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
22461
22462 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
22463 @smallexample
22464 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
22465 @end smallexample
22466
22467 @kindex eval
22468 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
22469 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
22470 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
22471
22472 @end table
22473
22474 @node Python
22475 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
22476 @cindex python scripting
22477 @cindex scripting with python
22478
22479 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
22480 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
22481 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
22482
22483 @cindex python directory
22484 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
22485 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
22486 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
22487 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
22488 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
22489 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
22490
22491 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
22492 are written in Python and are located in the
22493 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
22494 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
22495 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
22496
22497 @menu
22498 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
22499 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
22500 * Python Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
22501 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
22502 @end menu
22503
22504 @node Python Commands
22505 @subsection Python Commands
22506 @cindex python commands
22507 @cindex commands to access python
22508
22509 @value{GDBN} provides two commands for accessing the Python interpreter,
22510 and one related setting:
22511
22512 @table @code
22513 @kindex python-interactive
22514 @kindex pi
22515 @item python-interactive @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22516 @itemx pi @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22517 Without an argument, the @code{python-interactive} command can be used
22518 to start an interactive Python prompt. To return to @value{GDBN},
22519 type the @code{EOF} character (e.g., @kbd{Ctrl-D} on an empty prompt).
22520
22521 Alternatively, a single-line Python command can be given as an
22522 argument and evaluated. If the command is an expression, the result
22523 will be printed; otherwise, nothing will be printed. For example:
22524
22525 @smallexample
22526 (@value{GDBP}) python-interactive 2 + 3
22527 5
22528 @end smallexample
22529
22530 @kindex python
22531 @kindex py
22532 @item python @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22533 @itemx py @r{[}@var{command}@r{]}
22534 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
22535
22536 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
22537 argument as a Python command. For example:
22538
22539 @smallexample
22540 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
22541 23
22542 @end smallexample
22543
22544 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
22545 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
22546 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
22547 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
22548 containing @code{end}. For example:
22549
22550 @smallexample
22551 (@value{GDBP}) python
22552 Type python script
22553 End with a line saying just "end".
22554 >print 23
22555 >end
22556 23
22557 @end smallexample
22558
22559 @kindex set python print-stack
22560 @item set python print-stack
22561 By default, @value{GDBN} will print only the message component of a
22562 Python exception when an error occurs in a Python script. This can be
22563 controlled using @code{set python print-stack}: if @code{full}, then
22564 full Python stack printing is enabled; if @code{none}, then Python stack
22565 and message printing is disabled; if @code{message}, the default, only
22566 the message component of the error is printed.
22567 @end table
22568
22569 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
22570 interpreter:
22571
22572 @table @code
22573 @item source @file{script-name}
22574 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
22575 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
22576 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
22577
22578 @item python execfile ("script-name")
22579 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
22580 and thus is always available.
22581 @end table
22582
22583 @node Python API
22584 @subsection Python API
22585 @cindex python api
22586 @cindex programming in python
22587
22588 @cindex python stdout
22589 @cindex python pagination
22590 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
22591 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
22592 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
22593 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
22594 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
22595
22596 @menu
22597 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
22598 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
22599 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
22600 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
22601 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
22602 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
22603 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
22604 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
22605 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
22606 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
22607 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
22608 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
22609 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
22610 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
22611 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
22612 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22613 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
22614 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
22615 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
22616 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
22617 * Finish Breakpoints in Python:: Setting Breakpoints on function return
22618 using Python.
22619 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
22620 @end menu
22621
22622 @node Basic Python
22623 @subsubsection Basic Python
22624
22625 @cindex python functions
22626 @cindex python module
22627 @cindex gdb module
22628 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
22629 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
22630 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
22631 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
22632
22633 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
22634 @defvar gdb.PYTHONDIR
22635 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
22636 @end defvar
22637
22638 @findex gdb.execute
22639 @defun gdb.execute (command @r{[}, from_tty @r{[}, to_string@r{]]})
22640 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
22641 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
22642 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
22643
22644 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
22645 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
22646 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
22647
22648 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
22649 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
22650 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
22651 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
22652 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
22653 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
22654 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
22655 @end defun
22656
22657 @findex gdb.breakpoints
22658 @defun gdb.breakpoints ()
22659 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
22660 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
22661 @end defun
22662
22663 @findex gdb.parameter
22664 @defun gdb.parameter (parameter)
22665 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
22666 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
22667 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
22668 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
22669
22670 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
22671 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
22672 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
22673 type, and returned.
22674 @end defun
22675
22676 @findex gdb.history
22677 @defun gdb.history (number)
22678 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
22679 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
22680 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
22681 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
22682 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
22683 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
22684 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
22685 raised.
22686
22687 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
22688 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
22689 @end defun
22690
22691 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
22692 @defun gdb.parse_and_eval (expression)
22693 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
22694 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
22695 @var{expression} must be a string.
22696
22697 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
22698 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
22699 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
22700 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
22701 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
22702 @end defun
22703
22704 @findex gdb.find_pc_line
22705 @defun gdb.find_pc_line (pc)
22706 Return the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object corresponding to the
22707 @var{pc} value. @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}. If an invalid
22708 value of @var{pc} is passed as an argument, then the @code{symtab} and
22709 @code{line} attributes of the returned @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object
22710 will be @code{None} and 0 respectively.
22711 @end defun
22712
22713 @findex gdb.post_event
22714 @defun gdb.post_event (event)
22715 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
22716 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
22717 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
22718 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
22719 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
22720 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
22721
22722 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
22723 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
22724 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
22725 this. For example:
22726
22727 @smallexample
22728 (@value{GDBP}) python
22729 >import threading
22730 >
22731 >class Writer():
22732 > def __init__(self, message):
22733 > self.message = message;
22734 > def __call__(self):
22735 > gdb.write(self.message)
22736 >
22737 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
22738 > def run (self):
22739 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
22740 >
22741 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
22742 > def run (self):
22743 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
22744 >
22745 >MyThread1().start()
22746 >MyThread2().start()
22747 >end
22748 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
22749 @end smallexample
22750 @end defun
22751
22752 @findex gdb.write
22753 @defun gdb.write (string @r{[}, stream{]})
22754 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
22755 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
22756 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
22757 values are:
22758
22759 @table @code
22760 @findex STDOUT
22761 @findex gdb.STDOUT
22762 @item gdb.STDOUT
22763 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
22764
22765 @findex STDERR
22766 @findex gdb.STDERR
22767 @item gdb.STDERR
22768 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
22769
22770 @findex STDLOG
22771 @findex gdb.STDLOG
22772 @item gdb.STDLOG
22773 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
22774 @end table
22775
22776 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
22777 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
22778 relevant stream.
22779 @end defun
22780
22781 @findex gdb.flush
22782 @defun gdb.flush ()
22783 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
22784 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
22785 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
22786 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
22787 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
22788 stream values are:
22789
22790 @table @code
22791 @findex STDOUT
22792 @findex gdb.STDOUT
22793 @item gdb.STDOUT
22794 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
22795
22796 @findex STDERR
22797 @findex gdb.STDERR
22798 @item gdb.STDERR
22799 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
22800
22801 @findex STDLOG
22802 @findex gdb.STDLOG
22803 @item gdb.STDLOG
22804 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
22805
22806 @end table
22807
22808 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
22809 call this function for the relevant stream.
22810 @end defun
22811
22812 @findex gdb.target_charset
22813 @defun gdb.target_charset ()
22814 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
22815 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
22816 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
22817 @end defun
22818
22819 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
22820 @defun gdb.target_wide_charset ()
22821 Return the name of the current target wide character set
22822 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
22823 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
22824 never returned.
22825 @end defun
22826
22827 @findex gdb.solib_name
22828 @defun gdb.solib_name (address)
22829 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
22830 as a string, or @code{None}.
22831 @end defun
22832
22833 @findex gdb.decode_line
22834 @defun gdb.decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
22835 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
22836 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
22837 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
22838 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
22839 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
22840 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
22841 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
22842 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
22843 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
22844 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
22845 @end defun
22846
22847 @defun gdb.prompt_hook (current_prompt)
22848 @anchor{prompt_hook}
22849
22850 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
22851 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
22852 @value{GDBN}.
22853
22854 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
22855 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
22856 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
22857 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
22858 the current prompt.
22859
22860 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
22861 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
22862 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
22863 @end defun
22864
22865 @node Exception Handling
22866 @subsubsection Exception Handling
22867 @cindex python exceptions
22868 @cindex exceptions, python
22869
22870 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
22871 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
22872 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
22873 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
22874 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
22875 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
22876 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
22877
22878 @smallexample
22879 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
22880 Traceback (most recent call last):
22881 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
22882 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
22883 @end smallexample
22884
22885 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
22886 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
22887 Python exception depends on the error.
22888
22889 @ftable @code
22890 @item gdb.error
22891 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
22892 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
22893 versions of @value{GDBN}.
22894
22895 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
22896 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
22897
22898 @item gdb.MemoryError
22899 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
22900 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
22901
22902 @item KeyboardInterrupt
22903 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
22904 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
22905 @end ftable
22906
22907 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
22908 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
22909 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
22910 traceback.
22911
22912 @findex gdb.GdbError
22913 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
22914 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
22915 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
22916 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
22917 to handle this case. Example:
22918
22919 @smallexample
22920 (gdb) python
22921 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22922 > """Greet the whole world."""
22923 > def __init__ (self):
22924 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
22925 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
22926 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
22927 > if len (argv) != 0:
22928 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
22929 > print "Hello, World!"
22930 >HelloWorld ()
22931 >end
22932 (gdb) hello-world 42
22933 hello-world takes no arguments
22934 @end smallexample
22935
22936 @node Values From Inferior
22937 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
22938 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
22939 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
22940
22941 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
22942 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
22943 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
22944 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
22945 fetching values when necessary.
22946
22947 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
22948 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
22949 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
22950
22951 @smallexample
22952 bar = some_val + 2
22953 @end smallexample
22954
22955 @noindent
22956 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
22957 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
22958
22959 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
22960 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
22961 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
22962 can access its @code{foo} element with:
22963
22964 @smallexample
22965 bar = some_val['foo']
22966 @end smallexample
22967
22968 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
22969
22970 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
22971 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
22972 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
22973 by that prototype.
22974
22975 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
22976 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
22977 execute this function, call it like so:
22978
22979 @smallexample
22980 result = some_val (10,20)
22981 @end smallexample
22982
22983 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
22984 @code{gdb.Value}.
22985
22986 The following attributes are provided:
22987
22988 @table @code
22989 @defvar Value.address
22990 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
22991 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
22992 this attribute holds @code{None}.
22993 @end defvar
22994
22995 @cindex optimized out value in Python
22996 @defvar Value.is_optimized_out
22997 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
22998 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
22999 @end defvar
23000
23001 @defvar Value.type
23002 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
23003 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
23004 @end defvar
23005
23006 @defvar Value.dynamic_type
23007 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
23008 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
23009 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
23010 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
23011 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
23012 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
23013 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
23014 type.
23015
23016 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
23017 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
23018 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
23019 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
23020 @end defvar
23021
23022 @defvar Value.is_lazy
23023 The value of this read-only boolean attribute is @code{True} if this
23024 @code{gdb.Value} has not yet been fetched from the inferior.
23025 @value{GDBN} does not fetch values until necessary, for efficiency.
23026 For example:
23027
23028 @smallexample
23029 myval = gdb.parse_and_eval ('somevar')
23030 @end smallexample
23031
23032 The value of @code{somevar} is not fetched at this time. It will be
23033 fetched when the value is needed, or when the @code{fetch_lazy}
23034 method is invoked.
23035 @end defvar
23036 @end table
23037
23038 The following methods are provided:
23039
23040 @table @code
23041 @defun Value.__init__ (@var{val})
23042 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
23043 this object initializer. Specifically:
23044
23045 @table @asis
23046 @item Python boolean
23047 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
23048 language.
23049
23050 @item Python integer
23051 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
23052 current architecture.
23053
23054 @item Python long
23055 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
23056 current architecture.
23057
23058 @item Python float
23059 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
23060 current architecture.
23061
23062 @item Python string
23063 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
23064 target encoding.
23065
23066 @item @code{gdb.Value}
23067 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
23068
23069 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
23070 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
23071 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
23072 its result is used.
23073 @end table
23074 @end defun
23075
23076 @defun Value.cast (type)
23077 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
23078 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
23079 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
23080 reason, this method throws an exception.
23081 @end defun
23082
23083 @defun Value.dereference ()
23084 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
23085 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
23086 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
23087
23088 @smallexample
23089 int *foo;
23090 @end smallexample
23091
23092 @noindent
23093 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
23094 @code{foo} points to like this:
23095
23096 @smallexample
23097 bar = foo.dereference ()
23098 @end smallexample
23099
23100 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
23101 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
23102
23103 A similar function @code{Value.referenced_value} exists which also
23104 returns @code{gdb.Value} objects corresonding to the values pointed to
23105 by pointer values (and additionally, values referenced by reference
23106 values). However, the behavior of @code{Value.dereference}
23107 differs from @code{Value.referenced_value} by the fact that the
23108 behavior of @code{Value.dereference} is identical to applying the C
23109 unary operator @code{*} on a given value. For example, consider a
23110 reference to a pointer @code{ptrref}, declared in your C@t{++} program
23111 as
23112
23113 @smallexample
23114 typedef int *intptr;
23115 ...
23116 int val = 10;
23117 intptr ptr = &val;
23118 intptr &ptrref = ptr;
23119 @end smallexample
23120
23121 Though @code{ptrref} is a reference value, one can apply the method
23122 @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding
23123 to it and obtain a @code{gdb.Value} which is identical to that
23124 corresponding to @code{val}. However, if you apply the method
23125 @code{Value.referenced_value}, the result would be a @code{gdb.Value}
23126 object identical to that corresponding to @code{ptr}.
23127
23128 @smallexample
23129 py_ptrref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ptrref")
23130 py_val = py_ptrref.dereference ()
23131 py_ptr = py_ptrref.referenced_value ()
23132 @end smallexample
23133
23134 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23135 corresponding to @code{val}, and @code{py_ptr} is identical to that
23136 corresponding to @code{ptr}. In general, @code{Value.dereference} can
23137 be applied whenever the C unary operator @code{*} can be applied
23138 to the corresponding C value. For those cases where applying both
23139 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} is allowed,
23140 the results obtained need not be identical (as we have seen in the above
23141 example). The results are however identical when applied on
23142 @code{gdb.Value} objects corresponding to pointers (@code{gdb.Value}
23143 objects with type code @code{TYPE_CODE_PTR}) in a C/C@t{++} program.
23144 @end defun
23145
23146 @defun Value.referenced_value ()
23147 For pointer or reference data types, this method returns a new
23148 @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the value referenced by the
23149 pointer/reference value. For pointer data types,
23150 @code{Value.dereference} and @code{Value.referenced_value} produce
23151 identical results. The difference between these methods is that
23152 @code{Value.dereference} cannot get the values referenced by reference
23153 values. For example, consider a reference to an @code{int}, declared
23154 in your C@t{++} program as
23155
23156 @smallexample
23157 int val = 10;
23158 int &ref = val;
23159 @end smallexample
23160
23161 @noindent
23162 then applying @code{Value.dereference} to the @code{gdb.Value} object
23163 corresponding to @code{ref} will result in an error, while applying
23164 @code{Value.referenced_value} will result in a @code{gdb.Value} object
23165 identical to that corresponding to @code{val}.
23166
23167 @smallexample
23168 py_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval ("ref")
23169 er_ref = py_ref.dereference () # Results in error
23170 py_val = py_ref.referenced_value () # Returns the referenced value
23171 @end smallexample
23172
23173 The @code{gdb.Value} object @code{py_val} is identical to that
23174 corresponding to @code{val}.
23175 @end defun
23176
23177 @defun Value.dynamic_cast (type)
23178 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
23179 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23180 @end defun
23181
23182 @defun Value.reinterpret_cast (type)
23183 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
23184 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
23185 @end defun
23186
23187 @defun Value.string (@r{[}encoding@r{[}, errors@r{[}, length@r{]]]})
23188 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23189 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
23190 throw an exception.
23191
23192 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
23193 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
23194 language.
23195
23196 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
23197 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
23198 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
23199 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
23200 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
23201
23202 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23203 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
23204 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
23205 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
23206 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
23207 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
23208 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
23209 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
23210 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
23211
23212 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
23213 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
23214
23215 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23216 fetched and converted to the given length.
23217 @end defun
23218
23219 @defun Value.lazy_string (@r{[}encoding @r{[}, length@r{]]})
23220 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
23221 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
23222 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
23223
23224 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
23225 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
23226 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
23227 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
23228 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
23229
23230 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
23231 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
23232 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
23233 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
23234 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
23235 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
23236
23237 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
23238 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
23239 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
23240 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
23241 @end defun
23242
23243 @defun Value.fetch_lazy ()
23244 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is currently a lazy value
23245 (@code{gdb.Value.is_lazy} is @code{True}), then the value is
23246 fetched from the inferior. Any errors that occur in the process
23247 will produce a Python exception.
23248
23249 If the @code{gdb.Value} object is not a lazy value, this method
23250 has no effect.
23251
23252 This method does not return a value.
23253 @end defun
23254
23255 @end table
23256
23257 @node Types In Python
23258 @subsubsection Types In Python
23259 @cindex types in Python
23260 @cindex Python, working with types
23261
23262 @tindex gdb.Type
23263 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
23264 @code{gdb.Type}.
23265
23266 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23267 module:
23268
23269 @findex gdb.lookup_type
23270 @defun gdb.lookup_type (name @r{[}, block@r{]})
23271 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
23272 type to look up. It must be a string.
23273
23274 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23275 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23276
23277 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
23278 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
23279 @end defun
23280
23281 If the type is a structure or class type, or an enum type, the fields
23282 of that type can be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}.
23283 For example, if @code{some_type} is a @code{gdb.Type} instance holding
23284 a structure type, you can access its @code{foo} field with:
23285
23286 @smallexample
23287 bar = some_type['foo']
23288 @end smallexample
23289
23290 @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Field} object; see below under the
23291 description of the @code{Type.fields} method for a description of the
23292 @code{gdb.Field} class.
23293
23294 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
23295
23296 @table @code
23297 @defvar Type.code
23298 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
23299 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
23300 @end defvar
23301
23302 @defvar Type.sizeof
23303 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
23304 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
23305 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
23306 @end defvar
23307
23308 @defvar Type.tag
23309 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
23310 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
23311 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
23312 @code{None} is returned.
23313 @end defvar
23314 @end table
23315
23316 The following methods are provided:
23317
23318 @table @code
23319 @defun Type.fields ()
23320 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
23321 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
23322 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
23323 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
23324 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
23325 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
23326
23327 Each field is a @code{gdb.Field} object, with some pre-defined attributes:
23328 @table @code
23329 @item bitpos
23330 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
23331 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
23332 position of the field. For @code{enum} fields, the value is the
23333 enumeration member's integer representation.
23334
23335 @item name
23336 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
23337
23338 @item artificial
23339 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
23340 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
23341 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
23342
23343 @item is_base_class
23344 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
23345 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
23346 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
23347 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
23348
23349 @item bitsize
23350 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
23351 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
23352 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
23353
23354 @item type
23355 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
23356 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
23357 @end table
23358 @end defun
23359
23360 @defun Type.array (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23361 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
23362 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23363 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23364 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
23365 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
23366 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23367 @end defun
23368
23369 @defun Type.vector (@var{n1} @r{[}, @var{n2}@r{]})
23370 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a vector of this
23371 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
23372 the vector; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
23373 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the vector, and the
23374 second argument is the upper bound of the vector. A vector's length
23375 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
23376
23377 The difference between an @code{array} and a @code{vector} is that
23378 arrays behave like in C: when used in expressions they decay to a pointer
23379 to the first element whereas vectors are treated as first class values.
23380 @end defun
23381
23382 @defun Type.const ()
23383 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23384 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
23385 @end defun
23386
23387 @defun Type.volatile ()
23388 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
23389 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
23390 @end defun
23391
23392 @defun Type.unqualified ()
23393 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
23394 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
23395 @code{volatile}.
23396 @end defun
23397
23398 @defun Type.range ()
23399 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
23400 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
23401 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
23402 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
23403 @end defun
23404
23405 @defun Type.reference ()
23406 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
23407 type.
23408 @end defun
23409
23410 @defun Type.pointer ()
23411 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
23412 type.
23413 @end defun
23414
23415 @defun Type.strip_typedefs ()
23416 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
23417 after removing all layers of typedefs.
23418 @end defun
23419
23420 @defun Type.target ()
23421 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
23422 of this type.
23423
23424 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
23425 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
23426 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
23427 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
23428 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
23429 target type is the aliased type.
23430
23431 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
23432 exception.
23433 @end defun
23434
23435 @defun Type.template_argument (n @r{[}, block@r{]})
23436 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
23437 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
23438 @var{n}th template argument.
23439
23440 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
23441 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
23442
23443 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
23444 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
23445 @end defun
23446 @end table
23447
23448
23449 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
23450 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
23451 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
23452
23453 @table @code
23454 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
23455 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23456 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
23457 The type is a pointer.
23458
23459 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23460 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23461 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
23462 The type is an array.
23463
23464 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23465 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23466 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
23467 The type is a structure.
23468
23469 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
23470 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23471 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
23472 The type is a union.
23473
23474 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23475 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23476 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
23477 The type is an enum.
23478
23479 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23480 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23481 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
23482 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
23483
23484 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23485 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23486 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
23487 The type is a function.
23488
23489 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
23490 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23491 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
23492 The type is an integer type.
23493
23494 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
23495 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23496 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
23497 A floating point type.
23498
23499 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
23500 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23501 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
23502 The special type @code{void}.
23503
23504 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
23505 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23506 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
23507 A Pascal set type.
23508
23509 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23510 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23511 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
23512 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
23513
23514 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
23515 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23516 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
23517 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
23518 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
23519
23520 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23521 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23522 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
23523 A string of bits. It is deprecated.
23524
23525 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23526 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23527 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
23528 An unknown or erroneous type.
23529
23530 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23531 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23532 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
23533 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
23534
23535 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23536 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23537 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
23538 A pointer-to-member-function.
23539
23540 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23541 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23542 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
23543 A pointer-to-member.
23544
23545 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
23546 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23547 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
23548 A reference type.
23549
23550 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23551 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23552 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
23553 A character type.
23554
23555 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23556 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23557 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
23558 A boolean type.
23559
23560 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23561 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23562 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
23563 A complex float type.
23564
23565 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23566 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23567 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
23568 A typedef to some other type.
23569
23570 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23571 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23572 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
23573 A C@t{++} namespace.
23574
23575 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23576 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23577 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
23578 A decimal floating point type.
23579
23580 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23581 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23582 @item gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
23583 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
23584 convenience functions.
23585 @end table
23586
23587 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
23588 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
23589
23590 @node Pretty Printing API
23591 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
23592
23593 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
23594
23595 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
23596 specific interface, defined here.
23597
23598 @defun pretty_printer.children (self)
23599 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
23600 children of the pretty-printer's value.
23601
23602 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
23603 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
23604 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
23605 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
23606 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
23607
23608 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
23609 as though the value has no children.
23610 @end defun
23611
23612 @defun pretty_printer.display_hint (self)
23613 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
23614 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
23615 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
23616 printed.
23617
23618 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
23619 string.
23620
23621 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
23622
23623 @table @samp
23624 @item array
23625 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
23626 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
23627 @code{set print array}.
23628
23629 @item map
23630 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
23631 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
23632 values.
23633
23634 @item string
23635 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
23636 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
23637 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
23638 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
23639 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
23640 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
23641 @end table
23642 @end defun
23643
23644 @defun pretty_printer.to_string (self)
23645 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
23646 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
23647
23648 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
23649 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
23650 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
23651 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
23652 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
23653 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
23654 the result of @code{children}.
23655
23656 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
23657
23658 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
23659 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
23660 another pretty-printer.
23661
23662 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
23663 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
23664 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
23665 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
23666 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
23667
23668 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
23669 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
23670
23671 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
23672 @end defun
23673
23674 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
23675 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
23676
23677 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
23678 @defun gdb.default_visualizer (value)
23679 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
23680 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
23681 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
23682 @end defun
23683
23684 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
23685 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
23686
23687 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
23688 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
23689 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
23690 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
23691 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
23692 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
23693 attribute.
23694
23695 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
23696 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
23697 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
23698 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
23699 @code{None}.
23700
23701 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
23702 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
23703 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
23704 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
23705 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
23706 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
23707 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
23708 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
23709 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
23710 object is returned.
23711
23712 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
23713 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
23714 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
23715 object is returned.
23716
23717 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
23718 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
23719 the pretty-printer is out of date.
23720
23721 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
23722 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
23723 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
23724 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
23725 with a broken printer.
23726
23727 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
23728 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
23729 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
23730 the printer is enabled.
23731
23732 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
23733 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
23734 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
23735
23736 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
23737 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
23738
23739 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
23740 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
23741 must provide.
23742
23743 @smallexample
23744 class StdStringPrinter(object):
23745 "Print a std::string"
23746
23747 def __init__(self, val):
23748 self.val = val
23749
23750 def to_string(self):
23751 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
23752
23753 def display_hint(self):
23754 return 'string'
23755 @end smallexample
23756
23757 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
23758 example above might be written.
23759
23760 @smallexample
23761 def str_lookup_function(val):
23762 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
23763 if lookup_tag == None:
23764 return None
23765 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
23766 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
23767 return StdStringPrinter(val)
23768 return None
23769 @end smallexample
23770
23771 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
23772 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
23773 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
23774 returns @code{None}.
23775
23776 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
23777 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
23778 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
23779 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
23780 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
23781 different names.
23782
23783 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}) such that it
23784 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
23785 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
23786 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
23787 the current objfile.
23788
23789 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
23790 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
23791 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
23792 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
23793 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
23794 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
23795 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
23796 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
23797 inferior.
23798
23799 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
23800 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
23801
23802 @smallexample
23803 def register_printers(objfile):
23804 objfile.pretty_printers.append(str_lookup_function)
23805 @end smallexample
23806
23807 @noindent
23808 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
23809
23810 @smallexample
23811 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
23812 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
23813 @end smallexample
23814
23815 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
23816 There are a few things that can be improved on.
23817 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
23818 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
23819 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
23820
23821 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
23822 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
23823 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
23824 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
23825 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
23826 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
23827
23828 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
23829 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
23830 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
23831
23832 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
23833
23834 @smallexample
23835 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
23836 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
23837 @end smallexample
23838
23839 Here are the printers:
23840
23841 @smallexample
23842 class fooPrinter:
23843 """Print a foo object."""
23844
23845 def __init__(self, val):
23846 self.val = val
23847
23848 def to_string(self):
23849 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
23850 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
23851
23852 class barPrinter:
23853 """Print a bar object."""
23854
23855 def __init__(self, val):
23856 self.val = val
23857
23858 def to_string(self):
23859 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
23860 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
23861 @end smallexample
23862
23863 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
23864 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
23865 the object that handles the lookup.
23866
23867 @smallexample
23868 import gdb.printing
23869
23870 def build_pretty_printer():
23871 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
23872 "my_library")
23873 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
23874 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
23875 return pp
23876 @end smallexample
23877
23878 And here is the autoload support:
23879
23880 @smallexample
23881 import gdb.printing
23882 import my_library
23883 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
23884 gdb.current_objfile(),
23885 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
23886 @end smallexample
23887
23888 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
23889 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
23890
23891 @smallexample
23892 (gdb) info pretty-printer
23893 my_library.so:
23894 my_library
23895 foo
23896 bar
23897 @end smallexample
23898
23899 @node Inferiors In Python
23900 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
23901 @cindex inferiors in Python
23902
23903 @findex gdb.Inferior
23904 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
23905 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
23906 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
23907 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
23908
23909 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23910 module:
23911
23912 @defun gdb.inferiors ()
23913 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
23914 @end defun
23915
23916 @defun gdb.selected_inferior ()
23917 Return an object representing the current inferior.
23918 @end defun
23919
23920 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
23921
23922 @table @code
23923 @defvar Inferior.num
23924 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
23925 @end defvar
23926
23927 @defvar Inferior.pid
23928 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
23929 system.
23930 @end defvar
23931
23932 @defvar Inferior.was_attached
23933 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
23934 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
23935 @end defvar
23936 @end table
23937
23938 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
23939
23940 @table @code
23941 @defun Inferior.is_valid ()
23942 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
23943 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
23944 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
23945 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
23946 at the time the method is called.
23947 @end defun
23948
23949 @defun Inferior.threads ()
23950 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
23951 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
23952 return an empty tuple.
23953 @end defun
23954
23955 @findex Inferior.read_memory
23956 @defun Inferior.read_memory (address, length)
23957 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
23958 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
23959 or a string. It can be modified and given to the
23960 @code{Inferior.write_memory} function.
23961 @end defun
23962
23963 @findex Inferior.write_memory
23964 @defun Inferior.write_memory (address, buffer @r{[}, length@r{]})
23965 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
23966 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
23967 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
23968 object returned from @code{Inferior.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
23969 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
23970 @end defun
23971
23972 @findex gdb.search_memory
23973 @defun Inferior.search_memory (address, length, pattern)
23974 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
23975 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
23976 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
23977 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
23978 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
23979 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
23980 the pattern could not be found.
23981 @end defun
23982 @end table
23983
23984 @node Events In Python
23985 @subsubsection Events In Python
23986 @cindex inferior events in Python
23987
23988 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
23989 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
23990 the inferior.
23991
23992 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
23993 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
23994 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
23995
23996 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
23997 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
23998 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
23999 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
24000
24001 @table @code
24002 @defun EventRegistry.connect (object)
24003 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
24004 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
24005 @end defun
24006
24007 @defun EventRegistry.disconnect (object)
24008 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
24009 will no longer receive notifications of events.
24010 @end defun
24011 @end table
24012
24013 Here is an example:
24014
24015 @smallexample
24016 def exit_handler (event):
24017 print "event type: exit"
24018 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
24019
24020 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
24021 @end smallexample
24022
24023 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
24024 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
24025 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
24026 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
24027 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
24028 the inferior.
24029
24030 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
24031 details of the events they emit:
24032
24033 @table @code
24034
24035 @item events.cont
24036 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24037
24038 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24039 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
24040 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
24041 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
24042 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
24043 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
24044
24045 @table @code
24046 @defvar ThreadEvent.inferior_thread
24047 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
24048 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
24049 @end defvar
24050 @end table
24051
24052 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24053
24054 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
24055 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
24056
24057 @item events.exited
24058 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
24059 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has two attributes:
24060 @table @code
24061 @defvar ExitedEvent.exit_code
24062 An integer representing the exit code, if available, which the inferior
24063 has returned. (The exit code could be unavailable if, for example,
24064 @value{GDBN} detaches from the inferior.) If the exit code is unavailable,
24065 the attribute does not exist.
24066 @end defvar
24067 @defvar ExitedEvent inferior
24068 A reference to the inferior which triggered the @code{exited} event.
24069 @end defvar
24070 @end table
24071
24072 @item events.stop
24073 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
24074
24075 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
24076 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
24077 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
24078 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
24079
24080 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24081
24082 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
24083 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
24084
24085 @table @code
24086 @defvar SignalEvent.stop_signal
24087 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
24088 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
24089 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24090 @end defvar
24091 @end table
24092
24093 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
24094
24095 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that one or more breakpoints have
24096 been hit, and has the following attributes:
24097
24098 @table @code
24099 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoints
24100 A sequence containing references to all the breakpoints (type
24101 @code{gdb.Breakpoint}) that were hit.
24102 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
24103 @end defvar
24104 @defvar BreakpointEvent.breakpoint
24105 A reference to the first breakpoint that was hit.
24106 This function is maintained for backward compatibility and is now deprecated
24107 in favor of the @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent.breakpoints} attribute.
24108 @end defvar
24109 @end table
24110
24111 @item events.new_objfile
24112 Emits @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} which indicates that a new object file has
24113 been loaded by @value{GDBN}. @code{gdb.NewObjFileEvent} has one attribute:
24114
24115 @table @code
24116 @defvar NewObjFileEvent.new_objfile
24117 A reference to the object file (@code{gdb.Objfile}) which has been loaded.
24118 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Objfile} object.
24119 @end defvar
24120 @end table
24121
24122 @end table
24123
24124 @node Threads In Python
24125 @subsubsection Threads In Python
24126 @cindex threads in python
24127
24128 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
24129 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
24130 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
24131
24132 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24133 module:
24134
24135 @findex gdb.selected_thread
24136 @defun gdb.selected_thread ()
24137 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
24138 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
24139 @end defun
24140
24141 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
24142
24143 @table @code
24144 @defvar InferiorThread.name
24145 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
24146 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
24147 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
24148 returns @code{None}.
24149
24150 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
24151 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
24152 user-specified thread name.
24153 @end defvar
24154
24155 @defvar InferiorThread.num
24156 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
24157 @end defvar
24158
24159 @defvar InferiorThread.ptid
24160 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
24161 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
24162 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
24163 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
24164 does not use that identifier.
24165 @end defvar
24166 @end table
24167
24168 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
24169
24170 @table @code
24171 @defun InferiorThread.is_valid ()
24172 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
24173 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
24174 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
24175 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
24176 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24177 @end defun
24178
24179 @defun InferiorThread.switch ()
24180 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
24181 by this object.
24182 @end defun
24183
24184 @defun InferiorThread.is_stopped ()
24185 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
24186 @end defun
24187
24188 @defun InferiorThread.is_running ()
24189 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
24190 @end defun
24191
24192 @defun InferiorThread.is_exited ()
24193 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
24194 @end defun
24195 @end table
24196
24197 @node Commands In Python
24198 @subsubsection Commands In Python
24199
24200 @cindex commands in python
24201 @cindex python commands
24202 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
24203 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
24204 class, most commonly using a subclass.
24205
24206 @defun Command.__init__ (name, @var{command_class} @r{[}, @var{completer_class} @r{[}, @var{prefix}@r{]]})
24207 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
24208 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
24209 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24210
24211 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
24212 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24213 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
24214 an exception is raised.
24215
24216 There is no support for multi-line commands.
24217
24218 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24219 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
24220 new command in the help system.
24221
24222 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
24223 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
24224 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
24225 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
24226 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
24227 error will occur when completion is attempted.
24228
24229 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
24230 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
24231 registered.
24232
24233 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
24234 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
24235 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
24236 not documented.'' is used.
24237 @end defun
24238
24239 @cindex don't repeat Python command
24240 @defun Command.dont_repeat ()
24241 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
24242 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
24243 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
24244 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
24245 @end defun
24246
24247 @defun Command.invoke (argument, from_tty)
24248 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
24249
24250 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
24251 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
24252
24253 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
24254 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
24255 that the command came from elsewhere.
24256
24257 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
24258 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
24259
24260 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
24261 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
24262 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
24263 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
24264 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
24265 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
24266 Example:
24267
24268 @smallexample
24269 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
24270 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
24271 @end smallexample
24272
24273 @end defun
24274
24275 @cindex completion of Python commands
24276 @defun Command.complete (text, word)
24277 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
24278 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
24279 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
24280 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
24281 complete}).
24282
24283 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
24284 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
24285 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
24286 using a word-breaking heuristic.
24287
24288 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
24289 @itemize @bullet
24290 @item
24291 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
24292 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
24293 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
24294 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
24295 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
24296 sequence are ignored.
24297
24298 @item
24299 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
24300 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
24301 function is invoked, and its result is used.
24302
24303 @item
24304 All other results are treated as though there were no available
24305 completions.
24306 @end itemize
24307 @end defun
24308
24309 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
24310 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
24311 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
24312 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
24313 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
24314 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24315
24316 @table @code
24317 @findex COMMAND_NONE
24318 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24319 @item gdb.COMMAND_NONE
24320 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
24321 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
24322
24323 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
24324 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24325 @item gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
24326 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
24327 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
24328 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24329 commands in this category.
24330
24331 @findex COMMAND_DATA
24332 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24333 @item gdb.COMMAND_DATA
24334 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
24335 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
24336 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
24337 in this category.
24338
24339 @findex COMMAND_STACK
24340 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24341 @item gdb.COMMAND_STACK
24342 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
24343 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
24344 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
24345 list of commands in this category.
24346
24347 @findex COMMAND_FILES
24348 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24349 @item gdb.COMMAND_FILES
24350 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
24351 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
24352 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24353 commands in this category.
24354
24355 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
24356 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24357 @item gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
24358 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
24359 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
24360 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
24361 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
24362 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24363 commands in this category.
24364
24365 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
24366 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24367 @item gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
24368 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
24369 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
24370 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
24371 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
24372
24373 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24374 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24375 @item gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
24376 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
24377 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24378 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
24379 this category.
24380
24381 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24382 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24383 @item gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
24384 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
24385 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
24386 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24387 commands in this category.
24388
24389 @findex COMMAND_USER
24390 @findex gdb.COMMAND_USER
24391 @item gdb.COMMAND_USER
24392 The command is a general purpose command for the user, and typically
24393 does not fit in one of the other categories.
24394 Type @kbd{help user-defined} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see
24395 a list of commands in this category, as well as the list of gdb macros
24396 (@pxref{Sequences}).
24397
24398 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
24399 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24400 @item gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
24401 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
24402 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
24403 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
24404 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
24405 category.
24406
24407 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24408 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24409 @item gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
24410 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
24411 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
24412 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
24413 commands in this category.
24414 @end table
24415
24416 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
24417 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
24418 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
24419 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
24420
24421 @table @code
24422 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
24423 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24424 @item gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
24425 This constant means that no completion should be done.
24426
24427 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
24428 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24429 @item gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
24430 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
24431
24432 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
24433 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24434 @item gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
24435 This constant means that location completion should be done.
24436 @xref{Specify Location}.
24437
24438 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
24439 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24440 @item gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
24441 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
24442 command names.
24443
24444 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24445 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24446 @item gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
24447 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
24448 as the source.
24449 @end table
24450
24451 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
24452 implemented in Python:
24453
24454 @smallexample
24455 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
24456 """Greet the whole world."""
24457
24458 def __init__ (self):
24459 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_USER)
24460
24461 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
24462 print "Hello, World!"
24463
24464 HelloWorld ()
24465 @end smallexample
24466
24467 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24468 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24469 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24470 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24471
24472 @node Parameters In Python
24473 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
24474
24475 @cindex parameters in python
24476 @cindex python parameters
24477 @tindex gdb.Parameter
24478 @tindex Parameter
24479 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
24480 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
24481 class.
24482
24483 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
24484 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
24485
24486 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
24487 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
24488 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
24489 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
24490 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
24491
24492 @defun Parameter.__init__ (name, @var{command-class}, @var{parameter-class} @r{[}, @var{enum-sequence}@r{]})
24493 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
24494 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
24495 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
24496
24497 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
24498 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
24499 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
24500 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
24501 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
24502 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
24503 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
24504
24505 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
24506 can be found, an exception is raised.
24507
24508 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
24509 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
24510 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
24511
24512 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
24513 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
24514 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
24515 completion.
24516
24517 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
24518 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
24519 represent the possible values for the parameter.
24520
24521 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
24522 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
24523
24524 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
24525 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
24526 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
24527 @end defun
24528
24529 @defvar Parameter.set_doc
24530 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24531 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
24532 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24533 have no effect.
24534 @end defvar
24535
24536 @defvar Parameter.show_doc
24537 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
24538 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
24539 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
24540 have no effect.
24541 @end defvar
24542
24543 @defvar Parameter.value
24544 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
24545 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
24546 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
24547 @end defvar
24548
24549 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
24550 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
24551
24552 @defun Parameter.get_set_string (self)
24553 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
24554 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
24555 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
24556 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
24557 @end defun
24558
24559 @defun Parameter.get_show_string (self, svalue)
24560 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
24561 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
24562 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
24563 current value. This method must return a string.
24564 @end defun
24565
24566 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
24567 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
24568 module:
24569
24570 @table @code
24571 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
24572 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
24573 @item gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
24574 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
24575 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
24576
24577 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24578 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24579 @item gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
24580 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
24581 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
24582 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
24583
24584 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
24585 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
24586 @item gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
24587 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
24588 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
24589
24590 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
24591 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
24592 @item gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
24593 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
24594 to mean ``unlimited''.
24595
24596 @findex PARAM_STRING
24597 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
24598 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING
24599 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
24600 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
24601 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
24602 host charset.
24603
24604 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24605 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24606 @item gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
24607 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
24608 passed through untranslated.
24609
24610 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24611 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24612 @item gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
24613 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
24614
24615 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
24616 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
24617 @item gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
24618 The value is a filename. This is just like
24619 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
24620
24621 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
24622 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
24623 @item gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
24624 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
24625 is interpreted as itself.
24626
24627 @findex PARAM_ENUM
24628 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
24629 @item gdb.PARAM_ENUM
24630 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
24631 constants provided when the parameter is created.
24632 @end table
24633
24634 @node Functions In Python
24635 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
24636
24637 @cindex writing convenience functions
24638 @cindex convenience functions in python
24639 @cindex python convenience functions
24640 @tindex gdb.Function
24641 @tindex Function
24642 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
24643 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
24644 class @code{gdb.Function}.
24645
24646 @defun Function.__init__ (name)
24647 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
24648 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
24649 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
24650 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
24651 the given @var{name}.
24652
24653 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
24654 string for the new class.
24655 @end defun
24656
24657 @defun Function.invoke (@var{*args})
24658 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
24659 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
24660 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
24661 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
24662 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
24663 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
24664 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
24665
24666 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
24667 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
24668 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
24669 @end defun
24670
24671 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
24672 be implemented in Python:
24673
24674 @smallexample
24675 class Greet (gdb.Function):
24676 """Return string to greet someone.
24677 Takes a name as argument."""
24678
24679 def __init__ (self):
24680 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
24681
24682 def invoke (self, name):
24683 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
24684
24685 Greet ()
24686 @end smallexample
24687
24688 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
24689 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
24690 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
24691 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
24692
24693 @node Progspaces In Python
24694 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
24695
24696 @cindex progspaces in python
24697 @tindex gdb.Progspace
24698 @tindex Progspace
24699 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
24700 of an address space.
24701 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
24702 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
24703 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
24704 about program spaces.
24705
24706 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
24707 @code{gdb} module:
24708
24709 @findex gdb.current_progspace
24710 @defun gdb.current_progspace ()
24711 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
24712 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
24713 @end defun
24714
24715 @findex gdb.progspaces
24716 @defun gdb.progspaces ()
24717 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
24718 @end defun
24719
24720 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
24721 class.
24722
24723 @defvar Progspace.filename
24724 The file name of the progspace as a string.
24725 @end defvar
24726
24727 @defvar Progspace.pretty_printers
24728 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
24729 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
24730 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
24731 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
24732 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
24733 information.
24734 @end defvar
24735
24736 @node Objfiles In Python
24737 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
24738
24739 @cindex objfiles in python
24740 @tindex gdb.Objfile
24741 @tindex Objfile
24742 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
24743 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
24744 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
24745 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
24746 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
24747
24748 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
24749 @code{gdb} module:
24750
24751 @findex gdb.current_objfile
24752 @defun gdb.current_objfile ()
24753 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Python Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
24754 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
24755 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
24756 this function returns @code{None}.
24757 @end defun
24758
24759 @findex gdb.objfiles
24760 @defun gdb.objfiles ()
24761 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
24762 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
24763 @end defun
24764
24765 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
24766 class.
24767
24768 @defvar Objfile.filename
24769 The file name of the objfile as a string.
24770 @end defvar
24771
24772 @defvar Objfile.pretty_printers
24773 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
24774 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
24775 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
24776 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
24777 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
24778 information.
24779 @end defvar
24780
24781 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
24782
24783 @defun Objfile.is_valid ()
24784 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
24785 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
24786 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
24787 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
24788 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24789 @end defun
24790
24791 @node Frames In Python
24792 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
24793
24794 @cindex frames in python
24795 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
24796 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
24797 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
24798 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
24799 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
24800 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
24801
24802 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
24803 operator, like:
24804
24805 @smallexample
24806 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
24807 True
24808 @end smallexample
24809
24810 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
24811
24812 @findex gdb.selected_frame
24813 @defun gdb.selected_frame ()
24814 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
24815 @end defun
24816
24817 @findex gdb.newest_frame
24818 @defun gdb.newest_frame ()
24819 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
24820 @end defun
24821
24822 @defun gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
24823 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
24824 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
24825 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
24826 @end defun
24827
24828 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
24829
24830 @table @code
24831 @defun Frame.is_valid ()
24832 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
24833 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
24834 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
24835 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
24836 @end defun
24837
24838 @defun Frame.name ()
24839 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
24840 obtained.
24841 @end defun
24842
24843 @defun Frame.type ()
24844 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
24845 @table @code
24846 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
24847 An ordinary stack frame.
24848
24849 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
24850 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
24851 inferior function call.
24852
24853 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
24854 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
24855 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
24856
24857 @item gdb.TAILCALL_FRAME
24858 A frame representing a tail call. @xref{Tail Call Frames}.
24859
24860 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
24861 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
24862 it calls into a signal handler.
24863
24864 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
24865 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
24866
24867 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
24868 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
24869 newest frame.
24870 @end table
24871 @end defun
24872
24873 @defun Frame.unwind_stop_reason ()
24874 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
24875 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
24876 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
24877 function to a string. The value can be one of:
24878
24879 @table @code
24880 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_REASON
24881 No particular reason (older frames should be available).
24882
24883 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NULL_ID
24884 The previous frame's analyzer returns an invalid result.
24885
24886 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_OUTERMOST
24887 This frame is the outermost.
24888
24889 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_UNAVAILABLE
24890 Cannot unwind further, because that would require knowing the
24891 values of registers or memory that have not been collected.
24892
24893 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_INNER_ID
24894 This frame ID looks like it ought to belong to a NEXT frame,
24895 but we got it for a PREV frame. Normally, this is a sign of
24896 unwinder failure. It could also indicate stack corruption.
24897
24898 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_SAME_ID
24899 This frame has the same ID as the previous one. That means
24900 that unwinding further would almost certainly give us another
24901 frame with exactly the same ID, so break the chain. Normally,
24902 this is a sign of unwinder failure. It could also indicate
24903 stack corruption.
24904
24905 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_NO_SAVED_PC
24906 The frame unwinder did not find any saved PC, but we needed
24907 one to unwind further.
24908
24909 @item gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR
24910 Any stop reason greater or equal to this value indicates some kind
24911 of error. This special value facilitates writing code that tests
24912 for errors in unwinding in a way that will work correctly even if
24913 the list of the other values is modified in future @value{GDBN}
24914 versions. Using it, you could write:
24915 @smallexample
24916 reason = gdb.selected_frame().unwind_stop_reason ()
24917 reason_str = gdb.frame_stop_reason_string (reason)
24918 if reason >= gdb.FRAME_UNWIND_FIRST_ERROR:
24919 print "An error occured: %s" % reason_str
24920 @end smallexample
24921 @end table
24922
24923 @end defun
24924
24925 @defun Frame.pc ()
24926 Returns the frame's resume address.
24927 @end defun
24928
24929 @defun Frame.block ()
24930 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
24931 @end defun
24932
24933 @defun Frame.function ()
24934 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
24935 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
24936 @end defun
24937
24938 @defun Frame.older ()
24939 Return the frame that called this frame.
24940 @end defun
24941
24942 @defun Frame.newer ()
24943 Return the frame called by this frame.
24944 @end defun
24945
24946 @defun Frame.find_sal ()
24947 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
24948 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
24949 @end defun
24950
24951 @defun Frame.read_var (variable @r{[}, block@r{]})
24952 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
24953 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
24954 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
24955 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
24956 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
24957 @code{gdb.Block} object.
24958 @end defun
24959
24960 @defun Frame.select ()
24961 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
24962 Stack}.
24963 @end defun
24964 @end table
24965
24966 @node Blocks In Python
24967 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
24968
24969 @cindex blocks in python
24970 @tindex gdb.Block
24971
24972 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
24973 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
24974 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
24975 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
24976 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
24977 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
24978 stack.
24979
24980 A @code{gdb.Block} is iterable. The iterator returns the symbols
24981 (@pxref{Symbols In Python}) local to the block. Python programs
24982 should not assume that a specific block object will always contain a
24983 given symbol, since changes in @value{GDBN} features and
24984 infrastructure may cause symbols move across blocks in a symbol
24985 table.
24986
24987 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
24988 module:
24989
24990 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
24991 @defun gdb.block_for_pc (pc)
24992 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
24993 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
24994 will return @code{None}.
24995 @end defun
24996
24997 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
24998
24999 @table @code
25000 @defun Block.is_valid ()
25001 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
25002 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
25003 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
25004 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
25005 the time the method is called. The block's validity is also checked
25006 during iteration over symbols of the block.
25007 @end defun
25008 @end table
25009
25010 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
25011
25012 @table @code
25013 @defvar Block.start
25014 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25015 @end defvar
25016
25017 @defvar Block.end
25018 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
25019 @end defvar
25020
25021 @defvar Block.function
25022 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
25023 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
25024 attribute is not writable.
25025 @end defvar
25026
25027 @defvar Block.superblock
25028 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
25029 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25030 @end defvar
25031
25032 @defvar Block.global_block
25033 The global block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25034 writable.
25035 @end defvar
25036
25037 @defvar Block.static_block
25038 The static block associated with this block. This attribute is not
25039 writable.
25040 @end defvar
25041
25042 @defvar Block.is_global
25043 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a global block,
25044 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not
25045 writable.
25046 @end defvar
25047
25048 @defvar Block.is_static
25049 @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is a static block,
25050 @code{False} if not. This attribute is not writable.
25051 @end defvar
25052 @end table
25053
25054 @node Symbols In Python
25055 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
25056
25057 @cindex symbols in python
25058 @tindex gdb.Symbol
25059
25060 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
25061 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
25062 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
25063 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
25064
25065 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
25066 module:
25067
25068 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
25069 @defun gdb.lookup_symbol (name @r{[}, block @r{[}, domain@r{]]})
25070 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
25071 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
25072 arguments.
25073
25074 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
25075 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
25076 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
25077 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
25078 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
25079 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
25080 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
25081 in this chapter.
25082
25083 The result is a tuple of two elements.
25084 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25085 is not found.
25086 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
25087 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
25088 otherwise it is @code{False}.
25089 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
25090 @end defun
25091
25092 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
25093 @defun gdb.lookup_global_symbol (name @r{[}, domain@r{]})
25094 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
25095 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
25096
25097 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
25098 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
25099 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
25100 module and described later in this chapter.
25101
25102 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
25103 is not found.
25104 @end defun
25105
25106 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
25107
25108 @table @code
25109 @defvar Symbol.type
25110 The type of the symbol or @code{None} if no type is recorded.
25111 This attribute is represented as a @code{gdb.Type} object.
25112 @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25113 @end defvar
25114
25115 @defvar Symbol.symtab
25116 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
25117 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
25118 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
25119 @end defvar
25120
25121 @defvar Symbol.line
25122 The line number in the source code at which the symbol was defined.
25123 This is an integer.
25124 @end defvar
25125
25126 @defvar Symbol.name
25127 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
25128 @end defvar
25129
25130 @defvar Symbol.linkage_name
25131 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
25132 This attribute is not writable.
25133 @end defvar
25134
25135 @defvar Symbol.print_name
25136 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
25137 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
25138 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
25139 @end defvar
25140
25141 @defvar Symbol.addr_class
25142 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
25143 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
25144 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
25145 @end defvar
25146
25147 @defvar Symbol.needs_frame
25148 This is @code{True} if evaluating this symbol's value requires a frame
25149 (@pxref{Frames In Python}) and @code{False} otherwise. Typically,
25150 local variables will require a frame, but other symbols will not.
25151 @end defvar
25152
25153 @defvar Symbol.is_argument
25154 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
25155 @end defvar
25156
25157 @defvar Symbol.is_constant
25158 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
25159 @end defvar
25160
25161 @defvar Symbol.is_function
25162 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
25163 @end defvar
25164
25165 @defvar Symbol.is_variable
25166 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
25167 @end defvar
25168 @end table
25169
25170 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
25171
25172 @table @code
25173 @defun Symbol.is_valid ()
25174 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
25175 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
25176 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
25177 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
25178 invalid at the time the method is called.
25179 @end defun
25180
25181 @defun Symbol.value (@r{[}frame@r{]})
25182 Compute the value of the symbol, as a @code{gdb.Value}. For
25183 functions, this computes the address of the function, cast to the
25184 appropriate type. If the symbol requires a frame in order to compute
25185 its value, then @var{frame} must be given. If @var{frame} is not
25186 given, or if @var{frame} is invalid, then this method will throw an
25187 exception.
25188 @end defun
25189 @end table
25190
25191 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25192 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25193
25194 @table @code
25195 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25196 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25197 @item gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
25198 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
25199 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
25200 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25201 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25202 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25203 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
25204 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
25205 type values.
25206 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25207 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25208 @item gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
25209 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
25210 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25211 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25212 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
25213 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
25214 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25215 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25216 @item gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
25217 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
25218 contains everything minus functions and types.
25219 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25220 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
25221 @item gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
25222 This domain contains all functions.
25223 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25224 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25225 @item gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
25226 This domain contains all types.
25227 @end table
25228
25229 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
25230 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
25231
25232 @table @code
25233 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25234 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25235 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
25236 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
25237 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
25238 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25239 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25240 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
25241 Value is constant int.
25242 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25243 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25244 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
25245 Value is at a fixed address.
25246 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25247 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25248 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
25249 Value is in a register.
25250 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25251 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25252 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
25253 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
25254 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
25255 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25256 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25257 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
25258 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
25259 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
25260 offset, not the value itself.
25261 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25262 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25263 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
25264 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
25265 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
25266 itself.
25267 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25268 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25269 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
25270 Value is a local variable.
25271 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25272 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25273 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
25274 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
25275 have this class.
25276 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25277 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25278 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
25279 Value is a block.
25280 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25281 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25282 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
25283 Value is a byte-sequence.
25284 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25285 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25286 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
25287 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
25288 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
25289 referenced.
25290 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25291 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25292 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
25293 The value does not actually exist in the program.
25294 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25295 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25296 @item gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
25297 The value's address is a computed location.
25298 @end table
25299
25300 @node Symbol Tables In Python
25301 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
25302
25303 @cindex symbol tables in python
25304 @tindex gdb.Symtab
25305 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
25306
25307 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
25308 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
25309 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
25310 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
25311 @xref{Frames In Python}.
25312
25313 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
25314 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
25315
25316 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
25317
25318 @table @code
25319 @defvar Symtab_and_line.symtab
25320 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
25321 This attribute is not writable.
25322 @end defvar
25323
25324 @defvar Symtab_and_line.pc
25325 Indicates the start of the address range occupied by code for the
25326 current source line. This attribute is not writable.
25327 @end defvar
25328
25329 @defvar Symtab_and_line.last
25330 Indicates the end of the address range occupied by code for the current
25331 source line. This attribute is not writable.
25332 @end defvar
25333
25334 @defvar Symtab_and_line.line
25335 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
25336 attribute is not writable.
25337 @end defvar
25338 @end table
25339
25340 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
25341
25342 @table @code
25343 @defun Symtab_and_line.is_valid ()
25344 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
25345 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
25346 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
25347 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
25348 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
25349 invalid at the time the method is called.
25350 @end defun
25351 @end table
25352
25353 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
25354
25355 @table @code
25356 @defvar Symtab.filename
25357 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
25358 @end defvar
25359
25360 @defvar Symtab.objfile
25361 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
25362 This attribute is not writable.
25363 @end defvar
25364 @end table
25365
25366 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
25367
25368 @table @code
25369 @defun Symtab.is_valid ()
25370 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
25371 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
25372 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
25373 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
25374 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
25375 @end defun
25376
25377 @defun Symtab.fullname ()
25378 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
25379 @end defun
25380
25381 @defun Symtab.global_block ()
25382 Return the global block of the underlying symbol table.
25383 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25384 @end defun
25385
25386 @defun Symtab.static_block ()
25387 Return the static block of the underlying symbol table.
25388 @xref{Blocks In Python}.
25389 @end defun
25390 @end table
25391
25392 @node Breakpoints In Python
25393 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
25394
25395 @cindex breakpoints in python
25396 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
25397
25398 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
25399 class.
25400
25401 @defun Breakpoint.__init__ (spec @r{[}, type @r{[}, wp_class @r{[},internal@r{]]]})
25402 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
25403 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
25404 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
25405 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
25406 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
25407 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
25408 either: @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
25409 defaults to @code{gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
25410 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
25411 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
25412 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
25413 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
25414 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
25415 @code{gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
25416 assumed to be a @code{gdb.WP_WRITE} class.
25417 @end defun
25418
25419 @defun Breakpoint.stop (self)
25420 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
25421 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
25422 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
25423 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
25424 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
25425 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
25426 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
25427
25428 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
25429 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
25430 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
25431 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
25432 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
25433 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
25434
25435 You should not alter the execution state of the inferior (i.e.@:, step,
25436 next, etc.), alter the current frame context (i.e.@:, change the current
25437 active frame), or alter, add or delete any breakpoint. As a general
25438 rule, you should not alter any data within @value{GDBN} or the inferior
25439 at this time.
25440
25441 Example @code{stop} implementation:
25442
25443 @smallexample
25444 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
25445 def stop (self):
25446 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
25447 if inf_val == 3:
25448 return True
25449 return False
25450 @end smallexample
25451 @end defun
25452
25453 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
25454 @code{gdb} module:
25455
25456 @table @code
25457 @findex WP_READ
25458 @findex gdb.WP_READ
25459 @item gdb.WP_READ
25460 Read only watchpoint.
25461
25462 @findex WP_WRITE
25463 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
25464 @item gdb.WP_WRITE
25465 Write only watchpoint.
25466
25467 @findex WP_ACCESS
25468 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
25469 @item gdb.WP_ACCESS
25470 Read/Write watchpoint.
25471 @end table
25472
25473 @defun Breakpoint.is_valid ()
25474 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
25475 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
25476 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
25477 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
25478 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
25479 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
25480 @end defun
25481
25482 @defun Breakpoint.delete
25483 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
25484 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
25485 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
25486 @end defun
25487
25488 @defvar Breakpoint.enabled
25489 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
25490 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25491 @end defvar
25492
25493 @defvar Breakpoint.silent
25494 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
25495 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
25496
25497 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
25498 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
25499 @code{silent} attribute.
25500 @end defvar
25501
25502 @defvar Breakpoint.thread
25503 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
25504 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
25505 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
25506 @end defvar
25507
25508 @defvar Breakpoint.task
25509 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
25510 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
25511 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
25512 is writable.
25513 @end defvar
25514
25515 @defvar Breakpoint.ignore_count
25516 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
25517 This attribute is writable.
25518 @end defvar
25519
25520 @defvar Breakpoint.number
25521 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
25522 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
25523 @end defvar
25524
25525 @defvar Breakpoint.type
25526 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
25527 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
25528 writable.
25529 @end defvar
25530
25531 @defvar Breakpoint.visible
25532 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
25533 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
25534 attribute is not writable.
25535 @end defvar
25536
25537 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
25538 module:
25539
25540 @table @code
25541 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
25542 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25543 @item gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
25544 Normal code breakpoint.
25545
25546 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
25547 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25548 @item gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
25549 Watchpoint breakpoint.
25550
25551 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25552 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25553 @item gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
25554 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
25555
25556 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25557 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25558 @item gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
25559 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
25560
25561 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25562 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25563 @item gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
25564 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
25565 @end table
25566
25567 @defvar Breakpoint.hit_count
25568 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
25569 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
25570 @end defvar
25571
25572 @defvar Breakpoint.location
25573 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
25574 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
25575 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
25576 attribute is not writable.
25577 @end defvar
25578
25579 @defvar Breakpoint.expression
25580 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
25581 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
25582 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
25583 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25584 @end defvar
25585
25586 @defvar Breakpoint.condition
25587 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
25588 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
25589 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
25590 @end defvar
25591
25592 @defvar Breakpoint.commands
25593 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
25594 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
25595 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
25596 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
25597 @end defvar
25598
25599 @node Finish Breakpoints in Python
25600 @subsubsection Finish Breakpoints
25601
25602 @cindex python finish breakpoints
25603 @tindex gdb.FinishBreakpoint
25604
25605 A finish breakpoint is a temporary breakpoint set at the return address of
25606 a frame, based on the @code{finish} command. @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint}
25607 extends @code{gdb.Breakpoint}. The underlying breakpoint will be disabled
25608 and deleted when the execution will run out of the breakpoint scope (i.e.@:
25609 @code{Breakpoint.stop} or @code{FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope} triggered).
25610 Finish breakpoints are thread specific and must be create with the right
25611 thread selected.
25612
25613 @defun FinishBreakpoint.__init__ (@r{[}frame@r{]} @r{[}, internal@r{]})
25614 Create a finish breakpoint at the return address of the @code{gdb.Frame}
25615 object @var{frame}. If @var{frame} is not provided, this defaults to the
25616 newest frame. The optional @var{internal} argument allows the breakpoint to
25617 become invisible to the user. @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for further
25618 details about this argument.
25619 @end defun
25620
25621 @defun FinishBreakpoint.out_of_scope (self)
25622 In some circumstances (e.g.@: @code{longjmp}, C@t{++} exceptions, @value{GDBN}
25623 @code{return} command, @dots{}), a function may not properly terminate, and
25624 thus never hit the finish breakpoint. When @value{GDBN} notices such a
25625 situation, the @code{out_of_scope} callback will be triggered.
25626
25627 You may want to sub-class @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} and override this
25628 method:
25629
25630 @smallexample
25631 class MyFinishBreakpoint (gdb.FinishBreakpoint)
25632 def stop (self):
25633 print "normal finish"
25634 return True
25635
25636 def out_of_scope ():
25637 print "abnormal finish"
25638 @end smallexample
25639 @end defun
25640
25641 @defvar FinishBreakpoint.return_value
25642 When @value{GDBN} is stopped at a finish breakpoint and the frame
25643 used to build the @code{gdb.FinishBreakpoint} object had debug symbols, this
25644 attribute will contain a @code{gdb.Value} object corresponding to the return
25645 value of the function. The value will be @code{None} if the function return
25646 type is @code{void} or if the return value was not computable. This attribute
25647 is not writable.
25648 @end defvar
25649
25650 @node Lazy Strings In Python
25651 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
25652
25653 @cindex lazy strings in python
25654 @tindex gdb.LazyString
25655
25656 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
25657 encoded until it is needed.
25658
25659 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
25660 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
25661 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
25662 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
25663 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
25664 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
25665 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
25666 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
25667 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
25668
25669 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
25670
25671 @defun LazyString.value ()
25672 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
25673 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
25674 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
25675 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
25676 @end defun
25677
25678 @defvar LazyString.address
25679 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
25680 writable.
25681 @end defvar
25682
25683 @defvar LazyString.length
25684 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
25685 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
25686 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
25687 @end defvar
25688
25689 @defvar LazyString.encoding
25690 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
25691 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
25692 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
25693 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
25694 is not writable.
25695 @end defvar
25696
25697 @defvar LazyString.type
25698 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
25699 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
25700 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
25701 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
25702 writable.
25703 @end defvar
25704
25705 @node Python Auto-loading
25706 @subsection Python Auto-loading
25707 @cindex Python auto-loading
25708
25709 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
25710 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
25711 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
25712 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (@pxref{objfile-gdb.py file})
25713 and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25714 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
25715
25716 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
25717 debugging commands and scripts.
25718
25719 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
25720 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
25721
25722 @table @code
25723 @anchor{set auto-load python-scripts}
25724 @kindex set auto-load python-scripts
25725 @item set auto-load python-scripts [on|off]
25726 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
25727
25728 @anchor{show auto-load python-scripts}
25729 @kindex show auto-load python-scripts
25730 @item show auto-load python-scripts
25731 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
25732
25733 @anchor{info auto-load python-scripts}
25734 @kindex info auto-load python-scripts
25735 @cindex print list of auto-loaded Python scripts
25736 @item info auto-load python-scripts [@var{regexp}]
25737 Print the list of all Python scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
25738
25739 Also printed is the list of Python scripts that were mentioned in
25740 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
25741 (@pxref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}).
25742 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
25743 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
25744 an error message for each one is problematic.
25745
25746 If @var{regexp} is supplied only Python scripts with matching names are printed.
25747
25748 Example:
25749
25750 @smallexample
25751 (gdb) info auto-load python-scripts
25752 Loaded Script
25753 Yes py-section-script.py
25754 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
25755 No my-foo-pretty-printers.py
25756 @end smallexample
25757 @end table
25758
25759 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
25760 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
25761 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
25762 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
25763
25764 @menu
25765 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
25766 * dotdebug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25767 * Which flavor to choose?::
25768 @end menu
25769
25770 @node objfile-gdb.py file
25771 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
25772 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
25773
25774 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
25775 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} (we call it @var{script-name} below),
25776 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
25777 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
25778 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
25779 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
25780
25781 If this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
25782 @var{script-name} file in all of the directories as specified below.
25783
25784 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25785 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25786
25787 For object files using @file{.exe} suffix @value{GDBN} tries to load first the
25788 scripts normally according to its @file{.exe} filename. But if no scripts are
25789 found @value{GDBN} also tries script filenames matching the object file without
25790 its @file{.exe} suffix. This @file{.exe} stripping is case insensitive and it
25791 is attempted on any platform. This makes the script filenames compatible
25792 between Unix and MS-Windows hosts.
25793
25794 @table @code
25795 @anchor{set auto-load scripts-directory}
25796 @kindex set auto-load scripts-directory
25797 @item set auto-load scripts-directory @r{[}@var{directories}@r{]}
25798 Control @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location. Multiple directory entries
25799 may be delimited by the host platform path separator in use
25800 (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS).
25801
25802 Each entry here needs to be covered also by the security setting
25803 @code{set auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{set auto-load safe-path}).
25804
25805 @anchor{with-auto-load-dir}
25806 This variable defaults to @file{$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load}. The default
25807 @code{set auto-load safe-path} value can be also overriden by @value{GDBN}
25808 configuration option @option{--with-auto-load-dir}.
25809
25810 Any reference to @file{$debugdir} will get replaced by
25811 @var{debug-file-directory} value (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}) and any
25812 reference to @file{$datadir} will get replaced by @var{data-directory} which is
25813 determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}). @file{$debugdir} and
25814 @file{$datadir} must be placed as a directory component --- either alone or
25815 delimited by @file{/} or @file{\} directory separators, depending on the host
25816 platform.
25817
25818 The list of directories uses path separator (@samp{:} on GNU and Unix
25819 systems, @samp{;} on MS-Windows and MS-DOS) to separate directories, similarly
25820 to the @env{PATH} environment variable.
25821
25822 @anchor{show auto-load scripts-directory}
25823 @kindex show auto-load scripts-directory
25824 @item show auto-load scripts-directory
25825 Show @value{GDBN} auto-loaded scripts location.
25826 @end table
25827
25828 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
25829 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
25830 @var{objfile} is opened.
25831 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
25832 is evaluated more than once.
25833
25834 @node dotdebug_gdb_scripts section
25835 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25836 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
25837
25838 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
25839 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
25840 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
25841 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
25842
25843 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
25844 current directory and then along the source search path
25845 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
25846 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
25847 directory is not relevant to scripts.
25848
25849 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
25850 for example, this GCC macro:
25851
25852 @example
25853 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
25854 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
25855 asm("\
25856 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
25857 .byte 1\n\
25858 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
25859 .popsection \n\
25860 ");
25861 @end example
25862
25863 @noindent
25864 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
25865
25866 @example
25867 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
25868 @end example
25869
25870 The script name may include directories if desired.
25871
25872 Note that loading of this script file also requires accordingly configured
25873 @code{auto-load safe-path} (@pxref{Auto-loading safe path}).
25874
25875 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
25876 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
25877
25878 @node Which flavor to choose?
25879 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
25880
25881 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
25882 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
25883
25884 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
25885
25886 @itemize @bullet
25887 @item
25888 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
25889
25890 @item
25891 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
25892
25893 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
25894 in the source search path.
25895 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
25896 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
25897
25898 @item
25899 Doesn't require source code additions.
25900 @end itemize
25901
25902 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
25903
25904 @itemize @bullet
25905 @item
25906 Works with static linking.
25907
25908 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
25909 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
25910 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
25911 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
25912
25913 @item
25914 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
25915
25916 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
25917 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
25918
25919 @item
25920 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
25921
25922 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
25923 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
25924 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
25925 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
25926 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
25927 top of the source tree to the source search path.
25928 @end itemize
25929
25930 @node Python modules
25931 @subsection Python modules
25932 @cindex python modules
25933
25934 @value{GDBN} comes with several modules to assist writing Python code.
25935
25936 @menu
25937 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
25938 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
25939 * gdb.prompt:: Utilities for prompt value substitution.
25940 @end menu
25941
25942 @node gdb.printing
25943 @subsubsection gdb.printing
25944 @cindex gdb.printing
25945
25946 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
25947 pretty-printers.
25948
25949 @table @code
25950 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
25951 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
25952 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
25953 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
25954
25955 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
25956 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
25957 corresponding API for the subprinters.
25958
25959 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
25960 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
25961 regular expressions.
25962 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
25963
25964 @item FlagEnumerationPrinter (@var{name})
25965 A pretty-printer which handles printing of @code{enum} values. Unlike
25966 @value{GDBN}'s built-in @code{enum} printing, this printer attempts to
25967 work properly when there is some overlap between the enumeration
25968 constants. @var{name} is the name of the printer and also the name of
25969 the @code{enum} type to look up.
25970
25971 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer}, @var{replace}=False)
25972 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
25973 If @var{replace} is @code{True} then any existing copy of the printer
25974 is replaced. Otherwise a @code{RuntimeError} exception is raised
25975 if a printer with the same name already exists.
25976 @end table
25977
25978 @node gdb.types
25979 @subsubsection gdb.types
25980 @cindex gdb.types
25981
25982 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
25983 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
25984
25985 @table @code
25986 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
25987 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
25988 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
25989
25990 C@t{++} example:
25991
25992 @smallexample
25993 typedef const int const_int;
25994 const_int foo (3);
25995 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
25996 int main () @{ return 0; @}
25997 @end smallexample
25998
25999 Then in gdb:
26000
26001 @smallexample
26002 (gdb) start
26003 (gdb) python import gdb.types
26004 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
26005 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
26006 int
26007 @end smallexample
26008
26009 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
26010 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
26011 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
26012
26013 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
26014 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
26015
26016 @item deep_items (@var{type})
26017 Returns a Python iterator similar to the standard
26018 @code{gdb.Type.iteritems} method, except that the iterator returned
26019 by @code{deep_items} will recursively traverse anonymous struct or
26020 union fields. For example:
26021
26022 @smallexample
26023 struct A
26024 @{
26025 int a;
26026 union @{
26027 int b0;
26028 int b1;
26029 @};
26030 @};
26031 @end smallexample
26032
26033 @noindent
26034 Then in @value{GDBN}:
26035 @smallexample
26036 (@value{GDBP}) python import gdb.types
26037 (@value{GDBP}) python struct_a = gdb.lookup_type("struct A")
26038 (@value{GDBP}) python print struct_a.keys ()
26039 @{['a', '']@}
26040 (@value{GDBP}) python print [k for k,v in gdb.types.deep_items(struct_a)]
26041 @{['a', 'b0', 'b1']@}
26042 @end smallexample
26043
26044 @end table
26045
26046 @node gdb.prompt
26047 @subsubsection gdb.prompt
26048 @cindex gdb.prompt
26049
26050 This module provides a method for prompt value-substitution.
26051
26052 @table @code
26053 @item substitute_prompt (@var{string})
26054 Return @var{string} with escape sequences substituted by values. Some
26055 escape sequences take arguments. You can specify arguments inside
26056 ``@{@}'' immediately following the escape sequence.
26057
26058 The escape sequences you can pass to this function are:
26059
26060 @table @code
26061 @item \\
26062 Substitute a backslash.
26063 @item \e
26064 Substitute an ESC character.
26065 @item \f
26066 Substitute the selected frame; an argument names a frame parameter.
26067 @item \n
26068 Substitute a newline.
26069 @item \p
26070 Substitute a parameter's value; the argument names the parameter.
26071 @item \r
26072 Substitute a carriage return.
26073 @item \t
26074 Substitute the selected thread; an argument names a thread parameter.
26075 @item \v
26076 Substitute the version of GDB.
26077 @item \w
26078 Substitute the current working directory.
26079 @item \[
26080 Begin a sequence of non-printing characters. These sequences are
26081 typically used with the ESC character, and are not counted in the string
26082 length. Example: ``\[\e[0;34m\](gdb)\[\e[0m\]'' will return a
26083 blue-colored ``(gdb)'' prompt where the length is five.
26084 @item \]
26085 End a sequence of non-printing characters.
26086 @end table
26087
26088 For example:
26089
26090 @smallexample
26091 substitute_prompt (``frame: \f,
26092 print arguments: \p@{print frame-arguments@}'')
26093 @end smallexample
26094
26095 @exdent will return the string:
26096
26097 @smallexample
26098 "frame: main, print arguments: scalars"
26099 @end smallexample
26100 @end table
26101
26102 @node Aliases
26103 @section Creating new spellings of existing commands
26104 @cindex aliases for commands
26105
26106 It is often useful to define alternate spellings of existing commands.
26107 For example, if a new @value{GDBN} command defined in Python has
26108 a long name to type, it is handy to have an abbreviated version of it
26109 that involves less typing.
26110
26111 @value{GDBN} itself uses aliases. For example @samp{s} is an alias
26112 of the @samp{step} command even though it is otherwise an ambiguous
26113 abbreviation of other commands like @samp{set} and @samp{show}.
26114
26115 Aliases are also used to provide shortened or more common versions
26116 of multi-word commands. For example, @value{GDBN} provides the
26117 @samp{tty} alias of the @samp{set inferior-tty} command.
26118
26119 You can define a new alias with the @samp{alias} command.
26120
26121 @table @code
26122
26123 @kindex alias
26124 @item alias [-a] [--] @var{ALIAS} = @var{COMMAND}
26125
26126 @end table
26127
26128 @var{ALIAS} specifies the name of the new alias.
26129 Each word of @var{ALIAS} must consist of letters, numbers, dashes and
26130 underscores.
26131
26132 @var{COMMAND} specifies the name of an existing command
26133 that is being aliased.
26134
26135 The @samp{-a} option specifies that the new alias is an abbreviation
26136 of the command. Abbreviations are not shown in command
26137 lists displayed by the @samp{help} command.
26138
26139 The @samp{--} option specifies the end of options,
26140 and is useful when @var{ALIAS} begins with a dash.
26141
26142 Here is a simple example showing how to make an abbreviation
26143 of a command so that there is less to type.
26144 Suppose you were tired of typing @samp{disas}, the current
26145 shortest unambiguous abbreviation of the @samp{disassemble} command
26146 and you wanted an even shorter version named @samp{di}.
26147 The following will accomplish this.
26148
26149 @smallexample
26150 (gdb) alias -a di = disas
26151 @end smallexample
26152
26153 Note that aliases are different from user-defined commands.
26154 With a user-defined command, you also need to write documentation
26155 for it with the @samp{document} command.
26156 An alias automatically picks up the documentation of the existing command.
26157
26158 Here is an example where we make @samp{elms} an abbreviation of
26159 @samp{elements} in the @samp{set print elements} command.
26160 This is to show that you can make an abbreviation of any part
26161 of a command.
26162
26163 @smallexample
26164 (gdb) alias -a set print elms = set print elements
26165 (gdb) alias -a show print elms = show print elements
26166 (gdb) set p elms 20
26167 (gdb) show p elms
26168 Limit on string chars or array elements to print is 200.
26169 @end smallexample
26170
26171 Note that if you are defining an alias of a @samp{set} command,
26172 and you want to have an alias for the corresponding @samp{show}
26173 command, then you need to define the latter separately.
26174
26175 Unambiguously abbreviated commands are allowed in @var{COMMAND} and
26176 @var{ALIAS}, just as they are normally.
26177
26178 @smallexample
26179 (gdb) alias -a set pr elms = set p ele
26180 @end smallexample
26181
26182 Finally, here is an example showing the creation of a one word
26183 alias for a more complex command.
26184 This creates alias @samp{spe} of the command @samp{set print elements}.
26185
26186 @smallexample
26187 (gdb) alias spe = set print elements
26188 (gdb) spe 20
26189 @end smallexample
26190
26191 @node Interpreters
26192 @chapter Command Interpreters
26193 @cindex command interpreters
26194
26195 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
26196 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
26197 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
26198
26199 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
26200 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
26201 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
26202 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
26203
26204 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
26205 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
26206 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
26207 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
26208
26209 @table @code
26210 @item console
26211 @cindex console interpreter
26212 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
26213 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
26214 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
26215
26216 @item mi
26217 @cindex mi interpreter
26218 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
26219 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
26220 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
26221 Interface}.
26222
26223 @item mi2
26224 @cindex mi2 interpreter
26225 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
26226
26227 @item mi1
26228 @cindex mi1 interpreter
26229 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
26230
26231 @end table
26232
26233 @cindex invoke another interpreter
26234 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
26235 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
26236 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
26237 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
26238 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
26239 the IDE inoperable!
26240
26241 @kindex interpreter-exec
26242 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
26243 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
26244 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
26245 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
26246
26247 @smallexample
26248 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
26249 @end smallexample
26250
26251 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
26252 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
26253
26254 @node TUI
26255 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
26256 @cindex TUI
26257 @cindex Text User Interface
26258
26259 @menu
26260 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
26261 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
26262 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
26263 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
26264 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
26265 @end menu
26266
26267 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
26268 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
26269 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
26270 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
26271 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
26272 is available.
26273
26274 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
26275 @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
26276 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
26277 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
26278 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
26279
26280 @node TUI Overview
26281 @section TUI Overview
26282
26283 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
26284
26285 @table @emph
26286 @item command
26287 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
26288 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
26289 managed using readline.
26290
26291 @item source
26292 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
26293 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
26294
26295 @item assembly
26296 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
26297
26298 @item register
26299 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
26300 when their values change.
26301 @end table
26302
26303 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
26304 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
26305 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
26306 indicates the breakpoint type:
26307
26308 @table @code
26309 @item B
26310 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26311
26312 @item b
26313 Breakpoint which was never hit.
26314
26315 @item H
26316 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
26317
26318 @item h
26319 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
26320 @end table
26321
26322 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
26323
26324 @table @code
26325 @item +
26326 Breakpoint is enabled.
26327
26328 @item -
26329 Breakpoint is disabled.
26330 @end table
26331
26332 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
26333 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
26334 changes.
26335
26336 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
26337 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
26338 layouts:
26339
26340 @itemize @bullet
26341 @item
26342 source only,
26343
26344 @item
26345 assembly only,
26346
26347 @item
26348 source and assembly,
26349
26350 @item
26351 source and registers, or
26352
26353 @item
26354 assembly and registers.
26355 @end itemize
26356
26357 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
26358
26359 @table @emph
26360 @item target
26361 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
26362 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
26363
26364 @item process
26365 Gives the current process or thread number.
26366 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
26367
26368 @item function
26369 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
26370 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
26371 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
26372 the string @code{??} is displayed.
26373
26374 @item line
26375 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
26376 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
26377
26378 @item pc
26379 Indicates the current program counter address.
26380 @end table
26381
26382 @node TUI Keys
26383 @section TUI Key Bindings
26384 @cindex TUI key bindings
26385
26386 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
26387 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
26388 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
26389 @end ifset
26390 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
26391 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
26392 @end ifclear
26393 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
26394 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
26395
26396 @table @kbd
26397 @kindex C-x C-a
26398 @item C-x C-a
26399 @kindex C-x a
26400 @itemx C-x a
26401 @kindex C-x A
26402 @itemx C-x A
26403 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
26404 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
26405 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
26406 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
26407 The screen is then refreshed.
26408
26409 @kindex C-x 1
26410 @item C-x 1
26411 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
26412 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
26413 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
26414
26415 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
26416
26417 @kindex C-x 2
26418 @item C-x 2
26419 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
26420 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
26421 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
26422 previous layout and the new one.
26423
26424 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
26425
26426 @kindex C-x o
26427 @item C-x o
26428 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
26429 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
26430 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
26431
26432 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
26433
26434 @kindex C-x s
26435 @item C-x s
26436 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
26437 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
26438 @end table
26439
26440 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
26441
26442 @table @asis
26443 @kindex PgUp
26444 @item @key{PgUp}
26445 Scroll the active window one page up.
26446
26447 @kindex PgDn
26448 @item @key{PgDn}
26449 Scroll the active window one page down.
26450
26451 @kindex Up
26452 @item @key{Up}
26453 Scroll the active window one line up.
26454
26455 @kindex Down
26456 @item @key{Down}
26457 Scroll the active window one line down.
26458
26459 @kindex Left
26460 @item @key{Left}
26461 Scroll the active window one column left.
26462
26463 @kindex Right
26464 @item @key{Right}
26465 Scroll the active window one column right.
26466
26467 @kindex C-L
26468 @item @kbd{C-L}
26469 Refresh the screen.
26470 @end table
26471
26472 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
26473 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
26474 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
26475 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
26476 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
26477
26478 @node TUI Single Key Mode
26479 @section TUI Single Key Mode
26480 @cindex TUI single key mode
26481
26482 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
26483 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
26484 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
26485
26486 @table @kbd
26487 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26488 @item c
26489 continue
26490
26491 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26492 @item d
26493 down
26494
26495 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26496 @item f
26497 finish
26498
26499 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26500 @item n
26501 next
26502
26503 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26504 @item q
26505 exit the SingleKey mode.
26506
26507 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26508 @item r
26509 run
26510
26511 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26512 @item s
26513 step
26514
26515 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26516 @item u
26517 up
26518
26519 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26520 @item v
26521 info locals
26522
26523 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
26524 @item w
26525 where
26526 @end table
26527
26528 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
26529 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
26530 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
26531 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
26532 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
26533 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
26534
26535
26536 @node TUI Commands
26537 @section TUI-specific Commands
26538 @cindex TUI commands
26539
26540 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
26541 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
26542 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
26543 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
26544
26545 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
26546 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
26547 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
26548 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
26549 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
26550
26551 @table @code
26552 @item info win
26553 @kindex info win
26554 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
26555
26556 @item layout next
26557 @kindex layout
26558 Display the next layout.
26559
26560 @item layout prev
26561 Display the previous layout.
26562
26563 @item layout src
26564 Display the source window only.
26565
26566 @item layout asm
26567 Display the assembly window only.
26568
26569 @item layout split
26570 Display the source and assembly window.
26571
26572 @item layout regs
26573 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
26574
26575 @item focus next
26576 @kindex focus
26577 Make the next window active for scrolling.
26578
26579 @item focus prev
26580 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
26581
26582 @item focus src
26583 Make the source window active for scrolling.
26584
26585 @item focus asm
26586 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
26587
26588 @item focus regs
26589 Make the register window active for scrolling.
26590
26591 @item focus cmd
26592 Make the command window active for scrolling.
26593
26594 @item refresh
26595 @kindex refresh
26596 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
26597
26598 @item tui reg float
26599 @kindex tui reg
26600 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
26601
26602 @item tui reg general
26603 Show the general registers in the register window.
26604
26605 @item tui reg next
26606 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
26607 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
26608 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
26609 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
26610
26611 @item tui reg system
26612 Show the system registers in the register window.
26613
26614 @item update
26615 @kindex update
26616 Update the source window and the current execution point.
26617
26618 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
26619 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
26620 @kindex winheight
26621 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
26622 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
26623 decrease it.
26624
26625 @item tabset @var{nchars}
26626 @kindex tabset
26627 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
26628 @end table
26629
26630 @node TUI Configuration
26631 @section TUI Configuration Variables
26632 @cindex TUI configuration variables
26633
26634 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
26635
26636 @table @code
26637 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
26638 @kindex set tui border-kind
26639 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
26640 The possible values are the following:
26641 @table @code
26642 @item space
26643 Use a space character to draw the border.
26644
26645 @item ascii
26646 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
26647
26648 @item acs
26649 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
26650 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
26651 @end table
26652
26653 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
26654 @kindex set tui border-mode
26655 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
26656 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
26657 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
26658 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
26659 @table @code
26660 @item normal
26661 Use normal attributes to display the border.
26662
26663 @item standout
26664 Use standout mode.
26665
26666 @item reverse
26667 Use reverse video mode.
26668
26669 @item half
26670 Use half bright mode.
26671
26672 @item half-standout
26673 Use half bright and standout mode.
26674
26675 @item bold
26676 Use extra bright or bold mode.
26677
26678 @item bold-standout
26679 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
26680 @end table
26681 @end table
26682
26683 @node Emacs
26684 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
26685
26686 @cindex Emacs
26687 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
26688 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
26689 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
26690 @value{GDBN}.
26691
26692 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
26693 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
26694 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
26695 created Emacs buffer.
26696 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
26697
26698 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
26699 things:
26700
26701 @itemize @bullet
26702 @item
26703 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
26704 the GUD buffer.
26705
26706 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
26707 and output done by the program you are debugging.
26708
26709 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
26710 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
26711 in this way.
26712
26713 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
26714 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
26715 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
26716 stop.
26717
26718 @item
26719 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
26720
26721 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
26722 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
26723 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
26724 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
26725 and the source.
26726
26727 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
26728 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
26729 @end itemize
26730
26731 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
26732 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
26733 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
26734 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
26735
26736 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
26737 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
26738 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
26739 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
26740 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
26741 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
26742 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
26743 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
26744 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
26745
26746 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
26747 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
26748 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
26749 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
26750
26751 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
26752 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
26753 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
26754 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
26755 one you want.
26756
26757 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
26758 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
26759
26760 @table @kbd
26761 @item C-h m
26762 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
26763
26764 @item C-c C-s
26765 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
26766 update the display window to show the current file and location.
26767
26768 @item C-c C-n
26769 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
26770 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
26771 to show the current file and location.
26772
26773 @item C-c C-i
26774 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
26775 display window accordingly.
26776
26777 @item C-c C-f
26778 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
26779 @code{finish} command.
26780
26781 @item C-c C-r
26782 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
26783 command.
26784
26785 @item C-c <
26786 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
26787 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
26788 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
26789
26790 @item C-c >
26791 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
26792 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
26793 @end table
26794
26795 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
26796 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
26797
26798 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
26799 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
26800 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
26801 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
26802 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
26803 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
26804 speedbar displays watch expressions.
26805
26806 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
26807 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
26808 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
26809 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
26810 frame.
26811
26812 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
26813 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
26814 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
26815 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
26816 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
26817 to correspond properly with the code.
26818
26819 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
26820 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
26821 Emacs Manual}).
26822
26823 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
26824 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
26825 @ignore
26826 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
26827 @kindex Epoch
26828 @kindex inspect
26829
26830 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
26831 called the @code{epoch}
26832 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
26833 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
26834 each value is printed in its own window.
26835 @end ignore
26836
26837
26838 @node GDB/MI
26839 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
26840
26841 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
26842
26843 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
26844 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
26845 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
26846 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
26847 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
26848 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
26849
26850 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
26851 in the form of a reference manual.
26852
26853 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
26854 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
26855 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
26856
26857 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
26858
26859 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
26860 This chapter uses the following notation:
26861
26862 @itemize @bullet
26863 @item
26864 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
26865
26866 @item
26867 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
26868 it may or may not be given.
26869
26870 @item
26871 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26872 may repeat zero or more times.
26873
26874 @item
26875 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
26876 may repeat one or more times.
26877
26878 @item
26879 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
26880 @end itemize
26881
26882 @ignore
26883 @heading Dependencies
26884 @end ignore
26885
26886 @menu
26887 * GDB/MI General Design::
26888 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
26889 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
26890 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
26891 * GDB/MI Output Records::
26892 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
26893 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
26894 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
26895 * GDB/MI Program Context::
26896 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
26897 * GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands::
26898 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
26899 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
26900 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
26901 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
26902 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
26903 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
26904 * GDB/MI File Commands::
26905 @ignore
26906 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
26907 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
26908 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
26909 @end ignore
26910 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
26911 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
26912 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
26913 @end menu
26914
26915 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26916 @node GDB/MI General Design
26917 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
26918 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
26919
26920 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
26921 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
26922 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
26923 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
26924 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
26925 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
26926 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
26927 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
26928 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
26929 a command and reported as part of that command response.
26930
26931 The important examples of notifications are:
26932 @itemize @bullet
26933
26934 @item
26935 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
26936 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
26937 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
26938 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
26939 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
26940 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
26941 command itself was successfully executed.
26942
26943 @item
26944 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
26945 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
26946 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
26947 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
26948 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
26949 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
26950
26951 @item
26952 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
26953 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
26954 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
26955 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
26956 orthogonal frontend design.
26957
26958 @end itemize
26959
26960 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
26961 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
26962 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
26963 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
26964 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
26965 the user interface.
26966
26967
26968 @menu
26969 * Context management::
26970 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
26971 * Thread groups::
26972 @end menu
26973
26974 @node Context management
26975 @subsection Context management
26976
26977 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
26978 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
26979 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
26980 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
26981 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
26982 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
26983 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
26984 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
26985 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
26986
26987 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
26988 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
26989 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
26990 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
26991 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
26992 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
26993 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
26994 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
26995 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
26996 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
26997 for thread and frame to operate on.
26998
26999 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
27000 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
27001 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
27002 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
27003 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
27004 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
27005 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
27006 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
27007 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
27008 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
27009
27010 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
27011 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
27012 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
27013 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
27014 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
27015 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
27016 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
27017 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
27018 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
27019 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
27020 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
27021 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
27022 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
27023 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
27024 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
27025 @samp{--frame} options.
27026
27027 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
27028 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
27029
27030 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
27031 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
27032 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
27033 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
27034 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
27035 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
27036 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
27037 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
27038 @code{-list-target-features} command.
27039
27040 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
27041 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
27042 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
27043 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
27044 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
27045 are running.
27046
27047 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
27048 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
27049 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
27050 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
27051 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
27052 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
27053 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
27054 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
27055 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
27056 @samp{--thread} option).
27057
27058 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
27059 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
27060 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
27061 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
27062
27063 @node Thread groups
27064 @subsection Thread groups
27065 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
27066 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
27067 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
27068 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
27069 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
27070
27071 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
27072 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
27073 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
27074 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
27075 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
27076 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
27077 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
27078 into processes.
27079
27080 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
27081 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
27082 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
27083 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
27084 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
27085 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
27086 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
27087 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
27088 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
27089 the members of specific thread group.
27090
27091 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
27092 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
27093 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
27094 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
27095 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
27096 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
27097 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
27098 after attaching to that thread group.
27099
27100 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
27101 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
27102 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
27103 such thread groups.
27104
27105 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27106 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
27107 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
27108
27109 @menu
27110 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
27111 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
27112 @end menu
27113
27114 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
27115 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
27116
27117 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
27118 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
27119 @table @code
27120 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
27121 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
27122
27123 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
27124 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
27125 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
27126
27127 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
27128 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
27129 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
27130
27131 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27132 "any sequence of digits"
27133
27134 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
27135 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
27136
27137 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
27138 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
27139
27140 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
27141 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
27142
27143 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
27144 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
27145 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
27146
27147 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
27148 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
27149
27150 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27151 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27152 @end table
27153
27154 @noindent
27155 Notes:
27156
27157 @itemize @bullet
27158 @item
27159 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
27160 output is described below.
27161
27162 @item
27163 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
27164 finishes.
27165
27166 @item
27167 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
27168 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
27169 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
27170 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
27171 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
27172 @end itemize
27173
27174 Pragmatics:
27175
27176 @itemize @bullet
27177 @item
27178 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
27179
27180 @item
27181 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
27182 @end itemize
27183
27184 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
27185 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
27186
27187 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
27188 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
27189 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
27190 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
27191 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
27192 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
27193
27194 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
27195 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
27196 @var{token}.
27197
27198 @table @code
27199 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
27200 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
27201
27202 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
27203 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27204
27205 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
27206 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
27207
27208 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
27209 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
27210
27211 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
27212 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
27213
27214 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
27215 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
27216
27217 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
27218 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
27219
27220 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
27221 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
27222
27223 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
27224 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
27225
27226 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
27227 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
27228 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
27229
27230 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
27231 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
27232
27233 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
27234 @code{ @var{string} }
27235
27236 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
27237 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
27238
27239 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
27240 @code{@var{c-string}}
27241
27242 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
27243 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
27244
27245 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
27246 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
27247 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
27248
27249 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
27250 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
27251
27252 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
27253 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
27254
27255 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
27256 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
27257
27258 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
27259 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
27260
27261 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
27262 @code{CR | CR-LF}
27263
27264 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
27265 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
27266 @end table
27267
27268 @noindent
27269 Notes:
27270
27271 @itemize @bullet
27272 @item
27273 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
27274
27275 @item
27276 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
27277 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
27278 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
27279 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
27280 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
27281 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
27282 prior command.
27283
27284 @item
27285 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27286 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
27287 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
27288 prefixed by @samp{+}.
27289
27290 @item
27291 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27292 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
27293 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
27294 @samp{*}.
27295
27296 @item
27297 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27298 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
27299 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
27300 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
27301
27302 @item
27303 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27304 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
27305 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
27306 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
27307
27308 @item
27309 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27310 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
27311 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
27312
27313 @item
27314 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27315 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
27316 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
27317 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
27318
27319 @item
27320 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
27321 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
27322 @var{values}.
27323
27324
27325 @end itemize
27326
27327 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
27328 details about the various output records.
27329
27330 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27331 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
27332 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
27333
27334 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
27335 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
27336
27337 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
27338 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
27339 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
27340 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
27341 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
27342 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
27343
27344 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
27345 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
27346 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
27347
27348 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27349 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
27350 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
27351 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
27352
27353 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
27354 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
27355
27356 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
27357 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
27358 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
27359 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
27360 might change.
27361
27362 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
27363 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
27364 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
27365 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
27366
27367 @itemize @bullet
27368 @item
27369 New MI commands may be added.
27370
27371 @item
27372 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
27373
27374 @item
27375 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
27376 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
27377
27378 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
27379 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
27380
27381 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
27382 @c resolve inconsistencies.
27383 @end itemize
27384
27385 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
27386 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
27387 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
27388 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
27389 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
27390
27391 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
27392 @c version?
27393
27394 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
27395 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
27396 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
27397 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
27398 @cindex mailing lists
27399
27400 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27401 @node GDB/MI Output Records
27402 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
27403
27404 @menu
27405 * GDB/MI Result Records::
27406 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
27407 * GDB/MI Async Records::
27408 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
27409 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
27410 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
27411 @end menu
27412
27413 @node GDB/MI Result Records
27414 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
27415
27416 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27417 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
27418 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
27419 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
27420
27421 @table @code
27422 @findex ^done
27423 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
27424 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
27425 values.
27426
27427 @item "^running"
27428 @findex ^running
27429 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
27430 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
27431 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
27432 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
27433 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
27434 which threads are resumed.
27435
27436 @item "^connected"
27437 @findex ^connected
27438 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
27439
27440 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
27441 @findex ^error
27442 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
27443 error message.
27444
27445 @item "^exit"
27446 @findex ^exit
27447 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
27448
27449 @end table
27450
27451 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
27452 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
27453
27454 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
27455 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27456 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
27457 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
27458 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
27459
27460 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
27461 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
27462 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
27463 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
27464 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
27465
27466 @table @code
27467 @item "~" @var{string-output}
27468 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
27469 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
27470
27471 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
27472 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
27473 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
27474 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
27475
27476 @item "&" @var{string-output}
27477 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
27478 internals.
27479 @end table
27480
27481 @node GDB/MI Async Records
27482 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
27483
27484 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
27485 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
27486 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
27487 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
27488 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
27489 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
27490
27491 The following is the list of possible async records:
27492
27493 @table @code
27494
27495 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
27496 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
27497 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
27498 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
27499 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
27500 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
27501 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
27502 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
27503 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
27504 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
27505
27506 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
27507 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
27508 following values:
27509
27510 @table @code
27511 @item breakpoint-hit
27512 A breakpoint was reached.
27513 @item watchpoint-trigger
27514 A watchpoint was triggered.
27515 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
27516 A read watchpoint was triggered.
27517 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
27518 An access watchpoint was triggered.
27519 @item function-finished
27520 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27521 @item location-reached
27522 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
27523 @item watchpoint-scope
27524 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
27525 @item end-stepping-range
27526 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
27527 similar CLI command was accomplished.
27528 @item exited-signalled
27529 The inferior exited because of a signal.
27530 @item exited
27531 The inferior exited.
27532 @item exited-normally
27533 The inferior exited normally.
27534 @item signal-received
27535 A signal was received by the inferior.
27536 @item solib-event
27537 The inferior has stopped due to a library being loaded or unloaded.
27538 This can happen when @code{stop-on-solib-events} (@pxref{Files}) is
27539 set or when a @code{catch load} or @code{catch unload} catchpoint is
27540 in use (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}).
27541 @item fork
27542 The inferior has forked. This is reported when @code{catch fork}
27543 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27544 @item vfork
27545 The inferior has vforked. This is reported in when @code{catch vfork}
27546 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27547 @item syscall-entry
27548 The inferior entered a system call. This is reported when @code{catch
27549 syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27550 @item syscall-entry
27551 The inferior returned from a system call. This is reported when
27552 @code{catch syscall} (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27553 @item exec
27554 The inferior called @code{exec}. This is reported when @code{catch exec}
27555 (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}) has been used.
27556 @end table
27557
27558 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
27559 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
27560 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
27561 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
27562 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
27563 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
27564 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
27565 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
27566 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
27567 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
27568 if such information is not available.
27569
27570 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
27571 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
27572 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
27573 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
27574 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
27575 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
27576 cannot be used in any way.
27577
27578 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
27579 A thread group became associated with a running program,
27580 either because the program was just started or the thread group
27581 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
27582 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
27583 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
27584
27585 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
27586 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
27587 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
27588 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
27589 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
27590 only when the inferior exited with some code.
27591
27592 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27593 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
27594 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
27595 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
27596 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
27597
27598 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
27599 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
27600 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
27601 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
27602 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
27603 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
27604 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
27605
27606 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
27607 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
27608 that thread.
27609
27610 @item =library-loaded,...
27611 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
27612 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
27613 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
27614 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
27615 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
27616 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
27617 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
27618 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
27619 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
27620 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
27621 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
27622 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
27623 thread groups.
27624
27625 @item =library-unloaded,...
27626 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
27627 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
27628 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
27629 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
27630 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
27631 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
27632 thread groups.
27633
27634 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
27635 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
27636 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,id=@var{number}
27637 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
27638 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
27639 user.
27640
27641 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
27642 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}. The
27643 @var{number} is the ordinal number of the breakpoint.
27644
27645 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
27646 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
27647
27648 @item =cmd-param-changed,param=@var{param},value=@var{value}
27649 Reports that a parameter of the command @code{set @var{param}} is
27650 changed to @var{value}. In the multi-word @code{set} command,
27651 the @var{param} is the whole parameter list to @code{set} command.
27652 For example, In command @code{set check type on}, @var{param}
27653 is @code{check type} and @var{value} is @code{on}.
27654 @end table
27655
27656 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
27657 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
27658
27659 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
27660 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
27661 fields:
27662
27663 @table @code
27664 @item level
27665 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
27666 zero. This field is always present.
27667
27668 @item func
27669 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
27670 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
27671
27672 @item addr
27673 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
27674
27675 @item file
27676 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
27677 address. This field may be absent.
27678
27679 @item line
27680 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
27681 may be absent.
27682
27683 @item from
27684 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
27685 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
27686
27687 @end table
27688
27689 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
27690 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
27691
27692 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
27693 uses a tuple with the following fields:
27694
27695 @table @code
27696 @item id
27697 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
27698 always present.
27699
27700 @item target-id
27701 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
27702
27703 @item details
27704 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
27705 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
27706 frontend. This field is optional.
27707
27708 @item state
27709 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
27710 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
27711
27712 @item core
27713 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
27714 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
27715 @end table
27716
27717 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
27718 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
27719
27720 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
27721 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
27722 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
27723 the @code{exception-name} field.
27724
27725 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27726 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
27727 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
27728 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
27729
27730 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
27731 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
27732 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
27733 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
27734
27735 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
27736 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
27737
27738 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
27739
27740 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
27741 information of the breakpoint.
27742
27743 @smallexample
27744 -> -break-insert main
27745 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27746 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
27747 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
27748 <- (gdb)
27749 @end smallexample
27750
27751 @subheading Program Execution
27752
27753 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
27754 reason that execution stopped.
27755
27756 @smallexample
27757 -> -exec-run
27758 <- ^running
27759 <- (gdb)
27760 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
27761 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
27762 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
27763 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
27764 <- (gdb)
27765 -> -exec-continue
27766 <- ^running
27767 <- (gdb)
27768 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
27769 <- (gdb)
27770 @end smallexample
27771
27772 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
27773
27774 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
27775
27776 @smallexample
27777 -> (gdb)
27778 <- -gdb-exit
27779 <- ^exit
27780 @end smallexample
27781
27782 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
27783 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
27784 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
27785 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
27786 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
27787 fails to exit in reasonable time.
27788
27789 @subheading A Bad Command
27790
27791 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
27792
27793 @smallexample
27794 -> -rubbish
27795 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
27796 <- (gdb)
27797 @end smallexample
27798
27799
27800 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27801 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
27802 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
27803
27804 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
27805 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
27806
27807 @subheading Motivation
27808
27809 The motivation for this collection of commands.
27810
27811 @subheading Introduction
27812
27813 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
27814
27815 @subheading Commands
27816
27817 For each command in the block, the following is described:
27818
27819 @subsubheading Synopsis
27820
27821 @smallexample
27822 -command @var{args}@dots{}
27823 @end smallexample
27824
27825 @subsubheading Result
27826
27827 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27828
27829 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
27830
27831 @subsubheading Example
27832
27833 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
27834 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
27835
27836
27837 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27838 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
27839 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
27840
27841 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
27842 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
27843 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
27844 breakpoints.
27845
27846 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
27847 @findex -break-after
27848
27849 @subsubheading Synopsis
27850
27851 @smallexample
27852 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
27853 @end smallexample
27854
27855 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
27856 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
27857 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
27858 @samp{-break-list} command below.
27859
27860 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27861
27862 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
27863
27864 @subsubheading Example
27865
27866 @smallexample
27867 (gdb)
27868 -break-insert main
27869 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27870 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
27871 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
27872 (gdb)
27873 -break-after 1 3
27874 ~
27875 ^done
27876 (gdb)
27877 -break-list
27878 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27879 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27880 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27881 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27882 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27883 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27884 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27885 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27886 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27887 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
27888 (gdb)
27889 @end smallexample
27890
27891 @ignore
27892 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
27893 @findex -break-catch
27894 @end ignore
27895
27896 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
27897 @findex -break-commands
27898
27899 @subsubheading Synopsis
27900
27901 @smallexample
27902 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
27903 @end smallexample
27904
27905 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
27906 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
27907 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
27908 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
27909 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
27910 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
27911
27912 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27913
27914 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
27915
27916 @subsubheading Example
27917
27918 @smallexample
27919 (gdb)
27920 -break-insert main
27921 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
27922 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
27923 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
27924 (gdb)
27925 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
27926 ^done
27927 (gdb)
27928 @end smallexample
27929
27930 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
27931 @findex -break-condition
27932
27933 @subsubheading Synopsis
27934
27935 @smallexample
27936 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
27937 @end smallexample
27938
27939 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
27940 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
27941 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
27942 command below).
27943
27944 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27945
27946 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
27947
27948 @subsubheading Example
27949
27950 @smallexample
27951 (gdb)
27952 -break-condition 1 1
27953 ^done
27954 (gdb)
27955 -break-list
27956 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
27957 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27958 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27959 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27960 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27961 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27962 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
27963 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
27964 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
27965 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
27966 (gdb)
27967 @end smallexample
27968
27969 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
27970 @findex -break-delete
27971
27972 @subsubheading Synopsis
27973
27974 @smallexample
27975 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
27976 @end smallexample
27977
27978 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
27979 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
27980
27981 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27982
27983 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
27984
27985 @subsubheading Example
27986
27987 @smallexample
27988 (gdb)
27989 -break-delete 1
27990 ^done
27991 (gdb)
27992 -break-list
27993 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
27994 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
27995 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
27996 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
27997 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
27998 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
27999 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28000 body=[]@}
28001 (gdb)
28002 @end smallexample
28003
28004 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
28005 @findex -break-disable
28006
28007 @subsubheading Synopsis
28008
28009 @smallexample
28010 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28011 @end smallexample
28012
28013 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
28014 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
28015
28016 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28017
28018 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
28019
28020 @subsubheading Example
28021
28022 @smallexample
28023 (gdb)
28024 -break-disable 2
28025 ^done
28026 (gdb)
28027 -break-list
28028 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28029 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28030 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28031 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28032 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28033 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28034 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28035 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
28036 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28037 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
28038 (gdb)
28039 @end smallexample
28040
28041 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
28042 @findex -break-enable
28043
28044 @subsubheading Synopsis
28045
28046 @smallexample
28047 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
28048 @end smallexample
28049
28050 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
28051
28052 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28053
28054 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
28055
28056 @subsubheading Example
28057
28058 @smallexample
28059 (gdb)
28060 -break-enable 2
28061 ^done
28062 (gdb)
28063 -break-list
28064 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28065 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28066 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28067 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28068 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28069 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28070 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28071 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28072 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28073 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
28074 (gdb)
28075 @end smallexample
28076
28077 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
28078 @findex -break-info
28079
28080 @subsubheading Synopsis
28081
28082 @smallexample
28083 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
28084 @end smallexample
28085
28086 @c REDUNDANT???
28087 Get information about a single breakpoint.
28088
28089 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28090
28091 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
28092
28093 @subsubheading Example
28094 N.A.
28095
28096 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
28097 @findex -break-insert
28098
28099 @subsubheading Synopsis
28100
28101 @smallexample
28102 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
28103 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
28104 [ -p @var{thread-id} ] [ @var{location} ]
28105 @end smallexample
28106
28107 @noindent
28108 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
28109
28110 @itemize @bullet
28111 @item function
28112 @c @item +offset
28113 @c @item -offset
28114 @c @item linenum
28115 @item filename:linenum
28116 @item filename:function
28117 @item *address
28118 @end itemize
28119
28120 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
28121
28122 @table @samp
28123 @item -t
28124 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
28125 @item -h
28126 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
28127 @item -f
28128 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
28129 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
28130 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
28131 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
28132 cannot be parsed.
28133 @item -d
28134 Create a disabled breakpoint.
28135 @item -a
28136 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
28137 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
28138 @item -c @var{condition}
28139 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
28140 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
28141 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
28142 @item -p @var{thread-id}
28143 Restrict the breakpoint to the specified @var{thread-id}.
28144 @end table
28145
28146 @subsubheading Result
28147
28148 The result is in the form:
28149
28150 @smallexample
28151 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
28152 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
28153 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
28154 times="@var{times}"@}
28155 @end smallexample
28156
28157 @noindent
28158 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
28159 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
28160 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
28161 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
28162 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
28163 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
28164 which use the same output).
28165
28166 Note: this format is open to change.
28167 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
28168
28169 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28170
28171 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
28172 @samp{hbreak}, and @samp{thbreak}. @c and @samp{rbreak}.
28173
28174 @subsubheading Example
28175
28176 @smallexample
28177 (gdb)
28178 -break-insert main
28179 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
28180 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
28181 (gdb)
28182 -break-insert -t foo
28183 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
28184 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
28185 (gdb)
28186 -break-list
28187 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28188 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28189 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28190 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28191 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28192 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28193 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28194 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28195 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
28196 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
28197 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
28198 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
28199 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
28200 (gdb)
28201 @c -break-insert -r foo.*
28202 @c ~int foo(int, int);
28203 @c ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
28204 @c "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
28205 @c (gdb)
28206 @end smallexample
28207
28208 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
28209 @findex -break-list
28210
28211 @subsubheading Synopsis
28212
28213 @smallexample
28214 -break-list
28215 @end smallexample
28216
28217 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
28218
28219 @table @samp
28220 @item Number
28221 number of the breakpoint
28222 @item Type
28223 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
28224 @item Disposition
28225 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
28226 or @samp{nokeep}
28227 @item Enabled
28228 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
28229 @item Address
28230 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
28231 @item What
28232 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
28233 name, line number
28234 @item Times
28235 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
28236 @end table
28237
28238 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
28239 @code{body} field is an empty list.
28240
28241 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28242
28243 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
28244
28245 @subsubheading Example
28246
28247 @smallexample
28248 (gdb)
28249 -break-list
28250 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28251 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28252 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28253 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28254 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28255 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28256 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28257 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28258 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
28259 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28260 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
28261 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
28262 (gdb)
28263 @end smallexample
28264
28265 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
28266
28267 @smallexample
28268 (gdb)
28269 -break-list
28270 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
28271 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28272 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28273 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28274 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28275 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28276 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28277 body=[]@}
28278 (gdb)
28279 @end smallexample
28280
28281 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
28282 @findex -break-passcount
28283
28284 @subsubheading Synopsis
28285
28286 @smallexample
28287 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
28288 @end smallexample
28289
28290 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
28291 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
28292 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
28293 command @samp{passcount}.
28294
28295 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
28296 @findex -break-watch
28297
28298 @subsubheading Synopsis
28299
28300 @smallexample
28301 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
28302 @end smallexample
28303
28304 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
28305 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
28306 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
28307 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
28308 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
28309 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
28310 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
28311 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
28312
28313 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
28314 breakpoints inserted.
28315
28316 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28317
28318 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
28319 @samp{rwatch}.
28320
28321 @subsubheading Example
28322
28323 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
28324
28325 @smallexample
28326 (gdb)
28327 -break-watch x
28328 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
28329 (gdb)
28330 -exec-continue
28331 ^running
28332 (gdb)
28333 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
28334 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
28335 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
28336 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
28337 (gdb)
28338 @end smallexample
28339
28340 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
28341 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
28342 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
28343
28344 @smallexample
28345 (gdb)
28346 -break-watch C
28347 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
28348 (gdb)
28349 -exec-continue
28350 ^running
28351 (gdb)
28352 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
28353 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28354 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28355 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28356 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28357 (gdb)
28358 -exec-continue
28359 ^running
28360 (gdb)
28361 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
28362 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28363 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28364 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28365 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28366 (gdb)
28367 @end smallexample
28368
28369 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
28370 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
28371 deleted.
28372
28373 @smallexample
28374 (gdb)
28375 -break-watch C
28376 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
28377 (gdb)
28378 -break-list
28379 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28380 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28381 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28382 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28383 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28384 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28385 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28386 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28387 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28388 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28389 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
28390 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28391 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
28392 (gdb)
28393 -exec-continue
28394 ^running
28395 (gdb)
28396 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
28397 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
28398 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
28399 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28400 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
28401 (gdb)
28402 -break-list
28403 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
28404 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28405 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28406 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28407 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28408 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28409 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28410 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28411 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28412 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28413 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
28414 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
28415 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
28416 (gdb)
28417 -exec-continue
28418 ^running
28419 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
28420 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
28421 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
28422 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28423 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
28424 (gdb)
28425 -break-list
28426 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
28427 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
28428 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
28429 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
28430 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
28431 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
28432 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
28433 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
28434 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
28435 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
28436 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
28437 times="1"@}]@}
28438 (gdb)
28439 @end smallexample
28440
28441 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28442 @node GDB/MI Program Context
28443 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
28444
28445 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
28446 @findex -exec-arguments
28447
28448
28449 @subsubheading Synopsis
28450
28451 @smallexample
28452 -exec-arguments @var{args}
28453 @end smallexample
28454
28455 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
28456 @samp{-exec-run}.
28457
28458 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28459
28460 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
28461
28462 @subsubheading Example
28463
28464 @smallexample
28465 (gdb)
28466 -exec-arguments -v word
28467 ^done
28468 (gdb)
28469 @end smallexample
28470
28471
28472 @ignore
28473 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
28474 @findex -exec-show-arguments
28475
28476 @subsubheading Synopsis
28477
28478 @smallexample
28479 -exec-show-arguments
28480 @end smallexample
28481
28482 Print the arguments of the program.
28483
28484 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28485
28486 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
28487
28488 @subsubheading Example
28489 N.A.
28490 @end ignore
28491
28492
28493 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
28494 @findex -environment-cd
28495
28496 @subsubheading Synopsis
28497
28498 @smallexample
28499 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
28500 @end smallexample
28501
28502 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
28503
28504 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28505
28506 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
28507
28508 @subsubheading Example
28509
28510 @smallexample
28511 (gdb)
28512 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
28513 ^done
28514 (gdb)
28515 @end smallexample
28516
28517
28518 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
28519 @findex -environment-directory
28520
28521 @subsubheading Synopsis
28522
28523 @smallexample
28524 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
28525 @end smallexample
28526
28527 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
28528 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
28529 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
28530 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
28531 occurs as normal.
28532 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
28533 multiple directories in a single command
28534 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
28535 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
28536 If blanks are needed as
28537 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
28538 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
28539 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
28540 character must not be used
28541 in any directory name.
28542 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
28543
28544 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28545
28546 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
28547
28548 @subsubheading Example
28549
28550 @smallexample
28551 (gdb)
28552 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
28553 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
28554 (gdb)
28555 -environment-directory ""
28556 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
28557 (gdb)
28558 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
28559 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
28560 (gdb)
28561 -environment-directory -r
28562 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
28563 (gdb)
28564 @end smallexample
28565
28566
28567 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
28568 @findex -environment-path
28569
28570 @subsubheading Synopsis
28571
28572 @smallexample
28573 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
28574 @end smallexample
28575
28576 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
28577 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
28578 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
28579 supplied in addition to the
28580 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
28581 occurs as normal.
28582 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
28583 multiple directories in a single command
28584 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
28585 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
28586 If blanks are needed as
28587 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
28588 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
28589 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
28590 character must not be used
28591 in any directory name.
28592 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
28593
28594
28595 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28596
28597 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
28598
28599 @subsubheading Example
28600
28601 @smallexample
28602 (gdb)
28603 -environment-path
28604 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
28605 (gdb)
28606 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
28607 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
28608 (gdb)
28609 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
28610 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
28611 (gdb)
28612 @end smallexample
28613
28614
28615 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
28616 @findex -environment-pwd
28617
28618 @subsubheading Synopsis
28619
28620 @smallexample
28621 -environment-pwd
28622 @end smallexample
28623
28624 Show the current working directory.
28625
28626 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28627
28628 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
28629
28630 @subsubheading Example
28631
28632 @smallexample
28633 (gdb)
28634 -environment-pwd
28635 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
28636 (gdb)
28637 @end smallexample
28638
28639 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28640 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
28641 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
28642
28643
28644 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
28645 @findex -thread-info
28646
28647 @subsubheading Synopsis
28648
28649 @smallexample
28650 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
28651 @end smallexample
28652
28653 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
28654 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
28655 threads. When printing information about all threads,
28656 also reports the current thread.
28657
28658 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28659
28660 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
28661 about all threads.
28662
28663 @subsubheading Result
28664
28665 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
28666 defined for a given thread:
28667
28668 @table @samp
28669 @item current
28670 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
28671
28672 @item id
28673 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
28674
28675 @item target-id
28676 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
28677
28678 @item details
28679 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
28680 field is optional.
28681
28682 @item name
28683 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
28684 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
28685 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
28686 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
28687 field is omitted.
28688
28689 @item frame
28690 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
28691
28692 @item state
28693 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
28694 values:
28695
28696 @table @code
28697 @item stopped
28698 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
28699 threads.
28700
28701 @item running
28702 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
28703 threads.
28704
28705 @end table
28706
28707 @item core
28708 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
28709 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
28710
28711 @end table
28712
28713 @subsubheading Example
28714
28715 @smallexample
28716 -thread-info
28717 ^done,threads=[
28718 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
28719 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
28720 args=[]@},state="running"@},
28721 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
28722 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
28723 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
28724 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
28725 state="running"@}],
28726 current-thread-id="1"
28727 (gdb)
28728 @end smallexample
28729
28730 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
28731 @findex -thread-list-ids
28732
28733 @subsubheading Synopsis
28734
28735 @smallexample
28736 -thread-list-ids
28737 @end smallexample
28738
28739 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
28740 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
28741
28742 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
28743 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
28744
28745 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28746
28747 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
28748
28749 @subsubheading Example
28750
28751 @smallexample
28752 (gdb)
28753 -thread-list-ids
28754 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
28755 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
28756 (gdb)
28757 @end smallexample
28758
28759
28760 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
28761 @findex -thread-select
28762
28763 @subsubheading Synopsis
28764
28765 @smallexample
28766 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
28767 @end smallexample
28768
28769 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
28770 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
28771
28772 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
28773 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
28774
28775 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28776
28777 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
28778
28779 @subsubheading Example
28780
28781 @smallexample
28782 (gdb)
28783 -exec-next
28784 ^running
28785 (gdb)
28786 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
28787 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
28788 (gdb)
28789 -thread-list-ids
28790 ^done,
28791 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
28792 number-of-threads="3"
28793 (gdb)
28794 -thread-select 3
28795 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
28796 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
28797 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
28798 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
28799 (gdb)
28800 @end smallexample
28801
28802 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28803 @node GDB/MI Ada Tasking Commands
28804 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Tasking Commands
28805
28806 @subheading The @code{-ada-task-info} Command
28807 @findex -ada-task-info
28808
28809 @subsubheading Synopsis
28810
28811 @smallexample
28812 -ada-task-info [ @var{task-id} ]
28813 @end smallexample
28814
28815 Reports information about either a specific Ada task, if the
28816 @var{task-id} parameter is present, or about all Ada tasks.
28817
28818 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28819
28820 The @samp{info tasks} command prints the same information
28821 about all Ada tasks (@pxref{Ada Tasks}).
28822
28823 @subsubheading Result
28824
28825 The result is a table of Ada tasks. The following columns are
28826 defined for each Ada task:
28827
28828 @table @samp
28829 @item current
28830 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
28831
28832 @item id
28833 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the Ada task.
28834
28835 @item task-id
28836 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the Ada task.
28837
28838 @item thread-id
28839 The identifier of the thread corresponding to the Ada task.
28840
28841 This field should always exist, as Ada tasks are always implemented
28842 on top of a thread. But if @value{GDBN} cannot find this corresponding
28843 thread for any reason, the field is omitted.
28844
28845 @item parent-id
28846 This field exists only when the task was created by another task.
28847 In this case, it provides the ID of the parent task.
28848
28849 @item priority
28850 The base priority of the task.
28851
28852 @item state
28853 The current state of the task. For a detailed description of the
28854 possible states, see @ref{Ada Tasks}.
28855
28856 @item name
28857 The name of the task.
28858
28859 @end table
28860
28861 @subsubheading Example
28862
28863 @smallexample
28864 -ada-task-info
28865 ^done,tasks=@{nr_rows="3",nr_cols="8",
28866 hdr=[@{width="1",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr=""@},
28867 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="id",colhdr="ID"@},
28868 @{width="9",alignment="1",col_name="task-id",colhdr="TID"@},
28869 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="thread-id",colhdr=""@},
28870 @{width="4",alignment="1",col_name="parent-id",colhdr="P-ID"@},
28871 @{width="3",alignment="1",col_name="priority",colhdr="Pri"@},
28872 @{width="22",alignment="-1",col_name="state",colhdr="State"@},
28873 @{width="1",alignment="2",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@}],
28874 body=[@{current="*",id="1",task-id=" 644010",thread-id="1",priority="48",
28875 state="Child Termination Wait",name="main_task"@}]@}
28876 (gdb)
28877 @end smallexample
28878
28879 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28880 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
28881 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
28882
28883 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
28884 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
28885 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
28886 other cases.
28887
28888 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
28889 @findex -exec-continue
28890
28891 @subsubheading Synopsis
28892
28893 @smallexample
28894 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
28895 @end smallexample
28896
28897 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
28898 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
28899 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
28900 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
28901 @itemize @bullet
28902 @item
28903 breakpoints or watchpoints
28904 @item
28905 signals or exceptions
28906 @item
28907 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
28908 @item
28909 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
28910 @end itemize
28911 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
28912 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
28913 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
28914 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
28915 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
28916 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
28917
28918 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28919
28920 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
28921
28922 @subsubheading Example
28923
28924 @smallexample
28925 -exec-continue
28926 ^running
28927 (gdb)
28928 @@Hello world
28929 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
28930 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
28931 line="13"@}
28932 (gdb)
28933 @end smallexample
28934
28935
28936 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
28937 @findex -exec-finish
28938
28939 @subsubheading Synopsis
28940
28941 @smallexample
28942 -exec-finish [--reverse]
28943 @end smallexample
28944
28945 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
28946 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
28947 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
28948 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
28949 function was called.
28950
28951 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28952
28953 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
28954
28955 @subsubheading Example
28956
28957 Function returning @code{void}.
28958
28959 @smallexample
28960 -exec-finish
28961 ^running
28962 (gdb)
28963 @@hello from foo
28964 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
28965 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
28966 (gdb)
28967 @end smallexample
28968
28969 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
28970 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
28971 value itself.
28972
28973 @smallexample
28974 -exec-finish
28975 ^running
28976 (gdb)
28977 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
28978 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
28979 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
28980 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
28981 (gdb)
28982 @end smallexample
28983
28984
28985 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
28986 @findex -exec-interrupt
28987
28988 @subsubheading Synopsis
28989
28990 @smallexample
28991 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
28992 @end smallexample
28993
28994 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
28995 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
28996 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
28997 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
28998 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
28999
29000 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
29001 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
29002 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
29003 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
29004
29005 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
29006 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
29007 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
29008 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
29009
29010 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29011
29012 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
29013
29014 @subsubheading Example
29015
29016 @smallexample
29017 (gdb)
29018 111-exec-continue
29019 111^running
29020
29021 (gdb)
29022 222-exec-interrupt
29023 222^done
29024 (gdb)
29025 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
29026 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29027 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
29028 (gdb)
29029
29030 (gdb)
29031 -exec-interrupt
29032 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
29033 (gdb)
29034 @end smallexample
29035
29036 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
29037 @findex -exec-jump
29038
29039 @subsubheading Synopsis
29040
29041 @smallexample
29042 -exec-jump @var{location}
29043 @end smallexample
29044
29045 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
29046 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
29047 different forms of @var{location}.
29048
29049 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29050
29051 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
29052
29053 @subsubheading Example
29054
29055 @smallexample
29056 -exec-jump foo.c:10
29057 *running,thread-id="all"
29058 ^running
29059 @end smallexample
29060
29061
29062 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
29063 @findex -exec-next
29064
29065 @subsubheading Synopsis
29066
29067 @smallexample
29068 -exec-next [--reverse]
29069 @end smallexample
29070
29071 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29072 of the next source line is reached.
29073
29074 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29075 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
29076 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
29077 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
29078 source line where the function was called.
29079
29080
29081 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29082
29083 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
29084
29085 @subsubheading Example
29086
29087 @smallexample
29088 -exec-next
29089 ^running
29090 (gdb)
29091 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
29092 (gdb)
29093 @end smallexample
29094
29095
29096 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
29097 @findex -exec-next-instruction
29098
29099 @subsubheading Synopsis
29100
29101 @smallexample
29102 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
29103 @end smallexample
29104
29105 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
29106 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
29107 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
29108 printed as well.
29109
29110 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
29111 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
29112 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
29113 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
29114 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
29115
29116 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29117
29118 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
29119
29120 @subsubheading Example
29121
29122 @smallexample
29123 (gdb)
29124 -exec-next-instruction
29125 ^running
29126
29127 (gdb)
29128 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29129 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
29130 (gdb)
29131 @end smallexample
29132
29133
29134 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
29135 @findex -exec-return
29136
29137 @subsubheading Synopsis
29138
29139 @smallexample
29140 -exec-return
29141 @end smallexample
29142
29143 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
29144 Displays the new current frame.
29145
29146 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29147
29148 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
29149
29150 @subsubheading Example
29151
29152 @smallexample
29153 (gdb)
29154 200-break-insert callee4
29155 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
29156 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29157 (gdb)
29158 000-exec-run
29159 000^running
29160 (gdb)
29161 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29162 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
29163 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29164 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
29165 (gdb)
29166 205-break-delete
29167 205^done
29168 (gdb)
29169 111-exec-return
29170 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
29171 args=[@{name="strarg",
29172 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
29173 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29174 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
29175 (gdb)
29176 @end smallexample
29177
29178
29179 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
29180 @findex -exec-run
29181
29182 @subsubheading Synopsis
29183
29184 @smallexample
29185 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
29186 @end smallexample
29187
29188 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
29189 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
29190 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
29191 the program has exited exceptionally.
29192
29193 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
29194 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
29195 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
29196 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
29197
29198 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29199
29200 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
29201
29202 @subsubheading Examples
29203
29204 @smallexample
29205 (gdb)
29206 -break-insert main
29207 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29208 (gdb)
29209 -exec-run
29210 ^running
29211 (gdb)
29212 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
29213 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
29214 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
29215 (gdb)
29216 @end smallexample
29217
29218 @noindent
29219 Program exited normally:
29220
29221 @smallexample
29222 (gdb)
29223 -exec-run
29224 ^running
29225 (gdb)
29226 x = 55
29227 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
29228 (gdb)
29229 @end smallexample
29230
29231 @noindent
29232 Program exited exceptionally:
29233
29234 @smallexample
29235 (gdb)
29236 -exec-run
29237 ^running
29238 (gdb)
29239 x = 55
29240 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
29241 (gdb)
29242 @end smallexample
29243
29244 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
29245 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
29246
29247 @smallexample
29248 (gdb)
29249 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
29250 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
29251 @end smallexample
29252
29253
29254 @c @subheading -exec-signal
29255
29256
29257 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
29258 @findex -exec-step
29259
29260 @subsubheading Synopsis
29261
29262 @smallexample
29263 -exec-step [--reverse]
29264 @end smallexample
29265
29266 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
29267 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
29268 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
29269 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
29270 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
29271 previously executed source line.
29272
29273 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29274
29275 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
29276
29277 @subsubheading Example
29278
29279 Stepping into a function:
29280
29281 @smallexample
29282 -exec-step
29283 ^running
29284 (gdb)
29285 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29286 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
29287 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
29288 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
29289 (gdb)
29290 @end smallexample
29291
29292 Regular stepping:
29293
29294 @smallexample
29295 -exec-step
29296 ^running
29297 (gdb)
29298 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
29299 (gdb)
29300 @end smallexample
29301
29302
29303 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
29304 @findex -exec-step-instruction
29305
29306 @subsubheading Synopsis
29307
29308 @smallexample
29309 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
29310 @end smallexample
29311
29312 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
29313 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
29314 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
29315 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
29316 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
29317 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
29318 as well.
29319
29320 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29321
29322 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
29323
29324 @subsubheading Example
29325
29326 @smallexample
29327 (gdb)
29328 -exec-step-instruction
29329 ^running
29330
29331 (gdb)
29332 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29333 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29334 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29335 (gdb)
29336 -exec-step-instruction
29337 ^running
29338
29339 (gdb)
29340 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
29341 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
29342 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
29343 (gdb)
29344 @end smallexample
29345
29346
29347 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
29348 @findex -exec-until
29349
29350 @subsubheading Synopsis
29351
29352 @smallexample
29353 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
29354 @end smallexample
29355
29356 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
29357 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
29358 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
29359 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
29360
29361 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29362
29363 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
29364
29365 @subsubheading Example
29366
29367 @smallexample
29368 (gdb)
29369 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
29370 ^running
29371 (gdb)
29372 x = 55
29373 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
29374 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
29375 (gdb)
29376 @end smallexample
29377
29378 @ignore
29379 @subheading -file-clear
29380 Is this going away????
29381 @end ignore
29382
29383 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29384 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
29385 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
29386
29387
29388 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
29389 @findex -stack-info-frame
29390
29391 @subsubheading Synopsis
29392
29393 @smallexample
29394 -stack-info-frame
29395 @end smallexample
29396
29397 Get info on the selected frame.
29398
29399 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29400
29401 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
29402 (without arguments).
29403
29404 @subsubheading Example
29405
29406 @smallexample
29407 (gdb)
29408 -stack-info-frame
29409 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
29410 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29411 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
29412 (gdb)
29413 @end smallexample
29414
29415 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
29416 @findex -stack-info-depth
29417
29418 @subsubheading Synopsis
29419
29420 @smallexample
29421 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
29422 @end smallexample
29423
29424 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
29425 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
29426
29427 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29428
29429 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29430
29431 @subsubheading Example
29432
29433 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
29434
29435 @smallexample
29436 (gdb)
29437 -stack-info-depth
29438 ^done,depth="12"
29439 (gdb)
29440 -stack-info-depth 4
29441 ^done,depth="4"
29442 (gdb)
29443 -stack-info-depth 12
29444 ^done,depth="12"
29445 (gdb)
29446 -stack-info-depth 11
29447 ^done,depth="11"
29448 (gdb)
29449 -stack-info-depth 13
29450 ^done,depth="12"
29451 (gdb)
29452 @end smallexample
29453
29454 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
29455 @findex -stack-list-arguments
29456
29457 @subsubheading Synopsis
29458
29459 @smallexample
29460 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
29461 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
29462 @end smallexample
29463
29464 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
29465 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
29466 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
29467 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
29468 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
29469 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
29470 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
29471 which case only existing frames will be returned.
29472
29473 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29474 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29475 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29476 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29477 structures and unions.
29478
29479 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
29480 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
29481
29482 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29483
29484 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
29485 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
29486 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
29487
29488 @subsubheading Example
29489
29490 @smallexample
29491 (gdb)
29492 -stack-list-frames
29493 ^done,
29494 stack=[
29495 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
29496 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29497 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
29498 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
29499 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29500 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
29501 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
29502 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29503 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
29504 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
29505 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29506 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
29507 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
29508 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
29509 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
29510 (gdb)
29511 -stack-list-arguments 0
29512 ^done,
29513 stack-args=[
29514 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
29515 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
29516 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
29517 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
29518 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
29519 (gdb)
29520 -stack-list-arguments 1
29521 ^done,
29522 stack-args=[
29523 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
29524 frame=@{level="1",
29525 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
29526 frame=@{level="2",args=[
29527 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29528 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
29529 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
29530 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29531 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
29532 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
29533 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
29534 (gdb)
29535 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
29536 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
29537 (gdb)
29538 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
29539 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
29540 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
29541 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
29542 (gdb)
29543 @end smallexample
29544
29545 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
29546
29547
29548 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
29549 @findex -stack-list-frames
29550
29551 @subsubheading Synopsis
29552
29553 @smallexample
29554 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
29555 @end smallexample
29556
29557 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
29558 following info:
29559
29560 @table @samp
29561 @item @var{level}
29562 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
29563 @item @var{addr}
29564 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
29565 @item @var{func}
29566 Function name.
29567 @item @var{file}
29568 File name of the source file where the function lives.
29569 @item @var{fullname}
29570 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
29571 @item @var{line}
29572 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
29573 @item @var{from}
29574 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
29575 if the frame's function is not known.
29576 @end table
29577
29578 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
29579 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
29580 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
29581 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
29582 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
29583 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
29584 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
29585
29586 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29587
29588 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
29589
29590 @subsubheading Example
29591
29592 Full stack backtrace:
29593
29594 @smallexample
29595 (gdb)
29596 -stack-list-frames
29597 ^done,stack=
29598 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
29599 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
29600 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29601 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29602 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29603 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29604 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29605 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29606 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29607 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29608 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29609 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29610 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29611 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29612 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29613 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29614 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29615 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29616 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29617 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29618 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29619 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29620 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
29621 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
29622 (gdb)
29623 @end smallexample
29624
29625 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
29626
29627 @smallexample
29628 (gdb)
29629 -stack-list-frames 3 5
29630 ^done,stack=
29631 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29632 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29633 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29634 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
29635 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29636 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
29637 (gdb)
29638 @end smallexample
29639
29640 Show a single frame:
29641
29642 @smallexample
29643 (gdb)
29644 -stack-list-frames 3 3
29645 ^done,stack=
29646 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
29647 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
29648 (gdb)
29649 @end smallexample
29650
29651
29652 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
29653 @findex -stack-list-locals
29654
29655 @subsubheading Synopsis
29656
29657 @smallexample
29658 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
29659 @end smallexample
29660
29661 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
29662 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29663 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29664 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29665 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29666 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
29667 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
29668 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
29669 more detail.
29670
29671 This command is deprecated in favor of the
29672 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
29673
29674 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29675
29676 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
29677
29678 @subsubheading Example
29679
29680 @smallexample
29681 (gdb)
29682 -stack-list-locals 0
29683 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
29684 (gdb)
29685 -stack-list-locals --all-values
29686 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
29687 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
29688 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
29689 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
29690 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
29691 (gdb)
29692 @end smallexample
29693
29694 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
29695 @findex -stack-list-variables
29696
29697 @subsubheading Synopsis
29698
29699 @smallexample
29700 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
29701 @end smallexample
29702
29703 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
29704 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
29705 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
29706 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
29707 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
29708 structures and unions.
29709
29710 @subsubheading Example
29711
29712 @smallexample
29713 (gdb)
29714 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
29715 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
29716 (gdb)
29717 @end smallexample
29718
29719
29720 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
29721 @findex -stack-select-frame
29722
29723 @subsubheading Synopsis
29724
29725 @smallexample
29726 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
29727 @end smallexample
29728
29729 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
29730 the stack.
29731
29732 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
29733 option to every command.
29734
29735 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29736
29737 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
29738 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
29739
29740 @subsubheading Example
29741
29742 @smallexample
29743 (gdb)
29744 -stack-select-frame 2
29745 ^done
29746 (gdb)
29747 @end smallexample
29748
29749 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29750 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
29751 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
29752
29753 @ignore
29754
29755 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
29756
29757 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
29758 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
29759 used by @code{Insight}.
29760
29761 The two main reasons for that are:
29762
29763 @enumerate 1
29764 @item
29765 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
29766
29767 @item
29768 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
29769 now).
29770 @end enumerate
29771
29772 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
29773 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
29774 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
29775 hints about their use.
29776
29777 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
29778 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
29779 least, the following operations:
29780
29781 @itemize @bullet
29782 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
29783 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
29784 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
29785 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
29786 @end itemize
29787
29788 @end ignore
29789
29790 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
29791
29792 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
29793
29794 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
29795 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
29796 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
29797 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
29798 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
29799 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
29800 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
29801 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
29802 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
29803 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
29804 object, or to change display format.
29805
29806 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
29807 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
29808 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
29809 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
29810 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
29811 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
29812 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
29813 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
29814 child will be created.
29815
29816 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
29817 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
29818 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
29819 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
29820 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
29821
29822 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
29823 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
29824 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
29825 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
29826 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
29827 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
29828 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
29829 variables that frontend has created.
29830
29831 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
29832 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
29833 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
29834 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
29835 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
29836 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
29837 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
29838 implicitly updated.
29839
29840 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
29841 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
29842 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
29843 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
29844 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
29845 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
29846 frame. Consider this example:
29847
29848 @smallexample
29849 void do_work(...)
29850 @{
29851 struct work_state state;
29852
29853 if (...)
29854 do_work(...);
29855 @}
29856 @end smallexample
29857
29858 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
29859 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
29860 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
29861 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
29862 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
29863
29864 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
29865 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
29866 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
29867 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
29868 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
29869 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
29870
29871 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
29872 access this functionality:
29873
29874 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
29875 @item @strong{Operation}
29876 @tab @strong{Description}
29877
29878 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
29879 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
29880 @item @code{-var-create}
29881 @tab create a variable object
29882 @item @code{-var-delete}
29883 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
29884 @item @code{-var-set-format}
29885 @tab set the display format of this variable
29886 @item @code{-var-show-format}
29887 @tab show the display format of this variable
29888 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
29889 @tab tells how many children this object has
29890 @item @code{-var-list-children}
29891 @tab return a list of the object's children
29892 @item @code{-var-info-type}
29893 @tab show the type of this variable object
29894 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
29895 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
29896 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
29897 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
29898 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
29899 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
29900 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
29901 @tab get the value of this variable
29902 @item @code{-var-assign}
29903 @tab set the value of this variable
29904 @item @code{-var-update}
29905 @tab update the variable and its children
29906 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
29907 @tab set frozeness attribute
29908 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
29909 @tab set range of children to display on update
29910 @end multitable
29911
29912 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
29913 how it can be used.
29914
29915 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
29916
29917 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
29918 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
29919
29920 @smallexample
29921 -enable-pretty-printing
29922 @end smallexample
29923
29924 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
29925 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
29926 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
29927 request that this functionality be enabled.
29928
29929 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
29930
29931 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
29932 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
29933
29934 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
29935 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
29936
29937 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
29938 @findex -var-create
29939
29940 @subsubheading Synopsis
29941
29942 @smallexample
29943 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
29944 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
29945 @end smallexample
29946
29947 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
29948 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
29949 register.
29950
29951 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
29952 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
29953 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
29954 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
29955 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
29956
29957 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
29958 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
29959 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
29960 object must be created.
29961
29962 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
29963 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
29964
29965 @itemize @bullet
29966 @item
29967 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
29968
29969 @item
29970 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
29971
29972 @item
29973 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
29974 @end itemize
29975
29976 @cindex dynamic varobj
29977 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
29978 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
29979 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
29980 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
29981 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
29982 compatibility for existing clients.
29983
29984 @subsubheading Result
29985
29986 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
29987 are:
29988
29989 @table @samp
29990 @item name
29991 The name of the varobj.
29992
29993 @item numchild
29994 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
29995 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
29996 @samp{has_more} attribute.
29997
29998 @item value
29999 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
30000 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
30001 will not be interesting.
30002
30003 @item type
30004 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
30005 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI. If @samp{print object}
30006 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30007 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30008 @emph{declared} one.
30009
30010 @item thread-id
30011 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
30012 thread's identifier.
30013
30014 @item has_more
30015 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
30016 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
30017
30018 @item dynamic
30019 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30020 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30021 then this attribute will not be present.
30022
30023 @item displayhint
30024 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30025 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30026 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30027 @end table
30028
30029 Typical output will look like this:
30030
30031 @smallexample
30032 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
30033 has_more="@var{has_more}"
30034 @end smallexample
30035
30036
30037 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
30038 @findex -var-delete
30039
30040 @subsubheading Synopsis
30041
30042 @smallexample
30043 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
30044 @end smallexample
30045
30046 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
30047 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
30048
30049 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
30050
30051
30052 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
30053 @findex -var-set-format
30054
30055 @subsubheading Synopsis
30056
30057 @smallexample
30058 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
30059 @end smallexample
30060
30061 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
30062 @var{format-spec}.
30063
30064 @anchor{-var-set-format}
30065 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
30066
30067 @smallexample
30068 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
30069 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
30070 @end smallexample
30071
30072 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
30073 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
30074 for pointers, etc.).
30075
30076 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
30077 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
30078
30079 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
30080 @findex -var-show-format
30081
30082 @subsubheading Synopsis
30083
30084 @smallexample
30085 -var-show-format @var{name}
30086 @end smallexample
30087
30088 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
30089
30090 @smallexample
30091 @var{format} @expansion{}
30092 @var{format-spec}
30093 @end smallexample
30094
30095
30096 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
30097 @findex -var-info-num-children
30098
30099 @subsubheading Synopsis
30100
30101 @smallexample
30102 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
30103 @end smallexample
30104
30105 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
30106
30107 @smallexample
30108 numchild=@var{n}
30109 @end smallexample
30110
30111 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
30112 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
30113 be available.
30114
30115
30116 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
30117 @findex -var-list-children
30118
30119 @subsubheading Synopsis
30120
30121 @smallexample
30122 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
30123 @end smallexample
30124 @anchor{-var-list-children}
30125
30126 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
30127 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
30128 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
30129 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
30130 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
30131 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
30132 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
30133 and unions.
30134
30135 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
30136 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
30137 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
30138 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
30139 reported.
30140
30141 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
30142 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
30143 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
30144 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
30145 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
30146 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
30147 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
30148 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
30149 the visible items.
30150
30151 For each child the following results are returned:
30152
30153 @table @var
30154
30155 @item name
30156 Name of the variable object created for this child.
30157
30158 @item exp
30159 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
30160 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
30161
30162 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
30163 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
30164
30165 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
30166 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
30167 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
30168 type and value are not present.
30169
30170 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
30171 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
30172 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
30173
30174 @item numchild
30175 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
30176 0.
30177
30178 @item type
30179 The type of the child. If @samp{print object}
30180 (@pxref{Print Settings, set print object}) is set to @code{on}, the
30181 @emph{actual} (derived) type of the object is shown rather than the
30182 @emph{declared} one.
30183
30184 @item value
30185 If values were requested, this is the value.
30186
30187 @item thread-id
30188 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
30189 Otherwise this result is not present.
30190
30191 @item frozen
30192 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
30193 @end table
30194
30195 The result may have its own attributes:
30196
30197 @table @samp
30198 @item displayhint
30199 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
30200 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
30201 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
30202
30203 @item has_more
30204 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
30205 remaining after the end of the selected range.
30206 @end table
30207
30208 @subsubheading Example
30209
30210 @smallexample
30211 (gdb)
30212 -var-list-children n
30213 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30214 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30215 (gdb)
30216 -var-list-children --all-values n
30217 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
30218 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
30219 @end smallexample
30220
30221
30222 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
30223 @findex -var-info-type
30224
30225 @subsubheading Synopsis
30226
30227 @smallexample
30228 -var-info-type @var{name}
30229 @end smallexample
30230
30231 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
30232 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
30233 @value{GDBN} CLI:
30234
30235 @smallexample
30236 type=@var{typename}
30237 @end smallexample
30238
30239
30240 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
30241 @findex -var-info-expression
30242
30243 @subsubheading Synopsis
30244
30245 @smallexample
30246 -var-info-expression @var{name}
30247 @end smallexample
30248
30249 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
30250 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
30251 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
30252
30253 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
30254 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
30255
30256 @smallexample
30257 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
30258 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
30259 @end smallexample
30260
30261 @noindent
30262 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
30263
30264 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
30265 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
30266 is of limited use.
30267
30268 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
30269 @findex -var-info-path-expression
30270
30271 @subsubheading Synopsis
30272
30273 @smallexample
30274 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
30275 @end smallexample
30276
30277 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
30278 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
30279 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
30280 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
30281 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
30282 watchpoint from a variable object.
30283
30284 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
30285 and will give an error when invoked on one.
30286
30287 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
30288 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
30289 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
30290 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
30291 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
30292 @smallexample
30293 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
30294 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
30295 @end smallexample
30296
30297 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
30298 @findex -var-show-attributes
30299
30300 @subsubheading Synopsis
30301
30302 @smallexample
30303 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
30304 @end smallexample
30305
30306 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
30307
30308 @smallexample
30309 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
30310 @end smallexample
30311
30312 @noindent
30313 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
30314
30315 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
30316 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
30317
30318 @subsubheading Synopsis
30319
30320 @smallexample
30321 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
30322 @end smallexample
30323
30324 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
30325 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
30326 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
30327 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
30328 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
30329 the current display format will be used. The current display format
30330 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
30331
30332 @smallexample
30333 value=@var{value}
30334 @end smallexample
30335
30336 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
30337 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
30338
30339 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
30340 @findex -var-assign
30341
30342 @subsubheading Synopsis
30343
30344 @smallexample
30345 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
30346 @end smallexample
30347
30348 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
30349 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
30350 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
30351 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
30352
30353 @subsubheading Example
30354
30355 @smallexample
30356 (gdb)
30357 -var-assign var1 3
30358 ^done,value="3"
30359 (gdb)
30360 -var-update *
30361 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
30362 (gdb)
30363 @end smallexample
30364
30365 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
30366 @findex -var-update
30367
30368 @subsubheading Synopsis
30369
30370 @smallexample
30371 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
30372 @end smallexample
30373
30374 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
30375 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
30376 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
30377 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
30378 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
30379 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
30380 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
30381 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
30382 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
30383 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
30384 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
30385 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
30386 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
30387
30388 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
30389 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
30390 diagnostic.
30391
30392 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
30393 only the selected range of children will be reported.
30394
30395 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
30396 @samp{changelist}.
30397
30398 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
30399
30400 @table @samp
30401 @item name
30402 The name of the varobj.
30403
30404 @item value
30405 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
30406 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
30407
30408 @item in_scope
30409 @anchor{-var-update}
30410 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
30411
30412 @table @code
30413 @item "true"
30414 The variable object's current value is valid.
30415
30416 @item "false"
30417 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
30418 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
30419 scope.
30420
30421 @item "invalid"
30422 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
30423 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
30424 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
30425 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
30426 objects.
30427 @end table
30428
30429 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
30430 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
30431
30432 @item type_changed
30433 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
30434 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
30435 be @samp{false}.
30436
30437 When a varobj's type changes, its children are also likely to have
30438 become incorrect. Therefore, the varobj's children are automatically
30439 deleted when this attribute is @samp{true}. Also, the varobj's update
30440 range, when set using the @code{-var-set-update-range} command, is
30441 unset.
30442
30443 @item new_type
30444 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
30445 hold the new type.
30446
30447 @item new_num_children
30448 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
30449 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
30450
30451 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
30452 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
30453 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
30454 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
30455 children which may be available.
30456
30457 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
30458 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
30459 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
30460 only happen at the end of the update range).
30461
30462 @item displayhint
30463 The display hint, if any.
30464
30465 @item has_more
30466 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
30467 available outside the varobj's update range.
30468
30469 @item dynamic
30470 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
30471 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
30472 then this attribute will not be present.
30473
30474 @item new_children
30475 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
30476 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
30477 be listed in this attribute.
30478 @end table
30479
30480 @subsubheading Example
30481
30482 @smallexample
30483 (gdb)
30484 -var-assign var1 3
30485 ^done,value="3"
30486 (gdb)
30487 -var-update --all-values var1
30488 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
30489 type_changed="false"@}]
30490 (gdb)
30491 @end smallexample
30492
30493 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
30494 @findex -var-set-frozen
30495 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
30496
30497 @subsubheading Synopsis
30498
30499 @smallexample
30500 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
30501 @end smallexample
30502
30503 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
30504 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
30505 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
30506 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
30507 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
30508 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
30509 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
30510 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
30511 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
30512 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
30513 @code{-var-update} does.
30514
30515 @subsubheading Example
30516
30517 @smallexample
30518 (gdb)
30519 -var-set-frozen V 1
30520 ^done
30521 (gdb)
30522 @end smallexample
30523
30524 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
30525 @findex -var-set-update-range
30526 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
30527
30528 @subsubheading Synopsis
30529
30530 @smallexample
30531 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
30532 @end smallexample
30533
30534 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
30535 @code{-var-update}.
30536
30537 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
30538 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
30539 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
30540 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
30541
30542 @subsubheading Example
30543
30544 @smallexample
30545 (gdb)
30546 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
30547 ^done
30548 @end smallexample
30549
30550 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
30551 @findex -var-set-visualizer
30552 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
30553
30554 @subsubheading Synopsis
30555
30556 @smallexample
30557 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
30558 @end smallexample
30559
30560 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
30561
30562 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
30563 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
30564
30565 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
30566 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
30567 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
30568 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
30569 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
30570 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
30571 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
30572
30573 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
30574 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
30575 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
30576 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
30577
30578 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
30579 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
30580 can be used to check this.
30581
30582 @subsubheading Example
30583
30584 Resetting the visualizer:
30585
30586 @smallexample
30587 (gdb)
30588 -var-set-visualizer V None
30589 ^done
30590 @end smallexample
30591
30592 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
30593
30594 @smallexample
30595 (gdb)
30596 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
30597 ^done
30598 @end smallexample
30599
30600 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
30601 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
30602
30603 @smallexample
30604 (gdb)
30605 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
30606 ^done
30607 @end smallexample
30608
30609 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30610 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
30611 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
30612
30613 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
30614 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
30615 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
30616 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
30617
30618 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
30619 @c @subheading -data-assign
30620 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
30621 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
30622 @c set variable
30623 @c @subsubheading Example
30624 @c N.A.
30625
30626 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
30627 @findex -data-disassemble
30628
30629 @subsubheading Synopsis
30630
30631 @smallexample
30632 -data-disassemble
30633 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
30634 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
30635 -- @var{mode}
30636 @end smallexample
30637
30638 @noindent
30639 Where:
30640
30641 @table @samp
30642 @item @var{start-addr}
30643 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
30644 @item @var{end-addr}
30645 is the end address
30646 @item @var{filename}
30647 is the name of the file to disassemble
30648 @item @var{linenum}
30649 is the line number to disassemble around
30650 @item @var{lines}
30651 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
30652 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
30653 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
30654 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
30655 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
30656 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
30657 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
30658 are displayed.
30659 @item @var{mode}
30660 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
30661 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
30662 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
30663 @end table
30664
30665 @subsubheading Result
30666
30667 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
30668
30669 @itemize @bullet
30670 @item Address
30671 @item Func-name
30672 @item Offset
30673 @item Instruction
30674 @end itemize
30675
30676 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
30677 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
30678
30679 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30680
30681 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
30682
30683 @subsubheading Example
30684
30685 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
30686
30687 @smallexample
30688 (gdb)
30689 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
30690 ^done,
30691 asm_insns=[
30692 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30693 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30694 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30695 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
30696 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
30697 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
30698 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
30699 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
30700 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
30701 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
30702 (gdb)
30703 @end smallexample
30704
30705 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
30706 @code{main}.
30707
30708 @smallexample
30709 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
30710 ^done,asm_insns=[
30711 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30712 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
30713 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30714 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30715 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30716 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
30717 [@dots{}]
30718 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
30719 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
30720 (gdb)
30721 @end smallexample
30722
30723 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
30724
30725 @smallexample
30726 (gdb)
30727 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
30728 ^done,asm_insns=[
30729 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30730 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
30731 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30732 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30733 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30734 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
30735 (gdb)
30736 @end smallexample
30737
30738 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
30739
30740 @smallexample
30741 (gdb)
30742 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
30743 ^done,asm_insns=[
30744 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
30745 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
30746 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
30747 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
30748 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
30749 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
30750 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
30751 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
30752 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
30753 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
30754 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
30755 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
30756 (gdb)
30757 @end smallexample
30758
30759
30760 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
30761 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
30762
30763 @subsubheading Synopsis
30764
30765 @smallexample
30766 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
30767 @end smallexample
30768
30769 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
30770 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
30771 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
30772
30773 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30774
30775 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
30776 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
30777 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
30778
30779 @subsubheading Example
30780
30781 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
30782 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
30783 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
30784 output.
30785
30786 @smallexample
30787 211-data-evaluate-expression A
30788 211^done,value="1"
30789 (gdb)
30790 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
30791 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
30792 (gdb)
30793 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
30794 411^done,value="4"
30795 (gdb)
30796 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
30797 511^done,value="4"
30798 (gdb)
30799 @end smallexample
30800
30801
30802 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
30803 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
30804
30805 @subsubheading Synopsis
30806
30807 @smallexample
30808 -data-list-changed-registers
30809 @end smallexample
30810
30811 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
30812
30813 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30814
30815 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
30816 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
30817
30818 @subsubheading Example
30819
30820 On a PPC MBX board:
30821
30822 @smallexample
30823 (gdb)
30824 -exec-continue
30825 ^running
30826
30827 (gdb)
30828 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
30829 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
30830 line="5"@}
30831 (gdb)
30832 -data-list-changed-registers
30833 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
30834 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
30835 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
30836 (gdb)
30837 @end smallexample
30838
30839
30840 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
30841 @findex -data-list-register-names
30842
30843 @subsubheading Synopsis
30844
30845 @smallexample
30846 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
30847 @end smallexample
30848
30849 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
30850 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
30851 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
30852 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
30853 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
30854 include empty register names.
30855
30856 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30857
30858 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
30859 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
30860 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
30861
30862 @subsubheading Example
30863
30864 For the PPC MBX board:
30865 @smallexample
30866 (gdb)
30867 -data-list-register-names
30868 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
30869 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
30870 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
30871 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
30872 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
30873 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
30874 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
30875 (gdb)
30876 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
30877 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
30878 (gdb)
30879 @end smallexample
30880
30881 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
30882 @findex -data-list-register-values
30883
30884 @subsubheading Synopsis
30885
30886 @smallexample
30887 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
30888 @end smallexample
30889
30890 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
30891 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
30892 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
30893 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
30894
30895 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
30896
30897 @table @code
30898 @item x
30899 Hexadecimal
30900 @item o
30901 Octal
30902 @item t
30903 Binary
30904 @item d
30905 Decimal
30906 @item r
30907 Raw
30908 @item N
30909 Natural
30910 @end table
30911
30912 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30913
30914 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
30915 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
30916
30917 @subsubheading Example
30918
30919 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
30920 don't appear in the actual output):
30921
30922 @smallexample
30923 (gdb)
30924 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
30925 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
30926 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
30927 (gdb)
30928 -data-list-register-values x
30929 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
30930 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
30931 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
30932 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
30933 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
30934 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
30935 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
30936 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
30937 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
30938 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
30939 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
30940 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
30941 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
30942 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
30943 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
30944 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
30945 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
30946 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
30947 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
30948 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
30949 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
30950 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
30951 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
30952 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
30953 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
30954 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
30955 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
30956 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
30957 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
30958 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
30959 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
30960 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
30961 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
30962 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
30963 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
30964 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
30965 (gdb)
30966 @end smallexample
30967
30968
30969 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
30970 @findex -data-read-memory
30971
30972 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
30973
30974 @subsubheading Synopsis
30975
30976 @smallexample
30977 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
30978 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
30979 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
30980 @end smallexample
30981
30982 @noindent
30983 where:
30984
30985 @table @samp
30986 @item @var{address}
30987 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
30988 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
30989 quoted using the C convention.
30990
30991 @item @var{word-format}
30992 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
30993 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
30994 ,Output Formats}).
30995
30996 @item @var{word-size}
30997 The size of each memory word in bytes.
30998
30999 @item @var{nr-rows}
31000 The number of rows in the output table.
31001
31002 @item @var{nr-cols}
31003 The number of columns in the output table.
31004
31005 @item @var{aschar}
31006 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
31007 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
31008 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
31009 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
31010
31011 @item @var{byte-offset}
31012 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
31013 @end table
31014
31015 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
31016 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
31017 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
31018 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
31019 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
31020 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
31021 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
31022 @samp{addr}.
31023
31024 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
31025 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
31026 @samp{prev-page}.
31027
31028 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31029
31030 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
31031 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
31032
31033 @subsubheading Example
31034
31035 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
31036 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
31037 word. Display each word in hex.
31038
31039 @smallexample
31040 (gdb)
31041 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
31042 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
31043 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
31044 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
31045 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
31046 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
31047 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
31048 (gdb)
31049 @end smallexample
31050
31051 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
31052 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
31053
31054 @smallexample
31055 (gdb)
31056 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
31057 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
31058 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
31059 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
31060 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
31061 (gdb)
31062 @end smallexample
31063
31064 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
31065 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
31066 used as the non-printable character.
31067
31068 @smallexample
31069 (gdb)
31070 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
31071 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
31072 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
31073 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
31074 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31075 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31076 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31077 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
31078 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
31079 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
31080 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
31081 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
31082 (gdb)
31083 @end smallexample
31084
31085 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
31086 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
31087
31088 @subsubheading Synopsis
31089
31090 @smallexample
31091 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
31092 @var{address} @var{count}
31093 @end smallexample
31094
31095 @noindent
31096 where:
31097
31098 @table @samp
31099 @item @var{address}
31100 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31101 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31102 quoted using the C convention.
31103
31104 @item @var{count}
31105 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
31106
31107 @item @var{byte-offset}
31108 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
31109 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
31110 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
31111 perform address arithmetics itself.
31112
31113 @end table
31114
31115 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
31116 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
31117 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
31118 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
31119 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
31120 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
31121
31122 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
31123 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
31124 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
31125 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
31126 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
31127 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
31128 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
31129 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
31130
31131 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
31132 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
31133 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
31134 and has the following fields:
31135
31136 @table @code
31137 @item begin
31138 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31139
31140 @item end
31141 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
31142
31143 @item offset
31144 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
31145 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
31146
31147 @item contents
31148 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
31149
31150 @end table
31151
31152
31153
31154 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31155
31156 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
31157
31158 @subsubheading Example
31159
31160 @smallexample
31161 (gdb)
31162 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
31163 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
31164 end="0xbffff15e",
31165 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
31166 (gdb)
31167 @end smallexample
31168
31169
31170 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
31171 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
31172
31173 @subsubheading Synopsis
31174
31175 @smallexample
31176 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
31177 @end smallexample
31178
31179 @noindent
31180 where:
31181
31182 @table @samp
31183 @item @var{address}
31184 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
31185 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
31186 quoted using the C convention.
31187
31188 @item @var{contents}
31189 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
31190
31191 @end table
31192
31193 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31194
31195 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31196
31197 @subsubheading Example
31198
31199 @smallexample
31200 (gdb)
31201 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
31202 ^done
31203 (gdb)
31204 @end smallexample
31205
31206
31207 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31208 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
31209 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
31210
31211 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
31212 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
31213
31214 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
31215 @findex -trace-find
31216
31217 @subsubheading Synopsis
31218
31219 @smallexample
31220 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
31221 @end smallexample
31222
31223 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
31224 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
31225 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
31226
31227 @table @samp
31228
31229 @item none
31230 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
31231
31232 @item frame-number
31233 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
31234 that index.
31235
31236 @item tracepoint-number
31237 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
31238 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
31239
31240 @item pc
31241 An address is required as parameter. Finds
31242 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
31243 address.
31244
31245 @item pc-inside-range
31246 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
31247 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
31248 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31249
31250 @item pc-outside-range
31251 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
31252 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
31253 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
31254
31255 @item line
31256 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
31257 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
31258 the specified location.
31259
31260 @end table
31261
31262 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
31263 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
31264
31265 @table @samp
31266 @item found
31267 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
31268 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
31269
31270 @item traceframe
31271 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
31272 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31273
31274 @item tracepoint
31275 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
31276 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
31277
31278 @item frame
31279 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
31280 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
31281 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
31282
31283 @end table
31284
31285 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31286
31287 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
31288
31289 @subheading -trace-define-variable
31290 @findex -trace-define-variable
31291
31292 @subsubheading Synopsis
31293
31294 @smallexample
31295 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
31296 @end smallexample
31297
31298 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
31299 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
31300 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
31301 with the @samp{$} character.
31302
31303 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31304
31305 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
31306
31307 @subheading -trace-list-variables
31308 @findex -trace-list-variables
31309
31310 @subsubheading Synopsis
31311
31312 @smallexample
31313 -trace-list-variables
31314 @end smallexample
31315
31316 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
31317 table has the following fields:
31318
31319 @table @samp
31320 @item name
31321 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
31322
31323 @item initial
31324 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
31325 field is always present.
31326
31327 @item current
31328 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
31329 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
31330 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
31331 presently running.
31332
31333 @end table
31334
31335 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31336
31337 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
31338
31339 @subsubheading Example
31340
31341 @smallexample
31342 (gdb)
31343 -trace-list-variables
31344 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
31345 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
31346 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
31347 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
31348 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
31349 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
31350 (gdb)
31351 @end smallexample
31352
31353 @subheading -trace-save
31354 @findex -trace-save
31355
31356 @subsubheading Synopsis
31357
31358 @smallexample
31359 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
31360 @end smallexample
31361
31362 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
31363 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
31364 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
31365 to perform the save.
31366
31367 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31368
31369 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
31370
31371
31372 @subheading -trace-start
31373 @findex -trace-start
31374
31375 @subsubheading Synopsis
31376
31377 @smallexample
31378 -trace-start
31379 @end smallexample
31380
31381 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
31382 have any fields.
31383
31384 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31385
31386 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
31387
31388 @subheading -trace-status
31389 @findex -trace-status
31390
31391 @subsubheading Synopsis
31392
31393 @smallexample
31394 -trace-status
31395 @end smallexample
31396
31397 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
31398 the following fields:
31399
31400 @table @samp
31401
31402 @item supported
31403 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
31404 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
31405 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
31406 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
31407 started. This field is always present.
31408
31409 @item running
31410 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
31411 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
31412 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
31413
31414 @item stop-reason
31415 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
31416 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
31417 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
31418 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
31419 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
31420 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
31421 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
31422 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
31423 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
31424
31425 @item stopping-tracepoint
31426 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
31427 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
31428 @samp{passcount}.
31429
31430 @item frames
31431 @itemx frames-created
31432 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
31433 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
31434 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
31435 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
31436
31437 @item buffer-size
31438 @itemx buffer-free
31439 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
31440 remaining space. These fields are optional.
31441
31442 @item circular
31443 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
31444 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
31445 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
31446 and may fill up.
31447
31448 @item disconnected
31449 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
31450 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
31451 that the trace run will stop.
31452
31453 @end table
31454
31455 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31456
31457 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
31458
31459 @subheading -trace-stop
31460 @findex -trace-stop
31461
31462 @subsubheading Synopsis
31463
31464 @smallexample
31465 -trace-stop
31466 @end smallexample
31467
31468 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
31469 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
31470 @samp{running} fields are not output.
31471
31472 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31473
31474 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
31475
31476
31477 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31478 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
31479 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
31480
31481
31482 @ignore
31483 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
31484 @findex -symbol-info-address
31485
31486 @subsubheading Synopsis
31487
31488 @smallexample
31489 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
31490 @end smallexample
31491
31492 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
31493
31494 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31495
31496 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
31497
31498 @subsubheading Example
31499 N.A.
31500
31501
31502 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
31503 @findex -symbol-info-file
31504
31505 @subsubheading Synopsis
31506
31507 @smallexample
31508 -symbol-info-file
31509 @end smallexample
31510
31511 Show the file for the symbol.
31512
31513 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31514
31515 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
31516 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
31517
31518 @subsubheading Example
31519 N.A.
31520
31521
31522 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
31523 @findex -symbol-info-function
31524
31525 @subsubheading Synopsis
31526
31527 @smallexample
31528 -symbol-info-function
31529 @end smallexample
31530
31531 Show which function the symbol lives in.
31532
31533 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31534
31535 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
31536
31537 @subsubheading Example
31538 N.A.
31539
31540
31541 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
31542 @findex -symbol-info-line
31543
31544 @subsubheading Synopsis
31545
31546 @smallexample
31547 -symbol-info-line
31548 @end smallexample
31549
31550 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
31551
31552 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31553
31554 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
31555 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
31556
31557 @subsubheading Example
31558 N.A.
31559
31560
31561 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
31562 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
31563
31564 @subsubheading Synopsis
31565
31566 @smallexample
31567 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
31568 @end smallexample
31569
31570 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
31571
31572 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31573
31574 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
31575
31576 @subsubheading Example
31577 N.A.
31578
31579
31580 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
31581 @findex -symbol-list-functions
31582
31583 @subsubheading Synopsis
31584
31585 @smallexample
31586 -symbol-list-functions
31587 @end smallexample
31588
31589 List the functions in the executable.
31590
31591 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31592
31593 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
31594 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31595
31596 @subsubheading Example
31597 N.A.
31598 @end ignore
31599
31600
31601 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
31602 @findex -symbol-list-lines
31603
31604 @subsubheading Synopsis
31605
31606 @smallexample
31607 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
31608 @end smallexample
31609
31610 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
31611 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
31612 ascending PC order.
31613
31614 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31615
31616 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
31617
31618 @subsubheading Example
31619 @smallexample
31620 (gdb)
31621 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
31622 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
31623 (gdb)
31624 @end smallexample
31625
31626
31627 @ignore
31628 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
31629 @findex -symbol-list-types
31630
31631 @subsubheading Synopsis
31632
31633 @smallexample
31634 -symbol-list-types
31635 @end smallexample
31636
31637 List all the type names.
31638
31639 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31640
31641 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
31642 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31643
31644 @subsubheading Example
31645 N.A.
31646
31647
31648 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
31649 @findex -symbol-list-variables
31650
31651 @subsubheading Synopsis
31652
31653 @smallexample
31654 -symbol-list-variables
31655 @end smallexample
31656
31657 List all the global and static variable names.
31658
31659 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31660
31661 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
31662
31663 @subsubheading Example
31664 N.A.
31665
31666
31667 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
31668 @findex -symbol-locate
31669
31670 @subsubheading Synopsis
31671
31672 @smallexample
31673 -symbol-locate
31674 @end smallexample
31675
31676 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31677
31678 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
31679
31680 @subsubheading Example
31681 N.A.
31682
31683
31684 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
31685 @findex -symbol-type
31686
31687 @subsubheading Synopsis
31688
31689 @smallexample
31690 -symbol-type @var{variable}
31691 @end smallexample
31692
31693 Show type of @var{variable}.
31694
31695 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31696
31697 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
31698 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
31699
31700 @subsubheading Example
31701 N.A.
31702 @end ignore
31703
31704
31705 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31706 @node GDB/MI File Commands
31707 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
31708
31709 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
31710 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
31711
31712 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
31713 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
31714
31715 @subsubheading Synopsis
31716
31717 @smallexample
31718 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
31719 @end smallexample
31720
31721 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
31722 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
31723 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
31724 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
31725 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
31726 notification.
31727
31728 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31729
31730 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
31731
31732 @subsubheading Example
31733
31734 @smallexample
31735 (gdb)
31736 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31737 ^done
31738 (gdb)
31739 @end smallexample
31740
31741
31742 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
31743 @findex -file-exec-file
31744
31745 @subsubheading Synopsis
31746
31747 @smallexample
31748 -file-exec-file @var{file}
31749 @end smallexample
31750
31751 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
31752 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
31753 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
31754 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
31755 notification.
31756
31757 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31758
31759 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
31760
31761 @subsubheading Example
31762
31763 @smallexample
31764 (gdb)
31765 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31766 ^done
31767 (gdb)
31768 @end smallexample
31769
31770
31771 @ignore
31772 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
31773 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
31774
31775 @subsubheading Synopsis
31776
31777 @smallexample
31778 -file-list-exec-sections
31779 @end smallexample
31780
31781 List the sections of the current executable file.
31782
31783 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31784
31785 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
31786 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
31787 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
31788
31789 @subsubheading Example
31790 N.A.
31791 @end ignore
31792
31793
31794 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
31795 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
31796
31797 @subsubheading Synopsis
31798
31799 @smallexample
31800 -file-list-exec-source-file
31801 @end smallexample
31802
31803 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
31804 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
31805 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
31806 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
31807
31808 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31809
31810 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
31811
31812 @subsubheading Example
31813
31814 @smallexample
31815 (gdb)
31816 123-file-list-exec-source-file
31817 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
31818 (gdb)
31819 @end smallexample
31820
31821
31822 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
31823 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
31824
31825 @subsubheading Synopsis
31826
31827 @smallexample
31828 -file-list-exec-source-files
31829 @end smallexample
31830
31831 List the source files for the current executable.
31832
31833 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
31834 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
31835
31836 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31837
31838 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
31839 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
31840
31841 @subsubheading Example
31842 @smallexample
31843 (gdb)
31844 -file-list-exec-source-files
31845 ^done,files=[
31846 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
31847 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
31848 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
31849 (gdb)
31850 @end smallexample
31851
31852 @ignore
31853 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
31854 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
31855
31856 @subsubheading Synopsis
31857
31858 @smallexample
31859 -file-list-shared-libraries
31860 @end smallexample
31861
31862 List the shared libraries in the program.
31863
31864 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31865
31866 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
31867
31868 @subsubheading Example
31869 N.A.
31870
31871
31872 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
31873 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
31874
31875 @subsubheading Synopsis
31876
31877 @smallexample
31878 -file-list-symbol-files
31879 @end smallexample
31880
31881 List symbol files.
31882
31883 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31884
31885 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
31886
31887 @subsubheading Example
31888 N.A.
31889 @end ignore
31890
31891
31892 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
31893 @findex -file-symbol-file
31894
31895 @subsubheading Synopsis
31896
31897 @smallexample
31898 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
31899 @end smallexample
31900
31901 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
31902 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
31903 produced, except for a completion notification.
31904
31905 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31906
31907 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
31908
31909 @subsubheading Example
31910
31911 @smallexample
31912 (gdb)
31913 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
31914 ^done
31915 (gdb)
31916 @end smallexample
31917
31918 @ignore
31919 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31920 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
31921 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
31922
31923 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
31924
31925 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
31926
31927 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
31928
31929 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
31930
31931 @c @subheading -overlay-map
31932
31933 @c @subheading -overlay-off
31934
31935 @c @subheading -overlay-on
31936
31937 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
31938
31939 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31940 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
31941 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
31942
31943 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
31944
31945 @c @subheading -signal-handle
31946
31947 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
31948
31949 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
31950 @end ignore
31951
31952
31953 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
31954 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
31955 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
31956
31957
31958 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
31959 @findex -target-attach
31960
31961 @subsubheading Synopsis
31962
31963 @smallexample
31964 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
31965 @end smallexample
31966
31967 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
31968 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
31969 group, the id previously returned by
31970 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
31971
31972 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
31973
31974 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
31975
31976 @subsubheading Example
31977 @smallexample
31978 (gdb)
31979 -target-attach 34
31980 =thread-created,id="1"
31981 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
31982 ^done
31983 (gdb)
31984 @end smallexample
31985
31986 @ignore
31987 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
31988 @findex -target-compare-sections
31989
31990 @subsubheading Synopsis
31991
31992 @smallexample
31993 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
31994 @end smallexample
31995
31996 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
31997 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
31998
31999 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32000
32001 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
32002
32003 @subsubheading Example
32004 N.A.
32005 @end ignore
32006
32007
32008 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
32009 @findex -target-detach
32010
32011 @subsubheading Synopsis
32012
32013 @smallexample
32014 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
32015 @end smallexample
32016
32017 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
32018 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
32019 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
32020
32021 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32022
32023 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
32024
32025 @subsubheading Example
32026
32027 @smallexample
32028 (gdb)
32029 -target-detach
32030 ^done
32031 (gdb)
32032 @end smallexample
32033
32034
32035 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
32036 @findex -target-disconnect
32037
32038 @subsubheading Synopsis
32039
32040 @smallexample
32041 -target-disconnect
32042 @end smallexample
32043
32044 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
32045 generally not resumed.
32046
32047 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32048
32049 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
32050
32051 @subsubheading Example
32052
32053 @smallexample
32054 (gdb)
32055 -target-disconnect
32056 ^done
32057 (gdb)
32058 @end smallexample
32059
32060
32061 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
32062 @findex -target-download
32063
32064 @subsubheading Synopsis
32065
32066 @smallexample
32067 -target-download
32068 @end smallexample
32069
32070 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
32071 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
32072
32073 @table @samp
32074 @item section
32075 The name of the section.
32076 @item section-sent
32077 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
32078 @item section-size
32079 The size of the section.
32080 @item total-sent
32081 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
32082 @item total-size
32083 The size of the overall executable to download.
32084 @end table
32085
32086 @noindent
32087 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
32088 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
32089
32090 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
32091 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
32092
32093 @table @samp
32094 @item section
32095 The name of the section.
32096 @item section-size
32097 The size of the section.
32098 @item total-size
32099 The size of the overall executable to download.
32100 @end table
32101
32102 @noindent
32103 At the end, a summary is printed.
32104
32105 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32106
32107 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
32108
32109 @subsubheading Example
32110
32111 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
32112 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
32113
32114 @smallexample
32115 (gdb)
32116 -target-download
32117 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
32118 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
32119 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
32120 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
32121 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
32122 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
32123 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
32124 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
32125 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
32126 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
32127 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
32128 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
32129 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
32130 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
32131 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
32132 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
32133 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
32134 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
32135 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
32136 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
32137 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
32138 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
32139 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
32140 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
32141 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
32142 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
32143 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
32144 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32145 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
32146 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
32147 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
32148 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
32149 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
32150 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
32151 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
32152 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
32153 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
32154 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
32155 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
32156 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
32157 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
32158 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
32159 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
32160 write-rate="429"
32161 (gdb)
32162 @end smallexample
32163
32164
32165 @ignore
32166 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
32167 @findex -target-exec-status
32168
32169 @subsubheading Synopsis
32170
32171 @smallexample
32172 -target-exec-status
32173 @end smallexample
32174
32175 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
32176 not, for instance).
32177
32178 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32179
32180 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
32181
32182 @subsubheading Example
32183 N.A.
32184
32185
32186 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
32187 @findex -target-list-available-targets
32188
32189 @subsubheading Synopsis
32190
32191 @smallexample
32192 -target-list-available-targets
32193 @end smallexample
32194
32195 List the possible targets to connect to.
32196
32197 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32198
32199 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
32200
32201 @subsubheading Example
32202 N.A.
32203
32204
32205 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
32206 @findex -target-list-current-targets
32207
32208 @subsubheading Synopsis
32209
32210 @smallexample
32211 -target-list-current-targets
32212 @end smallexample
32213
32214 Describe the current target.
32215
32216 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32217
32218 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
32219 other things).
32220
32221 @subsubheading Example
32222 N.A.
32223
32224
32225 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
32226 @findex -target-list-parameters
32227
32228 @subsubheading Synopsis
32229
32230 @smallexample
32231 -target-list-parameters
32232 @end smallexample
32233
32234 @c ????
32235 @end ignore
32236
32237 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32238
32239 No equivalent.
32240
32241 @subsubheading Example
32242 N.A.
32243
32244
32245 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
32246 @findex -target-select
32247
32248 @subsubheading Synopsis
32249
32250 @smallexample
32251 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
32252 @end smallexample
32253
32254 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
32255
32256 @table @samp
32257 @item @var{type}
32258 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
32259 @item @var{parameters}
32260 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
32261 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
32262 @end table
32263
32264 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
32265 which the target program is, in the following form:
32266
32267 @smallexample
32268 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
32269 args=[@var{arg list}]
32270 @end smallexample
32271
32272 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32273
32274 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
32275
32276 @subsubheading Example
32277
32278 @smallexample
32279 (gdb)
32280 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
32281 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
32282 (gdb)
32283 @end smallexample
32284
32285 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32286 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
32287 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
32288
32289
32290 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
32291 @findex -target-file-put
32292
32293 @subsubheading Synopsis
32294
32295 @smallexample
32296 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
32297 @end smallexample
32298
32299 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
32300 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
32301
32302 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32303
32304 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
32305
32306 @subsubheading Example
32307
32308 @smallexample
32309 (gdb)
32310 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
32311 ^done
32312 (gdb)
32313 @end smallexample
32314
32315
32316 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
32317 @findex -target-file-get
32318
32319 @subsubheading Synopsis
32320
32321 @smallexample
32322 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
32323 @end smallexample
32324
32325 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
32326 on the host system.
32327
32328 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32329
32330 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
32331
32332 @subsubheading Example
32333
32334 @smallexample
32335 (gdb)
32336 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
32337 ^done
32338 (gdb)
32339 @end smallexample
32340
32341
32342 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
32343 @findex -target-file-delete
32344
32345 @subsubheading Synopsis
32346
32347 @smallexample
32348 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
32349 @end smallexample
32350
32351 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
32352
32353 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32354
32355 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
32356
32357 @subsubheading Example
32358
32359 @smallexample
32360 (gdb)
32361 -target-file-delete remotefile
32362 ^done
32363 (gdb)
32364 @end smallexample
32365
32366
32367 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
32368 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
32369 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
32370
32371 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
32372
32373 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
32374 @findex -gdb-exit
32375
32376 @subsubheading Synopsis
32377
32378 @smallexample
32379 -gdb-exit
32380 @end smallexample
32381
32382 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
32383
32384 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32385
32386 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
32387
32388 @subsubheading Example
32389
32390 @smallexample
32391 (gdb)
32392 -gdb-exit
32393 ^exit
32394 @end smallexample
32395
32396
32397 @ignore
32398 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
32399 @findex -exec-abort
32400
32401 @subsubheading Synopsis
32402
32403 @smallexample
32404 -exec-abort
32405 @end smallexample
32406
32407 Kill the inferior running program.
32408
32409 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32410
32411 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
32412
32413 @subsubheading Example
32414 N.A.
32415 @end ignore
32416
32417
32418 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
32419 @findex -gdb-set
32420
32421 @subsubheading Synopsis
32422
32423 @smallexample
32424 -gdb-set
32425 @end smallexample
32426
32427 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
32428 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
32429
32430 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32431
32432 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
32433
32434 @subsubheading Example
32435
32436 @smallexample
32437 (gdb)
32438 -gdb-set $foo=3
32439 ^done
32440 (gdb)
32441 @end smallexample
32442
32443
32444 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
32445 @findex -gdb-show
32446
32447 @subsubheading Synopsis
32448
32449 @smallexample
32450 -gdb-show
32451 @end smallexample
32452
32453 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
32454
32455 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32456
32457 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
32458
32459 @subsubheading Example
32460
32461 @smallexample
32462 (gdb)
32463 -gdb-show annotate
32464 ^done,value="0"
32465 (gdb)
32466 @end smallexample
32467
32468 @c @subheading -gdb-source
32469
32470
32471 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
32472 @findex -gdb-version
32473
32474 @subsubheading Synopsis
32475
32476 @smallexample
32477 -gdb-version
32478 @end smallexample
32479
32480 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
32481
32482 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32483
32484 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
32485 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
32486
32487 @subsubheading Example
32488
32489 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
32490 @c box in TeX.
32491 @smallexample
32492 (gdb)
32493 -gdb-version
32494 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
32495 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
32496 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
32497 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
32498 ~ certain conditions.
32499 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
32500 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
32501 ~ details.
32502 ~This GDB was configured as
32503 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
32504 ^done
32505 (gdb)
32506 @end smallexample
32507
32508 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
32509 @findex -list-features
32510
32511 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
32512 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
32513 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
32514 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
32515 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
32516 startup.
32517
32518 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
32519 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
32520 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
32521 is given below.
32522
32523 Example output:
32524
32525 @smallexample
32526 (gdb) -list-features
32527 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
32528 @end smallexample
32529
32530 The current list of features is:
32531
32532 @table @samp
32533 @item frozen-varobjs
32534 Indicates support for the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
32535 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
32536 of @code{-varobj-create}.
32537 @item pending-breakpoints
32538 Indicates support for the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert}
32539 command.
32540 @item python
32541 Indicates Python scripting support, Python-based
32542 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
32543 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
32544 @item thread-info
32545 Indicates support for the @code{-thread-info} command.
32546 @item data-read-memory-bytes
32547 Indicates support for the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
32548 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
32549 @item breakpoint-notifications
32550 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
32551 CLI will be announced via async records.
32552 @item ada-task-info
32553 Indicates support for the @code{-ada-task-info} command.
32554 @end table
32555
32556 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
32557 @findex -list-target-features
32558
32559 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
32560 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
32561 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
32562 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
32563 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
32564 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
32565 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
32566 Example output:
32567
32568 @smallexample
32569 (gdb) -list-features
32570 ^done,result=["async"]
32571 @end smallexample
32572
32573 The current list of features is:
32574
32575 @table @samp
32576 @item async
32577 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
32578 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
32579 while the target is running.
32580
32581 @item reverse
32582 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
32583 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32584
32585 @end table
32586
32587 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
32588 @findex -list-thread-groups
32589
32590 @subheading Synopsis
32591
32592 @smallexample
32593 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
32594 @end smallexample
32595
32596 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
32597 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
32598 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
32599 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
32600 top-level thread groups.
32601
32602 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
32603 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
32604 available on the target.
32605
32606 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
32607 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
32608 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
32609 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
32610 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
32611 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
32612 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
32613 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
32614
32615 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
32616 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
32617 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
32618 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
32619 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
32620 @samp{threads} field.
32621
32622 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
32623 the following caveats:
32624
32625 @itemize @bullet
32626 @item
32627 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
32628 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
32629 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
32630
32631 @item
32632 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
32633 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
32634 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
32635 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
32636 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
32637 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
32638
32639 @end itemize
32640
32641 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
32642 have the following fields:
32643
32644 @table @code
32645 @item id
32646 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
32647 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
32648 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
32649
32650 @item type
32651 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
32652 valid type.
32653
32654 @item pid
32655 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
32656 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
32657
32658 @item num_children
32659 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
32660 absent for an available thread group.
32661
32662 @item threads
32663 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
32664 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
32665 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
32666
32667 @item cores
32668 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
32669 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
32670 such information is not available.
32671
32672 @item executable
32673 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
32674 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
32675 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
32676
32677 @end table
32678
32679 @subheading Example
32680
32681 @smallexample
32682 @value{GDBP}
32683 -list-thread-groups
32684 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
32685 -list-thread-groups 17
32686 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
32687 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
32688 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
32689 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
32690 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
32691 -list-thread-groups --available
32692 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
32693 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
32694 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
32695 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
32696 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
32697 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
32698 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
32699 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
32700 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
32701 @end smallexample
32702
32703 @subheading The @code{-info-os} Command
32704 @findex -info-os
32705
32706 @subsubheading Synopsis
32707
32708 @smallexample
32709 -info-os [ @var{type} ]
32710 @end smallexample
32711
32712 If no argument is supplied, the command returns a table of available
32713 operating-system-specific information types. If one of these types is
32714 supplied as an argument @var{type}, then the command returns a table
32715 of data of that type.
32716
32717 The types of information available depend on the target operating
32718 system.
32719
32720 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
32721
32722 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info os}.
32723
32724 @subsubheading Example
32725
32726 When run on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, the output will look something
32727 like this:
32728
32729 @smallexample
32730 @value{GDBP}
32731 -info-os
32732 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="9",nr_cols="3",
32733 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="Type"@},
32734 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="Description"@},
32735 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="Title"@}],
32736 body=[item=@{col0="processes",col1="Listing of all processes",
32737 col2="Processes"@},
32738 item=@{col0="procgroups",col1="Listing of all process groups",
32739 col2="Process groups"@},
32740 item=@{col0="threads",col1="Listing of all threads",
32741 col2="Threads"@},
32742 item=@{col0="files",col1="Listing of all file descriptors",
32743 col2="File descriptors"@},
32744 item=@{col0="sockets",col1="Listing of all internet-domain sockets",
32745 col2="Sockets"@},
32746 item=@{col0="shm",col1="Listing of all shared-memory regions",
32747 col2="Shared-memory regions"@},
32748 item=@{col0="semaphores",col1="Listing of all semaphores",
32749 col2="Semaphores"@},
32750 item=@{col0="msg",col1="Listing of all message queues",
32751 col2="Message queues"@},
32752 item=@{col0="modules",col1="Listing of all loaded kernel modules",
32753 col2="Kernel modules"@}]@}
32754 @value{GDBP}
32755 -info-os processes
32756 ^done,OSDataTable=@{nr_rows="190",nr_cols="4",
32757 hdr=[@{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col0",colhdr="pid"@},
32758 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col1",colhdr="user"@},
32759 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col2",colhdr="command"@},
32760 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="col3",colhdr="cores"@}],
32761 body=[item=@{col0="1",col1="root",col2="/sbin/init",col3="0"@},
32762 item=@{col0="2",col1="root",col2="[kthreadd]",col3="1"@},
32763 item=@{col0="3",col1="root",col2="[ksoftirqd/0]",col3="0"@},
32764 ...
32765 item=@{col0="26446",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="0"@},
32766 item=@{col0="28152",col1="stan",col2="bash",col3="1"@}]@}
32767 (gdb)
32768 @end smallexample
32769
32770 (Note that the MI output here includes a @code{"Title"} column that
32771 does not appear in command-line @code{info os}; this column is useful
32772 for MI clients that want to enumerate the types of data, such as in a
32773 popup menu, but is needless clutter on the command line, and
32774 @code{info os} omits it.)
32775
32776 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
32777 @findex -add-inferior
32778
32779 @subheading Synopsis
32780
32781 @smallexample
32782 -add-inferior
32783 @end smallexample
32784
32785 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
32786 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
32787 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
32788 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
32789 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
32790 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
32791
32792 @subheading Example
32793
32794 @smallexample
32795 @value{GDBP}
32796 -add-inferior
32797 ^done,thread-group="i3"
32798 @end smallexample
32799
32800 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
32801 @findex -interpreter-exec
32802
32803 @subheading Synopsis
32804
32805 @smallexample
32806 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
32807 @end smallexample
32808 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
32809
32810 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
32811
32812 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32813
32814 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
32815
32816 @subheading Example
32817
32818 @smallexample
32819 (gdb)
32820 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
32821 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
32822 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
32823 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
32824 ^done
32825 (gdb)
32826 @end smallexample
32827
32828 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
32829 @findex -inferior-tty-set
32830
32831 @subheading Synopsis
32832
32833 @smallexample
32834 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32835 @end smallexample
32836
32837 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
32838
32839 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32840
32841 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
32842
32843 @subheading Example
32844
32845 @smallexample
32846 (gdb)
32847 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32848 ^done
32849 (gdb)
32850 @end smallexample
32851
32852 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
32853 @findex -inferior-tty-show
32854
32855 @subheading Synopsis
32856
32857 @smallexample
32858 -inferior-tty-show
32859 @end smallexample
32860
32861 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
32862
32863 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32864
32865 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
32866
32867 @subheading Example
32868
32869 @smallexample
32870 (gdb)
32871 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
32872 ^done
32873 (gdb)
32874 -inferior-tty-show
32875 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
32876 (gdb)
32877 @end smallexample
32878
32879 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
32880 @findex -enable-timings
32881
32882 @subheading Synopsis
32883
32884 @smallexample
32885 -enable-timings [yes | no]
32886 @end smallexample
32887
32888 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
32889 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
32890 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
32891 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
32892
32893 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
32894
32895 No equivalent.
32896
32897 @subheading Example
32898
32899 @smallexample
32900 (gdb)
32901 -enable-timings
32902 ^done
32903 (gdb)
32904 -break-insert main
32905 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
32906 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
32907 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
32908 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
32909 (gdb)
32910 -enable-timings no
32911 ^done
32912 (gdb)
32913 -exec-run
32914 ^running
32915 (gdb)
32916 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
32917 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
32918 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
32919 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
32920 (gdb)
32921 @end smallexample
32922
32923 @node Annotations
32924 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
32925
32926 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
32927 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
32928 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
32929 relatively high level.
32930
32931 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
32932 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
32933
32934 @ignore
32935 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
32936 @end ignore
32937
32938 @menu
32939 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
32940 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
32941 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
32942 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
32943 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
32944 * Annotations for Running::
32945 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
32946 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
32947 @end menu
32948
32949 @node Annotations Overview
32950 @section What is an Annotation?
32951 @cindex annotations
32952
32953 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
32954 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
32955 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
32956 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
32957 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
32958 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
32959 cannot contain newline characters.
32960
32961 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
32962 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
32963 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
32964 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
32965 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
32966 means those three characters as output.
32967
32968 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
32969 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
32970 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
32971 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
32972 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
32973 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
32974 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
32975 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
32976 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
32977
32978 @table @code
32979 @kindex set annotate
32980 @item set annotate @var{level}
32981 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
32982 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
32983
32984 @item show annotate
32985 @kindex show annotate
32986 Show the current annotation level.
32987 @end table
32988
32989 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
32990
32991 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
32992
32993 @smallexample
32994 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
32995 GNU gdb 6.0
32996 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
32997 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
32998 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
32999 under certain conditions.
33000 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
33001 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
33002 for details.
33003 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
33004
33005 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33006 (@value{GDBP})
33007 ^Z^Zprompt
33008 @kbd{quit}
33009
33010 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33011 $
33012 @end smallexample
33013
33014 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
33015 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
33016 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
33017 output from @value{GDBN}.
33018
33019 @node Server Prefix
33020 @section The Server Prefix
33021 @cindex server prefix
33022
33023 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
33024 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
33025 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
33026 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
33027 a transparent manner.
33028
33029 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
33030 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
33031 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
33032 @code{print} command.
33033
33034 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
33035 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
33036
33037 @node Prompting
33038 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
33039
33040 @cindex annotations for prompts
33041 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
33042 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
33043 over, etc.
33044
33045 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
33046 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
33047 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
33048 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
33049 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
33050 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
33051 features the following annotations:
33052
33053 @smallexample
33054 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
33055 ^Z^Zprompt
33056 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
33057 @end smallexample
33058
33059 The input types are
33060
33061 @table @code
33062 @findex pre-prompt annotation
33063 @findex prompt annotation
33064 @findex post-prompt annotation
33065 @item prompt
33066 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
33067
33068 @findex pre-commands annotation
33069 @findex commands annotation
33070 @findex post-commands annotation
33071 @item commands
33072 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
33073 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
33074
33075 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
33076 @findex overload-choice annotation
33077 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
33078 @item overload-choice
33079 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
33080
33081 @findex pre-query annotation
33082 @findex query annotation
33083 @findex post-query annotation
33084 @item query
33085 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
33086
33087 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
33088 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
33089 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
33090 @item prompt-for-continue
33091 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
33092 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
33093 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
33094 presence of annotations.
33095 @end table
33096
33097 @node Errors
33098 @section Errors
33099 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
33100
33101 @findex quit annotation
33102 @smallexample
33103 ^Z^Zquit
33104 @end smallexample
33105
33106 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
33107
33108 @findex error annotation
33109 @smallexample
33110 ^Z^Zerror
33111 @end smallexample
33112
33113 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
33114
33115 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
33116 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
33117 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
33118 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
33119 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
33120 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
33121 to the top level.
33122
33123 @findex error-begin annotation
33124 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
33125
33126 @smallexample
33127 ^Z^Zerror-begin
33128 @end smallexample
33129
33130 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
33131 message.
33132
33133 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
33134 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
33135 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
33136
33137 @node Invalidation
33138 @section Invalidation Notices
33139
33140 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
33141 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
33142 changed.
33143
33144 @table @code
33145 @findex frames-invalid annotation
33146 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
33147
33148 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
33149 have changed.
33150
33151 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
33152 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
33153
33154 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
33155 deleted a breakpoint.
33156 @end table
33157
33158 @node Annotations for Running
33159 @section Running the Program
33160 @cindex annotations for running programs
33161
33162 @findex starting annotation
33163 @findex stopping annotation
33164 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
33165 @code{step} or @code{continue},
33166
33167 @smallexample
33168 ^Z^Zstarting
33169 @end smallexample
33170
33171 is output. When the program stops,
33172
33173 @smallexample
33174 ^Z^Zstopped
33175 @end smallexample
33176
33177 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
33178 annotations describe how the program stopped.
33179
33180 @table @code
33181 @findex exited annotation
33182 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
33183 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
33184 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
33185
33186 @findex signalled annotation
33187 @findex signal-name annotation
33188 @findex signal-name-end annotation
33189 @findex signal-string annotation
33190 @findex signal-string-end annotation
33191 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
33192 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
33193 annotation continues:
33194
33195 @smallexample
33196 @var{intro-text}
33197 ^Z^Zsignal-name
33198 @var{name}
33199 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
33200 @var{middle-text}
33201 ^Z^Zsignal-string
33202 @var{string}
33203 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
33204 @var{end-text}
33205 @end smallexample
33206
33207 @noindent
33208 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
33209 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
33210 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
33211 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
33212 user's benefit and have no particular format.
33213
33214 @findex signal annotation
33215 @item ^Z^Zsignal
33216 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
33217 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
33218 terminated with it.
33219
33220 @findex breakpoint annotation
33221 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
33222 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
33223
33224 @findex watchpoint annotation
33225 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
33226 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
33227 @end table
33228
33229 @node Source Annotations
33230 @section Displaying Source
33231 @cindex annotations for source display
33232
33233 @findex source annotation
33234 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
33235
33236 @smallexample
33237 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
33238 @end smallexample
33239
33240 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
33241 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
33242 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
33243 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
33244 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
33245 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
33246 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
33247 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
33248 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
33249 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
33250 depend on the language).
33251
33252 @node JIT Interface
33253 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
33254 @cindex just-in-time compilation
33255 @cindex JIT compilation interface
33256
33257 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
33258 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
33259 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
33260 performance while maintaining platform independence.
33261
33262 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
33263 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
33264 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
33265 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
33266 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
33267 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
33268
33269 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
33270 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
33271 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
33272 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
33273 LLVM JIT.
33274
33275 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
33276 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
33277 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
33278 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
33279 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
33280 out about additional code.
33281
33282 @menu
33283 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
33284 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
33285 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
33286 * Custom Debug Info:: Emit debug information in a custom format
33287 @end menu
33288
33289 @node Declarations
33290 @section JIT Declarations
33291
33292 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
33293 implement the interface:
33294
33295 @smallexample
33296 typedef enum
33297 @{
33298 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
33299 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
33300 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
33301 @} jit_actions_t;
33302
33303 struct jit_code_entry
33304 @{
33305 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
33306 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
33307 const char *symfile_addr;
33308 uint64_t symfile_size;
33309 @};
33310
33311 struct jit_descriptor
33312 @{
33313 uint32_t version;
33314 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
33315 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
33316 uint32_t action_flag;
33317 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
33318 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
33319 @};
33320
33321 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
33322 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
33323
33324 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
33325 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
33326 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
33327 @end smallexample
33328
33329 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
33330 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
33331 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
33332
33333 @node Registering Code
33334 @section Registering Code
33335
33336 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
33337
33338 @itemize @bullet
33339 @item
33340 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
33341 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
33342
33343 @item
33344 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
33345 file.
33346
33347 @item
33348 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
33349
33350 @item
33351 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
33352
33353 @item
33354 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
33355 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
33356 @end itemize
33357
33358 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
33359 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
33360 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
33361 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
33362
33363 @node Unregistering Code
33364 @section Unregistering Code
33365
33366 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
33367
33368 @itemize @bullet
33369 @item
33370 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
33371
33372 @item
33373 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
33374
33375 @item
33376 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
33377 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
33378 @end itemize
33379
33380 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
33381 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
33382
33383 @node Custom Debug Info
33384 @section Custom Debug Info
33385 @cindex custom JIT debug info
33386 @cindex JIT debug info reader
33387
33388 Generating debug information in platform-native file formats (like ELF
33389 or COFF) may be an overkill for JIT compilers; especially if all the
33390 debug info is used for is displaying a meaningful backtrace. The
33391 issue can be resolved by having the JIT writers decide on a debug info
33392 format and also provide a reader that parses the debug info generated
33393 by the JIT compiler. This section gives a brief overview on writing
33394 such a parser. More specific details can be found in the source file
33395 @file{gdb/jit-reader.in}, which is also installed as a header at
33396 @file{@var{includedir}/gdb/jit-reader.h} for easy inclusion.
33397
33398 The reader is implemented as a shared object (so this functionality is
33399 not available on platforms which don't allow loading shared objects at
33400 runtime). Two @value{GDBN} commands, @code{jit-reader-load} and
33401 @code{jit-reader-unload} are provided, to be used to load and unload
33402 the readers from a preconfigured directory. Once loaded, the shared
33403 object is used the parse the debug information emitted by the JIT
33404 compiler.
33405
33406 @menu
33407 * Using JIT Debug Info Readers:: How to use supplied readers correctly
33408 * Writing JIT Debug Info Readers:: Creating a debug-info reader
33409 @end menu
33410
33411 @node Using JIT Debug Info Readers
33412 @subsection Using JIT Debug Info Readers
33413 @kindex jit-reader-load
33414 @kindex jit-reader-unload
33415
33416 Readers can be loaded and unloaded using the @code{jit-reader-load}
33417 and @code{jit-reader-unload} commands.
33418
33419 @table @code
33420 @item jit-reader-load @var{reader-name}
33421 Load the JIT reader named @var{reader-name}. On a UNIX system, this
33422 will usually load @file{@var{libdir}/gdb/@var{reader-name}}, where
33423 @var{libdir} is the system library directory, usually
33424 @file{/usr/local/lib}. Only one reader can be active at a time;
33425 trying to load a second reader when one is already loaded will result
33426 in @value{GDBN} reporting an error. A new JIT reader can be loaded by
33427 first unloading the current one using @code{jit-reader-load} and then
33428 invoking @code{jit-reader-load}.
33429
33430 @item jit-reader-unload
33431 Unload the currently loaded JIT reader.
33432
33433 @end table
33434
33435 @node Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
33436 @subsection Writing JIT Debug Info Readers
33437 @cindex writing JIT debug info readers
33438
33439 As mentioned, a reader is essentially a shared object conforming to a
33440 certain ABI. This ABI is described in @file{jit-reader.h}.
33441
33442 @file{jit-reader.h} defines the structures, macros and functions
33443 required to write a reader. It is installed (along with
33444 @value{GDBN}), in @file{@var{includedir}/gdb} where @var{includedir} is
33445 the system include directory.
33446
33447 Readers need to be released under a GPL compatible license. A reader
33448 can be declared as released under such a license by placing the macro
33449 @code{GDB_DECLARE_GPL_COMPATIBLE_READER} in a source file.
33450
33451 The entry point for readers is the symbol @code{gdb_init_reader},
33452 which is expected to be a function with the prototype
33453
33454 @findex gdb_init_reader
33455 @smallexample
33456 extern struct gdb_reader_funcs *gdb_init_reader (void);
33457 @end smallexample
33458
33459 @cindex @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs}
33460
33461 @code{struct gdb_reader_funcs} contains a set of pointers to callback
33462 functions. These functions are executed to read the debug info
33463 generated by the JIT compiler (@code{read}), to unwind stack frames
33464 (@code{unwind}) and to create canonical frame IDs
33465 (@code{get_Frame_id}). It also has a callback that is called when the
33466 reader is being unloaded (@code{destroy}). The struct looks like this
33467
33468 @smallexample
33469 struct gdb_reader_funcs
33470 @{
33471 /* Must be set to GDB_READER_INTERFACE_VERSION. */
33472 int reader_version;
33473
33474 /* For use by the reader. */
33475 void *priv_data;
33476
33477 gdb_read_debug_info *read;
33478 gdb_unwind_frame *unwind;
33479 gdb_get_frame_id *get_frame_id;
33480 gdb_destroy_reader *destroy;
33481 @};
33482 @end smallexample
33483
33484 @cindex @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks}
33485 @cindex @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}
33486
33487 The callbacks are provided with another set of callbacks by
33488 @value{GDBN} to do their job. For @code{read}, these callbacks are
33489 passed in a @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} and for @code{unwind}
33490 and @code{get_frame_id}, in a @code{struct gdb_unwind_callbacks}.
33491 @code{struct gdb_symbol_callbacks} has callbacks to create new object
33492 files and new symbol tables inside those object files. @code{struct
33493 gdb_unwind_callbacks} has callbacks to read registers off the current
33494 frame and to write out the values of the registers in the previous
33495 frame. Both have a callback (@code{target_read}) to read bytes off the
33496 target's address space.
33497
33498 @node In-Process Agent
33499 @chapter In-Process Agent
33500 @cindex debugging agent
33501 The traditional debugging model is conceptually low-speed, but works fine,
33502 because most bugs can be reproduced in debugging-mode execution. However,
33503 as multi-core or many-core processors are becoming mainstream, and
33504 multi-threaded programs become more and more popular, there should be more
33505 and more bugs that only manifest themselves at normal-mode execution, for
33506 example, thread races, because debugger's interference with the program's
33507 timing may conceal the bugs. On the other hand, in some applications,
33508 it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt the program's execution
33509 long enough for the developer to learn anything helpful about its behavior.
33510 If the program's correctness depends on its real-time behavior, delays
33511 introduced by a debugger might cause the program to fail, even when the
33512 code itself is correct. It is useful to be able to observe the program's
33513 behavior without interrupting it.
33514
33515 Therefore, traditional debugging model is too intrusive to reproduce
33516 some bugs. In order to reduce the interference with the program, we can
33517 reduce the number of operations performed by debugger. The
33518 @dfn{In-Process Agent}, a shared library, is running within the same
33519 process with inferior, and is able to perform some debugging operations
33520 itself. As a result, debugger is only involved when necessary, and
33521 performance of debugging can be improved accordingly. Note that
33522 interference with program can be reduced but can't be removed completely,
33523 because the in-process agent will still stop or slow down the program.
33524
33525 The in-process agent can interpret and execute Agent Expressions
33526 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}) during performing debugging operations. The
33527 agent expressions can be used for different purposes, such as collecting
33528 data in tracepoints, and condition evaluation in breakpoints.
33529
33530 @anchor{Control Agent}
33531 You can control whether the in-process agent is used as an aid for
33532 debugging with the following commands:
33533
33534 @table @code
33535 @kindex set agent on
33536 @item set agent on
33537 Causes the in-process agent to perform some operations on behalf of the
33538 debugger. Just which operations requested by the user will be done
33539 by the in-process agent depends on the its capabilities. For example,
33540 if you request to evaluate breakpoint conditions in the in-process agent,
33541 and the in-process agent has such capability as well, then breakpoint
33542 conditions will be evaluated in the in-process agent.
33543
33544 @kindex set agent off
33545 @item set agent off
33546 Disables execution of debugging operations by the in-process agent. All
33547 of the operations will be performed by @value{GDBN}.
33548
33549 @kindex show agent
33550 @item show agent
33551 Display the current setting of execution of debugging operations by
33552 the in-process agent.
33553 @end table
33554
33555 @menu
33556 * In-Process Agent Protocol::
33557 @end menu
33558
33559 @node In-Process Agent Protocol
33560 @section In-Process Agent Protocol
33561 @cindex in-process agent protocol
33562
33563 The in-process agent is able to communicate with both @value{GDBN} and
33564 GDBserver (@pxref{In-Process Agent}). This section documents the protocol
33565 used for communications between @value{GDBN} or GDBserver and the IPA.
33566 In general, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver sends commands
33567 (@pxref{IPA Protocol Commands}) and data to in-process agent, and then
33568 in-process agent replies back with the return result of the command, or
33569 some other information. The data sent to in-process agent is composed
33570 of primitive data types, such as 4-byte or 8-byte type, and composite
33571 types, which are called objects (@pxref{IPA Protocol Objects}).
33572
33573 @menu
33574 * IPA Protocol Objects::
33575 * IPA Protocol Commands::
33576 @end menu
33577
33578 @node IPA Protocol Objects
33579 @subsection IPA Protocol Objects
33580 @cindex ipa protocol objects
33581
33582 The commands sent to and results received from agent may contain some
33583 complex data types called @dfn{objects}.
33584
33585 The in-process agent is running on the same machine with @value{GDBN}
33586 or GDBserver, so it doesn't have to handle as much differences between
33587 two ends as remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}) tries to handle.
33588 However, there are still some differences of two ends in two processes:
33589
33590 @enumerate
33591 @item
33592 word size. On some 64-bit machines, @value{GDBN} or GDBserver can be
33593 compiled as a 64-bit executable, while in-process agent is a 32-bit one.
33594 @item
33595 ABI. Some machines may have multiple types of ABI, @value{GDBN} or
33596 GDBserver is compiled with one, and in-process agent is compiled with
33597 the other one.
33598 @end enumerate
33599
33600 Here are the IPA Protocol Objects:
33601
33602 @enumerate
33603 @item
33604 agent expression object. It represents an agent expression
33605 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
33606 @anchor{agent expression object}
33607 @item
33608 tracepoint action object. It represents a tracepoint action
33609 (@pxref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}) to collect registers,
33610 memory, static trace data and to evaluate expression.
33611 @anchor{tracepoint action object}
33612 @item
33613 tracepoint object. It represents a tracepoint (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
33614 @anchor{tracepoint object}
33615
33616 @end enumerate
33617
33618 The following table describes important attributes of each IPA protocol
33619 object:
33620
33621 @multitable @columnfractions .30 .20 .50
33622 @headitem Name @tab Size @tab Description
33623 @item @emph{agent expression object} @tab @tab
33624 @item length @tab 4 @tab length of bytes code
33625 @item byte code @tab @var{length} @tab contents of byte code
33626 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting memory} @tab @tab
33627 @item 'M' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33628 @item addr @tab 8 @tab if @var{basereg} is @samp{-1}, @var{addr} is the
33629 address of the lowest byte to collect, otherwise @var{addr} is the offset
33630 of @var{basereg} for memory collecting.
33631 @item len @tab 8 @tab length of memory for collecting
33632 @item basereg @tab 4 @tab the register number containing the starting
33633 memory address for collecting.
33634 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting registers} @tab @tab
33635 @item 'R' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33636 @item @emph{tracepoint action for collecting static trace data} @tab @tab
33637 @item 'L' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33638 @item @emph{tracepoint action for expression evaluation} @tab @tab
33639 @item 'X' @tab 1 @tab type of tracepoint action
33640 @item agent expression @tab length of @tab @ref{agent expression object}
33641 @item @emph{tracepoint object} @tab @tab
33642 @item number @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint
33643 @item address @tab 8 @tab address of tracepoint inserted on
33644 @item type @tab 4 @tab type of tracepoint
33645 @item enabled @tab 1 @tab enable or disable of tracepoint
33646 @item step_count @tab 8 @tab step
33647 @item pass_count @tab 8 @tab pass
33648 @item numactions @tab 4 @tab number of tracepoint actions
33649 @item hit count @tab 8 @tab hit count
33650 @item trace frame usage @tab 8 @tab trace frame usage
33651 @item compiled_cond @tab 8 @tab compiled condition
33652 @item orig_size @tab 8 @tab orig size
33653 @item condition @tab 4 if condition is NULL otherwise length of
33654 @ref{agent expression object}
33655 @tab zero if condition is NULL, otherwise is
33656 @ref{agent expression object}
33657 @item actions @tab variable
33658 @tab numactions number of @ref{tracepoint action object}
33659 @end multitable
33660
33661 @node IPA Protocol Commands
33662 @subsection IPA Protocol Commands
33663 @cindex ipa protocol commands
33664
33665 The spaces in each command are delimiters to ease reading this commands
33666 specification. They don't exist in real commands.
33667
33668 @table @samp
33669
33670 @item FastTrace:@var{tracepoint_object} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}
33671 Installs a new fast tracepoint described by @var{tracepoint_object}
33672 (@pxref{tracepoint object}). @var{gdb_jump_pad_head}, 8-byte long, is the
33673 head of @dfn{jumppad}, which is used to jump to data collection routine
33674 in IPA finally.
33675
33676 Replies:
33677 @table @samp
33678 @item OK @var{target_address} @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} @var{fjump_size} @var{fjump}
33679 @var{target_address} is address of tracepoint in the inferior.
33680 @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} is updated head of jumppad. Both of
33681 @var{target_address} and @var{gdb_jump_pad_head} are 8-byte long.
33682 @var{fjump} contains a sequence of instructions jump to jumppad entry.
33683 @var{fjump_size}, 4-byte long, is the size of @var{fjump}.
33684 @item E @var{NN}
33685 for an error
33686
33687 @end table
33688
33689 @item close
33690 Closes the in-process agent. This command is sent when @value{GDBN} or GDBserver
33691 is about to kill inferiors.
33692
33693 @item qTfSTM
33694 @xref{qTfSTM}.
33695 @item qTsSTM
33696 @xref{qTsSTM}.
33697 @item qTSTMat
33698 @xref{qTSTMat}.
33699 @item probe_marker_at:@var{address}
33700 Asks in-process agent to probe the marker at @var{address}.
33701
33702 Replies:
33703 @table @samp
33704 @item E @var{NN}
33705 for an error
33706 @end table
33707 @item unprobe_marker_at:@var{address}
33708 Asks in-process agent to unprobe the marker at @var{address}.
33709 @end table
33710
33711 @node GDB Bugs
33712 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
33713 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
33714 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
33715
33716 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
33717
33718 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
33719 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
33720 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
33721 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
33722
33723 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
33724 information that enables us to fix the bug.
33725
33726 @menu
33727 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
33728 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
33729 @end menu
33730
33731 @node Bug Criteria
33732 @section Have You Found a Bug?
33733 @cindex bug criteria
33734
33735 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
33736
33737 @itemize @bullet
33738 @cindex fatal signal
33739 @cindex debugger crash
33740 @cindex crash of debugger
33741 @item
33742 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
33743 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
33744
33745 @cindex error on valid input
33746 @item
33747 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
33748 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
33749 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
33750
33751 @cindex invalid input
33752 @item
33753 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
33754 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
33755 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
33756 for traditional practice''.
33757
33758 @item
33759 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
33760 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
33761 @end itemize
33762
33763 @node Bug Reporting
33764 @section How to Report Bugs
33765 @cindex bug reports
33766 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
33767
33768 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
33769 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
33770 contact that organization first.
33771
33772 You can find contact information for many support companies and
33773 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
33774 distribution.
33775 @c should add a web page ref...
33776
33777 @ifset BUGURL
33778 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
33779 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
33780 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
33781 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
33782 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
33783 be used.
33784
33785 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
33786 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
33787 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
33788 @samp{bug-gdb}.
33789
33790 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
33791 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
33792 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
33793 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
33794 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
33795 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
33796 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
33797 bug reports to the mailing list.
33798 @end ifset
33799 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
33800 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
33801 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
33802 @end ifclear
33803 @end ifset
33804
33805 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
33806 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
33807 fact or leave it out, state it!
33808
33809 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
33810 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
33811 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
33812 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
33813 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
33814 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
33815 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
33816 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
33817 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
33818
33819 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
33820 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
33821 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
33822 self-contained.
33823
33824 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
33825 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
33826 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
33827 bugs properly.
33828
33829 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
33830
33831 @itemize @bullet
33832 @item
33833 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
33834 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
33835 version}.
33836
33837 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
33838 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
33839
33840 @item
33841 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
33842 version number.
33843
33844 @item
33845 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
33846 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
33847
33848 @item
33849 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
33850 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
33851 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
33852 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
33853 those compilers.
33854
33855 @item
33856 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
33857 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
33858 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
33859 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
33860
33861 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
33862 and then we might not encounter the bug.
33863
33864 @item
33865 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
33866 reproduce the bug.
33867
33868 @item
33869 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
33870 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
33871
33872 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
33873 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
33874 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
33875 a chance to make a mistake.
33876
33877 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
33878 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
33879 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
33880 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
33881 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
33882 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
33883 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
33884 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
33885
33886 @pindex script
33887 @cindex recording a session script
33888 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
33889 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
33890 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
33891 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
33892
33893 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
33894 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
33895
33896 @item
33897 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
33898 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
33899 it by context, not by line number.
33900
33901 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
33902 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
33903
33904 @end itemize
33905
33906 Here are some things that are not necessary:
33907
33908 @itemize @bullet
33909 @item
33910 A description of the envelope of the bug.
33911
33912 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
33913 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
33914 changes will not affect it.
33915
33916 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
33917 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
33918 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
33919 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
33920
33921 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
33922 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
33923 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
33924 less time, and so on.
33925
33926 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
33927 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
33928
33929 @item
33930 A patch for the bug.
33931
33932 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
33933 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
33934 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
33935 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
33936
33937 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
33938 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
33939 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
33940 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
33941
33942 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
33943 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
33944 help us to understand.
33945
33946 @item
33947 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
33948
33949 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
33950 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
33951 @end itemize
33952
33953 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
33954 @c and consists of the two following files:
33955 @c rluser.texi
33956 @c hsuser.texi
33957 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
33958 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
33959 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
33960 @include rluser.texi
33961 @include hsuser.texi
33962 @end ifclear
33963
33964 @node In Memoriam
33965 @appendix In Memoriam
33966
33967 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
33968 contributors:
33969
33970 @table @code
33971 @item Fred Fish
33972 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
33973 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
33974 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
33975
33976 @item Michael Snyder
33977 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
33978 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
33979 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
33980 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
33981 @end table
33982
33983 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
33984 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
33985
33986 @node Formatting Documentation
33987 @appendix Formatting Documentation
33988
33989 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
33990 @cindex reference card
33991 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
33992 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
33993 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
33994 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
33995 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
33996 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
33997
33998 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
33999 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
34000
34001 @smallexample
34002 make refcard.dvi
34003 @end smallexample
34004
34005 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
34006 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
34007 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
34008 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
34009 your @sc{dvi} output program.
34010
34011 @cindex documentation
34012
34013 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
34014 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
34015 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
34016 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
34017 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
34018 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
34019
34020 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
34021 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
34022 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
34023 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
34024 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
34025 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
34026 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
34027 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
34028
34029 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
34030 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
34031 @code{makeinfo}.
34032
34033 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
34034 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
34035 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
34036
34037 @smallexample
34038 cd gdb
34039 make gdb.info
34040 @end smallexample
34041
34042 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
34043 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
34044 Texinfo definitions file.
34045
34046 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
34047 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
34048 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
34049 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
34050 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
34051 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
34052 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
34053
34054 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
34055 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
34056 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
34057 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
34058 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
34059 directory.
34060
34061 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
34062 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
34063 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
34064 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
34065
34066 @smallexample
34067 make gdb.dvi
34068 @end smallexample
34069
34070 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
34071
34072 @node Installing GDB
34073 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
34074 @cindex installation
34075
34076 @menu
34077 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
34078 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
34079 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
34080 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
34081 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
34082 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
34083 @end menu
34084
34085 @node Requirements
34086 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
34087 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
34088
34089 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
34090 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
34091
34092 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
34093 @table @asis
34094 @item ISO C90 compiler
34095 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
34096 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
34097
34098 @end table
34099
34100 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
34101 @table @asis
34102 @item Expat
34103 @anchor{Expat}
34104 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
34105 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
34106 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
34107 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
34108 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
34109 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
34110
34111 Expat is used for:
34112
34113 @itemize @bullet
34114 @item
34115 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
34116 @item
34117 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
34118 @item
34119 Remote shared library lists (@xref{Library List Format},
34120 or alternatively @pxref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets})
34121 @item
34122 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
34123 @item
34124 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
34125 @end itemize
34126
34127 @item zlib
34128 @cindex compressed debug sections
34129 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
34130 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
34131 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
34132 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
34133 information in such binaries.
34134
34135 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
34136 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
34137 @url{http://zlib.net}.
34138
34139 @item iconv
34140 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
34141 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
34142 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
34143 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
34144
34145 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
34146 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
34147 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
34148 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
34149
34150 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
34151 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
34152 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
34153
34154 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
34155 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
34156 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
34157 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
34158 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
34159 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
34160 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
34161 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
34162 @end table
34163
34164 @node Running Configure
34165 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
34166 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
34167 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
34168 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
34169 build the @code{gdb} program.
34170 @iftex
34171 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
34172 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
34173 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
34174 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
34175 @end iftex
34176
34177 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
34178 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
34179 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
34180
34181 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
34182 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
34183
34184 @table @code
34185 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
34186 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
34187
34188 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
34189 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
34190
34191 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
34192 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
34193
34194 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
34195 @sc{gnu} include files
34196
34197 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
34198 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
34199
34200 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
34201 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
34202
34203 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
34204 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
34205
34206 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
34207 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
34208
34209 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
34210 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
34211 @end table
34212
34213 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
34214 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
34215 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
34216
34217 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
34218 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
34219 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
34220 argument.
34221
34222 For example:
34223
34224 @smallexample
34225 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
34226 ./configure @var{host}
34227 make
34228 @end smallexample
34229
34230 @noindent
34231 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
34232 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
34233 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
34234 correct value by examining your system.)
34235
34236 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
34237 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
34238 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
34239 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
34240
34241 @need 750
34242 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
34243 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
34244 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
34245
34246 @smallexample
34247 sh configure @var{host}
34248 @end smallexample
34249
34250 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
34251 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
34252 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
34253 @file{configure}
34254 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
34255 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
34256
34257 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
34258 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
34259 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
34260 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
34261 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
34262 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
34263 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
34264 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
34265 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
34266
34267 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
34268 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
34269 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
34270 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
34271 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
34272
34273 @node Separate Objdir
34274 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
34275
34276 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
34277 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
34278 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
34279 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
34280 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
34281 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
34282 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
34283 program specified there.
34284
34285 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
34286 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
34287 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
34288 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
34289 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
34290 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
34291
34292 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
34293 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
34294
34295 @smallexample
34296 @group
34297 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
34298 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
34299 cd ../gdb-sun4
34300 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
34301 make
34302 @end group
34303 @end smallexample
34304
34305 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
34306 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
34307 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
34308 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
34309 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
34310 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
34311
34312 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
34313 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
34314 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
34315 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
34316 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
34317
34318 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
34319 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
34320 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
34321 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
34322 You specify a cross-debugging target by
34323 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
34324
34325 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
34326 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
34327 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
34328
34329 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
34330 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
34331 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
34332 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
34333 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
34334
34335 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
34336 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
34337 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
34338 with each other.
34339
34340 @node Config Names
34341 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
34342
34343 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
34344 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
34345 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
34346 of information in the following pattern:
34347
34348 @smallexample
34349 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
34350 @end smallexample
34351
34352 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
34353 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
34354 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
34355
34356 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
34357 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
34358 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
34359 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
34360 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
34361 abbreviations---for example:
34362
34363 @smallexample
34364 % sh config.sub i386-linux
34365 i386-pc-linux-gnu
34366 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
34367 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
34368 % sh config.sub hp9k700
34369 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
34370 % sh config.sub sun4
34371 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
34372 % sh config.sub sun3
34373 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
34374 % sh config.sub i986v
34375 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
34376 @end smallexample
34377
34378 @noindent
34379 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
34380 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
34381
34382 @node Configure Options
34383 @section @file{configure} Options
34384
34385 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
34386 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
34387 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
34388 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
34389
34390 @smallexample
34391 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
34392 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
34393 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
34394 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
34395 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
34396 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
34397 @var{host}
34398 @end smallexample
34399
34400 @noindent
34401 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
34402 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
34403 @samp{--}.
34404
34405 @table @code
34406 @item --help
34407 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
34408
34409 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
34410 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
34411 @file{@var{dir}}.
34412
34413 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
34414 Configure the source to install programs under directory
34415 @file{@var{dir}}.
34416
34417 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
34418 @need 2000
34419 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
34420 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
34421 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
34422 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
34423 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
34424 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
34425 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
34426 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
34427 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
34428 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
34429 @var{dirname}.
34430
34431 @item --norecursion
34432 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
34433 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
34434
34435 @item --target=@var{target}
34436 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
34437 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
34438 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
34439
34440 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
34441
34442 @item @var{host} @dots{}
34443 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
34444
34445 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
34446 @end table
34447
34448 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
34449 needed for special purposes only.
34450
34451 @node System-wide configuration
34452 @section System-wide configuration and settings
34453 @cindex system-wide init file
34454
34455 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
34456 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
34457 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
34458
34459 Here is the corresponding configure option:
34460
34461 @table @code
34462 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
34463 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
34464 @var{file}.
34465 @end table
34466
34467 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
34468 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
34469
34470 @itemize @bullet
34471 @item
34472 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
34473 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
34474 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
34475 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
34476 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
34477 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
34478
34479 @item
34480 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
34481 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
34482 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
34483 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
34484 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
34485 @end itemize
34486
34487 @node Maintenance Commands
34488 @appendix Maintenance Commands
34489 @cindex maintenance commands
34490 @cindex internal commands
34491
34492 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
34493 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
34494 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
34495 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
34496 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
34497
34498 @table @code
34499 @kindex maint agent
34500 @kindex maint agent-eval
34501 @item maint agent @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
34502 @itemx maint agent-eval @r{[}-at @var{location}@r{,}@r{]} @var{expression}
34503 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
34504 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
34505 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
34506 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
34507 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
34508 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
34509 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
34510 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
34511 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
34512 addition and return the sum.
34513 If @code{-at} is given, generate remote agent bytecode for @var{location}.
34514 If not, generate remote agent bytecode for current frame PC address.
34515
34516 @kindex maint agent-printf
34517 @item maint agent-printf @var{format},@var{expr},...
34518 Translate the given format string and list of argument expressions
34519 into remote agent bytecodes and display them as a disassembled list.
34520 This command is useful for debugging the agent version of dynamic
34521 printf (@pxref{Dynamic Printf}.
34522
34523 @kindex maint info breakpoints
34524 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
34525 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
34526 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
34527 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
34528 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
34529 is shown:
34530
34531 @table @code
34532 @item breakpoint
34533 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
34534
34535 @item watchpoint
34536 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
34537
34538 @item longjmp
34539 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
34540 @code{longjmp} calls.
34541
34542 @item longjmp resume
34543 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
34544
34545 @item until
34546 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
34547
34548 @item finish
34549 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
34550
34551 @item shlib events
34552 Shared library events.
34553
34554 @end table
34555
34556 @kindex maint info bfds
34557 @item maint info bfds
34558 This prints information about each @code{bfd} object that is known to
34559 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Top, , BFD, bfd, The Binary File Descriptor Library}.
34560
34561 @kindex set displaced-stepping
34562 @kindex show displaced-stepping
34563 @cindex displaced stepping support
34564 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
34565 @item set displaced-stepping
34566 @itemx show displaced-stepping
34567 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
34568 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
34569 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
34570 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
34571 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
34572
34573 @table @code
34574 @item set displaced-stepping on
34575 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
34576 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
34577
34578 @item set displaced-stepping off
34579 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
34580 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
34581
34582 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
34583 @item set displaced-stepping auto
34584 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
34585 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
34586 architecture supports displaced stepping.
34587 @end table
34588
34589 @kindex maint check-symtabs
34590 @item maint check-symtabs
34591 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
34592
34593 @kindex maint cplus first_component
34594 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
34595 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
34596
34597 @kindex maint cplus namespace
34598 @item maint cplus namespace
34599 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
34600
34601 @kindex maint demangle
34602 @item maint demangle @var{name}
34603 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
34604
34605 @kindex maint deprecate
34606 @kindex maint undeprecate
34607 @cindex deprecated commands
34608 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
34609 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
34610 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
34611 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
34612 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
34613 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
34614 the replacement as part of the warning.
34615
34616 @kindex maint dump-me
34617 @item maint dump-me
34618 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
34619 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
34620 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
34621 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
34622
34623 @kindex maint internal-error
34624 @kindex maint internal-warning
34625 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
34626 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
34627 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
34628 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
34629 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
34630 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
34631 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
34632 @value{GDBN} session.
34633
34634 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
34635 used as the text of the error or warning message.
34636
34637 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
34638
34639 @smallexample
34640 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
34641 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
34642 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
34643 debugging may prove unreliable.
34644 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
34645 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
34646 (@value{GDBP})
34647 @end smallexample
34648
34649 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
34650 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
34651
34652 @kindex maint set internal-error
34653 @kindex maint show internal-error
34654 @kindex maint set internal-warning
34655 @kindex maint show internal-warning
34656 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34657 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
34658 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
34659 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
34660 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
34661 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
34662 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
34663 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
34664 described in the table below.
34665
34666 @table @samp
34667 @item quit
34668 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34669 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
34670
34671 @item corefile
34672 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
34673 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
34674 @end table
34675
34676 @kindex maint packet
34677 @item maint packet @var{text}
34678 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
34679 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
34680 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
34681 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
34682 checksum.
34683
34684 @kindex maint print architecture
34685 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34686 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
34687 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
34688
34689 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
34690 @item maint print c-tdesc
34691 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
34692 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
34693 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
34694
34695 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
34696 @item maint print dummy-frames
34697 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
34698
34699 @smallexample
34700 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
34701 @dots{}
34702 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
34703 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
34704 58 return (a + b);
34705 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
34706 @dots{}
34707 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
34708 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
34709 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
34710 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
34711 (@value{GDBP})
34712 @end smallexample
34713
34714 Takes an optional file parameter.
34715
34716 @kindex maint print registers
34717 @kindex maint print raw-registers
34718 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
34719 @kindex maint print register-groups
34720 @kindex maint print remote-registers
34721 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34722 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34723 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34724 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34725 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34726 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
34727
34728 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
34729 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
34730 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
34731 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
34732 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
34733 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
34734 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
34735 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
34736 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
34737
34738 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
34739 write the information.
34740
34741 @kindex maint print reggroups
34742 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
34743 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
34744 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
34745 information.
34746
34747 The register groups info looks like this:
34748
34749 @smallexample
34750 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
34751 Group Type
34752 general user
34753 float user
34754 all user
34755 vector user
34756 system user
34757 save internal
34758 restore internal
34759 @end smallexample
34760
34761 @kindex flushregs
34762 @item flushregs
34763 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
34764
34765 @kindex maint print objfiles
34766 @cindex info for known object files
34767 @item maint print objfiles
34768 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
34769 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
34770 and symtabs.
34771
34772 @kindex maint print section-scripts
34773 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
34774 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
34775 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
34776 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
34777 matching @var{regexp}.
34778 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
34779 and the full path if known.
34780 @xref{dotdebug_gdb_scripts section}.
34781
34782 @kindex maint print statistics
34783 @cindex bcache statistics
34784 @item maint print statistics
34785 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
34786 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
34787 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
34788 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
34789 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
34790 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
34791 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
34792 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
34793 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
34794 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
34795 lengths.
34796
34797 @kindex maint print target-stack
34798 @cindex target stack description
34799 @item maint print target-stack
34800 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
34801 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
34802 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
34803 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
34804 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
34805 address.
34806
34807 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
34808 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
34809
34810 @kindex maint print type
34811 @cindex type chain of a data type
34812 @item maint print type @var{expr}
34813 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
34814 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
34815 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
34816 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
34817 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
34818
34819 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
34820 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
34821 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
34822 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
34823 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
34824 information.
34825
34826 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
34827 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
34828 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
34829 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
34830 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
34831 always see the disassembly form.
34832
34833 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
34834
34835 @smallexample
34836 (gdb) info addr argc
34837 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
34838 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
34839 @end smallexample
34840
34841 For more information on these expressions, see
34842 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
34843
34844 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
34845 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
34846 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
34847 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
34848 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
34849
34850 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
34851 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
34852 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
34853 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
34854 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
34855 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
34856 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
34857 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
34858 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
34859
34860 @kindex maint set profile
34861 @kindex maint show profile
34862 @cindex profiling GDB
34863 @item maint set profile
34864 @itemx maint show profile
34865 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
34866
34867 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
34868 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
34869 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
34870 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
34871 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
34872 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
34873 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
34874
34875 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
34876 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
34877
34878 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
34879 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
34880 @cindex hardware debug registers
34881 @item maint set show-debug-regs
34882 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
34883 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
34884 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
34885 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
34886 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
34887 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
34888
34889 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
34890 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
34891 @item maint set show-all-tib
34892 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
34893 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
34894 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
34895 command.
34896
34897 @kindex maint space
34898 @cindex memory used by commands
34899 @item maint space
34900 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
34901 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
34902 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
34903 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
34904 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34905
34906 @kindex maint time
34907 @cindex time of command execution
34908 @item maint time
34909 Control whether to display the execution time of @value{GDBN} for each command.
34910 If set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
34911 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
34912 Both CPU time and wallclock time are printed.
34913 Printing both is useful when trying to determine whether the cost is
34914 CPU or, e.g., disk/network, latency.
34915 Note that the CPU time printed is for @value{GDBN} only, it does not include
34916 the execution time of the inferior because there's no mechanism currently
34917 to compute how much time was spent by @value{GDBN} and how much time was
34918 spent by the program been debugged.
34919 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
34920 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
34921
34922 @kindex maint translate-address
34923 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
34924 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
34925 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
34926 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
34927 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
34928 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
34929 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
34930
34931 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
34932 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
34933 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
34934
34935 @end table
34936
34937 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
34938 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
34939
34940 @table @code
34941 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
34942 @kindex set watchdog
34943 @cindex watchdog timer
34944 @cindex timeout for commands
34945 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
34946 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
34947 reports and error and the command is aborted.
34948
34949 @item show watchdog
34950 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
34951 @end table
34952
34953 @node Remote Protocol
34954 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
34955
34956 @menu
34957 * Overview::
34958 * Packets::
34959 * Stop Reply Packets::
34960 * General Query Packets::
34961 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
34962 * Tracepoint Packets::
34963 * Host I/O Packets::
34964 * Interrupts::
34965 * Notification Packets::
34966 * Remote Non-Stop::
34967 * Packet Acknowledgment::
34968 * Examples::
34969 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
34970 * Library List Format::
34971 * Library List Format for SVR4 Targets::
34972 * Memory Map Format::
34973 * Thread List Format::
34974 * Traceframe Info Format::
34975 @end menu
34976
34977 @node Overview
34978 @section Overview
34979
34980 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
34981 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
34982 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
34983 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
34984
34985 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
34986 transmitted and received data, respectively.
34987
34988 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
34989 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
34990 @cindex remote serial protocol
34991 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
34992 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
34993 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
34994 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
34995 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
34996
34997 @smallexample
34998 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
34999 @end smallexample
35000 @noindent
35001
35002 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
35003 @noindent
35004 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
35005 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
35006 eight bit unsigned checksum).
35007
35008 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
35009 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
35010
35011 @smallexample
35012 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35013 @end smallexample
35014
35015 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
35016 @noindent
35017 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
35018 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
35019 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
35020
35021 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
35022 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
35023 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
35024 retransmission):
35025
35026 @smallexample
35027 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
35028 <- @code{+}
35029 @end smallexample
35030 @noindent
35031
35032 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
35033 once a connection is established.
35034 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
35035
35036 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
35037 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
35038 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
35039 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
35040 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
35041 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
35042 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
35043
35044 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
35045 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
35046 exceptions).
35047
35048 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
35049 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
35050 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
35051 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
35052
35053 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
35054 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
35055 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
35056
35057 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
35058 @anchor{Binary Data}
35059 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
35060 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
35061 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
35062 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
35063 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
35064 binary data.
35065
35066 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
35067 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
35068 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
35069 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
35070 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
35071 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
35072 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
35073 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
35074 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
35075 (described next).
35076
35077 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
35078 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
35079 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
35080 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
35081 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
35082 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
35083 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
35084 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
35085 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
35086 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
35087 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
35088 3}} more times.
35089
35090 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
35091 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
35092 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
35093 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
35094 @samp{0*"00}.
35095
35096 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
35097 error number. That number is not well defined.
35098
35099 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
35100 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
35101 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
35102 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
35103 on that response.
35104
35105 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
35106 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
35107 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
35108 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
35109 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
35110 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
35111
35112 @node Packets
35113 @section Packets
35114
35115 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
35116 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
35117 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
35118 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
35119
35120 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
35121 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
35122 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
35123 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
35124 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
35125 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
35126 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
35127 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
35128 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
35129 @var{baz}.
35130
35131 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
35132 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
35133 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
35134 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
35135 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
35136 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
35137 pick any thread.
35138
35139 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
35140 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
35141 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
35142 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
35143 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
35144 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
35145 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
35146 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
35147 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
35148 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
35149 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
35150 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
35151 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
35152
35153 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
35154 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
35155 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
35156 more information.
35157
35158 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
35159 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
35160
35161 Here are the packet descriptions.
35162
35163 @table @samp
35164
35165 @item !
35166 @cindex @samp{!} packet
35167 @anchor{extended mode}
35168 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
35169 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
35170 debugged.
35171
35172 Reply:
35173 @table @samp
35174 @item OK
35175 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
35176 @end table
35177
35178 @item ?
35179 @cindex @samp{?} packet
35180 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
35181 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
35182 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
35183
35184 Reply:
35185 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35186
35187 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
35188 @cindex @samp{A} packet
35189 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
35190 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
35191 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
35192
35193 Reply:
35194 @table @samp
35195 @item OK
35196 The arguments were set.
35197 @item E @var{NN}
35198 An error occurred.
35199 @end table
35200
35201 @item b @var{baud}
35202 @cindex @samp{b} packet
35203 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
35204 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
35205
35206 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
35207 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
35208 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
35209
35210 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
35211 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
35212 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
35213 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
35214 of view, nothing actually happened.}
35215
35216 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
35217 @cindex @samp{B} packet
35218 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
35219 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
35220
35221 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
35222 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
35223
35224 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
35225 @anchor{bc}
35226 @item bc
35227 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
35228 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
35229
35230 Reply:
35231 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35232
35233 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
35234 @anchor{bs}
35235 @item bs
35236 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
35237 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
35238
35239 Reply:
35240 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35241
35242 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
35243 @cindex @samp{c} packet
35244 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
35245 resume at current address.
35246
35247 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35248 packet}.
35249
35250 Reply:
35251 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35252
35253 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
35254 @cindex @samp{C} packet
35255 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
35256 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
35257
35258 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35259 packet}.
35260
35261 Reply:
35262 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35263
35264 @item d
35265 @cindex @samp{d} packet
35266 Toggle debug flag.
35267
35268 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
35269 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
35270
35271 @item D
35272 @itemx D;@var{pid}
35273 @cindex @samp{D} packet
35274 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
35275 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
35276 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
35277
35278 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
35279 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
35280 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
35281 big-endian hex string.
35282
35283 Reply:
35284 @table @samp
35285 @item OK
35286 for success
35287 @item E @var{NN}
35288 for an error
35289 @end table
35290
35291 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
35292 @cindex @samp{F} packet
35293 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
35294 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
35295 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
35296
35297 @item g
35298 @anchor{read registers packet}
35299 @cindex @samp{g} packet
35300 Read general registers.
35301
35302 Reply:
35303 @table @samp
35304 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35305 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
35306 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
35307 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
35308 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
35309 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
35310 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
35311
35312 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
35313 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
35314 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
35315 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
35316 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
35317 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
35318 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
35319 have been collected, and both have zero value:
35320
35321 @smallexample
35322 -> @code{g}
35323 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
35324 @end smallexample
35325
35326 @item E @var{NN}
35327 for an error.
35328 @end table
35329
35330 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
35331 @cindex @samp{G} packet
35332 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
35333 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
35334
35335 Reply:
35336 @table @samp
35337 @item OK
35338 for success
35339 @item E @var{NN}
35340 for an error
35341 @end table
35342
35343 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
35344 @cindex @samp{H} packet
35345 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
35346 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
35347 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
35348 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
35349 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
35350 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
35351 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35352
35353 Reply:
35354 @table @samp
35355 @item OK
35356 for success
35357 @item E @var{NN}
35358 for an error
35359 @end table
35360
35361 @c FIXME: JTC:
35362 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
35363 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
35364 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
35365 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
35366 @c described. For example:
35367 @c
35368 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
35369 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
35370 @c otherwise returns current registers.
35371 @c
35372 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
35373 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
35374 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
35375
35376 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
35377 @anchor{cycle step packet}
35378 @cindex @samp{i} packet
35379 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
35380 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
35381 step starting at that address.
35382
35383 @item I
35384 @cindex @samp{I} packet
35385 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
35386 step packet}.
35387
35388 @item k
35389 @cindex @samp{k} packet
35390 Kill request.
35391
35392 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
35393 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
35394 thread?)}.
35395
35396 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
35397 @cindex @samp{m} packet
35398 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
35399 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
35400
35401 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
35402 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
35403 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
35404 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
35405 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
35406 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
35407 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
35408 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
35409
35410 Reply:
35411 @table @samp
35412 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35413 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
35414 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
35415 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
35416 @item E @var{NN}
35417 @var{NN} is errno
35418 @end table
35419
35420 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35421 @cindex @samp{M} packet
35422 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
35423 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
35424 hexadecimal number.
35425
35426 Reply:
35427 @table @samp
35428 @item OK
35429 for success
35430 @item E @var{NN}
35431 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
35432 written).
35433 @end table
35434
35435 @item p @var{n}
35436 @cindex @samp{p} packet
35437 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
35438 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
35439 register value is encoded.
35440
35441 Reply:
35442 @table @samp
35443 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
35444 the register's value
35445 @item E @var{NN}
35446 for an error
35447 @item
35448 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
35449 @end table
35450
35451 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
35452 @anchor{write register packet}
35453 @cindex @samp{P} packet
35454 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
35455 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
35456 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
35457
35458 Reply:
35459 @table @samp
35460 @item OK
35461 for success
35462 @item E @var{NN}
35463 for an error
35464 @end table
35465
35466 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
35467 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
35468 @cindex @samp{q} packet
35469 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
35470 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
35471 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
35472
35473 @item r
35474 @cindex @samp{r} packet
35475 Reset the entire system.
35476
35477 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
35478
35479 @item R @var{XX}
35480 @cindex @samp{R} packet
35481 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
35482 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35483
35484 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
35485
35486 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
35487 @cindex @samp{s} packet
35488 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
35489 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
35490
35491 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35492 packet}.
35493
35494 Reply:
35495 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35496
35497 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
35498 @anchor{step with signal packet}
35499 @cindex @samp{S} packet
35500 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
35501 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
35502
35503 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
35504 packet}.
35505
35506 Reply:
35507 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35508
35509 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
35510 @cindex @samp{t} packet
35511 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
35512 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
35513 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
35514
35515 @item T @var{thread-id}
35516 @cindex @samp{T} packet
35517 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
35518
35519 Reply:
35520 @table @samp
35521 @item OK
35522 thread is still alive
35523 @item E @var{NN}
35524 thread is dead
35525 @end table
35526
35527 @item v
35528 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
35529 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
35530
35531 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
35532 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
35533 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
35534 The process ID is a
35535 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
35536 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
35537 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
35538
35539 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
35540 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
35541 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
35542 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
35543 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
35544 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
35545 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
35546 @c stopping or restarting threads.
35547
35548 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35549
35550 Reply:
35551 @table @samp
35552 @item E @var{nn}
35553 for an error
35554 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35555 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35556 @item OK
35557 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
35558 @end table
35559
35560 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
35561 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
35562 @anchor{vCont packet}
35563 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
35564 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
35565 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
35566 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
35567 in their current state in non-stop mode.
35568 Specifying multiple
35569 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
35570 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35571
35572 Currently supported actions are:
35573
35574 @table @samp
35575 @item c
35576 Continue.
35577 @item C @var{sig}
35578 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35579 @item s
35580 Step.
35581 @item S @var{sig}
35582 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
35583 @item t
35584 Stop.
35585 @end table
35586
35587 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
35588 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
35589 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
35590
35591 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
35592 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
35593 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
35594 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
35595 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
35596 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
35597 as an implementation detail.
35598
35599 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
35600 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
35601 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
35602 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
35603 @var{thread-id}.
35604
35605 Reply:
35606 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
35607
35608 @item vCont?
35609 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
35610 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
35611
35612 Reply:
35613 @table @samp
35614 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
35615 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
35616 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
35617 @item
35618 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
35619 @end table
35620
35621 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
35622 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
35623 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
35624 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
35625
35626 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
35627 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
35628 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
35629 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
35630 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
35631 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
35632 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
35633 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
35634 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35635 packet is received.
35636
35637 Reply:
35638 @table @samp
35639 @item OK
35640 for success
35641 @item E @var{NN}
35642 for an error
35643 @end table
35644
35645 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35646 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
35647 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
35648 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
35649 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
35650 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
35651 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
35652 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
35653 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
35654 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
35655 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
35656 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
35657
35658
35659 Reply:
35660 @table @samp
35661 @item OK
35662 for success
35663 @item E.memtype
35664 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
35665 @item E @var{NN}
35666 for an error
35667 @end table
35668
35669 @item vFlashDone
35670 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
35671 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
35672 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
35673 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
35674 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
35675 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
35676 request is completed.
35677
35678 @item vKill;@var{pid}
35679 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
35680 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
35681 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
35682 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
35683 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35684
35685 Reply:
35686 @table @samp
35687 @item E @var{nn}
35688 for an error
35689 @item OK
35690 for success
35691 @end table
35692
35693 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
35694 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
35695 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
35696 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
35697 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
35698 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
35699 state.
35700
35701 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
35702
35703 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
35704
35705 Reply:
35706 @table @samp
35707 @item E @var{nn}
35708 for an error
35709 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35710 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35711 @end table
35712
35713 @item vStopped
35714 @anchor{vStopped packet}
35715 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
35716
35717 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
35718 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
35719
35720 Reply:
35721 @table @samp
35722 @item @r{Any stop packet}
35723 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
35724 @item OK
35725 if there are no unreported stop events
35726 @end table
35727
35728 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
35729 @anchor{X packet}
35730 @cindex @samp{X} packet
35731 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
35732 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
35733 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
35734
35735 Reply:
35736 @table @samp
35737 @item OK
35738 for success
35739 @item E @var{NN}
35740 for an error
35741 @end table
35742
35743 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35744 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
35745 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
35746 @cindex @samp{z} packet
35747 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
35748 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
35749 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
35750
35751 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
35752 separately.
35753
35754 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
35755 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
35756 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
35757 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
35758 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
35759 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
35760
35761 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35762 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}@r{[};cmds:@var{persist},@var{cmd_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35763 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
35764 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
35765 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
35766 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
35767
35768 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
35769 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
35770 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
35771 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
35772 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
35773 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
35774 @var{cond_list} is an optional list of conditional expressions in bytecode
35775 form that should be evaluated on the target's side. These are the
35776 conditions that should be taken into consideration when deciding if
35777 the breakpoint trigger should be reported back to @var{GDBN}.
35778
35779 The @var{cond_list} parameter is comprised of a series of expressions,
35780 concatenated without separators. Each expression has the following form:
35781
35782 @table @samp
35783
35784 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35785 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35786 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35787
35788 @end table
35789
35790 The optional @var{cmd_list} parameter introduces commands that may be
35791 run on the target, rather than being reported back to @value{GDBN}.
35792 The parameter starts with a numeric flag @var{persist}; if the flag is
35793 nonzero, then the breakpoint may remain active and the commands
35794 continue to be run even when @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target.
35795 Following this flag is a series of expressions concatenated with no
35796 separators. Each expression has the following form:
35797
35798 @table @samp
35799
35800 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
35801 @var{len} is the length of the bytecode expression and @var{expr} is the
35802 actual conditional expression in bytecode form.
35803
35804 @end table
35805
35806 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
35807
35808 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
35809 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
35810 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
35811 target, is not defined.}
35812
35813 Reply:
35814 @table @samp
35815 @item OK
35816 success
35817 @item
35818 not supported
35819 @item E @var{NN}
35820 for an error
35821 @end table
35822
35823 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35824 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}@r{[};@var{cond_list}@dots{}@r{]}
35825 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
35826 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
35827 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
35828 address @var{addr}.
35829
35830 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
35831 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
35832 and @var{cond_list} have the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
35833
35834 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
35835 movement.}
35836
35837 Reply:
35838 @table @samp
35839 @item OK
35840 success
35841 @item
35842 not supported
35843 @item E @var{NN}
35844 for an error
35845 @end table
35846
35847 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35848 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35849 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
35850 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
35851 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35852 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35853
35854 Reply:
35855 @table @samp
35856 @item OK
35857 success
35858 @item
35859 not supported
35860 @item E @var{NN}
35861 for an error
35862 @end table
35863
35864 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35865 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35866 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
35867 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
35868 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35869 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35870
35871 Reply:
35872 @table @samp
35873 @item OK
35874 success
35875 @item
35876 not supported
35877 @item E @var{NN}
35878 for an error
35879 @end table
35880
35881 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35882 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
35883 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
35884 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
35885 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
35886 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
35887
35888 Reply:
35889 @table @samp
35890 @item OK
35891 success
35892 @item
35893 not supported
35894 @item E @var{NN}
35895 for an error
35896 @end table
35897
35898 @end table
35899
35900 @node Stop Reply Packets
35901 @section Stop Reply Packets
35902 @cindex stop reply packets
35903
35904 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
35905 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
35906 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
35907 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
35908 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
35909 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
35910 @value{GDBN} source code.
35911
35912 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
35913 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
35914 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
35915 components.
35916
35917 @table @samp
35918
35919 @item S @var{AA}
35920 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35921 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
35922 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
35923
35924 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
35925 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
35926 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
35927 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
35928 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
35929 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
35930 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
35931 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
35932
35933 @itemize @bullet
35934 @item
35935 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
35936 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
35937 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
35938 two-digit hex number.
35939
35940 @item
35941 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
35942 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
35943
35944 @item
35945 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
35946 the core on which the stop event was detected.
35947
35948 @item
35949 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
35950 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
35951 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
35952 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
35953
35954 @item
35955 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
35956 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
35957 future.
35958 @end itemize
35959
35960 The currently defined stop reasons are:
35961
35962 @table @samp
35963 @item watch
35964 @itemx rwatch
35965 @itemx awatch
35966 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
35967 hex.
35968
35969 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
35970 @item library
35971 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
35972 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
35973 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
35974
35975 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
35976 @item replaylog
35977 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
35978 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
35979 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
35980 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
35981 for more information.
35982 @end table
35983
35984 @item W @var{AA}
35985 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35986 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
35987 applicable to certain targets.
35988
35989 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
35990 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
35991 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
35992 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
35993
35994 @item X @var{AA}
35995 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
35996 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
35997
35998 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
35999 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
36000 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
36001 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
36002
36003 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
36004 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
36005 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
36006 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
36007 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
36008
36009 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
36010 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
36011 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
36012 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
36013 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
36014 system calls.
36015
36016 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
36017 this very system call.
36018
36019 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
36020 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
36021 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
36022 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
36023 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
36024 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
36025
36026 @end table
36027
36028 @node General Query Packets
36029 @section General Query Packets
36030 @cindex remote query requests
36031
36032 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
36033 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
36034 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
36035 sending information to and from the stub.
36036
36037 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
36038 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
36039 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
36040 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
36041 conventions:
36042
36043 @itemize @bullet
36044 @item
36045 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
36046 @item
36047 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
36048 letter.
36049 @item
36050 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
36051 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
36052 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
36053 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
36054 @end itemize
36055
36056 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
36057 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
36058 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
36059 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
36060 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
36061 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
36062 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
36063 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
36064 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
36065 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
36066 packet.}.
36067
36068 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
36069 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
36070 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
36071 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
36072 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
36073
36074 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
36075
36076 @table @samp
36077
36078 @item QAgent:1
36079 @item QAgent:0
36080 Turn on or off the agent as a helper to perform some debugging operations
36081 delegated from @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Control Agent}).
36082
36083 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
36084 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
36085 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
36086 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
36087 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
36088 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
36089 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
36090 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
36091 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
36092 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
36093 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
36094
36095 @item qC
36096 @cindex current thread, remote request
36097 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
36098 Return the current thread ID.
36099
36100 Reply:
36101 @table @samp
36102 @item QC @var{thread-id}
36103 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
36104 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
36105 @item @r{(anything else)}
36106 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
36107 @end table
36108
36109 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
36110 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
36111 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
36112 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
36113 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
36114 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
36115 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
36116
36117 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
36118 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
36119 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
36120 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
36121 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
36122 detect trailing zeros.
36123
36124 Reply:
36125 @table @samp
36126 @item E @var{NN}
36127 An error (such as memory fault)
36128 @item C @var{crc32}
36129 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
36130 @end table
36131
36132 @item QDisableRandomization:@var{value}
36133 @cindex disable address space randomization, remote request
36134 @cindex @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet
36135 Some target operating systems will randomize the virtual address space
36136 of the inferior process as a security feature, but provide a feature
36137 to disable such randomization, e.g.@: to allow for a more deterministic
36138 debugging experience. On such systems, this packet with a @var{value}
36139 of 1 directs the target to disable address space randomization for
36140 processes subsequently started via @samp{vRun} packets, while a packet
36141 with a @var{value} of 0 tells the target to enable address space
36142 randomization.
36143
36144 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
36145
36146 Reply:
36147 @table @samp
36148 @item OK
36149 The request succeeded.
36150
36151 @item E @var{nn}
36152 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36153
36154 @item
36155 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QDisableRandomization} is not supported
36156 by the stub.
36157 @end table
36158
36159 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36160 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36161 This should only be done on targets that actually support disabling
36162 address space randomization.
36163
36164 @item qfThreadInfo
36165 @itemx qsThreadInfo
36166 @cindex list active threads, remote request
36167 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
36168 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
36169 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
36170 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
36171 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
36172 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
36173 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
36174 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
36175
36176 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
36177
36178 Reply:
36179 @table @samp
36180 @item m @var{thread-id}
36181 A single thread ID
36182 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
36183 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
36184 @item l
36185 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
36186 @end table
36187
36188 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
36189 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
36190 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
36191 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
36192 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
36193 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
36194 fields.
36195
36196 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
36197 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
36198 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
36199 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
36200 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
36201
36202 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
36203 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
36204
36205 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
36206 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
36207 information associated with the variable.)
36208
36209 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
36210 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
36211 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
36212 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
36213 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
36214 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
36215
36216 Reply:
36217 @table @samp
36218 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36219 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
36220 local storage requested.
36221
36222 @item E @var{nn}
36223 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36224
36225 @item
36226 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
36227 @end table
36228
36229 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
36230 @cindex get thread information block address
36231 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
36232 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
36233
36234 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
36235
36236 Reply:
36237 @table @samp
36238 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36239 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
36240 thread information block.
36241
36242 @item E @var{nn}
36243 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
36244 address could not be retrieved.
36245
36246 @item
36247 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
36248 @end table
36249
36250 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
36251 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
36252 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
36253 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
36254 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
36255 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
36256 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
36257
36258 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
36259
36260 Reply:
36261 @table @samp
36262 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
36263 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
36264 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
36265 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
36266 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
36267 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
36268 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
36269 @end table
36270
36271 @item qOffsets
36272 @cindex section offsets, remote request
36273 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
36274 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
36275 image.
36276
36277 Reply:
36278 @table @samp
36279 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
36280 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
36281 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
36282 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
36283 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
36284 segments by the supplied offsets.
36285
36286 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
36287 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
36288 to the @code{Bss} section.}
36289
36290 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
36291 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
36292 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
36293 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
36294 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
36295 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
36296 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
36297 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
36298 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
36299 @end table
36300
36301 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
36302 @cindex thread information, remote request
36303 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
36304 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
36305 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
36306 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
36307
36308 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
36309 (see below).
36310
36311 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
36312
36313 @item QNonStop:1
36314 @item QNonStop:0
36315 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
36316 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
36317 @anchor{QNonStop}
36318 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
36319 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
36320
36321 Reply:
36322 @table @samp
36323 @item OK
36324 The request succeeded.
36325
36326 @item E @var{nn}
36327 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36328
36329 @item
36330 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
36331 the stub.
36332 @end table
36333
36334 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36335 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36336 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
36337 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
36338
36339 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36340 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
36341 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36342 @anchor{QPassSignals}
36343 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
36344 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
36345 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
36346 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
36347 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
36348 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
36349 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
36350 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
36351 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
36352
36353 Reply:
36354 @table @samp
36355 @item OK
36356 The request succeeded.
36357
36358 @item E @var{nn}
36359 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36360
36361 @item
36362 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
36363 the stub.
36364 @end table
36365
36366 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
36367 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
36368 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36369 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36370
36371 @item QProgramSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
36372 @cindex signals the inferior may see, remote request
36373 @cindex @samp{QProgramSignals} packet
36374 @anchor{QProgramSignals}
36375 Each listed @var{signal} may be delivered to the inferior process.
36376 Others should be silently discarded.
36377
36378 In some cases, the remote stub may need to decide whether to deliver a
36379 signal to the program or not without @value{GDBN} involvement. One
36380 example of that is while detaching --- the program's threads may have
36381 stopped for signals that haven't yet had a chance of being reported to
36382 @value{GDBN}, and so the remote stub can use the signal list specified
36383 by this packet to know whether to deliver or ignore those pending
36384 signals.
36385
36386 This does not influence whether to deliver a signal as requested by a
36387 resumption packet (@pxref{vCont packet}).
36388
36389 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
36390 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
36391 strictly greater than the previous item. Multiple
36392 @samp{QProgramSignals} packets do not combine; any earlier
36393 @samp{QProgramSignals} list is completely replaced by the new list.
36394
36395 Reply:
36396 @table @samp
36397 @item OK
36398 The request succeeded.
36399
36400 @item E @var{nn}
36401 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
36402
36403 @item
36404 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QProgramSignals} is not supported
36405 by the stub.
36406 @end table
36407
36408 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote program-signals}
36409 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote program-signals}).
36410 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
36411 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
36412
36413 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
36414 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
36415 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
36416 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
36417 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
36418 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
36419 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
36420 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
36421 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
36422
36423 Reply:
36424 @table @samp
36425 @item OK
36426 A command response with no output.
36427 @item @var{OUTPUT}
36428 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
36429 @item E @var{NN}
36430 Indicate a badly formed request.
36431 @item
36432 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
36433 @end table
36434
36435 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
36436 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36437 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36438 packets.)
36439
36440 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
36441 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
36442 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
36443 @anchor{qSearch memory}
36444 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
36445 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
36446 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
36447
36448 Reply:
36449 @table @samp
36450 @item 0
36451 The pattern was not found.
36452 @item 1,address
36453 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
36454 @item E @var{NN}
36455 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
36456 @item
36457 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
36458 @end table
36459
36460 @item QStartNoAckMode
36461 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
36462 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
36463 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
36464 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
36465
36466 Reply:
36467 @table @samp
36468 @item OK
36469 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
36470 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
36471 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
36472 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
36473 @item
36474 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
36475 @end table
36476
36477 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
36478 @cindex supported packets, remote query
36479 @cindex features of the remote protocol
36480 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
36481 @anchor{qSupported}
36482 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
36483 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
36484 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
36485 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
36486 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
36487 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
36488 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
36489 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
36490 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
36491 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
36492 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
36493 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
36494 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
36495 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
36496
36497 Reply:
36498 @table @samp
36499 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
36500 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
36501 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
36502 possible forms).
36503 @item
36504 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
36505 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
36506 @end table
36507
36508 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
36509 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
36510 are:
36511
36512 @table @samp
36513 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
36514 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
36515 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
36516 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
36517 @item @var{name}+
36518 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
36519 need an associated value.
36520 @item @var{name}-
36521 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
36522 @item @var{name}?
36523 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
36524 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
36525 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
36526 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
36527 @end table
36528
36529 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
36530 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
36531 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
36532 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
36533 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
36534
36535 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
36536 are defined:
36537
36538 @table @samp
36539 @item multiprocess
36540 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
36541 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
36542 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
36543 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
36544 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
36545
36546 @item xmlRegisters
36547 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
36548 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
36549 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
36550 description.
36551
36552 @item qRelocInsn
36553 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
36554 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
36555 instruction reply packet}).
36556 @end table
36557
36558 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
36559 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
36560 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
36561 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
36562 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
36563 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
36564 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
36565 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
36566 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
36567 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
36568 all the features it supports.
36569
36570 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
36571 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
36572
36573 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
36574 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
36575 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
36576 form response.
36577
36578 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
36579 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
36580 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
36581 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
36582
36583 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
36584 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
36585 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
36586 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
36587 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
36588
36589 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
36590
36591 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
36592 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
36593 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
36594 @item Feature Name
36595 @tab Value Required
36596 @tab Default
36597 @tab Probe Allowed
36598
36599 @item @samp{PacketSize}
36600 @tab Yes
36601 @tab @samp{-}
36602 @tab No
36603
36604 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
36605 @tab No
36606 @tab @samp{-}
36607 @tab Yes
36608
36609 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
36610 @tab No
36611 @tab @samp{-}
36612 @tab Yes
36613
36614 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
36615 @tab No
36616 @tab @samp{-}
36617 @tab Yes
36618
36619 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
36620 @tab No
36621 @tab @samp{-}
36622 @tab Yes
36623
36624 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
36625 @tab No
36626 @tab @samp{-}
36627 @tab Yes
36628
36629 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
36630 @tab No
36631 @tab @samp{-}
36632 @tab Yes
36633
36634 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
36635 @tab No
36636 @tab @samp{-}
36637 @tab Yes
36638
36639 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
36640 @tab No
36641 @tab @samp{-}
36642 @tab Yes
36643
36644 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
36645 @tab No
36646 @tab @samp{-}
36647 @tab Yes
36648
36649 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
36650 @tab No
36651 @tab @samp{-}
36652 @tab Yes
36653
36654 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36655 @tab No
36656 @tab @samp{-}
36657 @tab Yes
36658
36659 @item @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36660 @tab No
36661 @tab @samp{-}
36662 @tab Yes
36663
36664 @item @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36665 @tab No
36666 @tab @samp{-}
36667 @tab Yes
36668
36669 @item @samp{QNonStop}
36670 @tab No
36671 @tab @samp{-}
36672 @tab Yes
36673
36674 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
36675 @tab No
36676 @tab @samp{-}
36677 @tab Yes
36678
36679 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
36680 @tab No
36681 @tab @samp{-}
36682 @tab Yes
36683
36684 @item @samp{multiprocess}
36685 @tab No
36686 @tab @samp{-}
36687 @tab No
36688
36689 @item @samp{ConditionalBreakpoints}
36690 @tab No
36691 @tab @samp{-}
36692 @tab No
36693
36694 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
36695 @tab No
36696 @tab @samp{-}
36697 @tab No
36698
36699 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
36700 @tab No
36701 @tab @samp{-}
36702 @tab No
36703
36704 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
36705 @tab No
36706 @tab @samp{-}
36707 @tab No
36708
36709 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
36710 @tab No
36711 @tab @samp{-}
36712 @tab No
36713
36714 @item @samp{QAgent}
36715 @tab No
36716 @tab @samp{-}
36717 @tab No
36718
36719 @item @samp{QAllow}
36720 @tab No
36721 @tab @samp{-}
36722 @tab No
36723
36724 @item @samp{QDisableRandomization}
36725 @tab No
36726 @tab @samp{-}
36727 @tab No
36728
36729 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
36730 @tab No
36731 @tab @samp{-}
36732 @tab No
36733
36734 @item @samp{tracenz}
36735 @tab No
36736 @tab @samp{-}
36737 @tab No
36738
36739 @item @samp{BreakpointCommands}
36740 @tab No
36741 @tab @samp{-}
36742 @tab No
36743
36744 @end multitable
36745
36746 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
36747
36748 @table @samp
36749 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
36750 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
36751 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
36752 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
36753 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
36754 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
36755 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
36756 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
36757 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
36758 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
36759
36760 @item qXfer:auxv:read
36761 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
36762 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
36763
36764 @item qXfer:features:read
36765 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
36766 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
36767
36768 @item qXfer:libraries:read
36769 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
36770 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
36771
36772 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read
36773 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet
36774 (@pxref{qXfer svr4 library list read}).
36775
36776 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
36777 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
36778 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
36779
36780 @item qXfer:sdata:read
36781 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
36782 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
36783
36784 @item qXfer:spu:read
36785 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
36786 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
36787
36788 @item qXfer:spu:write
36789 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
36790 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
36791
36792 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
36793 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
36794 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
36795
36796 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
36797 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
36798 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
36799
36800 @item qXfer:threads:read
36801 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
36802 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
36803
36804 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
36805 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36806 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
36807
36808 @item qXfer:uib:read
36809 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:uib:read}
36810 packet (@pxref{qXfer unwind info block}).
36811
36812 @item qXfer:fdpic:read
36813 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:fdpic:read}
36814 packet (@pxref{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}).
36815
36816 @item QNonStop
36817 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
36818 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
36819
36820 @item QPassSignals
36821 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
36822 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
36823
36824 @item QStartNoAckMode
36825 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
36826 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
36827
36828 @item multiprocess
36829 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
36830 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
36831 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
36832 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
36833 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
36834 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
36835 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
36836 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
36837 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
36838 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
36839 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
36840
36841 @item qXfer:osdata:read
36842 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
36843 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
36844
36845 @item ConditionalBreakpoints
36846 The target accepts and implements evaluation of conditional expressions
36847 defined for breakpoints. The target will only report breakpoint triggers
36848 when such conditions are true (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
36849
36850 @item ConditionalTracepoints
36851 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
36852 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
36853
36854 @item ReverseContinue
36855 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
36856 (@pxref{bc}).
36857
36858 @item ReverseStep
36859 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
36860 (@pxref{bs}).
36861
36862 @item TracepointSource
36863 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
36864 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
36865
36866 @item QAgent
36867 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAgent} packet.
36868
36869 @item QAllow
36870 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
36871
36872 @item QDisableRandomization
36873 The remote stub understands the @samp{QDisableRandomization} packet.
36874
36875 @item StaticTracepoint
36876 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
36877 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
36878
36879 @item InstallInTrace
36880 @anchor{install tracepoint in tracing}
36881 The remote stub supports installing tracepoint in tracing.
36882
36883 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
36884 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
36885 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
36886 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
36887
36888 @item tracenz
36889 @cindex string tracing, in remote protocol
36890 The remote stub supports the @samp{tracenz} bytecode for collecting strings.
36891 See @ref{Bytecode Descriptions} for details about the bytecode.
36892
36893 @item BreakpointCommands
36894 @cindex breakpoint commands, in remote protocol
36895 The remote stub supports running a breakpoint's command list itself,
36896 rather than reporting the hit to @value{GDBN}.
36897
36898 @end table
36899
36900 @item qSymbol::
36901 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
36902 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
36903 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
36904 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
36905
36906 Reply:
36907 @table @samp
36908 @item OK
36909 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36910 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36911 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
36912 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
36913 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
36914 below.
36915 @end table
36916
36917 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
36918 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
36919
36920 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
36921 target has previously requested.
36922
36923 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
36924 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
36925 will be empty.
36926
36927 Reply:
36928 @table @samp
36929 @item OK
36930 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
36931 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
36932 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
36933 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
36934 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
36935 @end table
36936
36937 @item qTBuffer
36938 @item QTBuffer
36939 @item QTDisconnected
36940 @itemx QTDP
36941 @itemx QTDPsrc
36942 @itemx QTDV
36943 @itemx qTfP
36944 @itemx qTfV
36945 @itemx QTFrame
36946 @itemx qTMinFTPILen
36947
36948 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36949
36950 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
36951 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
36952 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
36953 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
36954 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
36955 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
36956 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
36957 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
36958 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
36959 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
36960 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
36961
36962 Reply:
36963 @table @samp
36964 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
36965 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
36966 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
36967 the thread's attributes.
36968 @end table
36969
36970 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
36971 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
36972 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
36973 packets.)
36974
36975 @item QTNotes
36976 @item qTP
36977 @item QTSave
36978 @item qTsP
36979 @item qTsV
36980 @itemx QTStart
36981 @itemx QTStop
36982 @itemx QTEnable
36983 @itemx QTDisable
36984 @itemx QTinit
36985 @itemx QTro
36986 @itemx qTStatus
36987 @itemx qTV
36988 @itemx qTfSTM
36989 @itemx qTsSTM
36990 @itemx qTSTMat
36991 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
36992
36993 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
36994 @cindex read special object, remote request
36995 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
36996 @anchor{qXfer read}
36997 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
36998 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
36999 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
37000 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
37001 additional details about what data to access.
37002
37003 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37004 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37005 formats, listed below.
37006
37007 @table @samp
37008 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37009 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
37010 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
37011 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
37012
37013 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37014 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37015
37016 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37017 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
37018 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
37019 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
37020 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
37021
37022 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37023 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37024
37025 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37026 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
37027 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
37028 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37029 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37030
37031 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
37032 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
37033 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
37034
37035 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37036 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37037
37038 @item qXfer:libraries-svr4:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37039 @anchor{qXfer svr4 library list read}
37040 Access the target's list of loaded libraries when the target is an SVR4
37041 platform. @xref{Library List Format for SVR4 Targets}. The annex part
37042 of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37043
37044 This packet is optional for better performance on SVR4 targets.
37045 @value{GDBN} uses memory read packets to read the SVR4 library list otherwise.
37046
37047 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37048 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37049
37050 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37051 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
37052 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
37053 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37054 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37055
37056 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37057 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37058
37059 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37060 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
37061
37062 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
37063 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
37064 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
37065 Action Lists}.
37066
37067 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37068 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37069 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37070
37071 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37072 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
37073 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
37074 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37075 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37076
37077 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37078 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37079 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37080
37081 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37082 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
37083 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37084 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
37085 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37086 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37087 in that context to be accessed.
37088
37089 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37090 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37091 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37092
37093 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37094 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
37095 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
37096 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
37097 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37098
37099 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37100 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37101
37102 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37103 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
37104
37105 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
37106 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
37107 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
37108
37109 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37110 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37111
37112 @item qXfer:uib:read:@var{pc}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37113 @anchor{qXfer unwind info block}
37114
37115 Return the unwind information block for @var{pc}. This packet is used
37116 on OpenVMS/ia64 to ask the kernel unwind information.
37117
37118 This packet is not probed by default.
37119
37120 @item qXfer:fdpic:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
37121 @anchor{qXfer fdpic loadmap read}
37122 Read contents of @code{loadmap}s on the target system. The
37123 annex, either @samp{exec} or @samp{interp}, specifies which @code{loadmap},
37124 executable @code{loadmap} or interpreter @code{loadmap} to read.
37125
37126 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37127 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37128
37129 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
37130 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
37131 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
37132 @xref{Operating System Information}.
37133
37134 @end table
37135
37136 Reply:
37137 @table @samp
37138 @item m @var{data}
37139 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
37140 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
37141 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
37142 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
37143 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
37144 request.
37145
37146 @item l @var{data}
37147 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
37148 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
37149 than the @var{length} in the request.
37150
37151 @item l
37152 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
37153 There is no more data to be read.
37154
37155 @item E00
37156 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37157
37158 @item E @var{nn}
37159 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
37160 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37161
37162 @item
37163 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
37164 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
37165 @end table
37166
37167 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37168 @cindex write data into object, remote request
37169 @anchor{qXfer write}
37170 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
37171 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
37172 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
37173 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
37174 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
37175 to access.
37176
37177 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
37178 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
37179 formats, listed below.
37180
37181 @table @samp
37182 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37183 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
37184 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
37185 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
37186 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
37187
37188 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37189 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
37190 (@pxref{qSupported}).
37191
37192 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
37193 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
37194 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
37195 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
37196 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
37197 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
37198 in that context to be accessed.
37199
37200 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
37201 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
37202 @end table
37203
37204 Reply:
37205 @table @samp
37206 @item @var{nn}
37207 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
37208 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
37209
37210 @item E00
37211 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
37212
37213 @item E @var{nn}
37214 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
37215 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
37216
37217 @item
37218 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
37219 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
37220 @end table
37221
37222 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
37223 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
37224 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
37225 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
37226 must respond with an empty packet.
37227
37228 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
37229 @cindex query attached, remote request
37230 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
37231 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
37232 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
37233 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
37234 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
37235 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
37236 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
37237
37238 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
37239 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
37240 the @code{quit} command.
37241
37242 Reply:
37243 @table @samp
37244 @item 1
37245 The remote server attached to an existing process.
37246 @item 0
37247 The remote server created a new process.
37248 @item E @var{NN}
37249 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
37250 @end table
37251
37252 @end table
37253
37254 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37255 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
37256
37257 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
37258 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
37259 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
37260
37261 @menu
37262 * ARM-Specific Protocol Details::
37263 * MIPS-Specific Protocol Details::
37264 @end menu
37265
37266 @node ARM-Specific Protocol Details
37267 @subsection @acronym{ARM}-specific Protocol Details
37268
37269 @menu
37270 * ARM Breakpoint Kinds::
37271 @end menu
37272
37273 @node ARM Breakpoint Kinds
37274 @subsubsection @acronym{ARM} Breakpoint Kinds
37275 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{ARM}
37276
37277 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37278
37279 @table @r
37280
37281 @item 2
37282 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
37283
37284 @item 3
37285 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
37286
37287 @item 4
37288 32-bit @acronym{ARM} mode breakpoint.
37289
37290 @end table
37291
37292 @node MIPS-Specific Protocol Details
37293 @subsection @acronym{MIPS}-specific Protocol Details
37294
37295 @menu
37296 * MIPS Register packet Format::
37297 * MIPS Breakpoint Kinds::
37298 @end menu
37299
37300 @node MIPS Register packet Format
37301 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Register Packet Format
37302 @cindex register packet format, @acronym{MIPS}
37303
37304 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
37305 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
37306 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
37307 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
37308 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
37309 most-significant -- least-significant.
37310
37311 @table @r
37312
37313 @item MIPS32
37314 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
37315 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
37316 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
37317
37318 @item MIPS64
37319 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
37320 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
37321 as @code{MIPS32}.
37322
37323 @end table
37324
37325 @node MIPS Breakpoint Kinds
37326 @subsubsection @acronym{MIPS} Breakpoint Kinds
37327 @cindex breakpoint kinds, @acronym{MIPS}
37328
37329 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
37330
37331 @table @r
37332
37333 @item 2
37334 16-bit @acronym{MIPS16} mode breakpoint.
37335
37336 @item 3
37337 16-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37338
37339 @item 4
37340 32-bit standard @acronym{MIPS} mode breakpoint.
37341
37342 @item 5
37343 32-bit @acronym{microMIPS} mode breakpoint.
37344
37345 @end table
37346
37347 @node Tracepoint Packets
37348 @section Tracepoint Packets
37349 @cindex tracepoint packets
37350 @cindex packets, tracepoint
37351
37352 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
37353 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
37354
37355 @table @samp
37356
37357 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
37358 @cindex @samp{QTDP} packet
37359 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
37360 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
37361 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
37362 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
37363 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
37364 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
37365 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
37366 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
37367 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
37368 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
37369 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
37370 actions.
37371
37372 Replies:
37373 @table @samp
37374 @item OK
37375 The packet was understood and carried out.
37376 @item qRelocInsn
37377 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37378 @item
37379 The packet was not recognized.
37380 @end table
37381
37382 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
37383 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
37384 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
37385 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
37386 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
37387 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
37388 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
37389
37390 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
37391 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
37392 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
37393 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
37394 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
37395 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
37396 tracepoint actions.
37397
37398 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
37399 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
37400 following forms:
37401
37402 @table @samp
37403
37404 @item R @var{mask}
37405 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
37406 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
37407 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
37408 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
37409 not fit in a 32-bit word.
37410
37411 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
37412 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
37413 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
37414 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
37415 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
37416 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
37417 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
37418
37419 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
37420 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
37421 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
37422 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
37423 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
37424 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
37425 packet).
37426
37427 @end table
37428
37429 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
37430 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
37431 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
37432 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
37433 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
37434 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
37435 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
37436 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
37437
37438 Replies:
37439 @table @samp
37440 @item OK
37441 The packet was understood and carried out.
37442 @item qRelocInsn
37443 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
37444 @item
37445 The packet was not recognized.
37446 @end table
37447
37448 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
37449 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
37450 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
37451 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
37452 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
37453 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
37454 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
37455 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
37456
37457 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
37458 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
37459 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
37460 fit in a single packet.
37461 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
37462 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
37463
37464 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
37465 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
37466 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
37467 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
37468
37469 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
37470 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
37471 query packets.
37472
37473 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
37474 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
37475 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
37476 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
37477 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
37478 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
37479 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
37480 be found.
37481
37482 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
37483 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
37484 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
37485 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
37486 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
37487 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
37488 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
37489 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
37490 mentioned in expressions.
37491
37492 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
37493 @cindex @samp{QTFrame} packet
37494 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
37495 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
37496 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
37497
37498 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
37499 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
37500 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
37501 one of the following forms:
37502
37503 @table @samp
37504 @item F @var{f}
37505 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
37506 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
37507 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
37508
37509 @item T @var{t}
37510 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
37511 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
37512
37513 @end table
37514
37515 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
37516 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37517 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
37518 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
37519
37520 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
37521 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37522 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
37523 is a hexadecimal number.
37524
37525 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
37526 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
37527 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
37528 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
37529 numbers.
37530
37531 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
37532 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
37533 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
37534
37535 @item qTMinFTPILen
37536 @cindex @samp{qTMinFTPILen} packet
37537 This packet requests the minimum length of instruction at which a fast
37538 tracepoint (@pxref{Set Tracepoints}) may be placed. For instance, on
37539 the 32-bit x86 architecture, it is possible to use a 4-byte jump, but
37540 it depends on the target system being able to create trampolines in
37541 the first 64K of memory, which might or might not be possible for that
37542 system. So the reply to this packet will be 4 if it is able to
37543 arrange for that.
37544
37545 Replies:
37546
37547 @table @samp
37548 @item 0
37549 The minimum instruction length is currently unknown.
37550 @item @var{length}
37551 The minimum instruction length is @var{length}, where @var{length} is greater
37552 or equal to 1. @var{length} is a hexadecimal number. A reply of 1 means
37553 that a fast tracepoint may be placed on any instruction regardless of size.
37554 @item E
37555 An error has occurred.
37556 @item
37557 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the stub.
37558 @end table
37559
37560 @item QTStart
37561 @cindex @samp{QTStart} packet
37562 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
37563 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
37564 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
37565 instruction reply packet}).
37566
37567 @item QTStop
37568 @cindex @samp{QTStop} packet
37569 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
37570
37571 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37572 @anchor{QTEnable}
37573 @cindex @samp{QTEnable} packet
37574 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37575 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
37576 of data from it will resume.
37577
37578 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
37579 @anchor{QTDisable}
37580 @cindex @samp{QTDisable} packet
37581 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
37582 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
37583 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
37584
37585 @item QTinit
37586 @cindex @samp{QTinit} packet
37587 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
37588
37589 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
37590 @cindex @samp{QTro} packet
37591 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
37592 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
37593 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
37594
37595 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
37596 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
37597 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
37598 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
37599
37600 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
37601 @cindex @samp{QTDisconnected} packet
37602 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
37603 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
37604 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
37605 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
37606
37607 @item qTStatus
37608 @cindex @samp{qTStatus} packet
37609 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
37610
37611 The reply has the form:
37612
37613 @table @samp
37614
37615 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
37616 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
37617 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
37618 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
37619
37620 @end table
37621
37622 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
37623 explanations as one of the optional fields:
37624
37625 @table @samp
37626
37627 @item tnotrun:0
37628 No trace has been run yet.
37629
37630 @item tstop[:@var{text}]:0
37631 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command. The optional
37632 @var{text} field is a user-supplied string supplied as part of the
37633 stop command (for instance, an explanation of why the trace was
37634 stopped manually). It is hex-encoded.
37635
37636 @item tfull:0
37637 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
37638
37639 @item tdisconnected:0
37640 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
37641
37642 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
37643 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
37644
37645 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
37646 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
37647 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
37648 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
37649 @var{text} is hex encoded.
37650
37651 @item tunknown:0
37652 The trace stopped for some other reason.
37653
37654 @end table
37655
37656 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
37657 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
37658 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
37659 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
37660 trace.
37661
37662 @table @samp
37663
37664 @item tframes:@var{n}
37665 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
37666
37667 @item tcreated:@var{n}
37668 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
37669 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
37670
37671 @item tsize:@var{n}
37672 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
37673
37674 @item tfree:@var{n}
37675 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
37676
37677 @item circular:@var{n}
37678 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
37679 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
37680 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
37681 and may fill up.
37682
37683 @item disconn:@var{n}
37684 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
37685 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
37686 that the trace run will stop.
37687
37688 @end table
37689
37690 @item qTP:@var{tp}:@var{addr}
37691 @cindex tracepoint status, remote request
37692 @cindex @samp{qTP} packet
37693 Ask the stub for the current state of tracepoint number @var{tp} at
37694 address @var{addr}.
37695
37696 Replies:
37697 @table @samp
37698 @item V@var{hits}:@var{usage}
37699 The tracepoint has been hit @var{hits} times so far during the trace
37700 run, and accounts for @var{usage} in the trace buffer. Note that
37701 @code{while-stepping} steps are not counted as separate hits, but the
37702 steps' space consumption is added into the usage number.
37703
37704 @end table
37705
37706 @item qTV:@var{var}
37707 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
37708 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
37709 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
37710
37711 Replies:
37712 @table @samp
37713 @item V@var{value}
37714 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
37715 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
37716 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
37717 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
37718 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
37719 program is running.
37720
37721 @item U
37722 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
37723 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
37724 was not collected.
37725 @end table
37726
37727 @item qTfP
37728 @cindex @samp{qTfP} packet
37729 @itemx qTsP
37730 @cindex @samp{qTsP} packet
37731 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
37732 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
37733 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
37734 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
37735 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
37736
37737 @item qTfV
37738 @cindex @samp{qTfV} packet
37739 @itemx qTsV
37740 @cindex @samp{qTsV} packet
37741 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
37742 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
37743 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
37744 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
37745 trace state variables.
37746
37747 @item qTfSTM
37748 @itemx qTsSTM
37749 @anchor{qTfSTM}
37750 @anchor{qTsSTM}
37751 @cindex @samp{qTfSTM} packet
37752 @cindex @samp{qTsSTM} packet
37753 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
37754 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
37755 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
37756 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
37757
37758 Reply:
37759 @table @samp
37760 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
37761 A single marker
37762 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
37763 a comma-separated list of markers
37764 @item l
37765 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
37766 @item E @var{nn}
37767 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
37768 @item
37769 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
37770 stub.
37771 @end table
37772
37773 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
37774 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
37775
37776 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
37777 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
37778 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
37779 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
37780 @dfn{last}).
37781
37782 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
37783 @anchor{qTSTMat}
37784 @cindex @samp{qTSTMat} packet
37785 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
37786 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
37787 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
37788 tracepoint markers.
37789
37790 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
37791 @cindex @samp{QTSave} packet
37792 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
37793 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
37794 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
37795 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
37796
37797 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
37798 @cindex @samp{qTBuffer} packet
37799 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
37800 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
37801 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
37802 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
37803 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
37804 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
37805 available.
37806
37807 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
37808 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
37809 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
37810
37811 @item QTNotes:@r{[}@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@r{[};@var{type}:@var{text}@r{]}@dots{}
37812 @cindex @samp{QTNotes} packet
37813 This packet adds optional textual notes to the trace run. Allowable
37814 types include @code{user}, @code{notes}, and @code{tstop}, the
37815 @var{text} fields are arbitrary strings, hex-encoded.
37816
37817 @end table
37818
37819 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
37820 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
37821 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
37822 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
37823 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
37824 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
37825 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
37826 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
37827 it had executed in the original location.
37828
37829 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
37830 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
37831 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
37832 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
37833 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
37834 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
37835 format of the request is:
37836
37837 @table @samp
37838 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
37839
37840 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
37841 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
37842 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
37843 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
37844 memory starting at @var{to}.
37845 @end table
37846
37847 Replies:
37848 @table @samp
37849 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
37850 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
37851 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
37852 @item E @var{NN}
37853 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
37854 relocating the instruction.
37855 @end table
37856
37857 @node Host I/O Packets
37858 @section Host I/O Packets
37859 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
37860 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
37861
37862 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
37863 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
37864 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
37865 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
37866 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
37867 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
37868 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
37869 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
37870 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
37871 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
37872
37873 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
37874 its arguments. They have this format:
37875
37876 @table @samp
37877
37878 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
37879 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
37880 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
37881 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
37882 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
37883 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
37884 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
37885 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
37886 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
37887
37888 @end table
37889
37890 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
37891
37892 @table @samp
37893
37894 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
37895 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
37896 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
37897 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
37898 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
37899 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
37900 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
37901 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
37902 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
37903 @var{attachment}.
37904
37905 @item
37906 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
37907
37908 @end table
37909
37910 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
37911
37912 @table @samp
37913 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
37914 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
37915 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
37916 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
37917 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
37918 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
37919 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
37920
37921 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
37922 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
37923 -1 if an error occurs.
37924
37925 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
37926 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
37927 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
37928 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
37929 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
37930 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
37931 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
37932 @var{count} was zero.
37933
37934 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37935 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37936 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37937 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37938 some characters were escaped.
37939
37940 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
37941 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
37942 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
37943 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
37944 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
37945 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
37946 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
37947 error occurred.
37948
37949 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
37950 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
37951 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
37952
37953 @item vFile:readlink: @var{filename}
37954 Read value of symbolic link @var{filename} on the target. Return
37955 the number of bytes read, or -1 if an error occurs.
37956
37957 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
37958 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
37959 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
37960 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
37961 some characters were escaped.
37962
37963 @end table
37964
37965 @node Interrupts
37966 @section Interrupts
37967 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
37968
37969 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
37970 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
37971 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
37972 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
37973
37974 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
37975 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
37976 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
37977 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
37978 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
37979
37980 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
37981 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
37982 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
37983 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
37984 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
37985 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
37986 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
37987 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
37988
37989 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
37990 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
37991 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
37992
37993 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
37994 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
37995 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
37996 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
37997 currently-executing threads and processes.
37998 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
37999 running program, it should send one of the stop
38000 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
38001 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
38002 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
38003 Interrupts received while the
38004 program is stopped are discarded.
38005
38006 @node Notification Packets
38007 @section Notification Packets
38008 @cindex notification packets
38009 @cindex packets, notification
38010
38011 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
38012 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
38013 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
38014 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
38015 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
38016 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
38017 is not a problem.
38018
38019 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
38020 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
38021 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
38022 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
38023 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
38024 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
38025 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
38026
38027 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
38028 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
38029
38030 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
38031 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
38032 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
38033 not they understand it.
38034
38035 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
38036 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
38037 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
38038 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
38039 recipients.
38040
38041 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
38042 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
38043 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
38044 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
38045 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
38046
38047 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
38048 defined:
38049
38050 @table @samp
38051 @item Stop: @var{reply}
38052 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
38053 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
38054 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
38055 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
38056 @value{GDBN}.
38057 @end table
38058
38059 @node Remote Non-Stop
38060 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
38061
38062 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
38063 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
38064 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
38065 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
38066
38067 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
38068 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
38069 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
38070 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
38071 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
38072 probe the target state after a mode change.
38073
38074 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
38075 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
38076 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
38077 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
38078 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
38079 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
38080 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
38081 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
38082 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
38083 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
38084 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
38085
38086 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
38087 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
38088 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
38089 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
38090 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
38091 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
38092 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
38093 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
38094 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
38095 sending any queued stop events.
38096
38097 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
38098 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
38099 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
38100 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
38101 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
38102 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
38103 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
38104
38105 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
38106 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
38107 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
38108 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
38109 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
38110 process normally.
38111
38112 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
38113 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
38114 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
38115 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
38116 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
38117 should process normally.
38118
38119 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
38120 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
38121 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
38122 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
38123 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
38124
38125 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
38126 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
38127 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
38128 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
38129 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
38130 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
38131 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
38132 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
38133 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
38134 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
38135 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
38136 @samp{OK}.
38137
38138 @node Packet Acknowledgment
38139 @section Packet Acknowledgment
38140
38141 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38142 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
38143 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
38144 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
38145 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
38146 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
38147 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
38148
38149 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
38150 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
38151 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
38152 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
38153 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
38154
38155 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
38156 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
38157 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
38158 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
38159
38160 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
38161 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
38162 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
38163 @pxref{qSupported}.
38164 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
38165 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
38166 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
38167 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
38168 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
38169 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
38170 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
38171
38172 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
38173 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
38174 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
38175 connection.
38176 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
38177 new connection is established,
38178 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
38179 for the current connection, once disabled.
38180
38181 @node Examples
38182 @section Examples
38183
38184 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
38185 does not get any direct output:
38186
38187 @smallexample
38188 -> @code{R00}
38189 <- @code{+}
38190 @emph{target restarts}
38191 -> @code{?}
38192 <- @code{+}
38193 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38194 -> @code{+}
38195 @end smallexample
38196
38197 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
38198
38199 @smallexample
38200 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
38201 <- @code{+}
38202 -> @code{s}
38203 <- @code{+}
38204 @emph{time passes}
38205 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
38206 -> @code{+}
38207 -> @code{g}
38208 <- @code{+}
38209 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
38210 -> @code{+}
38211 @end smallexample
38212
38213 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38214 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
38215 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
38216
38217 @menu
38218 * File-I/O Overview::
38219 * Protocol Basics::
38220 * The F Request Packet::
38221 * The F Reply Packet::
38222 * The Ctrl-C Message::
38223 * Console I/O::
38224 * List of Supported Calls::
38225 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
38226 * Constants::
38227 * File-I/O Examples::
38228 @end menu
38229
38230 @node File-I/O Overview
38231 @subsection File-I/O Overview
38232 @cindex file-i/o overview
38233
38234 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
38235 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
38236 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
38237 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
38238 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
38239 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
38240
38241 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
38242 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
38243 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
38244 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
38245 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
38246
38247 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
38248 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
38249 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
38250 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
38251 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
38252 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
38253 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
38254
38255 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
38256 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
38257 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
38258 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
38259 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
38260
38261 @smallexample
38262 (@value{GDBP}) continue
38263 <- target requests 'system call X'
38264 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
38265 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
38266 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
38267 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
38268 @end smallexample
38269
38270 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
38271 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
38272 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
38273 system are not supported by this protocol.
38274
38275 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
38276
38277 @node Protocol Basics
38278 @subsection Protocol Basics
38279 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
38280
38281 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
38282 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
38283 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
38284 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
38285 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
38286 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
38287 to call the appropriate host system call:
38288
38289 @itemize @bullet
38290 @item
38291 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
38292
38293 @item
38294 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
38295 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
38296 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
38297 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
38298
38299 @end itemize
38300
38301 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
38302
38303 @itemize @bullet
38304 @item
38305 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
38306 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
38307 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
38308 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
38309 packet.
38310
38311 @item
38312 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
38313 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
38314
38315 @item
38316 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
38317
38318 @item
38319 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
38320
38321 @item
38322 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
38323 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
38324 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
38325 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
38326 packet.
38327
38328 @end itemize
38329
38330 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
38331 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
38332
38333 @itemize @bullet
38334 @item
38335 Return value.
38336
38337 @item
38338 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
38339
38340 @item
38341 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
38342
38343 @end itemize
38344
38345 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
38346 the latest continue or step action.
38347
38348 @node The F Request Packet
38349 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
38350 @cindex file-i/o request packet
38351 @cindex @code{F} request packet
38352
38353 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
38354
38355 @table @samp
38356 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
38357
38358 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
38359 This is just the name of the function.
38360
38361 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
38362 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
38363 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
38364 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
38365 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
38366 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
38367 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
38368
38369 @end table
38370
38371
38372
38373 @node The F Reply Packet
38374 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
38375 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
38376 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
38377
38378 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
38379
38380 @table @samp
38381
38382 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
38383
38384 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
38385
38386 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
38387 representation.
38388 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
38389
38390 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
38391 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
38392 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
38393
38394 @smallexample
38395 F0,0,C
38396 @end smallexample
38397
38398 @noindent
38399 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
38400
38401 @smallexample
38402 F-1,4,C
38403 @end smallexample
38404
38405 @noindent
38406 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
38407
38408 @end table
38409
38410
38411 @node The Ctrl-C Message
38412 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
38413 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
38414
38415 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
38416 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
38417 the target should behave as if it had
38418 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
38419 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
38420 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
38421 packet.
38422
38423 It's important for the target to know in which
38424 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
38425
38426 @itemize @bullet
38427 @item
38428 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
38429
38430 @item
38431 The system call on the host has been finished.
38432
38433 @end itemize
38434
38435 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
38436 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
38437 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
38438 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
38439 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
38440 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
38441
38442 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
38443 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
38444 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
38445 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
38446 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
38447 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
38448 or the full action has been completed.
38449
38450 @node Console I/O
38451 @subsection Console I/O
38452 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
38453
38454 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
38455 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
38456 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
38457 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
38458 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
38459 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
38460 conditions is met:
38461
38462 @itemize @bullet
38463 @item
38464 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
38465 @code{read}
38466 system call is treated as finished.
38467
38468 @item
38469 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
38470 newline.
38471
38472 @item
38473 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
38474 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
38475
38476 @end itemize
38477
38478 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
38479 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
38480 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
38481 is stopped at the user's request.
38482
38483
38484 @node List of Supported Calls
38485 @subsection List of Supported Calls
38486 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
38487
38488 @menu
38489 * open::
38490 * close::
38491 * read::
38492 * write::
38493 * lseek::
38494 * rename::
38495 * unlink::
38496 * stat/fstat::
38497 * gettimeofday::
38498 * isatty::
38499 * system::
38500 @end menu
38501
38502 @node open
38503 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
38504 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
38505
38506 @table @asis
38507 @item Synopsis:
38508 @smallexample
38509 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
38510 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
38511 @end smallexample
38512
38513 @item Request:
38514 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
38515
38516 @noindent
38517 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38518
38519 @table @code
38520 @item O_CREAT
38521 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
38522 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
38523 are concerned.
38524
38525 @item O_EXCL
38526 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
38527 an error and open() fails.
38528
38529 @item O_TRUNC
38530 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
38531 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
38532 truncated to zero length.
38533
38534 @item O_APPEND
38535 The file is opened in append mode.
38536
38537 @item O_RDONLY
38538 The file is opened for reading only.
38539
38540 @item O_WRONLY
38541 The file is opened for writing only.
38542
38543 @item O_RDWR
38544 The file is opened for reading and writing.
38545 @end table
38546
38547 @noindent
38548 Other bits are silently ignored.
38549
38550
38551 @noindent
38552 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
38553
38554 @table @code
38555 @item S_IRUSR
38556 User has read permission.
38557
38558 @item S_IWUSR
38559 User has write permission.
38560
38561 @item S_IRGRP
38562 Group has read permission.
38563
38564 @item S_IWGRP
38565 Group has write permission.
38566
38567 @item S_IROTH
38568 Others have read permission.
38569
38570 @item S_IWOTH
38571 Others have write permission.
38572 @end table
38573
38574 @noindent
38575 Other bits are silently ignored.
38576
38577
38578 @item Return value:
38579 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
38580 occurred.
38581
38582 @item Errors:
38583
38584 @table @code
38585 @item EEXIST
38586 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
38587
38588 @item EISDIR
38589 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
38590
38591 @item EACCES
38592 The requested access is not allowed.
38593
38594 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38595 @var{pathname} was too long.
38596
38597 @item ENOENT
38598 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38599
38600 @item ENODEV
38601 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
38602
38603 @item EROFS
38604 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
38605 write access was requested.
38606
38607 @item EFAULT
38608 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
38609
38610 @item ENOSPC
38611 No space on device to create the file.
38612
38613 @item EMFILE
38614 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
38615
38616 @item ENFILE
38617 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
38618 has been reached.
38619
38620 @item EINTR
38621 The call was interrupted by the user.
38622 @end table
38623
38624 @end table
38625
38626 @node close
38627 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
38628 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
38629
38630 @table @asis
38631 @item Synopsis:
38632 @smallexample
38633 int close(int fd);
38634 @end smallexample
38635
38636 @item Request:
38637 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
38638
38639 @item Return value:
38640 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
38641
38642 @item Errors:
38643
38644 @table @code
38645 @item EBADF
38646 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
38647
38648 @item EINTR
38649 The call was interrupted by the user.
38650 @end table
38651
38652 @end table
38653
38654 @node read
38655 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
38656 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
38657
38658 @table @asis
38659 @item Synopsis:
38660 @smallexample
38661 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
38662 @end smallexample
38663
38664 @item Request:
38665 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38666
38667 @item Return value:
38668 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
38669 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
38670 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
38671
38672 @item Errors:
38673
38674 @table @code
38675 @item EBADF
38676 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38677 reading.
38678
38679 @item EFAULT
38680 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38681
38682 @item EINTR
38683 The call was interrupted by the user.
38684 @end table
38685
38686 @end table
38687
38688 @node write
38689 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
38690 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
38691
38692 @table @asis
38693 @item Synopsis:
38694 @smallexample
38695 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
38696 @end smallexample
38697
38698 @item Request:
38699 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
38700
38701 @item Return value:
38702 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
38703 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
38704 is returned.
38705
38706 @item Errors:
38707
38708 @table @code
38709 @item EBADF
38710 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
38711 writing.
38712
38713 @item EFAULT
38714 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38715
38716 @item EFBIG
38717 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
38718 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
38719
38720 @item ENOSPC
38721 No space on device to write the data.
38722
38723 @item EINTR
38724 The call was interrupted by the user.
38725 @end table
38726
38727 @end table
38728
38729 @node lseek
38730 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
38731 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
38732
38733 @table @asis
38734 @item Synopsis:
38735 @smallexample
38736 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
38737 @end smallexample
38738
38739 @item Request:
38740 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
38741
38742 @var{flag} is one of:
38743
38744 @table @code
38745 @item SEEK_SET
38746 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
38747
38748 @item SEEK_CUR
38749 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
38750 bytes.
38751
38752 @item SEEK_END
38753 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
38754 bytes.
38755 @end table
38756
38757 @item Return value:
38758 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
38759 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
38760 value of -1 is returned.
38761
38762 @item Errors:
38763
38764 @table @code
38765 @item EBADF
38766 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
38767
38768 @item ESPIPE
38769 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
38770
38771 @item EINVAL
38772 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
38773
38774 @item EINTR
38775 The call was interrupted by the user.
38776 @end table
38777
38778 @end table
38779
38780 @node rename
38781 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
38782 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
38783
38784 @table @asis
38785 @item Synopsis:
38786 @smallexample
38787 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
38788 @end smallexample
38789
38790 @item Request:
38791 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
38792
38793 @item Return value:
38794 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38795
38796 @item Errors:
38797
38798 @table @code
38799 @item EISDIR
38800 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
38801 directory.
38802
38803 @item EEXIST
38804 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
38805
38806 @item EBUSY
38807 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
38808 process.
38809
38810 @item EINVAL
38811 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
38812 of itself.
38813
38814 @item ENOTDIR
38815 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
38816 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
38817 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
38818
38819 @item EFAULT
38820 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
38821
38822 @item EACCES
38823 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38824
38825 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38826
38827 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
38828
38829 @item ENOENT
38830 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
38831
38832 @item EROFS
38833 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38834
38835 @item ENOSPC
38836 The device containing the file has no room for the new
38837 directory entry.
38838
38839 @item EINTR
38840 The call was interrupted by the user.
38841 @end table
38842
38843 @end table
38844
38845 @node unlink
38846 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
38847 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
38848
38849 @table @asis
38850 @item Synopsis:
38851 @smallexample
38852 int unlink(const char *pathname);
38853 @end smallexample
38854
38855 @item Request:
38856 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
38857
38858 @item Return value:
38859 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38860
38861 @item Errors:
38862
38863 @table @code
38864 @item EACCES
38865 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38866
38867 @item EPERM
38868 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
38869
38870 @item EBUSY
38871 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
38872 being used by another process.
38873
38874 @item EFAULT
38875 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38876
38877 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38878 @var{pathname} was too long.
38879
38880 @item ENOENT
38881 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
38882
38883 @item ENOTDIR
38884 A component of the path is not a directory.
38885
38886 @item EROFS
38887 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
38888
38889 @item EINTR
38890 The call was interrupted by the user.
38891 @end table
38892
38893 @end table
38894
38895 @node stat/fstat
38896 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
38897 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
38898 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
38899
38900 @table @asis
38901 @item Synopsis:
38902 @smallexample
38903 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
38904 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
38905 @end smallexample
38906
38907 @item Request:
38908 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
38909 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
38910
38911 @item Return value:
38912 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
38913
38914 @item Errors:
38915
38916 @table @code
38917 @item EBADF
38918 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
38919
38920 @item ENOENT
38921 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
38922 path is an empty string.
38923
38924 @item ENOTDIR
38925 A component of the path is not a directory.
38926
38927 @item EFAULT
38928 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38929
38930 @item EACCES
38931 No access to the file or the path of the file.
38932
38933 @item ENAMETOOLONG
38934 @var{pathname} was too long.
38935
38936 @item EINTR
38937 The call was interrupted by the user.
38938 @end table
38939
38940 @end table
38941
38942 @node gettimeofday
38943 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
38944 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
38945
38946 @table @asis
38947 @item Synopsis:
38948 @smallexample
38949 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
38950 @end smallexample
38951
38952 @item Request:
38953 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
38954
38955 @item Return value:
38956 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
38957
38958 @item Errors:
38959
38960 @table @code
38961 @item EINVAL
38962 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
38963
38964 @item EFAULT
38965 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
38966 @end table
38967
38968 @end table
38969
38970 @node isatty
38971 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
38972 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
38973
38974 @table @asis
38975 @item Synopsis:
38976 @smallexample
38977 int isatty(int fd);
38978 @end smallexample
38979
38980 @item Request:
38981 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
38982
38983 @item Return value:
38984 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
38985
38986 @item Errors:
38987
38988 @table @code
38989 @item EINTR
38990 The call was interrupted by the user.
38991 @end table
38992
38993 @end table
38994
38995 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
38996 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
38997 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
38998 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
38999 needed.
39000
39001
39002 @node system
39003 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
39004 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
39005
39006 @table @asis
39007 @item Synopsis:
39008 @smallexample
39009 int system(const char *command);
39010 @end smallexample
39011
39012 @item Request:
39013 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
39014
39015 @item Return value:
39016 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
39017 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
39018 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
39019 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
39020 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
39021 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
39022 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
39023
39024 @item Errors:
39025
39026 @table @code
39027 @item EINTR
39028 The call was interrupted by the user.
39029 @end table
39030
39031 @end table
39032
39033 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
39034 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
39035 the host is simplified before it's returned
39036 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
39037 is discarded, and the return value consists
39038 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
39039
39040 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
39041 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
39042 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
39043
39044 @table @code
39045 @item set remote system-call-allowed
39046 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
39047 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
39048 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
39049
39050 @item show remote system-call-allowed
39051 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
39052 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
39053 protocol.
39054 @end table
39055
39056 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39057 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
39058 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39059
39060 @menu
39061 * Integral Datatypes::
39062 * Pointer Values::
39063 * Memory Transfer::
39064 * struct stat::
39065 * struct timeval::
39066 @end menu
39067
39068 @node Integral Datatypes
39069 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
39070 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
39071
39072 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
39073 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
39074 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
39075
39076 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
39077 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
39078
39079 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
39080
39081 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
39082 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
39083
39084 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
39085
39086 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
39087 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
39088 byte order.
39089
39090 @node Pointer Values
39091 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
39092 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
39093
39094 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
39095 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
39096 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
39097 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
39098
39099 @smallexample
39100 @code{1aaf/12}
39101 @end smallexample
39102
39103 @noindent
39104 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
39105 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
39106 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
39107 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
39108
39109 @smallexample
39110 @code{123456/d}
39111 @end smallexample
39112
39113 @node Memory Transfer
39114 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
39115 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
39116
39117 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
39118 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
39119 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
39120 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
39121 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
39122 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
39123 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
39124
39125
39126 @node struct stat
39127 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
39128 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
39129
39130 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
39131 is defined as follows:
39132
39133 @smallexample
39134 struct stat @{
39135 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
39136 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
39137 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
39138 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
39139 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
39140 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
39141 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
39142 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
39143 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
39144 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
39145 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
39146 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
39147 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
39148 @};
39149 @end smallexample
39150
39151 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39152 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39153 structure is of size 64 bytes.
39154
39155 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
39156 range of values.
39157
39158 @table @code
39159
39160 @item st_dev
39161 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
39162
39163 @item st_ino
39164 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39165
39166 @item st_mode
39167 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
39168 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
39169
39170 @item st_uid
39171 @itemx st_gid
39172 @itemx st_rdev
39173 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
39174
39175 @item st_atime
39176 @itemx st_mtime
39177 @itemx st_ctime
39178 These values have a host and file system dependent
39179 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
39180 support exact timing values.
39181 @end table
39182
39183 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
39184 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
39185 continuing.
39186
39187 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
39188 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
39189 get truncated on the target.
39190
39191 @node struct timeval
39192 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
39193 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
39194
39195 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
39196 is defined as follows:
39197
39198 @smallexample
39199 struct timeval @{
39200 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
39201 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
39202 @};
39203 @end smallexample
39204
39205 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
39206 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
39207 structure is of size 8 bytes.
39208
39209 @node Constants
39210 @subsection Constants
39211 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
39212
39213 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
39214 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
39215 values before and after the call as needed.
39216
39217 @menu
39218 * Open Flags::
39219 * mode_t Values::
39220 * Errno Values::
39221 * Lseek Flags::
39222 * Limits::
39223 @end menu
39224
39225 @node Open Flags
39226 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
39227 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
39228
39229 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
39230
39231 @smallexample
39232 O_RDONLY 0x0
39233 O_WRONLY 0x1
39234 O_RDWR 0x2
39235 O_APPEND 0x8
39236 O_CREAT 0x200
39237 O_TRUNC 0x400
39238 O_EXCL 0x800
39239 @end smallexample
39240
39241 @node mode_t Values
39242 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
39243 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
39244
39245 All values are given in octal representation.
39246
39247 @smallexample
39248 S_IFREG 0100000
39249 S_IFDIR 040000
39250 S_IRUSR 0400
39251 S_IWUSR 0200
39252 S_IXUSR 0100
39253 S_IRGRP 040
39254 S_IWGRP 020
39255 S_IXGRP 010
39256 S_IROTH 04
39257 S_IWOTH 02
39258 S_IXOTH 01
39259 @end smallexample
39260
39261 @node Errno Values
39262 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
39263 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
39264
39265 All values are given in decimal representation.
39266
39267 @smallexample
39268 EPERM 1
39269 ENOENT 2
39270 EINTR 4
39271 EBADF 9
39272 EACCES 13
39273 EFAULT 14
39274 EBUSY 16
39275 EEXIST 17
39276 ENODEV 19
39277 ENOTDIR 20
39278 EISDIR 21
39279 EINVAL 22
39280 ENFILE 23
39281 EMFILE 24
39282 EFBIG 27
39283 ENOSPC 28
39284 ESPIPE 29
39285 EROFS 30
39286 ENAMETOOLONG 91
39287 EUNKNOWN 9999
39288 @end smallexample
39289
39290 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
39291 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
39292
39293 @node Lseek Flags
39294 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
39295 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
39296
39297 @smallexample
39298 SEEK_SET 0
39299 SEEK_CUR 1
39300 SEEK_END 2
39301 @end smallexample
39302
39303 @node Limits
39304 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
39305 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
39306
39307 All values are given in decimal representation.
39308
39309 @smallexample
39310 INT_MIN -2147483648
39311 INT_MAX 2147483647
39312 UINT_MAX 4294967295
39313 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
39314 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
39315 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
39316 @end smallexample
39317
39318 @node File-I/O Examples
39319 @subsection File-I/O Examples
39320 @cindex file-i/o examples
39321
39322 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39323 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
39324
39325 @smallexample
39326 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
39327 @emph{request memory read from target}
39328 -> @code{m1234,6}
39329 <- XXXXXX
39330 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
39331 -> @code{F6}
39332 @end smallexample
39333
39334 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
39335 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
39336
39337 @smallexample
39338 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39339 @emph{request memory write to target}
39340 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39341 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
39342 -> @code{F6}
39343 @end smallexample
39344
39345 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
39346 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
39347
39348 @smallexample
39349 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39350 -> @code{F-1,9}
39351 @end smallexample
39352
39353 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
39354 host is called:
39355
39356 @smallexample
39357 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39358 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
39359 <- @code{T02}
39360 @end smallexample
39361
39362 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
39363 host is called:
39364
39365 @smallexample
39366 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
39367 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
39368 <- @code{T02}
39369 @end smallexample
39370
39371 @node Library List Format
39372 @section Library List Format
39373 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39374
39375 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
39376 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
39377 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
39378 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
39379 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
39380 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
39381 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
39382 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
39383 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
39384 are loaded.
39385
39386 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
39387 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
39388 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
39389 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
39390
39391 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
39392 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
39393 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
39394 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
39395 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
39396 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
39397
39398 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39399 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39400
39401 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
39402 offset, looks like this:
39403
39404 @smallexample
39405 <library-list>
39406 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
39407 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
39408 </library>
39409 </library-list>
39410 @end smallexample
39411
39412 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
39413 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
39414
39415 @smallexample
39416 <library-list>
39417 <library name="sharedlib.o">
39418 <section address="0x10000000"/>
39419 <section address="0x20000000"/>
39420 <section address="0x30000000"/>
39421 </library>
39422 </library-list>
39423 @end smallexample
39424
39425 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
39426
39427 @smallexample
39428 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
39429 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
39430 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39431 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
39432 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39433 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
39434 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39435 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
39436 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
39437 @end smallexample
39438
39439 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
39440 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
39441 section for each library.
39442
39443 @node Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39444 @section Library List Format for SVR4 Targets
39445 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
39446
39447 On SVR4 platforms @value{GDBN} can use the symbol table of a dynamic loader
39448 (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) and normal memory operations to maintain a list of
39449 shared libraries. Still a special library list provided by this packet is
39450 more efficient for the @value{GDBN} remote protocol.
39451
39452 The @samp{qXfer:libraries-svr4:read} packet returns an XML document which lists
39453 loaded libraries and their SVR4 linker parameters. For each library on SVR4
39454 target, the following parameters are reported:
39455
39456 @itemize @minus
39457 @item
39458 @code{name}, the absolute file name from the @code{l_name} field of
39459 @code{struct link_map}.
39460 @item
39461 @code{lm} with address of @code{struct link_map} used for TLS
39462 (Thread Local Storage) access.
39463 @item
39464 @code{l_addr}, the displacement as read from the field @code{l_addr} of
39465 @code{struct link_map}. For prelinked libraries this is not an absolute
39466 memory address. It is a displacement of absolute memory address against
39467 address the file was prelinked to during the library load.
39468 @item
39469 @code{l_ld}, which is memory address of the @code{PT_DYNAMIC} segment
39470 @end itemize
39471
39472 Additionally the single @code{main-lm} attribute specifies address of
39473 @code{struct link_map} used for the main executable. This parameter is used
39474 for TLS access and its presence is optional.
39475
39476 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39477 SVR4 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
39478
39479 A simple memory map, with two loaded libraries (which do not use prelink),
39480 looks like this:
39481
39482 @smallexample
39483 <library-list-svr4 version="1.0" main-lm="0xe4f8f8">
39484 <library name="/lib/ld-linux.so.2" lm="0xe4f51c" l_addr="0xe2d000"
39485 l_ld="0xe4eefc"/>
39486 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6" lm="0xe4fbe8" l_addr="0x154000"
39487 l_ld="0x152350"/>
39488 </library-list-svr>
39489 @end smallexample
39490
39491 The format of an SVR4 library list is described by this DTD:
39492
39493 @smallexample
39494 <!-- library-list-svr4: Root element with versioning -->
39495 <!ELEMENT library-list-svr4 (library)*>
39496 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39497 <!ATTLIST library-list-svr4 main-lm CDATA #IMPLIED>
39498 <!ELEMENT library EMPTY>
39499 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39500 <!ATTLIST library lm CDATA #REQUIRED>
39501 <!ATTLIST library l_addr CDATA #REQUIRED>
39502 <!ATTLIST library l_ld CDATA #REQUIRED>
39503 @end smallexample
39504
39505 @node Memory Map Format
39506 @section Memory Map Format
39507 @cindex memory map format
39508
39509 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
39510 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
39511 memory map.
39512
39513 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
39514 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
39515 lists memory regions.
39516
39517 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39518 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
39519
39520 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39521
39522 @smallexample
39523 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39524 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
39525 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39526 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
39527 <memory-map>
39528 region...
39529 </memory-map>
39530 @end smallexample
39531
39532 Each region can be either:
39533
39534 @itemize
39535
39536 @item
39537 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
39538 bytes from there:
39539
39540 @smallexample
39541 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39542 @end smallexample
39543
39544
39545 @item
39546 A region of read-only memory:
39547
39548 @smallexample
39549 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39550 @end smallexample
39551
39552
39553 @item
39554 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
39555 bytes in length:
39556
39557 @smallexample
39558 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
39559 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
39560 </memory>
39561 @end smallexample
39562
39563 @end itemize
39564
39565 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
39566 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
39567 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
39568
39569 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
39570
39571 @smallexample
39572 <!-- ................................................... -->
39573 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
39574 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
39575 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
39576 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
39577 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
39578 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
39579 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
39580 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
39581 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
39582 and its type, or device. -->
39583 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
39584 start CDATA #REQUIRED
39585 length CDATA #REQUIRED
39586 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
39587 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
39588 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
39589 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
39590 @end smallexample
39591
39592 @node Thread List Format
39593 @section Thread List Format
39594 @cindex thread list format
39595
39596 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
39597 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
39598 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
39599 the following structure:
39600
39601 @smallexample
39602 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39603 <threads>
39604 <thread id="id" core="0">
39605 ... description ...
39606 </thread>
39607 </threads>
39608 @end smallexample
39609
39610 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
39611 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
39612 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
39613 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
39614 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
39615
39616 @node Traceframe Info Format
39617 @section Traceframe Info Format
39618 @cindex traceframe info format
39619
39620 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
39621 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
39622 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
39623 collected in a traceframe.
39624
39625 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
39626 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
39627
39628 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39629 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
39630
39631 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
39632
39633 @smallexample
39634 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39635 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
39636 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
39637 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
39638 <traceframe-info>
39639 block...
39640 </traceframe-info>
39641 @end smallexample
39642
39643 Each traceframe block can be either:
39644
39645 @itemize
39646
39647 @item
39648 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
39649 @var{length} bytes from there:
39650
39651 @smallexample
39652 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
39653 @end smallexample
39654
39655 @end itemize
39656
39657 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
39658
39659 @smallexample
39660 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
39661 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
39662
39663 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
39664 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
39665 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
39666 @end smallexample
39667
39668 @include agentexpr.texi
39669
39670 @node Target Descriptions
39671 @appendix Target Descriptions
39672 @cindex target descriptions
39673
39674 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
39675 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
39676 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
39677 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or @acronym{MIPS}, for example ---
39678 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
39679 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
39680 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
39681
39682 @itemize @bullet
39683 @item
39684 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
39685 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
39686 @item
39687 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
39688 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
39689 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
39690 @item
39691 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
39692 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
39693 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
39694 @end itemize
39695
39696 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
39697 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
39698 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
39699 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
39700 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
39701
39702 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
39703 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
39704
39705 @menu
39706 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
39707 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
39708 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
39709 descriptions.
39710 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
39711 @end menu
39712
39713 @node Retrieving Descriptions
39714 @section Retrieving Descriptions
39715
39716 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
39717 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
39718 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
39719 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
39720 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
39721 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
39722 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
39723 Format}.
39724
39725 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
39726 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
39727 specify a file are:
39728
39729 @table @code
39730 @cindex set tdesc filename
39731 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
39732 Read the target description from @var{path}.
39733
39734 @cindex unset tdesc filename
39735 @item unset tdesc filename
39736 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
39737 will use the description supplied by the current target.
39738
39739 @cindex show tdesc filename
39740 @item show tdesc filename
39741 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
39742 @end table
39743
39744
39745 @node Target Description Format
39746 @section Target Description Format
39747 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
39748
39749 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
39750 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
39751 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
39752 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
39753 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
39754 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
39755 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
39756
39757 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
39758 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
39759 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
39760 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
39761 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
39762
39763 Here is a simple target description:
39764
39765 @smallexample
39766 <target version="1.0">
39767 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
39768 </target>
39769 @end smallexample
39770
39771 @noindent
39772 This minimal description only says that the target uses
39773 the x86-64 architecture.
39774
39775 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
39776 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
39777 are explained further below.
39778
39779 @smallexample
39780 <?xml version="1.0"?>
39781 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
39782 <target version="1.0">
39783 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
39784 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
39785 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
39786 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
39787 </target>
39788 @end smallexample
39789
39790 @noindent
39791 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
39792 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
39793 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
39794 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
39795 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
39796 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
39797 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
39798 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
39799 the version mismatch.
39800
39801 @subsection Inclusion
39802 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
39803 @cindex XInclude
39804 @ifnotinfo
39805 @cindex <xi:include>
39806 @end ifnotinfo
39807
39808 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
39809 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
39810 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
39811 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
39812 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
39813
39814 @smallexample
39815 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
39816 @end smallexample
39817
39818 @noindent
39819 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
39820 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
39821 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
39822 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
39823 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
39824 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
39825 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
39826 original description.
39827
39828 @subsection Architecture
39829 @cindex <architecture>
39830
39831 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
39832
39833 @smallexample
39834 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
39835 @end smallexample
39836
39837 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
39838 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
39839
39840 @subsection OS ABI
39841 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
39842
39843 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
39844 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
39845
39846 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
39847
39848 @smallexample
39849 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
39850 @end smallexample
39851
39852 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
39853 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
39854
39855 @subsection Compatible Architecture
39856 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
39857
39858 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
39859 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
39860
39861 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
39862
39863 @smallexample
39864 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
39865 @end smallexample
39866
39867 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
39868 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
39869
39870 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
39871 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
39872 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
39873 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
39874 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
39875 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
39876 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
39877
39878 @smallexample
39879 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
39880 <compatible>spu</compatible>
39881 @end smallexample
39882
39883 @subsection Features
39884 @cindex <feature>
39885
39886 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
39887 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
39888 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
39889 has this form:
39890
39891 @smallexample
39892 <feature name="@var{name}">
39893 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
39894 @var{reg}@dots{}
39895 </feature>
39896 @end smallexample
39897
39898 @noindent
39899 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
39900 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
39901 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
39902 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
39903
39904 @subsection Types
39905
39906 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
39907 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
39908 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
39909 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
39910 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
39911
39912 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
39913 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
39914 Types must be defined before they are used.
39915
39916 @cindex <vector>
39917 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
39918 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
39919 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
39920 @var{count}:
39921
39922 @smallexample
39923 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
39924 @end smallexample
39925
39926 @cindex <union>
39927 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
39928 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
39929 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
39930 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
39931
39932 @smallexample
39933 <union id="@var{id}">
39934 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39935 @dots{}
39936 </union>
39937 @end smallexample
39938
39939 @cindex <struct>
39940 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
39941 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
39942 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
39943 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
39944 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
39945 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
39946 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
39947 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
39948
39949 @smallexample
39950 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39951 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39952 @dots{}
39953 </struct>
39954 @end smallexample
39955
39956 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
39957 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
39958
39959 @smallexample
39960 <struct id="@var{id}">
39961 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
39962 @dots{}
39963 </struct>
39964 @end smallexample
39965
39966 @cindex <flags>
39967 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
39968 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
39969 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
39970 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
39971 are supported.
39972
39973 @smallexample
39974 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
39975 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
39976 @dots{}
39977 </flags>
39978 @end smallexample
39979
39980 @subsection Registers
39981 @cindex <reg>
39982
39983 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
39984
39985 @smallexample
39986 <reg name="@var{name}"
39987 bitsize="@var{size}"
39988 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
39989 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
39990 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
39991 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
39992 @end smallexample
39993
39994 @noindent
39995 The components are as follows:
39996
39997 @table @var
39998
39999 @item name
40000 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
40001
40002 @item bitsize
40003 The register's size, in bits.
40004
40005 @item regnum
40006 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
40007 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
40008 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
40009 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
40010 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
40011 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
40012 in order of increasing register number.
40013
40014 @item save-restore
40015 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
40016 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
40017 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
40018 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
40019 ABI.
40020
40021 @item type
40022 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
40023 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
40024 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
40025 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
40026 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
40027 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
40028
40029 @item group
40030 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
40031 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
40032 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
40033 in @code{info registers}.
40034
40035 @end table
40036
40037 @node Predefined Target Types
40038 @section Predefined Target Types
40039 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
40040
40041 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
40042 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
40043 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
40044 types. The currently supported types are:
40045
40046 @table @code
40047
40048 @item int8
40049 @itemx int16
40050 @itemx int32
40051 @itemx int64
40052 @itemx int128
40053 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40054
40055 @item uint8
40056 @itemx uint16
40057 @itemx uint32
40058 @itemx uint64
40059 @itemx uint128
40060 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
40061
40062 @item code_ptr
40063 @itemx data_ptr
40064 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
40065 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
40066 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
40067 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
40068 may be marked as data pointers.
40069
40070 @item ieee_single
40071 Single precision IEEE floating point.
40072
40073 @item ieee_double
40074 Double precision IEEE floating point.
40075
40076 @item arm_fpa_ext
40077 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
40078
40079 @item i387_ext
40080 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
40081
40082 @item i386_eflags
40083 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
40084
40085 @item i386_mxcsr
40086 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
40087
40088 @end table
40089
40090 @node Standard Target Features
40091 @section Standard Target Features
40092 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
40093
40094 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
40095 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
40096 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
40097 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
40098 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
40099 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
40100 can recognize them.
40101
40102 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
40103 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
40104 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
40105 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
40106 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
40107 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
40108 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
40109 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
40110
40111 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
40112 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
40113 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
40114
40115 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
40116 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
40117 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
40118 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
40119
40120 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
40121 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
40122 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
40123
40124 @menu
40125 * ARM Features::
40126 * i386 Features::
40127 * MIPS Features::
40128 * M68K Features::
40129 * PowerPC Features::
40130 * TIC6x Features::
40131 @end menu
40132
40133
40134 @node ARM Features
40135 @subsection ARM Features
40136 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
40137
40138 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
40139 ARM targets.
40140 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
40141 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
40142
40143 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
40144 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
40145 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
40146 and @samp{xpsr}.
40147
40148 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
40149 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
40150
40151 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
40152 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
40153 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
40154 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
40155
40156 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
40157 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
40158 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
40159 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
40160 halves of the double-precision registers.
40161
40162 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
40163 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
40164 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
40165 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
40166 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
40167 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
40168
40169 @node i386 Features
40170 @subsection i386 Features
40171 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
40172
40173 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
40174 targets. It should describe the following registers:
40175
40176 @itemize @minus
40177 @item
40178 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
40179 @item
40180 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
40181 @item
40182 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
40183 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
40184 @item
40185 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
40186 @item
40187 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
40188 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
40189 @end itemize
40190
40191 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
40192
40193 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
40194 describe registers:
40195
40196 @itemize @minus
40197 @item
40198 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
40199 @item
40200 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
40201 @item
40202 @samp{mxcsr}
40203 @end itemize
40204
40205 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
40206 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
40207 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
40208
40209 @itemize @minus
40210 @item
40211 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
40212 @item
40213 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
40214 @end itemize
40215
40216 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
40217 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
40218
40219 @node MIPS Features
40220 @subsection @acronym{MIPS} Features
40221 @cindex target descriptions, @acronym{MIPS} features
40222
40223 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for @acronym{MIPS} targets.
40224 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
40225 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
40226 on the target.
40227
40228 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
40229 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
40230 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40231
40232 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
40233 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
40234 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
40235 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40236
40237 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.dsp} feature is optional. It should
40238 contain registers @samp{hi1} through @samp{hi3}, @samp{lo1} through
40239 @samp{lo3}, and @samp{dspctl}. The @samp{dspctl} register should
40240 be 32-bit and the rest may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40241
40242 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
40243 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
40244 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
40245
40246 @node M68K Features
40247 @subsection M68K Features
40248 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
40249
40250 @table @code
40251 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
40252 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
40253 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
40254 One of those features must be always present.
40255 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
40256 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
40257 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
40258 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
40259
40260 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
40261 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
40262 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
40263 @samp{fpiaddr}.
40264 @end table
40265
40266 @node PowerPC Features
40267 @subsection PowerPC Features
40268 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
40269
40270 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
40271 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
40272 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
40273 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
40274
40275 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
40276 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
40277
40278 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
40279 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
40280 and @samp{vrsave}.
40281
40282 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
40283 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
40284 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
40285 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
40286 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
40287 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
40288
40289 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
40290 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
40291 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
40292 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
40293 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
40294 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
40295 user.
40296
40297 @node TIC6x Features
40298 @subsection TMS320C6x Features
40299 @cindex target descriptions, TIC6x features
40300 @cindex target descriptions, TMS320C6x features
40301 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.core} feature is required for TMS320C6x
40302 targets. It should contain registers @samp{A0} through @samp{A15},
40303 registers @samp{B0} through @samp{B15}, @samp{CSR} and @samp{PC}.
40304
40305 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.gp} feature is optional. It should
40306 contain registers @samp{A16} through @samp{A31} and @samp{B16}
40307 through @samp{B31}.
40308
40309 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.tic6x.c6xp} feature is optional. It should
40310 contain registers @samp{TSR}, @samp{ILC} and @samp{RILC}.
40311
40312 @node Operating System Information
40313 @appendix Operating System Information
40314 @cindex operating system information
40315
40316 @menu
40317 * Process list::
40318 @end menu
40319
40320 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
40321 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
40322 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
40323 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
40324 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
40325 on a different aspect of target.
40326
40327 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
40328 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
40329 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
40330 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
40331
40332 @node Process list
40333 @appendixsection Process list
40334 @cindex operating system information, process list
40335
40336 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
40337 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
40338 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
40339 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
40340
40341 An example document is:
40342
40343 @smallexample
40344 <?xml version="1.0"?>
40345 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
40346 <osdata type="processes">
40347 <item>
40348 <column name="pid">1</column>
40349 <column name="user">root</column>
40350 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
40351 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
40352 </item>
40353 </osdata>
40354 @end smallexample
40355
40356 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
40357 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
40358 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
40359 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
40360 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
40361 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
40362 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
40363
40364 @node Trace File Format
40365 @appendix Trace File Format
40366 @cindex trace file format
40367
40368 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
40369 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
40370
40371 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
40372 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
40373 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
40374 in the future.
40375
40376 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
40377 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
40378 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
40379 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
40380 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
40381 of this section.
40382
40383 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
40384
40385 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
40386 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
40387 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
40388 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
40389 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
40390 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
40391 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
40392 endianness.
40393
40394 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
40395
40396 @table @code
40397 @item R @var{bytes}
40398 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
40399 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
40400 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
40401 hexadecimal encoding.
40402
40403 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
40404 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
40405 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
40406 @var{length} bytes.
40407
40408 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
40409 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
40410 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
40411
40412 @end table
40413
40414 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
40415 of blocks.
40416
40417 @node Index Section Format
40418 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
40419 @cindex .gdb_index section format
40420 @cindex index section format
40421
40422 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
40423 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
40424 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
40425 description.
40426
40427 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
40428 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
40429 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
40430 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
40431 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
40432 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
40433
40434 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
40435
40436 @enumerate
40437 @item
40438 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
40439 unless otherwise noted:
40440
40441 @enumerate
40442 @item
40443 The version number, currently 7. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
40444 Version 4 uses a different hashing function from versions 5 and 6.
40445 Version 6 includes symbols for inlined functions, whereas versions 4
40446 and 5 do not. Version 7 adds attributes to the CU indices in the
40447 symbol table. @value{GDBN} will only read version 4, 5, or 6 indices
40448 by specifying @code{set use-deprecated-index-sections on}.
40449
40450 @item
40451 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
40452
40453 @item
40454 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
40455 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
40456 to the next offset.
40457
40458 @item
40459 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
40460
40461 @item
40462 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
40463
40464 @item
40465 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
40466 @end enumerate
40467
40468 @item
40469 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
40470 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
40471 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
40472 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
40473 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
40474 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
40475 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
40476 CU indices.
40477
40478 @item
40479 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
40480 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
40481 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
40482 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
40483
40484 @item
40485 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
40486 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
40487
40488 @enumerate
40489 @item
40490 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
40491
40492 @item
40493 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
40494 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
40495
40496 @item
40497 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
40498 @end enumerate
40499
40500 @item
40501 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
40502 the hash table is always a power of 2.
40503
40504 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
40505 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
40506 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
40507 constant pool.
40508
40509 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
40510 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
40511 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
40512
40513 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
40514 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
40515 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
40516 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
40517 index version:
40518
40519 @table @asis
40520 @item Version 4
40521 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
40522
40523 @item Versions 5 to 7
40524 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
40525 @end table
40526
40527 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
40528
40529 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
40530 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
40531 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
40532 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
40533 collision.
40534
40535 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
40536 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
40537 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
40538 the code.
40539
40540 @item
40541 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
40542 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
40543 strings.
40544
40545 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
40546 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
40547 Each subsequent value is the index and symbol attributes of a CU in
40548 the CU list. This element in the hash table is used to indicate which
40549 CUs define the symbol and how the symbol is used.
40550 See below for the format of each CU index+attributes entry.
40551
40552 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
40553 @end enumerate
40554
40555 Attributes were added to CU index values in @code{.gdb_index} version 7.
40556 If a symbol has multiple uses within a CU then there is one
40557 CU index+attributes value for each use.
40558
40559 The format of each CU index+attributes entry is as follows
40560 (bit 0 = LSB):
40561
40562 @table @asis
40563
40564 @item Bits 0-23
40565 This is the index of the CU in the CU list.
40566 @item Bits 24-27
40567 These bits are reserved for future purposes and must be zero.
40568 @item Bits 28-30
40569 The kind of the symbol in the CU.
40570
40571 @table @asis
40572 @item 0
40573 This value is reserved and should not be used.
40574 By reserving zero the full @code{offset_type} value is backwards compatible
40575 with previous versions of the index.
40576 @item 1
40577 The symbol is a type.
40578 @item 2
40579 The symbol is a variable or an enum value.
40580 @item 3
40581 The symbol is a function.
40582 @item 4
40583 Any other kind of symbol.
40584 @item 5,6,7
40585 These values are reserved.
40586 @end table
40587
40588 @item Bit 31
40589 This bit is zero if the value is global and one if it is static.
40590
40591 The determination of whether a symbol is global or static is complicated.
40592 The authorative reference is the file @file{dwarf2read.c} in
40593 @value{GDBN} sources.
40594
40595 @end table
40596
40597 This pseudo-code describes the computation of a symbol's kind and
40598 global/static attributes in the index.
40599
40600 @smallexample
40601 is_external = get_attribute (die, DW_AT_external);
40602 language = get_attribute (cu_die, DW_AT_language);
40603 switch (die->tag)
40604 @{
40605 case DW_TAG_typedef:
40606 case DW_TAG_base_type:
40607 case DW_TAG_subrange_type:
40608 kind = TYPE;
40609 is_static = 1;
40610 break;
40611 case DW_TAG_enumerator:
40612 kind = VARIABLE;
40613 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40614 break;
40615 case DW_TAG_subprogram:
40616 kind = FUNCTION;
40617 is_static = ! (is_external || language == ADA);
40618 break;
40619 case DW_TAG_constant:
40620 kind = VARIABLE;
40621 is_static = ! is_external;
40622 break;
40623 case DW_TAG_variable:
40624 kind = VARIABLE;
40625 is_static = ! is_external;
40626 break;
40627 case DW_TAG_namespace:
40628 kind = TYPE;
40629 is_static = 0;
40630 break;
40631 case DW_TAG_class_type:
40632 case DW_TAG_interface_type:
40633 case DW_TAG_structure_type:
40634 case DW_TAG_union_type:
40635 case DW_TAG_enumeration_type:
40636 kind = TYPE;
40637 is_static = (language != CPLUS && language != JAVA);
40638 break;
40639 default:
40640 assert (0);
40641 @}
40642 @end smallexample
40643
40644 @include gpl.texi
40645
40646 @node GNU Free Documentation License
40647 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
40648 @include fdl.texi
40649
40650 @node Concept Index
40651 @unnumbered Concept Index
40652
40653 @printindex cp
40654
40655 @node Command and Variable Index
40656 @unnumbered Command, Variable, and Function Index
40657
40658 @printindex fn
40659
40660 @tex
40661 % I think something like @@colophon should be in texinfo. In the
40662 % meantime:
40663 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
40664 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
40665 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
40666 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
40667 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
40668 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
40669 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
40670 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
40671 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
40672 \page\colophon
40673 % Blame: doc@@cygnus.com, 1991.
40674 @end tex
40675
40676 @bye
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