45e580cd2b6827e18767b883a0f5de61e542cdb4
[deliverable/binutils-gdb.git] / gdb / doc / gdb.texinfo
1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
2 @c Copyright (C) 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
3 @c 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
4 @c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @page
104 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
105 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
106 software in general. We will miss him.
107 @end titlepage
108 @page
109
110 @ifnottex
111 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
112
113 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
114
115 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
116
117 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
118 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
119 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
120 @end ifset
121 Version @value{GDBVN}.
122
123 Copyright (C) 1988-2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
124
125 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
126 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
127 software in general. We will miss him.
128
129 @menu
130 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
131 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
132
133 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
134 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
135 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
136 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
137 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
138 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
139 * Stack:: Examining the stack
140 * Source:: Examining source files
141 * Data:: Examining data
142 * 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
162 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
163
164 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
165 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
166 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
167 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
168 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
169 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
170 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
171 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
172 @value{GDBN}
173 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
174 the operating system
175 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
176 how you can copy and share GDB
177 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
178 * Index:: Index
179 @end menu
180
181 @end ifnottex
182
183 @contents
184
185 @node Summary
186 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
187
188 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
189 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
190 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
191
192 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
193 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
194
195 @itemize @bullet
196 @item
197 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
198
199 @item
200 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
201
202 @item
203 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
204
205 @item
206 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
207 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
208 @end itemize
209
210 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
211 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
212 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
213
214 @cindex Modula-2
215 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
216 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
217
218 @cindex Pascal
219 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
220 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
221 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
222 syntax.
223
224 @cindex Fortran
225 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
226 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
227 underscore.
228
229 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
230 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
231
232 @menu
233 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
234 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
235 @end menu
236
237 @node Free Software
238 @unnumberedsec Free Software
239
240 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
241 General Public License
242 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
243 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
244 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
245 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
246 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
247 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
248
249 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
250 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
251 from anyone else.
252
253 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
254
255 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
256 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
257 include with the free software. Many of our most important
258 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
259 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
260 when an important free software package does not come with a free
261 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
262 gaps today.
263
264 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
265 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
266 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
267 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
268 them from the free software world.
269
270 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
271 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
272 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
273 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
274 contract to make it non-free.
275
276 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
277 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
278 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
279 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
280 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
281 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
282 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
283
284 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
285 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
286 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
287 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
288
289 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
290 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
291 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
292 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
293 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
294 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
295 community.
296
297 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
298 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
299 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
300 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
301 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
302 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
303 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
304 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
305 of the manual.
306
307 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
308 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
309 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
310 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
311 manual to replace it.
312
313 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
314 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
315 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
316 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
317 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
318 the free software community.
319
320 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
321 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
322 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
323 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
324 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
325 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
326 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
327 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
328 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
329
330 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
331 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
332 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
333 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
334 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
335 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
336 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
337 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
338
339 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
340 published by other publishers, at
341 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
342
343 @node Contributors
344 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
345
346 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
347 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
348 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
349 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
350 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
351 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
352 blow-by-blow account.
353
354 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
355
356 @quotation
357 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
358 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
359 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
360 @end quotation
361
362 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
363 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
364 releases:
365 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
366 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
367 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
368 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
369 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
370 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
371 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
372 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
373 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
374
375 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
376 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
377
378 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
379 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
380 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
381 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
382 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
383
384 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
385 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
386 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
387
388 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
389 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
390
391 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
392
393 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
394 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
395 support.
396 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
397 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
398 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
399 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
400 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
401 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
402 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
403 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
404 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
405 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
406 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
407 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
408 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
409 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
410 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
411 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
412
413 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
414
415 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
416 libraries.
417
418 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
419 about several machine instruction sets.
420
421 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
422 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
423 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
424 and RDI targets, respectively.
425
426 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
427 command-line editing and command history.
428
429 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
430 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
431
432 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
433 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
434 symbols.
435
436 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
437 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
438
439 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
440
441 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
442 processors.
443
444 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
445
446 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
447
448 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
449
450 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
451 watchpoints.
452
453 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
454
455 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
456
457 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
458 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
459
460 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
461 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
462 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
463 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
464 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
465 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
466 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
467
468 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
469 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
470
471 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
472 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
473 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
474 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
475 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
476 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
477 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
478 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
479 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
480 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
481 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
482 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
483 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
484 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
485 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
486
487 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
488 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
489
490 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
491 Hat.
492
493 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
494 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
495 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
496 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
497 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
498 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
499
500 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
501 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
502 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
503 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
504 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
505 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
506 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
507 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
508 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
509 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
510 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
511 Weigand.
512
513 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
514 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
515 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
516 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
517
518 @node Sample Session
519 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
520
521 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
522 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
523 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
524
525 @iftex
526 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
527 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
528 @end iftex
529
530 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
531 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
532
533 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
534 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
535 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
536 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
537 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
538 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
539 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
540 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
541 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
542
543 @smallexample
544 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
545 $ @b{./m4}
546 @b{define(foo,0000)}
547
548 @b{foo}
549 0000
550 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
551
552 @b{bar}
553 0000
554 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
555
556 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
557 @b{baz}
558 @b{Ctrl-d}
559 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
560 @end smallexample
561
562 @noindent
563 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
564
565 @smallexample
566 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
567 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
568 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
569 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
570 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
571 the conditions.
572 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
573 for details.
574
575 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
576 (@value{GDBP})
577 @end smallexample
578
579 @noindent
580 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
581 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
582 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
583 that examples fit in this manual.
584
585 @smallexample
586 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
587 @end smallexample
588
589 @noindent
590 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
591 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
592 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
593 @code{break} command.
594
595 @smallexample
596 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
597 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
598 @end smallexample
599
600 @noindent
601 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
602 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
603 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
604
605 @smallexample
606 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
607 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
608 @b{define(foo,0000)}
609
610 @b{foo}
611 0000
612 @end smallexample
613
614 @noindent
615 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
616 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
617 context where it stops.
618
619 @smallexample
620 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
621
622 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
623 at builtin.c:879
624 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
625 @end smallexample
626
627 @noindent
628 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
629 the next line of the current function.
630
631 @smallexample
632 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
633 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
634 : nil,
635 @end smallexample
636
637 @noindent
638 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
639 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
640 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
641 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
642
643 @smallexample
644 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
645 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
646 at input.c:530
647 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
648 @end smallexample
649
650 @noindent
651 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
652 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
653 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
654 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
655 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
656 stack frame for each active subroutine.
657
658 @smallexample
659 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
660 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
661 at input.c:530
662 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
663 at builtin.c:882
664 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
665 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
666 at macro.c:71
667 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
668 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
669 @end smallexample
670
671 @noindent
672 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
673 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
674 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
675
676 @smallexample
677 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
678 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
679 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
680 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
681 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
682 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
683 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
684 : xstrdup(rq);
685 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
686 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
687 @end smallexample
688
689 @noindent
690 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
691 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
692 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
693 (@code{print}) to see their values.
694
695 @smallexample
696 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
697 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
698 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
699 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
700 @end smallexample
701
702 @noindent
703 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
704 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
705 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
706
707 @smallexample
708 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
709 533 xfree(rquote);
710 534
711 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
712 : xstrdup (lq);
713 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
714 : xstrdup (rq);
715 537
716 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
717 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
718 540 @}
719 541
720 542 void
721 @end smallexample
722
723 @noindent
724 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
725 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
726
727 @smallexample
728 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
729 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
730 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
731 540 @}
732 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
733 $3 = 9
734 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
735 $4 = 7
736 @end smallexample
737
738 @noindent
739 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
740 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
741 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
742 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
743 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
744 assignments.
745
746 @smallexample
747 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
748 $5 = 7
749 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
750 $6 = 9
751 @end smallexample
752
753 @noindent
754 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
755 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
756 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
757 example that caused trouble initially:
758
759 @smallexample
760 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
761 Continuing.
762
763 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
764
765 baz
766 0000
767 @end smallexample
768
769 @noindent
770 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
771 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
772 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
773
774 @smallexample
775 @b{Ctrl-d}
776 Program exited normally.
777 @end smallexample
778
779 @noindent
780 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
781 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
782 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
783
784 @smallexample
785 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
786 @end smallexample
787
788 @node Invocation
789 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
790
791 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
792 The essentials are:
793 @itemize @bullet
794 @item
795 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
796 @item
797 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
798 @end itemize
799
800 @menu
801 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
802 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
803 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
804 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
805 @end menu
806
807 @node Invoking GDB
808 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
809
810 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
811 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
812
813 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
814 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
815
816 The command-line options described here are designed
817 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
818 options may effectively be unavailable.
819
820 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
821 specifying an executable program:
822
823 @smallexample
824 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
825 @end smallexample
826
827 @noindent
828 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
829 specified:
830
831 @smallexample
832 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
833 @end smallexample
834
835 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
836 to debug a running process:
837
838 @smallexample
839 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
840 @end smallexample
841
842 @noindent
843 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
844 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
845
846 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
847 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
848 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
849 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
850 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
851
852 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
853 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
854 option processing.
855 @smallexample
856 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
857 @end smallexample
858 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
859 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
860
861 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
862 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
863
864 @smallexample
865 @value{GDBP} -silent
866 @end smallexample
867
868 @noindent
869 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
870 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
871
872 @noindent
873 Type
874
875 @smallexample
876 @value{GDBP} -help
877 @end smallexample
878
879 @noindent
880 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
881 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
882
883 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
884 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
885 @samp{-x} option is used.
886
887
888 @menu
889 * File Options:: Choosing files
890 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
891 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
892 @end menu
893
894 @node File Options
895 @subsection Choosing Files
896
897 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
898 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
899 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
900 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
901 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
902 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
903 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
904 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
905 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
906 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
907 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
908 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
909 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
910
911 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
912 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
913 argument and ignore it.
914
915 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
916 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
917 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
918 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
919 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
920
921 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
922 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
923 @c it.
924
925 @table @code
926 @item -symbols @var{file}
927 @itemx -s @var{file}
928 @cindex @code{--symbols}
929 @cindex @code{-s}
930 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
931
932 @item -exec @var{file}
933 @itemx -e @var{file}
934 @cindex @code{--exec}
935 @cindex @code{-e}
936 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
937 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
938
939 @item -se @var{file}
940 @cindex @code{--se}
941 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
942 file.
943
944 @item -core @var{file}
945 @itemx -c @var{file}
946 @cindex @code{--core}
947 @cindex @code{-c}
948 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
949
950 @item -pid @var{number}
951 @itemx -p @var{number}
952 @cindex @code{--pid}
953 @cindex @code{-p}
954 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
955
956 @item -command @var{file}
957 @itemx -x @var{file}
958 @cindex @code{--command}
959 @cindex @code{-x}
960 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
961 Files,, Command files}.
962
963 @item -eval-command @var{command}
964 @itemx -ex @var{command}
965 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
966 @cindex @code{-ex}
967 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
968
969 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
970 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
971
972 @smallexample
973 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
974 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
975 @end smallexample
976
977 @item -directory @var{directory}
978 @itemx -d @var{directory}
979 @cindex @code{--directory}
980 @cindex @code{-d}
981 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
982
983 @item -r
984 @itemx -readnow
985 @cindex @code{--readnow}
986 @cindex @code{-r}
987 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
988 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
989 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
990
991 @end table
992
993 @node Mode Options
994 @subsection Choosing Modes
995
996 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
997 batch mode or quiet mode.
998
999 @table @code
1000 @item -nx
1001 @itemx -n
1002 @cindex @code{--nx}
1003 @cindex @code{-n}
1004 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1005 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1006 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1007 Files}.
1008
1009 @item -quiet
1010 @itemx -silent
1011 @itemx -q
1012 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1013 @cindex @code{--silent}
1014 @cindex @code{-q}
1015 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1016 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1017
1018 @item -batch
1019 @cindex @code{--batch}
1020 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1021 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1022 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1023 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1024 in the command files.
1025
1026 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1027 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1028 make this more useful, the message
1029
1030 @smallexample
1031 Program exited normally.
1032 @end smallexample
1033
1034 @noindent
1035 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1036 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1037 mode.
1038
1039 @item -batch-silent
1040 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1041 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1042 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1043 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1044 for an interactive session.
1045
1046 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1047 messages, for example.
1048
1049 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1050 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1051
1052 @item -return-child-result
1053 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1054 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1055 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1056
1057 @itemize @bullet
1058 @item
1059 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1060 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1061 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1062 @item
1063 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1064 @item
1065 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1066 the exit code will be -1.
1067 @end itemize
1068
1069 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1070 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1071 interface.
1072
1073 @item -nowindows
1074 @itemx -nw
1075 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1076 @cindex @code{-nw}
1077 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1078 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1079 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1080
1081 @item -windows
1082 @itemx -w
1083 @cindex @code{--windows}
1084 @cindex @code{-w}
1085 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1086 used if possible.
1087
1088 @item -cd @var{directory}
1089 @cindex @code{--cd}
1090 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1091 instead of the current directory.
1092
1093 @item -fullname
1094 @itemx -f
1095 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1096 @cindex @code{-f}
1097 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1098 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1099 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1100 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1101 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1102 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1103 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1104 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1105 frame.
1106
1107 @item -epoch
1108 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1109 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1110 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1111 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1112 separate window.
1113
1114 @item -annotate @var{level}
1115 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1116 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1117 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1118 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1119 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1120 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1121 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1122 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1123 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1124
1125 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1126 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1127
1128 @item --args
1129 @cindex @code{--args}
1130 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1131 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1132 This option stops option processing.
1133
1134 @item -baud @var{bps}
1135 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1136 @cindex @code{--baud}
1137 @cindex @code{-b}
1138 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1139 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1140
1141 @item -l @var{timeout}
1142 @cindex @code{-l}
1143 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1144 for remote debugging.
1145
1146 @item -tty @var{device}
1147 @itemx -t @var{device}
1148 @cindex @code{--tty}
1149 @cindex @code{-t}
1150 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1151 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1152
1153 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1154 @item -tui
1155 @cindex @code{--tui}
1156 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1157 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1158 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1159 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1160 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1161 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1162 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1163
1164 @c @item -xdb
1165 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1166 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1167 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1168 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1169 @c systems.
1170
1171 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1172 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1173 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1174 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1175 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1176 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1177
1178 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1179 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1180 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1181 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1182 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1183 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1184
1185 @item -write
1186 @cindex @code{--write}
1187 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1188 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1189 (@pxref{Patching}).
1190
1191 @item -statistics
1192 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1193 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1194 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1195
1196 @item -version
1197 @cindex @code{--version}
1198 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1199 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1200
1201 @end table
1202
1203 @node Startup
1204 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1205 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1206
1207 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1208
1209 @enumerate
1210 @item
1211 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1212 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1213
1214 @item
1215 @cindex init file
1216 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1217 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1218 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1219 that file.
1220
1221 @item
1222 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1223 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1224 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1225 that file.
1226
1227 @item
1228 Processes command line options and operands.
1229
1230 @item
1231 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1232 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1233 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1234 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1235 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1236 @value{GDBN}.
1237
1238 @item
1239 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1240 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1241
1242 @item
1243 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1244 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1245 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1246 @end enumerate
1247
1248 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1249 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1250 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1251 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1252 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1253 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1254
1255 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1256 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1257
1258 @cindex init file name
1259 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1260 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1261 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1262 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1263 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1264 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1265 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1266 the file to the standard name.
1267
1268
1269 @node Quitting GDB
1270 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1271 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1272 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1273
1274 @table @code
1275 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1276 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1277 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1278 @itemx q
1279 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1280 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1281 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1282 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1283 error code.
1284 @end table
1285
1286 @cindex interrupt
1287 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1288 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1289 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1290 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1291 until a time when it is safe.
1292
1293 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1294 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1295 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1296
1297 @node Shell Commands
1298 @section Shell Commands
1299
1300 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1301 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1302 just use the @code{shell} command.
1303
1304 @table @code
1305 @kindex shell
1306 @cindex shell escape
1307 @item shell @var{command string}
1308 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1309 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1310 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1311 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1312 @end table
1313
1314 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1315 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1316 @value{GDBN}:
1317
1318 @table @code
1319 @kindex make
1320 @cindex calling make
1321 @item make @var{make-args}
1322 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1323 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1324 @end table
1325
1326 @node Logging Output
1327 @section Logging Output
1328 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1329 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1330
1331 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1332 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1333
1334 @table @code
1335 @kindex set logging
1336 @item set logging on
1337 Enable logging.
1338 @item set logging off
1339 Disable logging.
1340 @cindex logging file name
1341 @item set logging file @var{file}
1342 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1343 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1344 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1345 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1346 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1347 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1348 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1349 @kindex show logging
1350 @item show logging
1351 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1352 @end table
1353
1354 @node Commands
1355 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1356
1357 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1358 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1359 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1360 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1361 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1362
1363 @menu
1364 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1365 * Completion:: Command completion
1366 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1367 @end menu
1368
1369 @node Command Syntax
1370 @section Command Syntax
1371
1372 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1373 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1374 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1375 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1376 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1377 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1378
1379 @cindex abbreviation
1380 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1381 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1382 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1383 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1384 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1385 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1386 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1387
1388 @cindex repeating commands
1389 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1390 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1391 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1392 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1393 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1394 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1395 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1396
1397 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1398 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1399 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1400
1401 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1402 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1403 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1404 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1405 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1406
1407 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1408 @cindex comment
1409 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1410 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1411 Files,,Command Files}).
1412
1413 @cindex repeating command sequences
1414 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1415 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1416 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1417 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1418 for editing.
1419
1420 @node Completion
1421 @section Command Completion
1422
1423 @cindex completion
1424 @cindex word completion
1425 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1426 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1427 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1428 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1429
1430 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1431 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1432 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1433 enter it). For example, if you type
1434
1435 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1436 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1437 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1438 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1439 @smallexample
1440 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1441 @end smallexample
1442
1443 @noindent
1444 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1445 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1446
1447 @smallexample
1448 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1449 @end smallexample
1450
1451 @noindent
1452 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1453 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1454 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1455 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1456 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1457 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1458
1459 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1460 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1461 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1462 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1463 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1464 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1465 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1466 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1467 example:
1468
1469 @smallexample
1470 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1471 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1472 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1473 make_abs_section make_function_type
1474 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1475 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1476 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1477 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1478 @end smallexample
1479
1480 @noindent
1481 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1482 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1483 command.
1484
1485 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1486 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1487 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1488 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1489 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1490
1491 @cindex quotes in commands
1492 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1493 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1494 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1495 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1496 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1497 @value{GDBN} commands.
1498
1499 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1500 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1501 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1502 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1503 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1504 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1505 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1506 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1507 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1508 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1509 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1510
1511 @smallexample
1512 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1513 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1514 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1515 @end smallexample
1516
1517 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1518 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1519 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1520 place:
1521
1522 @smallexample
1523 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1524 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1525 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1526 @end smallexample
1527
1528 @noindent
1529 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1530 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1531 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1532
1533 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1534 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1535 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1536 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1537
1538 @cindex completion of structure field names
1539 @cindex structure field name completion
1540 @cindex completion of union field names
1541 @cindex union field name completion
1542 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1543 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1544 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1545 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1546 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1547 left-hand-side:
1548
1549 @smallexample
1550 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1551 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1552 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1553 @end smallexample
1554
1555 @noindent
1556 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1557 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1558 follows:
1559
1560 @smallexample
1561 struct ui_file
1562 @{
1563 int *magic;
1564 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1565 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1566 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1567 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1568 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1569 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1570 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1571 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1572 void *to_data;
1573 @}
1574 @end smallexample
1575
1576
1577 @node Help
1578 @section Getting Help
1579 @cindex online documentation
1580 @kindex help
1581
1582 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1583 using the command @code{help}.
1584
1585 @table @code
1586 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1587 @item help
1588 @itemx h
1589 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1590 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1591
1592 @smallexample
1593 (@value{GDBP}) help
1594 List of classes of commands:
1595
1596 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1597 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1598 data -- Examining data
1599 files -- Specifying and examining files
1600 internals -- Maintenance commands
1601 obscure -- Obscure features
1602 running -- Running the program
1603 stack -- Examining the stack
1604 status -- Status inquiries
1605 support -- Support facilities
1606 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1607 stopping the program
1608 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1609
1610 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1611 commands in that class.
1612 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1613 documentation.
1614 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1615 (@value{GDBP})
1616 @end smallexample
1617 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1618
1619 @item help @var{class}
1620 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1621 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1622 help display for the class @code{status}:
1623
1624 @smallexample
1625 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1626 Status inquiries.
1627
1628 List of commands:
1629
1630 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1631 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1632 info -- Generic command for showing things
1633 about the program being debugged
1634 show -- Generic command for showing things
1635 about the debugger
1636
1637 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1638 documentation.
1639 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1640 (@value{GDBP})
1641 @end smallexample
1642
1643 @item help @var{command}
1644 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1645 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1646
1647 @kindex apropos
1648 @item apropos @var{args}
1649 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1650 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1651 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1652
1653 @smallexample
1654 apropos reload
1655 @end smallexample
1656
1657 @noindent
1658 results in:
1659
1660 @smallexample
1661 @c @group
1662 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1663 multiple times in one run
1664 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1665 multiple times in one run
1666 @c @end group
1667 @end smallexample
1668
1669 @kindex complete
1670 @item complete @var{args}
1671 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1672 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1673 command you want completed. For example:
1674
1675 @smallexample
1676 complete i
1677 @end smallexample
1678
1679 @noindent results in:
1680
1681 @smallexample
1682 @group
1683 if
1684 ignore
1685 info
1686 inspect
1687 @end group
1688 @end smallexample
1689
1690 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1691 @end table
1692
1693 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1694 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1695 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1696 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1697 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1698 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1699
1700 @c @group
1701 @table @code
1702 @kindex info
1703 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1704 @item info
1705 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1706 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1707 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1708 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1709 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1710 @w{@code{help info}}.
1711
1712 @kindex set
1713 @item set
1714 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1715 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1716 @code{set prompt $}.
1717
1718 @kindex show
1719 @item show
1720 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1721 @value{GDBN} itself.
1722 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1723 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1724 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1725 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1726
1727 @kindex info set
1728 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1729 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1730 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1731 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1732 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1733 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1734 @end table
1735 @c @end group
1736
1737 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1738 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1739
1740 @table @code
1741 @kindex show version
1742 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1743 @item show version
1744 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1745 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1746 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1747 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1748 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1749 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1750 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1751 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1752 @value{GDBN}.
1753
1754 @kindex show copying
1755 @kindex info copying
1756 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1757 @item show copying
1758 @itemx info copying
1759 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1760
1761 @kindex show warranty
1762 @kindex info warranty
1763 @item show warranty
1764 @itemx info warranty
1765 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1766 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1767
1768 @end table
1769
1770 @node Running
1771 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1772
1773 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1774 debugging information when you compile it.
1775
1776 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1777 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1778 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1779 kill a child process.
1780
1781 @menu
1782 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1783 * Starting:: Starting your program
1784 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1785 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1786
1787 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1788 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1789 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1790 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1791
1792 * Inferiors:: Debugging multiple inferiors
1793 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1794 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
1795 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1796 @end menu
1797
1798 @node Compilation
1799 @section Compiling for Debugging
1800
1801 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1802 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1803 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1804 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1805 and addresses in the executable code.
1806
1807 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1808 the compiler.
1809
1810 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1811 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, many
1812 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1813 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1814 executables containing debugging information.
1815
1816 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1817 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1818 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1819 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1820 in pushing your luck.
1821
1822 @cindex optimized code, debugging
1823 @cindex debugging optimized code
1824 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
1825 optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger shows you what is
1826 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
1827 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
1828 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
1829 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1830
1831 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1832 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1833 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1834 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
1835 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
1836
1837 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1838 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1839 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1840
1841 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1842 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1843 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1844 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1845 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1846 provides macro information if you specify the options
1847 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1848 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1849 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1850 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1851 @option{-g} alone.
1852
1853 @need 2000
1854 @node Starting
1855 @section Starting your Program
1856 @cindex starting
1857 @cindex running
1858
1859 @table @code
1860 @kindex run
1861 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1862 @item run
1863 @itemx r
1864 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1865 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1866 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1867 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1868 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1869
1870 @end table
1871
1872 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1873 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1874 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1875 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1876 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1877 message like this one:
1878
1879 @smallexample
1880 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1881 Try "help target" or "continue".
1882 @end smallexample
1883
1884 @noindent
1885 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1886 first (@pxref{load}).
1887
1888 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1889 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1890 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1891 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1892 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1893 divided into four categories:
1894
1895 @table @asis
1896 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1897 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1898 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1899 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1900 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1901 the arguments.
1902 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1903 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1904 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1905
1906 @item The @emph{environment.}
1907 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1908 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1909 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1910 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1911
1912 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1913 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1914 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1915 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1916
1917 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1918 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1919 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1920 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1921 set a different device for your program.
1922 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1923
1924 @cindex pipes
1925 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1926 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1927 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1928 wrong program.
1929 @end table
1930
1931 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1932 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1933 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1934 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1935 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1936
1937 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1938 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1939 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1940 your current breakpoints.
1941
1942 @table @code
1943 @kindex start
1944 @item start
1945 @cindex run to main procedure
1946 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1947 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1948 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1949 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1950 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1951 procedure, depending on the language used.
1952
1953 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1954 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1955 the @samp{run} command.
1956
1957 @cindex elaboration phase
1958 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1959 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1960 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1961 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1962 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1963 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1964 will remain to halt execution.
1965
1966 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1967 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1968 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1969 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1970 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1971
1972 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1973 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1974 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1975 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1976 elaboration code before running your program.
1977
1978 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1979 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1980 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1981 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1982 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1983 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1984 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1985 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1986 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1987 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1988 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1989
1990 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1991 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1992 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1993 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1994
1995 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1996 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1997 environment:
1998
1999 @smallexample
2000 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2001 (@value{GDBP}) run
2002 @end smallexample
2003
2004 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2005 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2006
2007 @kindex set disable-randomization
2008 @item set disable-randomization
2009 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2010 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2011 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2012 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2013 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2014
2015 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2016 behavior using
2017
2018 @smallexample
2019 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2020 @end smallexample
2021
2022 @item set disable-randomization off
2023 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2024 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2025 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2026 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2027 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2028 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2029
2030 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2031 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2032 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2033 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2034 a code at its expected addresses.
2035
2036 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2037 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2038 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2039 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2040 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2041 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2042 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2043 a randomly chosen address.
2044
2045 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2046 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2047 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2048 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2049 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2050
2051 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2052 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2053
2054 @item show disable-randomization
2055 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2056 the virtual address space of the started program.
2057
2058 @end table
2059
2060 @node Arguments
2061 @section Your Program's Arguments
2062
2063 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2064 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2065 @code{run} command.
2066 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2067 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2068 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2069 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2070 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2071
2072 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2073 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2074 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2075 the program, not by the shell.
2076
2077 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2078 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2079
2080 @table @code
2081 @kindex set args
2082 @item set args
2083 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2084 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2085 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2086 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2087 it again without arguments.
2088
2089 @kindex show args
2090 @item show args
2091 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2092 @end table
2093
2094 @node Environment
2095 @section Your Program's Environment
2096
2097 @cindex environment (of your program)
2098 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2099 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2100 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2101 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2102 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2103 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2104 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2105
2106 @table @code
2107 @kindex path
2108 @item path @var{directory}
2109 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2110 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2111 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2112 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2113 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2114 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2115 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2116
2117 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2118 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2119 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2120 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2121 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2122 @var{directory} to the search path.
2123 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2124 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2125
2126 @kindex show paths
2127 @item show paths
2128 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2129 environment variable).
2130
2131 @kindex show environment
2132 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2133 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2134 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2135 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2136 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2137
2138 @kindex set environment
2139 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2140 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2141 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2142 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2143 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2144 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2145 null value.
2146 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2147 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2148
2149 For example, this command:
2150
2151 @smallexample
2152 set env USER = foo
2153 @end smallexample
2154
2155 @noindent
2156 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2157 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2158 are not actually required.)
2159
2160 @kindex unset environment
2161 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2162 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2163 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2164 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2165 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2166 @end table
2167
2168 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2169 the shell indicated
2170 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2171 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2172 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2173 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2174 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2175 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2176 @file{.profile}.
2177
2178 @node Working Directory
2179 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2180
2181 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2182 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2183 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2184 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2185 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2186 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2187
2188 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2189 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2190 Specify Files}.
2191
2192 @table @code
2193 @kindex cd
2194 @cindex change working directory
2195 @item cd @var{directory}
2196 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2197
2198 @kindex pwd
2199 @item pwd
2200 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2201 @end table
2202
2203 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2204 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2205 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2206 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2207 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2208 current working directory of the debuggee.
2209
2210 @node Input/Output
2211 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2212
2213 @cindex redirection
2214 @cindex i/o
2215 @cindex terminal
2216 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2217 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2218 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2219 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2220 running your program.
2221
2222 @table @code
2223 @kindex info terminal
2224 @item info terminal
2225 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2226 program is using.
2227 @end table
2228
2229 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2230 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2231
2232 @smallexample
2233 run > outfile
2234 @end smallexample
2235
2236 @noindent
2237 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2238
2239 @kindex tty
2240 @cindex controlling terminal
2241 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2242 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2243 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2244 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2245 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2246
2247 @smallexample
2248 tty /dev/ttyb
2249 @end smallexample
2250
2251 @noindent
2252 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2253 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2254 that as their controlling terminal.
2255
2256 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2257 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2258 terminal.
2259
2260 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2261 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2262 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2263 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2264
2265 @cindex inferior tty
2266 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2267 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2268 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2269 program.
2270
2271 @table @code
2272 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2273 @kindex set inferior-tty
2274 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2275
2276 @item show inferior-tty
2277 @kindex show inferior-tty
2278 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2279 @end table
2280
2281 @node Attach
2282 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2283 @kindex attach
2284 @cindex attach
2285
2286 @table @code
2287 @item attach @var{process-id}
2288 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2289 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2290 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2291 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2292 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2293
2294 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2295 executing the command.
2296 @end table
2297
2298 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2299 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2300 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2301 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2302
2303 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2304 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2305 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2306 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2307 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2308 Specify Files}.
2309
2310 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2311 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2312 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2313 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2314 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2315 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2316 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2317
2318 @table @code
2319 @kindex detach
2320 @item detach
2321 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2322 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2323 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2324 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2325 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2326 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2327 executing the command.
2328 @end table
2329
2330 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2331 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2332 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2333 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2334 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2335 Messages}).
2336
2337 @node Kill Process
2338 @section Killing the Child Process
2339
2340 @table @code
2341 @kindex kill
2342 @item kill
2343 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2344 @end table
2345
2346 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2347 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2348 is running.
2349
2350 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2351 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2352 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2353 outside the debugger.
2354
2355 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2356 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2357 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2358 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2359 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2360 breakpoint settings).
2361
2362 @node Inferiors
2363 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2364
2365 Some @value{GDBN} targets are able to run multiple processes created
2366 from a single executable. This can happen, for instance, with an
2367 embedded system reporting back several processes via the remote
2368 protocol.
2369
2370 @cindex inferior
2371 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2372 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2373 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2374 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2375 may (in future) be retained after a process exits. Each run of an
2376 executable creates a new inferior, as does each attachment to an
2377 existing process. Inferiors have unique identifiers that are
2378 different from process ids, and may optionally be named as well.
2379 Usually each inferior will also have its own distinct address space,
2380 although some embedded targets may have several inferiors running in
2381 different parts of a single space.
2382
2383 Each inferior may in turn have multiple threads running in it.
2384
2385 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @code{info inferiors}:
2386
2387 @table @code
2388 @kindex info inferiors
2389 @item info inferiors
2390 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2391
2392 @kindex set print inferior-events
2393 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2394 @item set print inferior-events
2395 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2396 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2397 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2398 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2399 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2400 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2401
2402 @kindex show print inferior-events
2403 @item show print inferior-events
2404 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2405 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2406 @end table
2407
2408 @node Threads
2409 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2410
2411 @cindex threads of execution
2412 @cindex multiple threads
2413 @cindex switching threads
2414 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2415 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2416 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2417 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2418 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2419 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2420 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2421
2422 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2423 programs:
2424
2425 @itemize @bullet
2426 @item automatic notification of new threads
2427 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2428 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2429 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2430 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2431 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2432 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2433 messages on thread start and exit.
2434 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2435 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2436 isn't compatible with the program.
2437 @end itemize
2438
2439 @quotation
2440 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2441 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2442 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2443 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2444 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2445 like this:
2446
2447 @smallexample
2448 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2449 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2450 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2451 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2452 @end smallexample
2453 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2454 @c doesn't support threads"?
2455 @end quotation
2456
2457 @cindex focus of debugging
2458 @cindex current thread
2459 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2460 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2461 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2462 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2463 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2464
2465 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2466 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2467 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2468 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2469 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2470 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2471 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2472 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2473 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2474 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2475
2476 @smallexample
2477 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2478 @end smallexample
2479
2480 @noindent
2481 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2482 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2483 further qualifier.
2484
2485 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2486 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2487 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2488 @c program?
2489 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2490 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2491 @c threads ab initio?
2492
2493 @cindex thread number
2494 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2495 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2496 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2497
2498 @table @code
2499 @kindex info threads
2500 @item info threads
2501 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2502 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2503
2504 @enumerate
2505 @item
2506 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2507
2508 @item
2509 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2510
2511 @item
2512 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2513 @end enumerate
2514
2515 @noindent
2516 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2517 indicates the current thread.
2518
2519 For example,
2520 @end table
2521 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2522
2523 @smallexample
2524 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2525 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2526 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2527 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2528 at threadtest.c:68
2529 @end smallexample
2530
2531 On HP-UX systems:
2532
2533 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2534 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2535 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2536 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2537 thread in your program.
2538
2539 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2540 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2541 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2542 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2543 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2544 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2545 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2546 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2547 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2548 HP-UX, you see
2549
2550 @smallexample
2551 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2552 @end smallexample
2553
2554 @noindent
2555 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2556
2557 @table @code
2558 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2559 @item info threads
2560 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2561 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2562
2563 @enumerate
2564 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2565
2566 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2567
2568 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2569 @end enumerate
2570
2571 @noindent
2572 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2573 indicates the current thread.
2574
2575 For example,
2576 @end table
2577 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2578
2579 @smallexample
2580 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2581 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2582 at quicksort.c:137
2583 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2584 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2585 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2586 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2587 @end smallexample
2588
2589 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2590 Solaris-specific command:
2591
2592 @table @code
2593 @item maint info sol-threads
2594 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2595 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2596 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2597 @end table
2598
2599 @table @code
2600 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2601 @item thread @var{threadno}
2602 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2603 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2604 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2605 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2606 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2607
2608 @smallexample
2609 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2610 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2611 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2612 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2613 @end smallexample
2614
2615 @noindent
2616 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2617 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2618 threads.
2619
2620 @kindex thread apply
2621 @cindex apply command to several threads
2622 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2623 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2624 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2625 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2626 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2627 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2628 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2629 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2630
2631 @kindex set print thread-events
2632 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2633 @item set print thread-events
2634 @itemx set print thread-events on
2635 @itemx set print thread-events off
2636 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2637 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2638 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2639 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2640 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2641
2642 @kindex show print thread-events
2643 @item show print thread-events
2644 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2645 have started and exited.
2646 @end table
2647
2648 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2649 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2650 programs with multiple threads.
2651
2652 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2653 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2654
2655 @table @code
2656 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2657 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2658 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2659 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2660 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2661 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2662 an empty list.
2663
2664 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2665 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2666 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2667 to find @code{libthread_db}. If that fails, @value{GDBN} will continue
2668 with default system shared library directories, and finally the directory
2669 from which @code{libpthread} was loaded in the inferior process.
2670
2671 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2672 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2673 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2674 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2675 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2676 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2677 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2678
2679 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2680 only on some platforms.
2681
2682 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2683 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2684 Display current libthread_db search path.
2685 @end table
2686
2687 @node Processes
2688 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Processes
2689
2690 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2691 @cindex multiple processes
2692 @cindex processes, multiple
2693 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2694 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2695 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2696 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2697 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2698 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2699 will cause it to terminate.
2700
2701 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2702 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2703 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2704 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2705 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2706 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2707 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2708 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2709 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2710 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2711
2712 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2713 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2714 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2715 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2716
2717 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2718 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2719
2720 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2721 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2722
2723 @table @code
2724 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2725 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2726 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2727 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2728 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2729
2730 @table @code
2731 @item parent
2732 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2733 unimpeded. This is the default.
2734
2735 @item child
2736 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2737 unimpeded.
2738
2739 @end table
2740
2741 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2742 @item show follow-fork-mode
2743 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2744 @end table
2745
2746 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2747 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2748 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2749
2750 @table @code
2751 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2752 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2753 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2754 retain debugger control over them both.
2755
2756 @table @code
2757 @item on
2758 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2759 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2760 independently. This is the default.
2761
2762 @item off
2763 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2764 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2765 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2766 is held suspended.
2767
2768 @end table
2769
2770 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2771 @item show detach-on-fork
2772 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2773 @end table
2774
2775 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then
2776 @value{GDBN} will retain control of all forked processes (including
2777 nested forks). You can list the forked processes under the control of
2778 @value{GDBN} by using the @w{@code{info forks}} command, and switch
2779 from one fork to another by using the @w{@code{fork}} command.
2780
2781 @table @code
2782 @kindex info forks
2783 @item info forks
2784 Print a list of all forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2785 The listing will include a fork id, a process id, and the current
2786 position (program counter) of the process.
2787
2788 @kindex fork @var{fork-id}
2789 @item fork @var{fork-id}
2790 Make fork number @var{fork-id} the current process. The argument
2791 @var{fork-id} is the internal fork number assigned by @value{GDBN},
2792 as shown in the first field of the @samp{info forks} display.
2793
2794 @kindex process @var{process-id}
2795 @item process @var{process-id}
2796 Make process number @var{process-id} the current process. The
2797 argument @var{process-id} must be one that is listed in the output of
2798 @samp{info forks}.
2799
2800 @end table
2801
2802 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2803 from it by using the @w{@code{detach fork}} command (allowing it to
2804 run independently), or delete (and kill) it using the
2805 @w{@code{delete fork}} command.
2806
2807 @table @code
2808 @kindex detach fork @var{fork-id}
2809 @item detach fork @var{fork-id}
2810 Detach from the process identified by @value{GDBN} fork number
2811 @var{fork-id}, and remove it from the fork list. The process will be
2812 allowed to run independently.
2813
2814 @kindex delete fork @var{fork-id}
2815 @item delete fork @var{fork-id}
2816 Kill the process identified by @value{GDBN} fork number @var{fork-id},
2817 and remove it from the fork list.
2818
2819 @end table
2820
2821 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2822 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2823 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2824 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2825 the child process's @code{main}.
2826
2827 When a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you cannot debug the
2828 child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2829
2830 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2831 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent process,
2832 use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name as its
2833 argument.
2834
2835 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
2836 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
2837 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
2838
2839 @node Checkpoint/Restart
2840 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
2841
2842 @cindex checkpoint
2843 @cindex restart
2844 @cindex bookmark
2845 @cindex snapshot of a process
2846 @cindex rewind program state
2847
2848 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
2849 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
2850 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
2851 later.
2852
2853 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
2854 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
2855 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
2856 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
2857 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
2858
2859 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
2860 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
2861 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
2862 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
2863 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
2864 start again from there.
2865
2866 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
2867 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
2868
2869 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
2870
2871 @table @code
2872 @kindex checkpoint
2873 @item checkpoint
2874 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
2875 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
2876 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
2877
2878 @kindex info checkpoints
2879 @item info checkpoints
2880 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
2881 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
2882 listed:
2883
2884 @table @code
2885 @item Checkpoint ID
2886 @item Process ID
2887 @item Code Address
2888 @item Source line, or label
2889 @end table
2890
2891 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
2892 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
2893 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
2894 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
2895 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
2896 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
2897 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
2898
2899 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
2900 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
2901 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
2902 the debugger.
2903
2904 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
2905 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
2906 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
2907
2908 @end table
2909
2910 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
2911 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
2912 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
2913 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
2914 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
2915 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
2916 previously read data can be read again.
2917
2918 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
2919 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
2920 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
2921 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
2922 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
2923 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
2924
2925 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
2926 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
2927 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
2928 different execution path this time.
2929
2930 @cindex checkpoints and process id
2931 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
2932 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
2933 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
2934 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
2935 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
2936 potentially pose a problem.
2937
2938 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
2939
2940 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
2941 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
2942 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
2943 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
2944 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
2945 next.
2946
2947 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
2948 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
2949 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
2950 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
2951 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
2952
2953 @node Stopping
2954 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
2955
2956 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
2957 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
2958 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
2959
2960 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
2961 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
2962 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
2963 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
2964 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
2965 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
2966 explicitly request this information at any time.
2967
2968 @table @code
2969 @kindex info program
2970 @item info program
2971 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
2972 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
2973 @end table
2974
2975 @menu
2976 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2977 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
2978 * Signals:: Signals
2979 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2980 @end menu
2981
2982 @node Breakpoints
2983 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
2984
2985 @cindex breakpoints
2986 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
2987 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
2988 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
2989 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
2990 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
2991 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
2992 program.
2993
2994 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
2995 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
2996 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
2997 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
2998 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
2999 call).
3000
3001 @cindex watchpoints
3002 @cindex data breakpoints
3003 @cindex memory tracing
3004 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3005 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3006 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3007 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3008 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3009 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3010 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3011 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3012 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3013 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3014 same commands.
3015
3016 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3017 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3018 Automatic Display}.
3019
3020 @cindex catchpoints
3021 @cindex breakpoint on events
3022 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3023 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3024 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3025 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3026 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3027 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3028 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3029
3030 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3031 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3032 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3033 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3034 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3035 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3036 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3037 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3038 enable it again.
3039
3040 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3041 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3042 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3043 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3044 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3045 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3046 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3047
3048 @menu
3049 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3050 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3051 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3052 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3053 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3054 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3055 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3056 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3057 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3058 @end menu
3059
3060 @node Set Breaks
3061 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3062
3063 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3064 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3065 @c
3066 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3067
3068 @kindex break
3069 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3070 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3071 @cindex latest breakpoint
3072 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3073 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3074 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3075 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3076 convenience variables.
3077
3078 @table @code
3079 @item break @var{location}
3080 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3081 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3082 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3083 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3084 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3085
3086 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3087 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3088 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3089 that situation.
3090
3091 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3092 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3093 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3094
3095 @item break
3096 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3097 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3098 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3099 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3100 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3101 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3102 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3103 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3104 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3105 inside loops.
3106
3107 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3108 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3109 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3110 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3111 existed when your program stopped.
3112
3113 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3114 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3115 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3116 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3117 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3118 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3119 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3120
3121 @kindex tbreak
3122 @item tbreak @var{args}
3123 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3124 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3125 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3126 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3127
3128 @kindex hbreak
3129 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3130 @item hbreak @var{args}
3131 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3132 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3133 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3134 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3135 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3136 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3137 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3138 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3139 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3140 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3141 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3142 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3143 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3144 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3145 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3146 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3147 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3148 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3149
3150 @kindex thbreak
3151 @item thbreak @var{args}
3152 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3153 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3154 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3155 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3156 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3157 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3158 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3159 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3160
3161 @kindex rbreak
3162 @cindex regular expression
3163 @cindex breakpoints in functions matching a regexp
3164 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3165 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3166 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3167 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3168 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3169 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3170 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3171 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3172
3173 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3174 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3175 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3176 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3177 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3178 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3179
3180 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3181 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3182 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3183 classes.
3184
3185 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3186 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3187 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3188
3189 @smallexample
3190 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3191 @end smallexample
3192
3193 @kindex info breakpoints
3194 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3195 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3196 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3197 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3198 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3199 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3200 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3201 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3202
3203 @table @emph
3204 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3205 @item Type
3206 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3207 @item Disposition
3208 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3209 @item Enabled or Disabled
3210 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3211 that are not enabled.
3212 @item Address
3213 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3214 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3215 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3216 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3217 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3218 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3219 @item What
3220 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3221 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3222 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3223 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3224 @end table
3225
3226 @noindent
3227 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3228 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3229 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3230 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3231 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3232 valid location.
3233
3234 @noindent
3235 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3236 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3237 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3238 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3239 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3240
3241 @noindent
3242 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3243 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3244 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3245 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3246 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3247 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3248 @end table
3249
3250 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3251 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3252 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3253 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3254
3255 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3256 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3257 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3258 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3259
3260 @itemize @bullet
3261 @item
3262 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3263 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3264
3265 @item
3266 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3267 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3268
3269 @item
3270 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3271 several places where that function is inlined.
3272 @end itemize
3273
3274 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3275 the relevant locations@footnote{
3276 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3277 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3278 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3279 info with line numbers for them.}.
3280
3281 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3282 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3283 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3284 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3285 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3286 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3287 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3288
3289 For example:
3290
3291 @smallexample
3292 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3293 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3294 stop only if i==1
3295 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3296 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3297 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3298 @end smallexample
3299
3300 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3301 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3302 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3303 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3304 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3305 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3306 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3307 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3308 that belong to that breakpoint.
3309
3310 @cindex pending breakpoints
3311 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3312 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3313 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3314 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3315 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3316 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3317 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3318 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3319 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3320 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3321 is not yet resolved.
3322
3323 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3324 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3325 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3326 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3327 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3328 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3329
3330 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3331 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3332 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3333 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3334
3335 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3336 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3337 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3338
3339 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3340 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3341 address specification to an address:
3342
3343 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3344 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3345 @table @code
3346 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3347 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3348 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3349
3350 @item set breakpoint pending on
3351 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3352 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3353
3354 @item set breakpoint pending off
3355 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3356 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3357 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3358
3359 @item show breakpoint pending
3360 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3361 @end table
3362
3363 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3364 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3365 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3366
3367 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3368 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3369 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3370 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3371 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3372 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3373 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3374 breakpoints.
3375
3376 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3377
3378 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3379 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3380 @table @code
3381 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3382 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3383 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3384 breakpoint must be used.
3385
3386 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3387 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3388 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3389 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3390 @end table
3391
3392 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3393 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3394 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3395 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3396 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3397 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3398 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3399 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3400 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3401
3402 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3403 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3404 @table @code
3405 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3406 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3407 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3408 removed from the target when it stops.
3409
3410 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3411 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3412 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3413 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3414 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3415
3416 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3417 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3418 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3419 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3420 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3421 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3422 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3423 @end table
3424
3425 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3426 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3427 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3428 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3429 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3430 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3431 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3432 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3433
3434
3435 @node Set Watchpoints
3436 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3437
3438 @cindex setting watchpoints
3439 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3440 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3441 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3442 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3443 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3444
3445 @itemize @bullet
3446 @item
3447 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3448
3449 @item
3450 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3451 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3452 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3453
3454 @item
3455 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3456 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3457 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3458 @end itemize
3459
3460 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3461 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3462 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3463 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3464 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3465 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3466 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3467 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3468 the expression changes.
3469
3470 @cindex software watchpoints
3471 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3472 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3473 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3474 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3475 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3476 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3477 culprit.)
3478
3479 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3480 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3481 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3482
3483 @table @code
3484 @kindex watch
3485 @item watch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3486 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3487 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3488 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3489 to watch the value of a single variable:
3490
3491 @smallexample
3492 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3493 @end smallexample
3494
3495 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3496 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3497 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3498 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3499 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3500 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3501
3502 @kindex rwatch
3503 @item rwatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3504 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3505 by the program.
3506
3507 @kindex awatch
3508 @item awatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3509 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3510 or written into by the program.
3511
3512 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3513 @item info watchpoints
3514 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
3515 it is the same as @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3516 @end table
3517
3518 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3519 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3520 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3521 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3522 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3523 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3524
3525 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3526 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3527 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3528 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3529 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3530 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3531 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3532 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3533
3534 @table @code
3535 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3536 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3537 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3538
3539 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3540 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3541 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3542 @end table
3543
3544 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3545 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3546 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3547
3548 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3549
3550 @smallexample
3551 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3552 @end smallexample
3553
3554 @noindent
3555 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3556
3557 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3558 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3559 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3560 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3561 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3562 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3563 will print a message like this:
3564
3565 @smallexample
3566 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3567 @end smallexample
3568
3569 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3570 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3571 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3572 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3573 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3574 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3575 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3576 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3577
3578 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3579 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3580 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3581 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3582 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3583 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3584
3585 @smallexample
3586 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3587 @end smallexample
3588
3589 @noindent
3590 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3591
3592 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3593 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3594 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3595 expression with separately allocated resources.
3596
3597 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3598 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3599 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3600
3601 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3602 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3603 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3604 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3605 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3606 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3607 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3608 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3609 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3610
3611 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3612 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3613 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3614 watched expression from every thread.
3615
3616 @quotation
3617 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3618 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3619 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3620 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3621 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3622 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3623 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3624 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3625 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3626 @end quotation
3627
3628 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3629
3630 @node Set Catchpoints
3631 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3632 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3633 @cindex exception handlers
3634 @cindex event handling
3635
3636 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3637 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3638 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3639
3640 @table @code
3641 @kindex catch
3642 @item catch @var{event}
3643 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3644 @table @code
3645 @item throw
3646 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3647 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3648
3649 @item catch
3650 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3651
3652 @item exception
3653 @cindex Ada exception catching
3654 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3655 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3656 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3657 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3658 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3659
3660 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3661 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3662 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3663 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3664 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3665 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3666 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3667 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3668
3669 @item exception unhandled
3670 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3671
3672 @item assert
3673 A failed Ada assertion.
3674
3675 @item exec
3676 @cindex break on fork/exec
3677 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3678 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3679
3680 @item fork
3681 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3682 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3683
3684 @item vfork
3685 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3686 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3687
3688 @end table
3689
3690 @item tcatch @var{event}
3691 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
3692 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
3693
3694 @end table
3695
3696 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
3697
3698 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
3699 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
3700
3701 @itemize @bullet
3702 @item
3703 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
3704 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
3705 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
3706 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
3707 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
3708 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
3709 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
3710 disabled within interactive calls.
3711
3712 @item
3713 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
3714
3715 @item
3716 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
3717 @end itemize
3718
3719 @cindex raise exceptions
3720 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
3721 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
3722 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
3723 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
3724 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
3725 out where the exception was raised.
3726
3727 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
3728 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
3729 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
3730 which has the following ANSI C interface:
3731
3732 @smallexample
3733 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
3734 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
3735 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
3736 @end smallexample
3737
3738 @noindent
3739 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
3740 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
3741 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
3742
3743 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
3744 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
3745 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
3746 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
3747 raised.
3748
3749
3750 @node Delete Breaks
3751 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
3752
3753 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3754 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3755 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3756 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
3757 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
3758 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
3759
3760 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
3761 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
3762 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
3763 their breakpoint numbers.
3764
3765 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
3766 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
3767 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
3768
3769 @table @code
3770 @kindex clear
3771 @item clear
3772 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
3773 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
3774 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
3775 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
3776
3777 @item clear @var{location}
3778 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
3779 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
3780 most useful ones are listed below:
3781
3782 @table @code
3783 @item clear @var{function}
3784 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
3785 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
3786
3787 @item clear @var{linenum}
3788 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
3789 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
3790 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
3791 @end table
3792
3793 @cindex delete breakpoints
3794 @kindex delete
3795 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
3796 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3797 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
3798 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
3799 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
3800 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
3801 @end table
3802
3803 @node Disabling
3804 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
3805
3806 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
3807 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
3808 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
3809 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
3810 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
3811
3812 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
3813 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
3814 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
3815 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
3816 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
3817
3818 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
3819 affects all of its locations.
3820
3821 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
3822 states of enablement:
3823
3824 @itemize @bullet
3825 @item
3826 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
3827 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
3828 @item
3829 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
3830 @item
3831 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
3832 disabled.
3833 @item
3834 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
3835 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
3836 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
3837 @end itemize
3838
3839 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
3840 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
3841
3842 @table @code
3843 @kindex disable
3844 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
3845 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3846 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
3847 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
3848 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
3849 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
3850 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
3851
3852 @kindex enable
3853 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3854 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
3855 become effective once again in stopping your program.
3856
3857 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
3858 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
3859 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
3860
3861 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
3862 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
3863 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
3864 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
3865 @end table
3866
3867 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
3868 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
3869 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3870 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
3871 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
3872 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
3873 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
3874 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
3875 Stepping}.)
3876
3877 @node Conditions
3878 @subsection Break Conditions
3879 @cindex conditional breakpoints
3880 @cindex breakpoint conditions
3881
3882 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
3883 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
3884 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
3885 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
3886 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
3887 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
3888 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
3889 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
3890
3891 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
3892 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
3893 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
3894 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
3895 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
3896
3897 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
3898 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
3899 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
3900 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
3901 one.
3902
3903 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
3904 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
3905 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
3906 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
3907 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
3908 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
3909 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
3910 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
3911 conditions for the
3912 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
3913 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
3914
3915 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
3916 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
3917 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
3918 with the @code{condition} command.
3919
3920 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
3921 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
3922 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
3923 catchpoint.
3924
3925 @table @code
3926 @kindex condition
3927 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
3928 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
3929 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
3930 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
3931 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
3932 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
3933 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
3934 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
3935 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
3936 prints an error message:
3937
3938 @smallexample
3939 No symbol "foo" in current context.
3940 @end smallexample
3941
3942 @noindent
3943 @value{GDBN} does
3944 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
3945 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
3946 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
3947
3948 @item condition @var{bnum}
3949 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
3950 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
3951 @end table
3952
3953 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
3954 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
3955 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
3956 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
3957 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
3958 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
3959 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
3960 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
3961 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
3962 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
3963 your program reaches it.
3964
3965 @table @code
3966 @kindex ignore
3967 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
3968 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
3969 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
3970 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
3971 takes no action.
3972
3973 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
3974 a count of zero.
3975
3976 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
3977 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
3978 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
3979 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
3980
3981 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
3982 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
3983 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
3984
3985 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
3986 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
3987 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
3988 Variables}.
3989 @end table
3990
3991 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
3992
3993
3994 @node Break Commands
3995 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
3996
3997 @cindex breakpoint commands
3998 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
3999 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4000 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4001 enable other breakpoints.
4002
4003 @table @code
4004 @kindex commands
4005 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4006 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
4007 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4008 @itemx end
4009 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
4010 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4011 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4012
4013 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4014 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4015
4016 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
4017 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
4018 recently encountered).
4019 @end table
4020
4021 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4022 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4023
4024 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4025 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4026 that resumes execution.
4027
4028 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4029 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4030 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4031 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4032 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4033
4034 @kindex silent
4035 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4036 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4037 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4038 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4039 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4040 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4041
4042 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4043 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4044 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4045
4046 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4047 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4048
4049 @smallexample
4050 break foo if x>0
4051 commands
4052 silent
4053 printf "x is %d\n",x
4054 cont
4055 end
4056 @end smallexample
4057
4058 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4059 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4060 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4061 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4062 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4063 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4064 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4065
4066 @smallexample
4067 break 403
4068 commands
4069 silent
4070 set x = y + 4
4071 cont
4072 end
4073 @end smallexample
4074
4075 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4076 @node Error in Breakpoints
4077 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4078
4079 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4080 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4081
4082 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4083 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4084 @smallexample
4085 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4086 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4087 @end smallexample
4088
4089 @noindent
4090 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4091 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4092 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4093
4094 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4095 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4096
4097 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4098 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4099 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4100
4101 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4102 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4103 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4104 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4105
4106 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4107 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4108 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4109 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4110 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4111 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4112 first in the bundle.
4113
4114 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4115 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4116 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4117 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4118 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4119 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4120 is hit.
4121
4122 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4123 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4124
4125 @smallexample
4126 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4127 @end smallexample
4128
4129 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4130 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4131 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4132 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4133 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4134 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4135 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4136 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4137
4138 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4139 adjusted breakpoints:
4140
4141 @smallexample
4142 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4143 to 0x00010410.
4144 @end smallexample
4145
4146 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4147 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4148 frequently than expected.
4149
4150 @node Continuing and Stepping
4151 @section Continuing and Stepping
4152
4153 @cindex stepping
4154 @cindex continuing
4155 @cindex resuming execution
4156 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4157 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4158 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4159 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4160 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4161 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4162 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4163 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4164
4165 @table @code
4166 @kindex continue
4167 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4168 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4169 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4170 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4171 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4172 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4173 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4174 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4175 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4176 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4177
4178 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4179 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4180 @code{continue} is ignored.
4181
4182 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4183 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4184 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4185 @code{continue}.
4186 @end table
4187
4188 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4189 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4190 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4191 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4192
4193 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4194 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4195 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4196 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4197 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4198 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4199
4200 @table @code
4201 @kindex step
4202 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4203 @item step
4204 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4205 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4206 abbreviated @code{s}.
4207
4208 @quotation
4209 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4210 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4211 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4212 @c distinction here.
4213 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4214 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4215 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4216 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4217 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4218 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4219 below.
4220 @end quotation
4221
4222 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4223 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4224 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4225 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4226 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4227 called within the line.
4228
4229 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4230 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4231 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4232 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4233 was any debugging information about the routine.
4234
4235 @item step @var{count}
4236 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4237 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4238 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4239
4240 @kindex next
4241 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4242 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4243 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4244 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4245 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4246 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4247 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4248 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4249
4250 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4251
4252
4253 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4254 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4255 @c
4256 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4257 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4258 @c function are executed without stopping.
4259
4260 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4261 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4262 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4263
4264 @kindex set step-mode
4265 @item set step-mode
4266 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4267 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4268 @itemx set step-mode on
4269 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4270 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4271 information rather than stepping over it.
4272
4273 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4274 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4275 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4276
4277 @item set step-mode off
4278 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4279 debug information. This is the default.
4280
4281 @item show step-mode
4282 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4283 source line debug information.
4284
4285 @kindex finish
4286 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4287 @item finish
4288 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4289 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4290 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4291
4292 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4293 ,Returning from a Function}).
4294
4295 @kindex until
4296 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4297 @cindex run until specified location
4298 @item until
4299 @itemx u
4300 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4301 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4302 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4303 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4304 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4305 than the address of the jump.
4306
4307 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4308 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4309 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4310 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4311 through the next iteration.
4312
4313 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4314 stack frame.
4315
4316 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4317 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4318 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4319 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4320 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4321
4322 @smallexample
4323 (@value{GDBP}) f
4324 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4325 206 expand_input();
4326 (@value{GDBP}) until
4327 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4328 @end smallexample
4329
4330 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4331 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4332 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4333 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4334 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4335 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4336 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4337
4338 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4339 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4340 argument.
4341
4342 @item until @var{location}
4343 @itemx u @var{location}
4344 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4345 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4346 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4347 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4348 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4349 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4350 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4351 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4352 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4353 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4354 invocations have returned.
4355
4356 @smallexample
4357 94 int factorial (int value)
4358 95 @{
4359 96 if (value > 1) @{
4360 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4361 98 @}
4362 99 return (value);
4363 100 @}
4364 @end smallexample
4365
4366
4367 @kindex advance @var{location}
4368 @itemx advance @var{location}
4369 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4370 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4371 @ref{Specify Location}.
4372 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4373 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4374 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4375 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4376
4377
4378 @kindex stepi
4379 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4380 @item stepi
4381 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4382 @itemx si
4383 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4384
4385 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4386 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4387 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4388 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4389
4390 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4391
4392 @need 750
4393 @kindex nexti
4394 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4395 @item nexti
4396 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4397 @itemx ni
4398 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4399 proceed until the function returns.
4400
4401 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4402 @end table
4403
4404 @node Signals
4405 @section Signals
4406 @cindex signals
4407
4408 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4409 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4410 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4411 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4412 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4413 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4414 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4415 requested an alarm).
4416
4417 @cindex fatal signals
4418 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4419 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4420 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4421 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4422 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4423 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4424
4425 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4426 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4427 signal.
4428
4429 @cindex handling signals
4430 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4431 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4432 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4433 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4434 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4435
4436 @table @code
4437 @kindex info signals
4438 @kindex info handle
4439 @item info signals
4440 @itemx info handle
4441 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4442 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4443 the defined types of signals.
4444
4445 @item info signals @var{sig}
4446 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4447
4448 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4449
4450 @kindex handle
4451 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4452 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4453 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4454 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4455 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4456 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4457 say what change to make.
4458 @end table
4459
4460 @c @group
4461 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4462 Their full names are:
4463
4464 @table @code
4465 @item nostop
4466 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4467 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4468
4469 @item stop
4470 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4471 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4472
4473 @item print
4474 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4475
4476 @item noprint
4477 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4478 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4479
4480 @item pass
4481 @itemx noignore
4482 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4483 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4484 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4485
4486 @item nopass
4487 @itemx ignore
4488 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4489 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4490 @end table
4491 @c @end group
4492
4493 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4494 program until you
4495 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4496 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4497 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4498 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4499 program sees that signal when you continue.
4500
4501 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4502 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4503 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4504 erroneous signals.
4505
4506 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4507 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4508 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4509 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4510 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4511 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4512 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4513 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4514 Program a Signal}.
4515
4516 @cindex extra signal information
4517 @anchor{extra signal information}
4518
4519 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4520 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4521 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4522 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4523 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4524 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4525 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4526 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4527 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4528 system header.
4529
4530 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4531 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4532
4533 @smallexample
4534 @group
4535 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4536 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4537 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4538 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4539 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4540 type = struct @{
4541 int si_signo;
4542 int si_errno;
4543 int si_code;
4544 union @{
4545 int _pad[28];
4546 struct @{...@} _kill;
4547 struct @{...@} _timer;
4548 struct @{...@} _rt;
4549 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4550 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4551 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4552 @} _sifields;
4553 @}
4554 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4555 type = struct @{
4556 void *si_addr;
4557 @}
4558 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4559 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4560 @end group
4561 @end smallexample
4562
4563 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4564
4565 @node Thread Stops
4566 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4567
4568 @cindex stopped threads
4569 @cindex threads, stopped
4570
4571 @cindex continuing threads
4572 @cindex threads, continuing
4573
4574 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4575 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4576 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4577 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4578 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4579 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4580 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4581 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4582 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4583
4584 @menu
4585 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
4586 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
4587 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
4588 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
4589 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
4590 @end menu
4591
4592 @node All-Stop Mode
4593 @subsection All-Stop Mode
4594
4595 @cindex all-stop mode
4596
4597 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4598 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4599 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4600 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4601 underfoot.
4602
4603 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4604 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4605 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4606
4607 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4608 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4609 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4610 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4611 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4612 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4613 stops.
4614
4615 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4616 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4617 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4618 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4619
4620 @cindex automatic thread selection
4621 @cindex switching threads automatically
4622 @cindex threads, automatic switching
4623 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
4624 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
4625 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
4626 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
4627 thread.
4628
4629 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
4630 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
4631
4632 @table @code
4633 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
4634 @cindex scheduler locking mode
4635 @cindex lock scheduler
4636 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
4637 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
4638 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
4639 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
4640 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
4641 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
4642 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
4643 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
4644 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
4645 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
4646 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
4647 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
4648
4649 @item show scheduler-locking
4650 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
4651 @end table
4652
4653 @node Non-Stop Mode
4654 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
4655
4656 @cindex non-stop mode
4657
4658 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
4659 @c with more details.
4660
4661 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
4662 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
4663 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
4664 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
4665 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
4666 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
4667
4668 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
4669 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
4670 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
4671 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
4672 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
4673 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
4674 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
4675 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
4676 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
4677 independently and simultaneously.
4678
4679 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
4680 or attach to your program:
4681
4682 @smallexample
4683 # Enable the async interface.
4684 set target-async 1
4685
4686 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
4687 set pagination off
4688
4689 # Finally, turn it on!
4690 set non-stop on
4691 @end smallexample
4692
4693 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
4694
4695 @table @code
4696 @kindex set non-stop
4697 @item set non-stop on
4698 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
4699 @item set non-stop off
4700 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
4701 @kindex show non-stop
4702 @item show non-stop
4703 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
4704 @end table
4705
4706 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
4707 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
4708 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
4709 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
4710 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
4711 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
4712 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
4713 default.
4714
4715 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
4716 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
4717 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
4718
4719 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
4720 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
4721 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
4722 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
4723 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
4724
4725 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
4726 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
4727 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
4728 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
4729 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
4730
4731 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
4732
4733 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
4734 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
4735 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
4736 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
4737 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
4738 previously current thread.
4739
4740 @node Background Execution
4741 @subsection Background Execution
4742
4743 @cindex foreground execution
4744 @cindex background execution
4745 @cindex asynchronous execution
4746 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
4747
4748 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
4749 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
4750 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
4751 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
4752 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
4753 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
4754
4755 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
4756 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
4757 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
4758
4759 @table @code
4760 @kindex set target-async
4761 @item set target-async on
4762 Enable asynchronous mode.
4763 @item set target-async off
4764 Disable asynchronous mode.
4765 @kindex show target-async
4766 @item show target-async
4767 Show the current target-async setting.
4768 @end table
4769
4770 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
4771 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
4772
4773 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
4774 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
4775 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
4776 are:
4777
4778 @table @code
4779 @kindex run&
4780 @item run
4781 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
4782
4783 @item attach
4784 @kindex attach&
4785 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
4786
4787 @item step
4788 @kindex step&
4789 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
4790
4791 @item stepi
4792 @kindex stepi&
4793 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
4794
4795 @item next
4796 @kindex next&
4797 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
4798
4799 @item nexti
4800 @kindex nexti&
4801 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
4802
4803 @item continue
4804 @kindex continue&
4805 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
4806
4807 @item finish
4808 @kindex finish&
4809 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
4810
4811 @item until
4812 @kindex until&
4813 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
4814
4815 @end table
4816
4817 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
4818 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
4819 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
4820 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
4821 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
4822 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
4823
4824 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
4825 using the @code{interrupt} command.
4826
4827 @table @code
4828 @kindex interrupt
4829 @item interrupt
4830 @itemx interrupt -a
4831
4832 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
4833 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
4834 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
4835 use @code{interrupt -a}.
4836 @end table
4837
4838 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
4839 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
4840
4841 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
4842 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
4843 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
4844
4845 @table @code
4846 @cindex breakpoints and threads
4847 @cindex thread breakpoints
4848 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
4849 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
4850 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
4851 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
4852 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
4853 specify some source line.
4854
4855 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
4856 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
4857 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
4858 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
4859 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
4860
4861 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
4862 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
4863 program.
4864
4865 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
4866 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
4867 breakpoint condition, like this:
4868
4869 @smallexample
4870 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
4871 @end smallexample
4872
4873 @end table
4874
4875 @node Interrupted System Calls
4876 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
4877
4878 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
4879 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
4880 @cindex premature return from system calls
4881 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
4882 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
4883 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
4884 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
4885 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
4886 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
4887 stop execution.
4888
4889 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
4890 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
4891 style anyways.
4892
4893 For example, do not write code like this:
4894
4895 @smallexample
4896 sleep (10);
4897 @end smallexample
4898
4899 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
4900 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
4901
4902 Instead, write this:
4903
4904 @smallexample
4905 int unslept = 10;
4906 while (unslept > 0)
4907 unslept = sleep (unslept);
4908 @end smallexample
4909
4910 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
4911 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
4912 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
4913 @value{GDBN}.
4914
4915 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
4916 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
4917 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
4918 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
4919
4920
4921 @node Reverse Execution
4922 @chapter Running programs backward
4923 @cindex reverse execution
4924 @cindex running programs backward
4925
4926 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
4927 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
4928 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
4929 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
4930
4931 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
4932 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
4933 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
4934 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
4935 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
4936 all target environments can support reverse execution.
4937
4938 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
4939 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
4940 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
4941 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
4942 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
4943 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
4944 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
4945 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
4946 prior values@footnote{
4947 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
4948 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
4949 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
4950
4951 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
4952 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
4953 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
4954 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
4955 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
4956 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
4957 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
4958 }.
4959
4960 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
4961 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
4962
4963 @table @code
4964 @kindex reverse-continue
4965 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
4966 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4967 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4968 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
4969 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
4970 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
4971 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
4972
4973 @kindex reverse-step
4974 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
4975 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4976 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
4977 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
4978
4979 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
4980 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
4981 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
4982 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
4983 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
4984 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
4985
4986 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
4987 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
4988
4989 @kindex reverse-stepi
4990 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
4991 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4992 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
4993 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
4994 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
4995 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
4996 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
4997
4998 @kindex reverse-next
4999 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5000 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5001 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5002 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5003 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5004 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5005 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5006 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5007 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5008 @footnote{Unles the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5009
5010 @kindex reverse-nexti
5011 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5012 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5013 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5014 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5015 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5016 another instruction, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5017 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5018 frame) is reached.
5019
5020 @kindex reverse-finish
5021 @item reverse-finish
5022 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5023 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5024 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5025 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5026
5027 @kindex set exec-direction
5028 @item set exec-direction
5029 Set the direction of target execution.
5030 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5031 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5032 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5033 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5034 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5035 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5036 @item set exec-direction forward
5037 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5038 This is the default.
5039 @end table
5040
5041
5042 @node Process Record and Replay
5043 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5044 @cindex process record and replay
5045 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5046
5047 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5048 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5049 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5050
5051 @cindex replay mode
5052 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5053 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5054 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5055 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5056 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5057 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5058 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5059 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5060 execution log.
5061
5062 @cindex record mode
5063 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5064 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5065 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5066 for future replay.
5067
5068 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5069 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5070 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5071 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5072 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5073 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5074
5075 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5076 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5077 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5078 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5079
5080 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5081 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5082
5083 @table @code
5084 @kindex target record
5085 @kindex record
5086 @kindex rec
5087 @item target record
5088 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5089 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5090 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5091 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5092 the @kbd{target record} command.
5093
5094 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5095
5096 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5097 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5098 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5099 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5100 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5101
5102 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5103 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5104 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5105 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5106 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5107 support these two modes.
5108
5109 @kindex record stop
5110 @kindex rec s
5111 @item record stop
5112 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5113 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5114 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5115
5116 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5117 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5118 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5119 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5120 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5121
5122 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5123 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5124 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5125 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5126 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5127
5128 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5129 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5130
5131 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5132 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5133 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5134
5135 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5136 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5137 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5138 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5139 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5140 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5141 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5142 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5143
5144 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5145 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5146 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5147
5148 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5149 @item show record insn-number-max
5150 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5151
5152 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5153 @item set record stop-at-limit
5154 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5155 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5156 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5157 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5158 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5159 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5160
5161 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5162 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5163
5164 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5165 @item show record stop-at-limit
5166 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5167
5168 @kindex info record insn-number
5169 @item info record insn-number
5170 Show the current number of recorded instructions.
5171
5172 @kindex record delete
5173 @kindex rec del
5174 @item record delete
5175 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5176 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5177 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5178 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5179 @end table
5180
5181
5182 @node Stack
5183 @chapter Examining the Stack
5184
5185 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5186 stopped and how it got there.
5187
5188 @cindex call stack
5189 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5190 is generated.
5191 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5192 the arguments of the call,
5193 and the local variables of the function being called.
5194 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5195 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5196 stack}.
5197
5198 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5199 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5200
5201 @cindex selected frame
5202 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5203 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5204 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5205 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5206 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5207 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5208
5209 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5210 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5211 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5212
5213 @menu
5214 * Frames:: Stack frames
5215 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5216 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5217 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5218
5219 @end menu
5220
5221 @node Frames
5222 @section Stack Frames
5223
5224 @cindex frame, definition
5225 @cindex stack frame
5226 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5227 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5228 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5229 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5230 which the function is executing.
5231
5232 @cindex initial frame
5233 @cindex outermost frame
5234 @cindex innermost frame
5235 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5236 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5237 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5238 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5239 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5240 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5241 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5242 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5243
5244 @cindex frame pointer
5245 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5246 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5247 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5248 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5249 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5250 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5251
5252 @cindex frame number
5253 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5254 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5255 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5256 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5257 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5258
5259 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5260 @c underflow problems.
5261 @cindex frameless execution
5262 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5263 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5264 @smallexample
5265 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5266 @end smallexample
5267 generates functions without a frame.)
5268 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5269 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5270 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5271 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5272 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5273 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5274 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5275
5276 @table @code
5277 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5278 @cindex current stack frame
5279 @item frame @var{args}
5280 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5281 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5282 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5283 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5284
5285 @kindex select-frame
5286 @cindex selecting frame silently
5287 @item select-frame
5288 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5289 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5290 @code{frame}.
5291 @end table
5292
5293 @node Backtrace
5294 @section Backtraces
5295
5296 @cindex traceback
5297 @cindex call stack traces
5298 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5299 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5300 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5301 stack.
5302
5303 @table @code
5304 @kindex backtrace
5305 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5306 @item backtrace
5307 @itemx bt
5308 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5309 frames in the stack.
5310
5311 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5312 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5313
5314 @item backtrace @var{n}
5315 @itemx bt @var{n}
5316 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5317
5318 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5319 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5320 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5321
5322 @item backtrace full
5323 @itemx bt full
5324 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5325 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5326 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5327 number of frames to print, as described above.
5328 @end table
5329
5330 @kindex where
5331 @kindex info stack
5332 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5333 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5334
5335 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5336 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5337 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5338 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5339 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5340 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5341 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5342 multi-threaded program.
5343
5344 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5345 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5346 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5347 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5348 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5349 line number.
5350
5351 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5352 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5353
5354 @smallexample
5355 @group
5356 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5357 at builtin.c:993
5358 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5359 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5360 at macro.c:71
5361 (More stack frames follow...)
5362 @end group
5363 @end smallexample
5364
5365 @noindent
5366 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5367 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5368 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5369
5370 @noindent
5371 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5372 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5373 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5374 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5375 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5376
5377 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5378 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5379 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5380 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5381 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5382 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5383 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5384 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5385 such a backtrace might look like:
5386
5387 @smallexample
5388 @group
5389 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5390 at builtin.c:993
5391 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5392 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5393 at macro.c:71
5394 (More stack frames follow...)
5395 @end group
5396 @end smallexample
5397
5398 @noindent
5399 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5400 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5401
5402 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5403 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5404 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5405
5406 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5407 @cindex program entry point
5408 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5409 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5410 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5411 @code{main}@footnote{
5412 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5413 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5414 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
5415 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
5416 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
5417 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
5418
5419 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
5420 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
5421
5422 @table @code
5423 @item set backtrace past-main
5424 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
5425 @kindex set backtrace
5426 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
5427
5428 @item set backtrace past-main off
5429 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
5430 default.
5431
5432 @item show backtrace past-main
5433 @kindex show backtrace
5434 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
5435
5436 @item set backtrace past-entry
5437 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
5438 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
5439 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
5440 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
5441
5442 @item set backtrace past-entry off
5443 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
5444 application. This is the default.
5445
5446 @item show backtrace past-entry
5447 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
5448
5449 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
5450 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
5451 @cindex backtrace limit
5452 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
5453 unlimited.
5454
5455 @item show backtrace limit
5456 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
5457 @end table
5458
5459 @node Selection
5460 @section Selecting a Frame
5461
5462 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
5463 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
5464 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
5465 of the stack frame just selected.
5466
5467 @table @code
5468 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
5469 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
5470 @item frame @var{n}
5471 @itemx f @var{n}
5472 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
5473 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
5474 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
5475 @code{main}.
5476
5477 @item frame @var{addr}
5478 @itemx f @var{addr}
5479 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
5480 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
5481 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
5482 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
5483 switches between them.
5484
5485 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
5486 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
5487
5488 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
5489 pointer and a program counter.
5490
5491 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
5492 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
5493
5494 @kindex up
5495 @item up @var{n}
5496 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5497 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
5498 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
5499
5500 @kindex down
5501 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
5502 @item down @var{n}
5503 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5504 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
5505 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
5506 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
5507 @end table
5508
5509 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
5510 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
5511 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
5512 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
5513
5514 @need 1000
5515 For example:
5516
5517 @smallexample
5518 @group
5519 (@value{GDBP}) up
5520 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
5521 at env.c:10
5522 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
5523 @end group
5524 @end smallexample
5525
5526 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
5527 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
5528 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
5529 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
5530 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
5531 for details.
5532
5533 @table @code
5534 @kindex down-silently
5535 @kindex up-silently
5536 @item up-silently @var{n}
5537 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
5538 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
5539 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
5540 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
5541 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
5542 distracting.
5543 @end table
5544
5545 @node Frame Info
5546 @section Information About a Frame
5547
5548 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
5549 stack frame.
5550
5551 @table @code
5552 @item frame
5553 @itemx f
5554 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
5555 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
5556 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
5557 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
5558 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5559
5560 @kindex info frame
5561 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
5562 @item info frame
5563 @itemx info f
5564 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
5565 including:
5566
5567 @itemize @bullet
5568 @item
5569 the address of the frame
5570 @item
5571 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
5572 @item
5573 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
5574 @item
5575 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
5576 @item
5577 the address of the frame's arguments
5578 @item
5579 the address of the frame's local variables
5580 @item
5581 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
5582 @item
5583 which registers were saved in the frame
5584 @end itemize
5585
5586 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
5587 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
5588 the usual conventions.
5589
5590 @item info frame @var{addr}
5591 @itemx info f @var{addr}
5592 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
5593 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
5594 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
5595 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
5596 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5597
5598 @kindex info args
5599 @item info args
5600 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
5601
5602 @item info locals
5603 @kindex info locals
5604 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
5605 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
5606 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
5607
5608 @kindex info catch
5609 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
5610 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
5611 @item info catch
5612 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
5613 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
5614 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
5615 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
5616 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
5617
5618 @end table
5619
5620
5621 @node Source
5622 @chapter Examining Source Files
5623
5624 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
5625 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
5626 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
5627 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
5628 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
5629 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
5630 source files by explicit command.
5631
5632 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
5633 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
5634 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
5635
5636 @menu
5637 * List:: Printing source lines
5638 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
5639 * Edit:: Editing source files
5640 * Search:: Searching source files
5641 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
5642 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
5643 @end menu
5644
5645 @node List
5646 @section Printing Source Lines
5647
5648 @kindex list
5649 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
5650 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
5651 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
5652 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
5653 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
5654
5655 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
5656
5657 @table @code
5658 @item list @var{linenum}
5659 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
5660 current source file.
5661
5662 @item list @var{function}
5663 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
5664 @var{function}.
5665
5666 @item list
5667 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
5668 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
5669 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
5670 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
5671 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
5672
5673 @item list -
5674 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
5675 @end table
5676
5677 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
5678 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
5679 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
5680
5681 @table @code
5682 @kindex set listsize
5683 @item set listsize @var{count}
5684 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
5685 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
5686
5687 @kindex show listsize
5688 @item show listsize
5689 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
5690 @end table
5691
5692 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
5693 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
5694 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
5695 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
5696 each repetition moves up in the source file.
5697
5698 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
5699 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
5700 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
5701 to specify some source line.
5702
5703 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
5704
5705 @table @code
5706 @item list @var{linespec}
5707 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
5708
5709 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
5710 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
5711 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
5712 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
5713 the same source file as the first linespec.
5714
5715 @item list ,@var{last}
5716 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
5717
5718 @item list @var{first},
5719 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
5720
5721 @item list +
5722 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
5723
5724 @item list -
5725 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
5726
5727 @item list
5728 As described in the preceding table.
5729 @end table
5730
5731 @node Specify Location
5732 @section Specifying a Location
5733 @cindex specifying location
5734 @cindex linespec
5735
5736 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
5737 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
5738 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
5739 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
5740
5741 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
5742 @value{GDBN} understands:
5743
5744 @table @code
5745 @item @var{linenum}
5746 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
5747
5748 @item -@var{offset}
5749 @itemx +@var{offset}
5750 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
5751 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
5752 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
5753 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
5754 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
5755 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
5756 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
5757 linespec.
5758
5759 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
5760 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
5761
5762 @item @var{function}
5763 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
5764 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
5765
5766 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
5767 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
5768 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
5769 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
5770 functions in different source files.
5771
5772 @item *@var{address}
5773 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
5774 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
5775 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
5776 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
5777 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
5778 source files.
5779
5780 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
5781 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
5782 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
5783 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
5784 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
5785 of @var{address}:
5786
5787 @table @code
5788 @item @var{expression}
5789 Any expression valid in the current working language.
5790
5791 @item @var{funcaddr}
5792 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
5793 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
5794 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
5795 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
5796 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
5797 (although the Pascal form also works).
5798
5799 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
5800 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
5801
5802 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
5803 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
5804 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
5805 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
5806 functions with identical names in different source files.
5807 @end table
5808
5809 @end table
5810
5811
5812 @node Edit
5813 @section Editing Source Files
5814 @cindex editing source files
5815
5816 @kindex edit
5817 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
5818 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
5819 The editing program of your choice
5820 is invoked with the current line set to
5821 the active line in the program.
5822 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
5823 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
5824
5825 @table @code
5826 @item edit @var{location}
5827 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
5828 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
5829 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
5830 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
5831 command most commonly used:
5832
5833 @table @code
5834 @item edit @var{number}
5835 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
5836
5837 @item edit @var{function}
5838 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
5839 @end table
5840
5841 @end table
5842
5843 @subsection Choosing your Editor
5844 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
5845 @footnote{
5846 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
5847 following command-line syntax:
5848 @smallexample
5849 ex +@var{number} file
5850 @end smallexample
5851 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
5852 the file where to start editing.}.
5853 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
5854 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
5855 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
5856 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
5857 @smallexample
5858 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
5859 export EDITOR
5860 gdb @dots{}
5861 @end smallexample
5862 or in the @code{csh} shell,
5863 @smallexample
5864 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
5865 gdb @dots{}
5866 @end smallexample
5867
5868 @node Search
5869 @section Searching Source Files
5870 @cindex searching source files
5871
5872 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
5873 regular expression.
5874
5875 @table @code
5876 @kindex search
5877 @kindex forward-search
5878 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
5879 @itemx search @var{regexp}
5880 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
5881 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
5882 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
5883 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
5884 @code{fo}.
5885
5886 @kindex reverse-search
5887 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
5888 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
5889 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
5890 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
5891 this command as @code{rev}.
5892 @end table
5893
5894 @node Source Path
5895 @section Specifying Source Directories
5896
5897 @cindex source path
5898 @cindex directories for source files
5899 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
5900 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
5901 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
5902 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
5903 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
5904 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
5905 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
5906
5907 For example, suppose an executable references the file
5908 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
5909 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
5910 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
5911 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
5912 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
5913 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
5914 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
5915 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
5916 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
5917 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
5918
5919 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
5920 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
5921 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
5922 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
5923 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
5924 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
5925
5926 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
5927 source files.
5928
5929 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
5930 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
5931 each line is in the file.
5932
5933 @kindex directory
5934 @kindex dir
5935 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
5936 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
5937 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
5938
5939 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
5940 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
5941
5942 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
5943 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
5944 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
5945 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
5946 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
5947 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
5948 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
5949 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
5950 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
5951 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
5952 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
5953 name to look up the sources.
5954
5955 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
5956 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
5957 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
5958 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
5959 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
5960 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
5961 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
5962 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
5963
5964 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
5965 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
5966 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
5967 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
5968 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
5969 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
5970 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
5971
5972 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
5973 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
5974 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
5975 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
5976 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
5977 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
5978 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
5979 command.
5980
5981 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
5982 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
5983 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
5984 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
5985 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
5986 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
5987 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
5988
5989 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
5990 @cindex default source path substitution
5991 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
5992 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
5993 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
5994 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
5995 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
5996 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
5997 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
5998 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
5999 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6000 together.
6001
6002 @table @code
6003 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6004 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6005 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6006 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6007 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6008 part of absolute file names) or
6009 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6010 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6011
6012 @kindex cdir
6013 @kindex cwd
6014 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6015 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6016 @cindex compilation directory
6017 @cindex current directory
6018 @cindex working directory
6019 @cindex directory, current
6020 @cindex directory, compilation
6021 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6022 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6023 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6024 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6025 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6026 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6027
6028 @item directory
6029 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6030
6031 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6032 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6033
6034 @item show directories
6035 @kindex show directories
6036 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6037
6038 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6039 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6040 @kindex set substitute-path
6041 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6042 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6043 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6044
6045 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6046 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6047
6048 @smallexample
6049 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6050 @end smallexample
6051
6052 @noindent
6053 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6054 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6055 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6056
6057 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6058 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6059 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6060 the substitution.
6061
6062 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6063
6064 @smallexample
6065 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6066 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6067 @end smallexample
6068
6069 @noindent
6070 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6071 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6072 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6073 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6074
6075
6076 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6077 @kindex unset substitute-path
6078 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6079 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6080 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6081
6082 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6083
6084 @item show substitute-path [path]
6085 @kindex show substitute-path
6086 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6087 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6088
6089 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6090 rules.
6091
6092 @end table
6093
6094 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6095 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6096 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6097
6098 @enumerate
6099 @item
6100 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6101
6102 @item
6103 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6104 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6105 directories in one command.
6106 @end enumerate
6107
6108 @node Machine Code
6109 @section Source and Machine Code
6110 @cindex source line and its code address
6111
6112 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6113 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6114 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6115 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6116 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6117 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6118 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6119 well as hex.
6120
6121 @table @code
6122 @kindex info line
6123 @item info line @var{linespec}
6124 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6125 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6126 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6127 @end table
6128
6129 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6130 the object code for the first line of function
6131 @code{m4_changequote}:
6132
6133 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6134 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6135 @smallexample
6136 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6137 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6138 @end smallexample
6139
6140 @noindent
6141 @cindex code address and its source line
6142 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6143 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6144 @smallexample
6145 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6146 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6147 @end smallexample
6148
6149 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6150 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6151 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6152 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6153 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6154 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6155 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6156 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6157 Variables}).
6158
6159 @table @code
6160 @kindex disassemble
6161 @cindex assembly instructions
6162 @cindex instructions, assembly
6163 @cindex machine instructions
6164 @cindex listing machine instructions
6165 @item disassemble
6166 @itemx disassemble /m
6167 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6168 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6169 the @code{/m} modifier.
6170 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6171 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6172 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6173 surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
6174 (first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
6175 @end table
6176
6177 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6178 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6179
6180 @smallexample
6181 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4 0x32e4
6182 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6183 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6184 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6185 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6186 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6187 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6188 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6189 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6190 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6191 End of assembler dump.
6192 @end smallexample
6193
6194 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86:
6195
6196 @smallexample
6197 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6198 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6199 5 @{
6200 0x08048330 <main+0>: push %ebp
6201 0x08048331 <main+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6202 0x08048333 <main+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6203 0x08048336 <main+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6204 0x08048339 <main+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6205
6206 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6207 0x0804833c <main+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6208 0x08048343 <main+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6209
6210 7 return 0;
6211 8 @}
6212 0x08048348 <main+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6213 0x0804834d <main+29>: leave
6214 0x0804834e <main+30>: ret
6215
6216 End of assembler dump.
6217 @end smallexample
6218
6219 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6220 mnemonics or other syntax.
6221
6222 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6223 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6224 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6225 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6226 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6227
6228 @table @code
6229 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6230 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6231 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6232 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6233 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6234 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6235
6236 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6237 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6238 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6239 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6240
6241 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6242 @item show disassembly-flavor
6243 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6244 @end table
6245
6246 @table @code
6247 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6248 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6249 @item set disassemble-next-line
6250 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6251 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6252 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6253 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6254 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6255 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6256 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6257 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6258 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6259 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6260 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6261 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6262 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6263 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6264 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6265 instruction.
6266 @end table
6267
6268
6269 @node Data
6270 @chapter Examining Data
6271
6272 @cindex printing data
6273 @cindex examining data
6274 @kindex print
6275 @kindex inspect
6276 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6277 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6278 @c different window or something like that.
6279 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6280 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6281 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6282 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6283 Different Languages}).
6284
6285 @table @code
6286 @item print @var{expr}
6287 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6288 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6289 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6290 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6291 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6292 Formats}.
6293
6294 @item print
6295 @itemx print /@var{f}
6296 @cindex reprint the last value
6297 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6298 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6299 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6300 @end table
6301
6302 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6303 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6304 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6305
6306 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6307 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6308 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6309 Table}.
6310
6311 @menu
6312 * Expressions:: Expressions
6313 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6314 * Variables:: Program variables
6315 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6316 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6317 * Memory:: Examining memory
6318 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6319 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6320 * Value History:: Value history
6321 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6322 * Registers:: Registers
6323 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6324 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6325 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6326 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6327 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6328 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6329 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6330 character set than GDB does
6331 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6332 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6333 @end menu
6334
6335 @node Expressions
6336 @section Expressions
6337
6338 @cindex expressions
6339 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6340 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6341 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6342 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6343 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6344 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6345 @ref{Compilation}.
6346
6347 @cindex arrays in expressions
6348 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6349 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6350 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6351 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6352 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6353 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6354
6355 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6356 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6357 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6358 languages.
6359
6360 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6361 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6362
6363 @cindex casts, in expressions
6364 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6365 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6366 at that address in memory.
6367 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6368
6369 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6370 to programming languages:
6371
6372 @table @code
6373 @item @@
6374 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
6375 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
6376
6377 @item ::
6378 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
6379 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
6380
6381 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
6382 @cindex type casting memory
6383 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
6384 @cindex casts, to view memory
6385 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
6386 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
6387 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
6388 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
6389 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
6390 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
6391 @end table
6392
6393 @node Ambiguous Expressions
6394 @section Ambiguous Expressions
6395 @cindex ambiguous expressions
6396
6397 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
6398 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
6399 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
6400 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
6401 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
6402 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
6403 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
6404
6405 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
6406 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
6407 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
6408 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
6409 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
6410 as well.
6411
6412 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
6413 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
6414 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
6415 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
6416 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
6417 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
6418 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
6419 choices.
6420
6421 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
6422 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
6423 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
6424
6425 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
6426 @smallexample
6427 @group
6428 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
6429 [0] cancel
6430 [1] all
6431 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
6432 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
6433 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
6434 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
6435 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
6436 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
6437 > 2 4 6
6438 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
6439 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
6440 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
6441 Multiple breakpoints were set.
6442 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
6443 breakpoints.
6444 (@value{GDBP})
6445 @end group
6446 @end smallexample
6447
6448 @table @code
6449 @kindex set multiple-symbols
6450 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
6451 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
6452
6453 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
6454 is ambiguous.
6455
6456 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
6457 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
6458 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
6459 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
6460 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
6461 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
6462 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
6463 in the use of the menu.
6464
6465 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
6466 when an ambiguity is detected.
6467
6468 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
6469 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
6470
6471 @kindex show multiple-symbols
6472 @item show multiple-symbols
6473 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
6474 @end table
6475
6476 @node Variables
6477 @section Program Variables
6478
6479 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
6480 in your program.
6481
6482 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
6483 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
6484
6485 @itemize @bullet
6486 @item
6487 global (or file-static)
6488 @end itemize
6489
6490 @noindent or
6491
6492 @itemize @bullet
6493 @item
6494 visible according to the scope rules of the
6495 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
6496 @end itemize
6497
6498 @noindent This means that in the function
6499
6500 @smallexample
6501 foo (a)
6502 int a;
6503 @{
6504 bar (a);
6505 @{
6506 int b = test ();
6507 bar (b);
6508 @}
6509 @}
6510 @end smallexample
6511
6512 @noindent
6513 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
6514 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
6515 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
6516 the block where @code{b} is declared.
6517
6518 @cindex variable name conflict
6519 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
6520 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
6521 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
6522 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
6523 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
6524 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
6525 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
6526
6527 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
6528 @ifnotinfo
6529 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
6530 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
6531 @end ifnotinfo
6532 @smallexample
6533 @var{file}::@var{variable}
6534 @var{function}::@var{variable}
6535 @end smallexample
6536
6537 @noindent
6538 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
6539 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
6540 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
6541 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
6542
6543 @smallexample
6544 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
6545 @end smallexample
6546
6547 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
6548 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
6549 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
6550 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
6551 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
6552 @c conflict?? --mew
6553
6554 @cindex wrong values
6555 @cindex variable values, wrong
6556 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
6557 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
6558 @quotation
6559 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
6560 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
6561 scope, and just before exit.
6562 @end quotation
6563 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
6564 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
6565 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
6566 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
6567 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
6568 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
6569 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
6570 variable definitions may be gone.
6571
6572 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
6573 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
6574 when compiling.
6575
6576 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
6577 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
6578 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
6579 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
6580 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
6581 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
6582 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
6583
6584 @smallexample
6585 No symbol "foo" in current context.
6586 @end smallexample
6587
6588 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
6589 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
6590 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
6591 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
6592 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
6593 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
6594 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
6595 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
6596 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
6597 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
6598 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
6599
6600 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
6601 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
6602 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
6603 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
6604
6605 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
6606 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
6607 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
6608 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
6609 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
6610 For program code
6611
6612 @smallexample
6613 char var0[] = "A";
6614 signed char var1[] = "A";
6615 @end smallexample
6616
6617 You get during debugging
6618 @smallexample
6619 (gdb) print var0
6620 $1 = "A"
6621 (gdb) print var1
6622 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
6623 @end smallexample
6624
6625 @node Arrays
6626 @section Artificial Arrays
6627
6628 @cindex artificial array
6629 @cindex arrays
6630 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
6631 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
6632 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
6633 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
6634 program.
6635
6636 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
6637 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
6638 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
6639 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
6640 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
6641 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
6642 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
6643 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
6644 example. If a program says
6645
6646 @smallexample
6647 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
6648 @end smallexample
6649
6650 @noindent
6651 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
6652
6653 @smallexample
6654 p *array@@len
6655 @end smallexample
6656
6657 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
6658 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
6659 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
6660 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
6661 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
6662
6663 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
6664 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
6665 The value need not be in memory:
6666 @smallexample
6667 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
6668 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
6669 @end smallexample
6670
6671 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
6672 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
6673 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
6674 @smallexample
6675 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
6676 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
6677 @end smallexample
6678
6679 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
6680 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
6681 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
6682 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
6683 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6684 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
6685 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
6686 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
6687 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
6688 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
6689
6690 @smallexample
6691 set $i = 0
6692 p dtab[$i++]->fv
6693 @key{RET}
6694 @key{RET}
6695 @dots{}
6696 @end smallexample
6697
6698 @node Output Formats
6699 @section Output Formats
6700
6701 @cindex formatted output
6702 @cindex output formats
6703 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
6704 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
6705 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
6706 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
6707 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
6708
6709 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
6710 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
6711 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
6712 letters supported are:
6713
6714 @table @code
6715 @item x
6716 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
6717 hexadecimal.
6718
6719 @item d
6720 Print as integer in signed decimal.
6721
6722 @item u
6723 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
6724
6725 @item o
6726 Print as integer in octal.
6727
6728 @item t
6729 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
6730 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
6731 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
6732 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
6733
6734 @item a
6735 @cindex unknown address, locating
6736 @cindex locate address
6737 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
6738 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
6739 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
6740
6741 @smallexample
6742 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
6743 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
6744 @end smallexample
6745
6746 @noindent
6747 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
6748 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
6749
6750 @item c
6751 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
6752 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
6753 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
6754 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
6755
6756 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
6757 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
6758 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
6759 data.
6760
6761 @item f
6762 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
6763 using typical floating point syntax.
6764
6765 @item s
6766 @cindex printing strings
6767 @cindex printing byte arrays
6768 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
6769 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
6770 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
6771 natural types.
6772
6773 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
6774 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
6775 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
6776 array.
6777
6778 @item r
6779 @cindex raw printing
6780 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
6781 use a type-specific pretty-printer. The @samp{r} format bypasses any
6782 pretty-printer which might exist for the value's type.
6783 @end table
6784
6785 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
6786
6787 @smallexample
6788 p/x $pc
6789 @end smallexample
6790
6791 @noindent
6792 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
6793 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
6794
6795 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
6796 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
6797 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
6798
6799 @node Memory
6800 @section Examining Memory
6801
6802 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
6803 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
6804
6805 @cindex examining memory
6806 @table @code
6807 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
6808 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
6809 @itemx x @var{addr}
6810 @itemx x
6811 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
6812 @end table
6813
6814 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
6815 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
6816 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
6817 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
6818 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
6819
6820 @table @r
6821 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
6822 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
6823 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
6824 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
6825 @c 4.1.2.
6826
6827 @item @var{f}, the display format
6828 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
6829 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
6830 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
6831 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
6832 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
6833
6834 @item @var{u}, the unit size
6835 The unit size is any of
6836
6837 @table @code
6838 @item b
6839 Bytes.
6840 @item h
6841 Halfwords (two bytes).
6842 @item w
6843 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
6844 @item g
6845 Giant words (eight bytes).
6846 @end table
6847
6848 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
6849 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
6850 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
6851
6852 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
6853 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
6854 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
6855 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
6856 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
6857 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
6858 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
6859 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
6860 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
6861 a value from memory).
6862 @end table
6863
6864 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
6865 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
6866 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
6867 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
6868 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
6869
6870 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
6871 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
6872 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
6873 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
6874 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
6875
6876 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
6877 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
6878 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
6879 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
6880 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
6881 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
6882 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
6883 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
6884 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
6885
6886 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
6887 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
6888 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
6889 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
6890 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
6891 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
6892 for successive uses of @code{x}.
6893
6894 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
6895 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
6896 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
6897 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
6898 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
6899 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
6900 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
6901 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
6902 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
6903
6904 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
6905 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
6906 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
6907
6908 @cindex remote memory comparison
6909 @cindex verify remote memory image
6910 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
6911 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
6912 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
6913 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
6914 situations.
6915
6916 @table @code
6917 @kindex compare-sections
6918 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
6919 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
6920 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
6921 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
6922 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
6923 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
6924 remote request.
6925 @end table
6926
6927 @node Auto Display
6928 @section Automatic Display
6929 @cindex automatic display
6930 @cindex display of expressions
6931
6932 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
6933 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
6934 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
6935 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
6936 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
6937 The automatic display looks like this:
6938
6939 @smallexample
6940 2: foo = 38
6941 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
6942 @end smallexample
6943
6944 @noindent
6945 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
6946 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
6947 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
6948 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
6949 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
6950 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
6951
6952 @table @code
6953 @kindex display
6954 @item display @var{expr}
6955 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
6956 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
6957
6958 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
6959
6960 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
6961 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
6962 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
6963 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
6964 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
6965
6966 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
6967 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
6968 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
6969 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
6970 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6971 @end table
6972
6973 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
6974 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
6975 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
6976
6977 @table @code
6978 @kindex delete display
6979 @kindex undisplay
6980 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
6981 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
6982 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
6983
6984 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
6985 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
6986
6987 @kindex disable display
6988 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
6989 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
6990 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
6991 enabled again later.
6992
6993 @kindex enable display
6994 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
6995 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
6996 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
6997
6998 @item display
6999 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7000 done when your program stops.
7001
7002 @kindex info display
7003 @item info display
7004 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7005 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7006 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7007 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7008 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7009 @end table
7010
7011 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7012 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7013 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7014 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7015 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7016 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7017 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7018 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7019 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7020 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7021 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7022
7023 @node Print Settings
7024 @section Print Settings
7025
7026 @cindex format options
7027 @cindex print settings
7028 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7029 and symbols are printed.
7030
7031 @noindent
7032 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7033
7034 @table @code
7035 @kindex set print
7036 @item set print address
7037 @itemx set print address on
7038 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7039 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7040 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7041 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7042 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7043 @code{set print address on}:
7044
7045 @smallexample
7046 @group
7047 (@value{GDBP}) f
7048 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7049 at input.c:530
7050 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7051 @end group
7052 @end smallexample
7053
7054 @item set print address off
7055 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7056 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7057
7058 @smallexample
7059 @group
7060 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7061 (@value{GDBP}) f
7062 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7063 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7064 @end group
7065 @end smallexample
7066
7067 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7068 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7069 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7070 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7071
7072 @kindex show print
7073 @item show print address
7074 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7075 @end table
7076
7077 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7078 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7079 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7080 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7081 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7082 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7083 it prints a symbolic address:
7084
7085 @table @code
7086 @item set print symbol-filename on
7087 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7088 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7089 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7090 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7091
7092 @item set print symbol-filename off
7093 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7094 default.
7095
7096 @item show print symbol-filename
7097 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7098 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7099 @end table
7100
7101 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7102 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7103 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7104
7105 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7106 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7107
7108 @table @code
7109 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7110 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7111 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7112 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7113 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7114 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7115
7116 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7117 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7118 symbolic address.
7119 @end table
7120
7121 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7122 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7123 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7124 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7125 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7126 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7127 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7128 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7129
7130 @smallexample
7131 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7132 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7133 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7134 @end smallexample
7135
7136 @quotation
7137 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7138 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7139 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7140 @end quotation
7141
7142 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7143
7144 @table @code
7145 @item set print array
7146 @itemx set print array on
7147 @cindex pretty print arrays
7148 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7149 but uses more space. The default is off.
7150
7151 @item set print array off
7152 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7153
7154 @item show print array
7155 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7156 arrays.
7157
7158 @cindex print array indexes
7159 @item set print array-indexes
7160 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7161 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7162 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7163 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7164
7165 @item set print array-indexes off
7166 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7167
7168 @item show print array-indexes
7169 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7170 arrays.
7171
7172 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7173 @cindex number of array elements to print
7174 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7175 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7176 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7177 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7178 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7179 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7180 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7181
7182 @item show print elements
7183 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7184 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7185
7186 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7187 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7188 @cindex printing frame argument values
7189 @cindex print all frame argument values
7190 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7191 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7192 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7193 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7194 values are:
7195
7196 @table @code
7197 @item all
7198 The values of all arguments are printed.
7199
7200 @item scalars
7201 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7202 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7203 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7204 only scalar arguments are shown:
7205
7206 @smallexample
7207 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7208 at frame-args.c:23
7209 @end smallexample
7210
7211 @item none
7212 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7213 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7214
7215 @smallexample
7216 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7217 at frame-args.c:23
7218 @end smallexample
7219 @end table
7220
7221 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7222 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7223 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7224 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7225 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7226 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7227 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7228 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7229 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7230 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7231
7232 @item show print frame-arguments
7233 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7234
7235 @item set print repeats
7236 @cindex repeated array elements
7237 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7238 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7239 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7240 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7241 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7242 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7243 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7244
7245 @item show print repeats
7246 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7247 elements.
7248
7249 @item set print null-stop
7250 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7251 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7252 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7253 contain only short strings.
7254 The default is off.
7255
7256 @item show print null-stop
7257 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7258 @sc{null} character.
7259
7260 @item set print pretty on
7261 @cindex print structures in indented form
7262 @cindex indentation in structure display
7263 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7264 per line, like this:
7265
7266 @smallexample
7267 @group
7268 $1 = @{
7269 next = 0x0,
7270 flags = @{
7271 sweet = 1,
7272 sour = 1
7273 @},
7274 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7275 @}
7276 @end group
7277 @end smallexample
7278
7279 @item set print pretty off
7280 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7281
7282 @smallexample
7283 @group
7284 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7285 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7286 @end group
7287 @end smallexample
7288
7289 @noindent
7290 This is the default format.
7291
7292 @item show print pretty
7293 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7294
7295 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7296 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7297 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7298 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7299 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7300 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7301 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7302 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7303
7304 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7305 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7306 international character sets, and is the default.
7307
7308 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7309 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7310
7311 @item set print union on
7312 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7313 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7314 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7315
7316 @item set print union off
7317 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7318 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7319 instead.
7320
7321 @item show print union
7322 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7323 structures and other unions.
7324
7325 For example, given the declarations
7326
7327 @smallexample
7328 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7329 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7330 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7331 Bug_forms;
7332
7333 struct thing @{
7334 Species it;
7335 union @{
7336 Tree_forms tree;
7337 Bug_forms bug;
7338 @} form;
7339 @};
7340
7341 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7342 @end smallexample
7343
7344 @noindent
7345 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7346
7347 @smallexample
7348 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
7349 @end smallexample
7350
7351 @noindent
7352 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
7353
7354 @smallexample
7355 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
7356 @end smallexample
7357
7358 @noindent
7359 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
7360 and in Pascal.
7361 @end table
7362
7363 @need 1000
7364 @noindent
7365 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
7366
7367 @table @code
7368 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
7369 @item set print demangle
7370 @itemx set print demangle on
7371 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
7372 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
7373 linkage. The default is on.
7374
7375 @item show print demangle
7376 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
7377
7378 @item set print asm-demangle
7379 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
7380 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
7381 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
7382 The default is off.
7383
7384 @item show print asm-demangle
7385 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
7386 or demangled form.
7387
7388 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
7389 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
7390 @kindex set demangle-style
7391 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
7392 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
7393 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
7394
7395 @table @code
7396 @item auto
7397 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
7398
7399 @item gnu
7400 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
7401 This is the default.
7402
7403 @item hp
7404 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
7405
7406 @item lucid
7407 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
7408
7409 @item arm
7410 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
7411 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
7412 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
7413 require further enhancement to permit that.
7414
7415 @end table
7416 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
7417
7418 @item show demangle-style
7419 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
7420
7421 @item set print object
7422 @itemx set print object on
7423 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
7424 @cindex display derived types
7425 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
7426 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
7427 the virtual function table.
7428
7429 @item set print object off
7430 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
7431 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
7432
7433 @item show print object
7434 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
7435
7436 @item set print static-members
7437 @itemx set print static-members on
7438 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
7439 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
7440
7441 @item set print static-members off
7442 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
7443
7444 @item show print static-members
7445 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
7446
7447 @item set print pascal_static-members
7448 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
7449 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
7450 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
7451 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
7452
7453 @item set print pascal_static-members off
7454 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
7455
7456 @item show print pascal_static-members
7457 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
7458
7459 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
7460 @item set print vtbl
7461 @itemx set print vtbl on
7462 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
7463 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
7464 @cindex VTBL display
7465 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
7466 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7467 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7468
7469 @item set print vtbl off
7470 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
7471
7472 @item show print vtbl
7473 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
7474 @end table
7475
7476 @node Value History
7477 @section Value History
7478
7479 @cindex value history
7480 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
7481 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
7482 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
7483 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
7484 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
7485 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
7486 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
7487 symbol table.
7488
7489 @cindex @code{$}
7490 @cindex @code{$$}
7491 @cindex history number
7492 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
7493 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
7494 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
7495 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
7496 history number.
7497
7498 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
7499 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
7500 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
7501 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
7502 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
7503 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
7504 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
7505
7506 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
7507 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
7508
7509 @smallexample
7510 p *$
7511 @end smallexample
7512
7513 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
7514 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
7515
7516 @smallexample
7517 p *$.next
7518 @end smallexample
7519
7520 @noindent
7521 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
7522 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
7523
7524 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
7525 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
7526
7527 @smallexample
7528 print x
7529 set x=5
7530 @end smallexample
7531
7532 @noindent
7533 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
7534 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
7535
7536 @table @code
7537 @kindex show values
7538 @item show values
7539 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
7540 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
7541 values} does not change the history.
7542
7543 @item show values @var{n}
7544 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
7545
7546 @item show values +
7547 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
7548 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
7549 @end table
7550
7551 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
7552 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
7553
7554 @node Convenience Vars
7555 @section Convenience Variables
7556
7557 @cindex convenience variables
7558 @cindex user-defined variables
7559 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
7560 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
7561 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
7562 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
7563 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
7564
7565 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
7566 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
7567 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7568 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
7569 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
7570
7571 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
7572 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
7573 For example:
7574
7575 @smallexample
7576 set $foo = *object_ptr
7577 @end smallexample
7578
7579 @noindent
7580 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
7581 @code{object_ptr}.
7582
7583 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
7584 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
7585 value with another assignment at any time.
7586
7587 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
7588 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
7589 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
7590 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
7591
7592 @table @code
7593 @kindex show convenience
7594 @cindex show all user variables
7595 @item show convenience
7596 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
7597 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
7598
7599 @kindex init-if-undefined
7600 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
7601 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
7602 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
7603 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
7604 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
7605 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
7606 override default values used in a command script.
7607
7608 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
7609 any side-effects do not occur.
7610 @end table
7611
7612 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
7613 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
7614 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
7615
7616 @smallexample
7617 set $i = 0
7618 print bar[$i++]->contents
7619 @end smallexample
7620
7621 @noindent
7622 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
7623
7624 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
7625 values likely to be useful.
7626
7627 @table @code
7628 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
7629 @item $_
7630 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
7631 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
7632 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
7633 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
7634 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
7635 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
7636 to the type of @code{$__}.
7637
7638 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
7639 @item $__
7640 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
7641 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
7642 to match the format in which the data was printed.
7643
7644 @item $_exitcode
7645 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
7646 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
7647 the program being debugged terminates.
7648
7649 @item $_siginfo
7650 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
7651 The variable @code{$_siginfo} is bound to extra signal information
7652 inspection (@pxref{extra signal information}).
7653 @end table
7654
7655 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
7656 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
7657 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
7658
7659 @cindex convenience functions
7660 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
7661 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
7662 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
7663 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
7664 @value{GDBN}.
7665
7666 @table @code
7667 @item help function
7668 @kindex help function
7669 @cindex show all convenience functions
7670 Print a list of all convenience functions.
7671 @end table
7672
7673 @node Registers
7674 @section Registers
7675
7676 @cindex registers
7677 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
7678 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
7679 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
7680 your machine.
7681
7682 @table @code
7683 @kindex info registers
7684 @item info registers
7685 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
7686 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
7687
7688 @kindex info all-registers
7689 @cindex floating point registers
7690 @item info all-registers
7691 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
7692 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
7693
7694 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
7695 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
7696 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
7697 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
7698 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
7699 @end table
7700
7701 @cindex stack pointer register
7702 @cindex program counter register
7703 @cindex process status register
7704 @cindex frame pointer register
7705 @cindex standard registers
7706 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
7707 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
7708 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
7709 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
7710 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
7711 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
7712 register that contains the processor status. For example,
7713 you could print the program counter in hex with
7714
7715 @smallexample
7716 p/x $pc
7717 @end smallexample
7718
7719 @noindent
7720 or print the instruction to be executed next with
7721
7722 @smallexample
7723 x/i $pc
7724 @end smallexample
7725
7726 @noindent
7727 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
7728 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
7729 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
7730 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
7731 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
7732 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
7733 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
7734
7735 @smallexample
7736 set $sp += 4
7737 @end smallexample
7738
7739 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
7740 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
7741 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
7742 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
7743 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
7744 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
7745 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
7746
7747 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
7748 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
7749 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
7750 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
7751 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
7752 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
7753 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
7754
7755 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
7756 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
7757 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
7758 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
7759 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
7760 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
7761 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
7762 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
7763 prints the data in both formats.
7764
7765 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
7766 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
7767 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
7768 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
7769 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
7770 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
7771 registers in @code{struct} notation:
7772
7773 @smallexample
7774 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
7775 $1 = @{
7776 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
7777 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
7778 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
7779 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
7780 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
7781 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
7782 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
7783 @}
7784 @end smallexample
7785
7786 @noindent
7787 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
7788 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
7789 value to a @code{struct} member:
7790
7791 @smallexample
7792 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
7793 @end smallexample
7794
7795 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
7796 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
7797 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
7798 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
7799 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
7800 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
7801
7802 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
7803 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
7804 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
7805 frame makes no difference.
7806
7807 @node Floating Point Hardware
7808 @section Floating Point Hardware
7809 @cindex floating point
7810
7811 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
7812 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
7813
7814 @table @code
7815 @kindex info float
7816 @item info float
7817 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
7818 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
7819 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
7820 the ARM and x86 machines.
7821 @end table
7822
7823 @node Vector Unit
7824 @section Vector Unit
7825 @cindex vector unit
7826
7827 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
7828 more information about the status of the vector unit.
7829
7830 @table @code
7831 @kindex info vector
7832 @item info vector
7833 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
7834 layout vary depending on the hardware.
7835 @end table
7836
7837 @node OS Information
7838 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
7839 @cindex OS information
7840
7841 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
7842 you debug your program.
7843
7844 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
7845 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
7846 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
7847 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
7848 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
7849 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
7850 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
7851 structure.
7852
7853 @table @code
7854 @item info udot
7855 @kindex info udot
7856 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
7857 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
7858 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
7859 the @code{examine} command.
7860 @end table
7861
7862 @cindex auxiliary vector
7863 @cindex vector, auxiliary
7864 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
7865 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
7866 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
7867 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
7868 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
7869 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
7870 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
7871 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
7872 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
7873 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
7874 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
7875
7876 @table @code
7877 @kindex info auxv
7878 @item info auxv
7879 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
7880 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
7881 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
7882 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
7883 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
7884 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
7885 an unrecognized tag.
7886 @end table
7887
7888 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
7889 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
7890 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
7891 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
7892
7893 @table @code
7894 @kindex info os processes
7895 @item info os processes
7896 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
7897 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
7898 the command corresponding to the process.
7899 @end table
7900
7901 @node Memory Region Attributes
7902 @section Memory Region Attributes
7903 @cindex memory region attributes
7904
7905 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
7906 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
7907 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
7908 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
7909 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
7910 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
7911 user can override the fetched regions.
7912
7913 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
7914 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
7915 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
7916 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
7917 all memory.
7918
7919 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
7920 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
7921
7922 @table @code
7923 @kindex mem
7924 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
7925 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
7926 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
7927 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
7928 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
7929 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
7930
7931 @item mem auto
7932 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
7933 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
7934
7935 @kindex delete mem
7936 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
7937 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
7938 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
7939
7940 @kindex disable mem
7941 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
7942 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
7943 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
7944 It may be enabled again later.
7945
7946 @kindex enable mem
7947 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
7948 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
7949
7950 @kindex info mem
7951 @item info mem
7952 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
7953 for each region:
7954
7955 @table @emph
7956 @item Memory Region Number
7957 @item Enabled or Disabled.
7958 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
7959 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
7960
7961 @item Lo Address
7962 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
7963
7964 @item Hi Address
7965 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
7966
7967 @item Attributes
7968 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
7969 @end table
7970 @end table
7971
7972
7973 @subsection Attributes
7974
7975 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
7976 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
7977 write accesses to a memory region.
7978
7979 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
7980 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
7981 etc.@: from accessing memory.
7982
7983 @table @code
7984 @item ro
7985 Memory is read only.
7986 @item wo
7987 Memory is write only.
7988 @item rw
7989 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
7990 @end table
7991
7992 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
7993 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
7994 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
7995 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
7996 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
7997
7998 @table @code
7999 @item 8
8000 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8001 @item 16
8002 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8003 @item 32
8004 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8005 @item 64
8006 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8007 @end table
8008
8009 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8010 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8011 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8012 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8013 @c
8014 @c @table @code
8015 @c @item hwbreak
8016 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8017 @c @item swbreak (default)
8018 @c @end table
8019
8020 @subsubsection Data Cache
8021 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8022 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8023 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8024 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8025 registers.
8026
8027 @table @code
8028 @item cache
8029 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8030 @item nocache
8031 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8032 @end table
8033
8034 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8035 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8036 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8037 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8038 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8039
8040 @table @code
8041 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8042 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8043 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8044 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8045 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8046 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8047 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8048 The default value is @code{on}.
8049 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8050 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8051 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8052 @end table
8053
8054
8055 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8056 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8057 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8058 @c
8059 @c @table @code
8060 @c @item verify
8061 @c @item noverify (default)
8062 @c @end table
8063
8064 @node Dump/Restore Files
8065 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8066 @cindex dump/restore files
8067 @cindex append data to a file
8068 @cindex dump data to a file
8069 @cindex restore data from a file
8070
8071 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8072 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8073 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8074 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8075 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8076 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8077 files.
8078
8079 @table @code
8080
8081 @kindex dump
8082 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8083 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8084 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8085 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8086
8087 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8088 @table @code
8089 @item binary
8090 Raw binary form.
8091 @item ihex
8092 Intel hex format.
8093 @item srec
8094 Motorola S-record format.
8095 @item tekhex
8096 Tektronix Hex format.
8097 @end table
8098
8099 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
8100 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
8101 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
8102 form.
8103
8104 @kindex append
8105 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8106 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8107 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8108 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
8109 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
8110
8111 @kindex restore
8112 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
8113 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
8114 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
8115 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
8116 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
8117
8118 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
8119 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
8120 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
8121 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
8122 from that location.
8123
8124 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
8125 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
8126 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
8127 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
8128
8129 @end table
8130
8131 @node Core File Generation
8132 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
8133 @cindex dump core from inferior
8134
8135 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
8136 image of a running process and its process status (register values
8137 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
8138 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
8139 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
8140 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
8141 the post-mortem debugging mode.
8142
8143 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
8144 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
8145 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
8146
8147 @table @code
8148 @kindex gcore
8149 @kindex generate-core-file
8150 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
8151 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
8152 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
8153 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
8154 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
8155 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
8156
8157 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
8158 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
8159 @end table
8160
8161 @node Character Sets
8162 @section Character Sets
8163 @cindex character sets
8164 @cindex charset
8165 @cindex translating between character sets
8166 @cindex host character set
8167 @cindex target character set
8168
8169 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
8170 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
8171 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
8172 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
8173 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
8174 @dfn{target character set}.
8175
8176 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
8177 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
8178 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
8179 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
8180 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
8181 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
8182 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
8183 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
8184 character and string literals in expressions.
8185
8186 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
8187 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
8188 target-charset} command, described below.
8189
8190 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
8191 support:
8192
8193 @table @code
8194 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
8195 @kindex set target-charset
8196 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
8197 list of supported target character sets, type
8198 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8199
8200 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
8201 @kindex set host-charset
8202 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
8203
8204 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
8205 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
8206 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
8207 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
8208 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
8209
8210 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
8211 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8212 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
8213
8214 @item set charset @var{charset}
8215 @kindex set charset
8216 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
8217 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8218 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
8219 for both host and target.
8220
8221 @item show charset
8222 @kindex show charset
8223 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
8224
8225 @item show host-charset
8226 @kindex show host-charset
8227 Show the name of the current host character set.
8228
8229 @item show target-charset
8230 @kindex show target-charset
8231 Show the name of the current target character set.
8232
8233 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
8234 @kindex set target-wide-charset
8235 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
8236 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
8237 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
8238 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8239
8240 @item show target-wide-charset
8241 @kindex show target-wide-charset
8242 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
8243 @end table
8244
8245 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
8246 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
8247 @file{charset-test.c}:
8248
8249 @smallexample
8250 #include <stdio.h>
8251
8252 char ascii_hello[]
8253 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
8254 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
8255 char ibm1047_hello[]
8256 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
8257 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
8258
8259 main ()
8260 @{
8261 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8262 @}
8263 @end smallexample
8264
8265 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
8266 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
8267 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
8268
8269 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
8270
8271 @smallexample
8272 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
8273 $ gdb -nw charset-test
8274 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
8275 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8276 @dots{}
8277 (@value{GDBP})
8278 @end smallexample
8279
8280 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
8281 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
8282 strings:
8283
8284 @smallexample
8285 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8286 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
8287 (@value{GDBP})
8288 @end smallexample
8289
8290 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
8291 initial character set:
8292 @smallexample
8293 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
8294 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8295 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
8296 (@value{GDBP})
8297 @end smallexample
8298
8299 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
8300 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
8301 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
8302 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
8303 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
8304
8305 @smallexample
8306 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8307 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
8308 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8309 $2 = 72 'H'
8310 (@value{GDBP})
8311 @end smallexample
8312
8313 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
8314 literals you use in expressions:
8315
8316 @smallexample
8317 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8318 $3 = 43 '+'
8319 (@value{GDBP})
8320 @end smallexample
8321
8322 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
8323 character.
8324
8325 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
8326 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
8327 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
8328
8329 @smallexample
8330 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8331 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
8332 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8333 $5 = 200 '\310'
8334 (@value{GDBP})
8335 @end smallexample
8336
8337 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
8338 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
8339
8340 @smallexample
8341 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8342 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
8343 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8344 @end smallexample
8345
8346 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
8347 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
8348 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
8349 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
8350 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
8351
8352 @smallexample
8353 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
8354 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8355 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
8356 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
8357 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8358 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
8359 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8360 $7 = 72 '\110'
8361 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8362 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
8363 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8364 $9 = 200 'H'
8365 (@value{GDBP})
8366 @end smallexample
8367
8368 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
8369 string literals you use in expressions:
8370
8371 @smallexample
8372 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8373 $10 = 78 '+'
8374 (@value{GDBP})
8375 @end smallexample
8376
8377 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
8378 character.
8379
8380 @node Caching Remote Data
8381 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
8382 @cindex caching data of remote targets
8383
8384 @value{GDBN} can cache data exchanged between the debugger and a
8385 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
8386 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
8387 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately,
8388 @value{GDBN} does not currently know anything about volatile
8389 registers, and thus data caching will produce incorrect results when
8390 volatile registers are in use.
8391
8392 @table @code
8393 @kindex set remotecache
8394 @item set remotecache on
8395 @itemx set remotecache off
8396 Set caching state for remote targets. When @code{ON}, use data
8397 caching. By default, this option is @code{OFF}.
8398
8399 @kindex show remotecache
8400 @item show remotecache
8401 Show the current state of data caching for remote targets.
8402
8403 @kindex info dcache
8404 @item info dcache
8405 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
8406 information displayed includes: the dcache width and depth; and for
8407 each cache line, how many times it was referenced, and its data and
8408 state (invalid, dirty, valid). This command is useful for debugging
8409 the data cache operation.
8410 @end table
8411
8412 @node Searching Memory
8413 @section Search Memory
8414 @cindex searching memory
8415
8416 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
8417 @code{find} command.
8418
8419 @table @code
8420 @kindex find
8421 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8422 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8423 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
8424 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
8425 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
8426 @end table
8427
8428 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
8429 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
8430
8431 @table @r
8432 @item @var{s}, search query size
8433 The size of each search query value.
8434
8435 @table @code
8436 @item b
8437 bytes
8438 @item h
8439 halfwords (two bytes)
8440 @item w
8441 words (four bytes)
8442 @item g
8443 giant words (eight bytes)
8444 @end table
8445
8446 All values are interpreted in the current language.
8447 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
8448 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
8449
8450 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
8451 value's type in the current language.
8452 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
8453 pattern as a mixture of types.
8454 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
8455 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
8456 which is typically four bytes.
8457
8458 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
8459 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
8460 @end table
8461
8462 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
8463 (@code{"}).
8464 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
8465 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
8466
8467 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
8468 number of matches found.
8469
8470 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
8471 @samp{$_}.
8472 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
8473
8474 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
8475
8476 @smallexample
8477 void
8478 hello ()
8479 @{
8480 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
8481 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
8482 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
8483 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
8484 printf ("%s\n", hello);
8485 @}
8486 @end smallexample
8487
8488 @noindent
8489 you get during debugging:
8490
8491 @smallexample
8492 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
8493 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8494 1 pattern found
8495 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
8496 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8497 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8498 2 patterns found
8499 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
8500 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8501 1 pattern found
8502 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
8503 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
8504 1 pattern found
8505 (gdb) print $numfound
8506 $1 = 1
8507 (gdb) print $_
8508 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
8509 @end smallexample
8510
8511 @node Macros
8512 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
8513
8514 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
8515 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
8516 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
8517 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
8518 where it was defined.
8519
8520 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
8521 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
8522 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
8523 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
8524
8525 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
8526 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
8527 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
8528 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
8529 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
8530 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
8531 see @ref{List}.
8532
8533 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
8534 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
8535 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
8536
8537 @table @code
8538
8539 @kindex macro expand
8540 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
8541 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
8542 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
8543 @item macro expand @var{expression}
8544 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
8545 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
8546 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
8547 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
8548 it can be any string of tokens.
8549
8550 @kindex macro exp1
8551 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
8552 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
8553 @cindex expand macro once
8554 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
8555 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
8556 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
8557 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
8558 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
8559 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
8560 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
8561 can be any string of tokens.
8562
8563 @kindex info macro
8564 @cindex macro definition, showing
8565 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
8566 @item info macro @var{macro}
8567 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
8568 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
8569
8570 @kindex macro define
8571 @cindex user-defined macros
8572 @cindex defining macros interactively
8573 @cindex macros, user-defined
8574 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
8575 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
8576 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
8577 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
8578 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
8579 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
8580 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
8581 @var{arglist}.
8582
8583 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
8584 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
8585 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
8586 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
8587 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
8588
8589 @kindex macro undef
8590 @item macro undef @var{macro}
8591 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
8592 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
8593 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
8594 in the program being debugged.
8595
8596 @kindex macro list
8597 @item macro list
8598 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
8599 @end table
8600
8601 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
8602 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
8603 show our source files:
8604
8605 @smallexample
8606 $ cat sample.c
8607 #include <stdio.h>
8608 #include "sample.h"
8609
8610 #define M 42
8611 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
8612
8613 main ()
8614 @{
8615 #define N 28
8616 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8617 #undef N
8618 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
8619 #define N 1729
8620 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
8621 @}
8622 $ cat sample.h
8623 #define Q <
8624 $
8625 @end smallexample
8626
8627 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
8628 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
8629 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
8630 information.
8631
8632 @smallexample
8633 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
8634 $
8635 @end smallexample
8636
8637 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
8638
8639 @smallexample
8640 $ gdb -nw sample
8641 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
8642 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8643 GDB is free software, @dots{}
8644 (@value{GDBP})
8645 @end smallexample
8646
8647 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
8648 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
8649 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
8650
8651 @smallexample
8652 (@value{GDBP}) list main
8653 3
8654 4 #define M 42
8655 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
8656 6
8657 7 main ()
8658 8 @{
8659 9 #define N 28
8660 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8661 11 #undef N
8662 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
8663 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
8664 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
8665 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
8666 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
8667 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
8668 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
8669 #define Q <
8670 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
8671 expands to: (42 + 1)
8672 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
8673 expands to: once (M + 1)
8674 (@value{GDBP})
8675 @end smallexample
8676
8677 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
8678 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
8679 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
8680 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
8681
8682 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
8683 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
8684
8685 @smallexample
8686 (@value{GDBP}) break main
8687 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
8688 (@value{GDBP}) run
8689 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
8690
8691 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
8692 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8693 (@value{GDBP})
8694 @end smallexample
8695
8696 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
8697
8698 @smallexample
8699 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
8700 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
8701 #define N 28
8702 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
8703 expands to: 28 < 42
8704 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
8705 $1 = 1
8706 (@value{GDBP})
8707 @end smallexample
8708
8709 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
8710 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
8711 thereof) in force at each point:
8712
8713 @smallexample
8714 (@value{GDBP}) next
8715 Hello, world!
8716 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
8717 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
8718 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
8719 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
8720 (@value{GDBP}) next
8721 We're so creative.
8722 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
8723 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
8724 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
8725 #define N 1729
8726 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
8727 expands to: 1729 < 42
8728 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
8729 $2 = 0
8730 (@value{GDBP})
8731 @end smallexample
8732
8733 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
8734 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
8735 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
8736 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
8737
8738 @smallexample
8739 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
8740 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
8741 -D__STDC__=1
8742 (@value{GDBP})
8743 @end smallexample
8744
8745
8746 @node Tracepoints
8747 @chapter Tracepoints
8748 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
8749 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
8750
8751 @cindex tracepoints
8752 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
8753 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
8754 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
8755 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
8756 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
8757 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
8758 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
8759
8760 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
8761 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
8762 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
8763 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
8764 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
8765 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
8766 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
8767 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
8768 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
8769 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
8770 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
8771
8772 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
8773 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
8774 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
8775 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
8776 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
8777 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
8778 Packets}.
8779
8780 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
8781
8782 @menu
8783 * Set Tracepoints::
8784 * Analyze Collected Data::
8785 * Tracepoint Variables::
8786 @end menu
8787
8788 @node Set Tracepoints
8789 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
8790
8791 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
8792 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
8793 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
8794 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
8795 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
8796 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
8797 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
8798
8799 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
8800 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
8801 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
8802 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
8803 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
8804 tracepoint was hit.
8805
8806 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Conditional
8807 expressions and ignore counts on tracepoints have no effect, and
8808 tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN} commands when they are
8809 hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific either.
8810
8811 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
8812 conditions and actions.
8813
8814 @menu
8815 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
8816 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
8817 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
8818 * Tracepoint Actions::
8819 * Listing Tracepoints::
8820 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
8821 @end menu
8822
8823 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
8824 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
8825
8826 @table @code
8827 @cindex set tracepoint
8828 @kindex trace
8829 @item trace @var{location}
8830 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
8831 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
8832 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
8833 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
8834 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
8835 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
8836 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
8837 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
8838 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
8839
8840 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
8841
8842 @smallexample
8843 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
8844
8845 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
8846
8847 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
8848
8849 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
8850
8851 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
8852 @end smallexample
8853
8854 @noindent
8855 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
8856
8857 @vindex $tpnum
8858 @cindex last tracepoint number
8859 @cindex recent tracepoint number
8860 @cindex tracepoint number
8861 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
8862 of the most recently set tracepoint.
8863
8864 @kindex delete tracepoint
8865 @cindex tracepoint deletion
8866 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
8867 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
8868 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
8869 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
8870
8871 Examples:
8872
8873 @smallexample
8874 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
8875
8876 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
8877 @end smallexample
8878
8879 @noindent
8880 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
8881 @end table
8882
8883 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
8884 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
8885
8886 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
8887
8888 @table @code
8889 @kindex disable tracepoint
8890 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
8891 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
8892 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
8893 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
8894 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
8895
8896 @kindex enable tracepoint
8897 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
8898 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
8899 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
8900 run.
8901 @end table
8902
8903 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
8904 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
8905
8906 @table @code
8907 @kindex passcount
8908 @cindex tracepoint pass count
8909 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
8910 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
8911 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
8912 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
8913 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
8914 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
8915 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
8916 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
8917 user.
8918
8919 Examples:
8920
8921 @smallexample
8922 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
8923 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
8924
8925 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
8926 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
8927 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
8928 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
8929 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
8930 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
8931 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
8932 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
8933 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
8934 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
8935 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
8936 @end smallexample
8937 @end table
8938
8939 @node Tracepoint Actions
8940 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
8941
8942 @table @code
8943 @kindex actions
8944 @cindex tracepoint actions
8945 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
8946 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
8947 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
8948 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
8949 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
8950 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
8951 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
8952 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
8953 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
8954 @code{while-stepping}.
8955
8956 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
8957 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
8958 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
8959
8960 @smallexample
8961 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
8962
8963 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
8964
8965 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
8966 @end smallexample
8967
8968 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
8969 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
8970 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
8971 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
8972 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
8973 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
8974 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
8975 @code{end} command.
8976
8977 @smallexample
8978 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
8979 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
8980 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
8981 > collect bar,baz
8982 > collect $regs
8983 > while-stepping 12
8984 > collect $fp, $sp
8985 > end
8986 end
8987 @end smallexample
8988
8989 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
8990 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
8991 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
8992 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
8993 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
8994 special arguments are supported:
8995
8996 @table @code
8997 @item $regs
8998 collect all registers
8999
9000 @item $args
9001 collect all function arguments
9002
9003 @item $locals
9004 collect all local variables.
9005 @end table
9006
9007 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
9008 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
9009 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
9010
9011 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
9012 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
9013
9014 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
9015 @item while-stepping @var{n}
9016 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
9017 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
9018 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
9019 its own @code{end} command):
9020
9021 @smallexample
9022 > while-stepping 12
9023 > collect $regs, myglobal
9024 > end
9025 >
9026 @end smallexample
9027
9028 @noindent
9029 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
9030 @code{stepping}.
9031 @end table
9032
9033 @node Listing Tracepoints
9034 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
9035
9036 @table @code
9037 @kindex info tracepoints
9038 @kindex info tp
9039 @cindex information about tracepoints
9040 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
9041 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
9042 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
9043 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
9044 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
9045 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
9046
9047 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
9048 tracing:
9049
9050 @itemize @bullet
9051 @item
9052 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
9053 @item
9054 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
9055 @item
9056 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command. The actions
9057 are prefixed with an @samp{A} so as to distinguish them from commands.
9058 @end itemize
9059
9060 @smallexample
9061 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
9062 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
9063 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
9064 pass count 1200
9065 step count 20
9066 A while-stepping 20
9067 A collect globfoo, $regs
9068 A end
9069 A collect globfoo2
9070 A end
9071 (@value{GDBP})
9072 @end smallexample
9073
9074 @noindent
9075 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
9076 @end table
9077
9078 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9079 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
9080
9081 @table @code
9082 @kindex tstart
9083 @cindex start a new trace experiment
9084 @cindex collected data discarded
9085 @item tstart
9086 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
9087 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
9088 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
9089 experiment.
9090
9091 @kindex tstop
9092 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
9093 @item tstop
9094 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
9095 stops collecting data.
9096
9097 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
9098 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
9099 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
9100
9101 @kindex tstatus
9102 @cindex status of trace data collection
9103 @cindex trace experiment, status of
9104 @item tstatus
9105 This command displays the status of the current trace data
9106 collection.
9107 @end table
9108
9109 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
9110
9111 @smallexample
9112 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
9113 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9114 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
9115 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
9116 > while-stepping 11
9117 > collect $regs
9118 > end
9119 > end
9120 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9121 [time passes @dots{}]
9122 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
9123 @end smallexample
9124
9125
9126 @node Analyze Collected Data
9127 @section Using the Collected Data
9128
9129 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
9130 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
9131 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
9132 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
9133 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
9134 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
9135 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
9136 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
9137 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
9138 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
9139 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
9140 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
9141 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
9142 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
9143 the buffer will fail.
9144
9145 @menu
9146 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
9147 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
9148 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
9149 @end menu
9150
9151 @node tfind
9152 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
9153
9154 @kindex tfind
9155 @cindex select trace snapshot
9156 @cindex find trace snapshot
9157 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
9158 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
9159 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
9160 snapshot is selected.
9161
9162 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
9163
9164 @table @code
9165 @item tfind start
9166 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
9167 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
9168
9169 @item tfind none
9170 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
9171
9172 @item tfind end
9173 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
9174
9175 @item tfind
9176 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
9177
9178 @item tfind -
9179 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
9180 retracing earlier steps.
9181
9182 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
9183 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
9184 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
9185 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
9186 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
9187
9188 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
9189 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
9190 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
9191 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
9192 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
9193
9194 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9195 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
9196 addresses.
9197
9198 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9199 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
9200 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
9201
9202 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
9203 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
9204 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
9205 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
9206 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
9207 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
9208 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
9209 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
9210 @end table
9211
9212 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
9213 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
9214 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
9215 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
9216 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
9217 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
9218 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
9219 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
9220 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
9221 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
9222 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
9223 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
9224 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
9225 tracepoint as the current one.
9226
9227 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
9228 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
9229 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
9230 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
9231 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
9232
9233 @smallexample
9234 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9235 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9236 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
9237 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
9238 > tfind
9239 > end
9240
9241 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
9242 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
9243 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
9244 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
9245 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
9246 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
9247 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
9248 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
9249 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
9250 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
9251 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
9252 @end smallexample
9253
9254 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
9255 the buffer:
9256
9257 @smallexample
9258 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9259 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9260 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
9261 > tfind line
9262 > end
9263
9264 Frame 0, X = 1
9265 Frame 7, X = 2
9266 Frame 13, X = 255
9267 @end smallexample
9268
9269 @node tdump
9270 @subsection @code{tdump}
9271 @kindex tdump
9272 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
9273 @cindex tracepoint data, display
9274
9275 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
9276 the current trace snapshot.
9277
9278 @smallexample
9279 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
9280 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9281 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
9282 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
9283 > end
9284
9285 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9286
9287 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
9288 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
9289 at gdb_test.c:444
9290 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
9291
9292 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
9293 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
9294 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
9295 d1 0x18 24
9296 d2 0x80 128
9297 d3 0x33 51
9298 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
9299 d5 0x22 34
9300 d6 0xe0 224
9301 d7 0x380035 3670069
9302 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
9303 a1 0x3000668 50333288
9304 a2 0x100 256
9305 a3 0x322000 3284992
9306 a4 0x3000698 50333336
9307 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
9308 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
9309 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
9310 ps 0x0 0
9311 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
9312 fpcontrol 0x0 0
9313 fpstatus 0x0 0
9314 fpiaddr 0x0 0
9315 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
9316 p1 = (void *) 0x11
9317 p2 = (void *) 0x22
9318 p3 = (void *) 0x33
9319 p4 = (void *) 0x44
9320 p5 = (void *) 0x55
9321 p6 = (void *) 0x66
9322 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
9323
9324 (@value{GDBP})
9325 @end smallexample
9326
9327 @node save-tracepoints
9328 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
9329 @kindex save-tracepoints
9330 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
9331
9332 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
9333 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
9334 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
9335 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
9336 Files}).
9337
9338 @node Tracepoint Variables
9339 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
9340 @cindex tracepoint variables
9341 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
9342
9343 @table @code
9344 @vindex $trace_frame
9345 @item (int) $trace_frame
9346 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
9347 snapshot is selected.
9348
9349 @vindex $tracepoint
9350 @item (int) $tracepoint
9351 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
9352
9353 @vindex $trace_line
9354 @item (int) $trace_line
9355 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
9356
9357 @vindex $trace_file
9358 @item (char []) $trace_file
9359 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
9360
9361 @vindex $trace_func
9362 @item (char []) $trace_func
9363 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
9364 @end table
9365
9366 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
9367 use @code{output} instead.
9368
9369 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
9370 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
9371 data.
9372
9373 @smallexample
9374 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9375
9376 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
9377 > output $trace_file
9378 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
9379 > tfind
9380 > end
9381 @end smallexample
9382
9383 @node Overlays
9384 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
9385 @cindex overlays
9386
9387 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
9388 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
9389 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
9390 use overlays.
9391
9392 @menu
9393 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
9394 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
9395 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
9396 mapped by asking the inferior.
9397 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
9398 @end menu
9399
9400 @node How Overlays Work
9401 @section How Overlays Work
9402 @cindex mapped overlays
9403 @cindex unmapped overlays
9404 @cindex load address, overlay's
9405 @cindex mapped address
9406 @cindex overlay area
9407
9408 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
9409 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
9410 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
9411 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
9412 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
9413
9414 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
9415 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
9416 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
9417 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
9418 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
9419 largest overlay as well.
9420
9421 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
9422 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
9423 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
9424 there.
9425
9426 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
9427 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
9428 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
9429
9430 @smallexample
9431 @group
9432 Data Instruction Larger
9433 Address Space Address Space Address Space
9434 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
9435 | | | | | |
9436 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
9437 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
9438 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
9439 | and heap | | | | | |
9440 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
9441 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
9442 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
9443 | | | | | |
9444 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
9445 address | | | | | |
9446 | overlay | <-' | | |
9447 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
9448 | | <---. | | load address
9449 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
9450 | | | |
9451 +-----------+ | |
9452 +-----------+
9453 | |
9454 +-----------+
9455
9456 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
9457 @end group
9458 @end smallexample
9459
9460 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
9461 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
9462 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
9463 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
9464 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
9465 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
9466 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
9467 program and the overlay area.
9468
9469 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
9470 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
9471 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
9472 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
9473 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
9474 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
9475 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
9476
9477 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
9478 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
9479 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
9480
9481 @itemize @bullet
9482
9483 @item
9484 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
9485 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
9486 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
9487 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
9488
9489 @item
9490 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
9491 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
9492 your program's performance.
9493
9494 @item
9495 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
9496 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
9497 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
9498 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
9499 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
9500 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
9501 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
9502
9503 @item
9504 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
9505 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
9506 instruction and data spaces.
9507
9508 @end itemize
9509
9510 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
9511 improved in many ways:
9512
9513 @itemize @bullet
9514
9515 @item
9516 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
9517 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
9518 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
9519 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
9520 area in the usual way.
9521
9522 @item
9523 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
9524 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
9525
9526 @item
9527 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
9528 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
9529 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
9530 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
9531 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
9532 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
9533 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
9534
9535 @end itemize
9536
9537
9538 @node Overlay Commands
9539 @section Overlay Commands
9540
9541 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
9542 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
9543 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
9544 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
9545 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
9546 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
9547
9548 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
9549 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
9550
9551 @table @code
9552 @item overlay off
9553 @kindex overlay
9554 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
9555 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
9556 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
9557 overlay support is disabled.
9558
9559 @item overlay manual
9560 @cindex manual overlay debugging
9561 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
9562 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
9563 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
9564 commands described below.
9565
9566 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
9567 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
9568 @cindex map an overlay
9569 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
9570 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
9571 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
9572 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
9573 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
9574 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
9575
9576 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
9577 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
9578 @cindex unmap an overlay
9579 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
9580 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
9581 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
9582 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
9583
9584 @item overlay auto
9585 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
9586 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
9587 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
9588 Overlay Debugging}.
9589
9590 @item overlay load-target
9591 @itemx overlay load
9592 @cindex reloading the overlay table
9593 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
9594 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
9595 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
9596 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
9597 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
9598
9599 @item overlay list-overlays
9600 @itemx overlay list
9601 @cindex listing mapped overlays
9602 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
9603 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
9604
9605 @end table
9606
9607 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
9608 of the function the address falls in:
9609
9610 @smallexample
9611 (@value{GDBP}) print main
9612 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
9613 @end smallexample
9614 @noindent
9615 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
9616 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
9617 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
9618 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
9619
9620 @smallexample
9621 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
9622 No sections are mapped.
9623 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
9624 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
9625 @end smallexample
9626 @noindent
9627 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
9628 name normally:
9629
9630 @smallexample
9631 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
9632 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
9633 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
9634 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
9635 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
9636 @end smallexample
9637
9638 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
9639 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
9640 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
9641 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
9642 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
9643
9644 @itemize @bullet
9645 @item
9646 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
9647 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
9648 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
9649 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
9650 @item
9651 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
9652 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
9653 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
9654 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
9655 breakpoints properly.
9656 @end itemize
9657
9658
9659 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
9660 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
9661 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
9662
9663 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
9664 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
9665 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
9666 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
9667 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
9668 current state of the overlays.
9669
9670 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
9671 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
9672
9673 @table @asis
9674
9675 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
9676 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
9677
9678 @smallexample
9679 struct
9680 @{
9681 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
9682 unsigned long vma;
9683
9684 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
9685 unsigned long size;
9686
9687 /* The overlay's load address. */
9688 unsigned long lma;
9689
9690 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
9691 zero otherwise. */
9692 unsigned long mapped;
9693 @}
9694 @end smallexample
9695
9696 @item @code{_novlys}:
9697 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
9698 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
9699
9700 @end table
9701
9702 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
9703 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
9704 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
9705 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
9706 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
9707 currently mapped.
9708
9709 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
9710 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
9711 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
9712 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
9713 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
9714 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
9715 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
9716 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
9717 are not being executed.
9718
9719 @node Overlay Sample Program
9720 @section Overlay Sample Program
9721 @cindex overlay example program
9722
9723 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
9724 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
9725 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
9726 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
9727 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
9728 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
9729 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
9730
9731 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
9732 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
9733 suite. The program consists of the following files from
9734 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
9735
9736 @table @file
9737 @item overlays.c
9738 The main program file.
9739 @item ovlymgr.c
9740 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
9741 @item foo.c
9742 @itemx bar.c
9743 @itemx baz.c
9744 @itemx grbx.c
9745 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
9746 @item d10v.ld
9747 @itemx m32r.ld
9748 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
9749 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
9750 @end table
9751
9752 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
9753 cross-compiler like this:
9754
9755 @smallexample
9756 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
9757 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
9758 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
9759 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
9760 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
9761 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
9762 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
9763 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
9764 @end smallexample
9765
9766 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
9767 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
9768 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
9769
9770
9771 @node Languages
9772 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
9773 @cindex languages
9774
9775 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
9776 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
9777 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
9778 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
9779 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
9780 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
9781
9782 @cindex working language
9783 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
9784 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
9785 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
9786 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
9787 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
9788 language}.
9789
9790 @menu
9791 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
9792 * Show:: Displaying the language
9793 * Checks:: Type and range checks
9794 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
9795 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
9796 @end menu
9797
9798 @node Setting
9799 @section Switching Between Source Languages
9800
9801 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
9802 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
9803 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
9804 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
9805 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
9806 are printed, etc.
9807
9808 In addition to the working language, every source file that
9809 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
9810 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
9811 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
9812 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
9813 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
9814 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
9815 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
9816 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
9817 Displaying the Language}.
9818
9819 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
9820 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
9821 another language. In that case, make the
9822 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
9823 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
9824 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
9825
9826 @menu
9827 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
9828 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
9829 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
9830 @end menu
9831
9832 @node Filenames
9833 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
9834
9835 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
9836 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
9837
9838 @table @file
9839 @item .ada
9840 @itemx .ads
9841 @itemx .adb
9842 @itemx .a
9843 Ada source file.
9844
9845 @item .c
9846 C source file
9847
9848 @item .C
9849 @itemx .cc
9850 @itemx .cp
9851 @itemx .cpp
9852 @itemx .cxx
9853 @itemx .c++
9854 C@t{++} source file
9855
9856 @item .m
9857 Objective-C source file
9858
9859 @item .f
9860 @itemx .F
9861 Fortran source file
9862
9863 @item .mod
9864 Modula-2 source file
9865
9866 @item .s
9867 @itemx .S
9868 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
9869 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
9870 @end table
9871
9872 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
9873 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
9874
9875 @node Manually
9876 @subsection Setting the Working Language
9877
9878 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
9879 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
9880 your program.
9881
9882 @kindex set language
9883 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
9884 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
9885 a language, such as
9886 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
9887 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
9888
9889 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
9890 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
9891 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
9892 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
9893 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
9894 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
9895 command such as:
9896
9897 @smallexample
9898 print a = b + c
9899 @end smallexample
9900
9901 @noindent
9902 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
9903 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
9904 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
9905 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
9906
9907 @node Automatically
9908 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
9909
9910 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
9911 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
9912 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
9913 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
9914 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
9915 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
9916 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
9917 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
9918 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
9919
9920 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
9921 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
9922 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
9923 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
9924 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
9925
9926 @node Show
9927 @section Displaying the Language
9928
9929 The following commands help you find out which language is the
9930 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
9931
9932 @table @code
9933 @item show language
9934 @kindex show language
9935 Display the current working language. This is the
9936 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
9937 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
9938
9939 @item info frame
9940 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
9941 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
9942 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
9943 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
9944 information listed here.
9945
9946 @item info source
9947 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
9948 Display the source language of this source file.
9949 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
9950 information listed here.
9951 @end table
9952
9953 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
9954 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
9955 with a language explicitly:
9956
9957 @table @code
9958 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
9959 @kindex set extension-language
9960 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
9961 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
9962
9963 @item info extensions
9964 @kindex info extensions
9965 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
9966 @end table
9967
9968 @node Checks
9969 @section Type and Range Checking
9970
9971 @quotation
9972 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
9973 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
9974 section documents the intended facilities.
9975 @end quotation
9976 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
9977
9978 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
9979 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
9980 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
9981 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
9982 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
9983 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
9984 errors when your program is running.
9985
9986 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
9987 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
9988 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
9989 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
9990 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
9991 automatically based on your program's source language.
9992 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
9993 settings of supported languages.
9994
9995 @menu
9996 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
9997 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
9998 @end menu
9999
10000 @cindex type checking
10001 @cindex checks, type
10002 @node Type Checking
10003 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
10004
10005 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
10006 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
10007 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
10008 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
10009
10010 @smallexample
10011 1 + 2 @result{} 3
10012 @exdent but
10013 @error{} 1 + 2.3
10014 @end smallexample
10015
10016 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
10017 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
10018
10019 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
10020 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
10021 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
10022 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
10023 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
10024 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
10025 also issues a warning.
10026
10027 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
10028 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
10029 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
10030 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
10031 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
10032 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
10033
10034 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
10035 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
10036 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
10037 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
10038 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
10039 details on specific languages.
10040
10041 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
10042
10043 @kindex set check type
10044 @kindex show check type
10045 @table @code
10046 @item set check type auto
10047 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
10048 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10049 each language.
10050
10051 @item set check type on
10052 @itemx set check type off
10053 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10054 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
10055 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
10056 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
10057 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
10058
10059 @item set check type warn
10060 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
10061 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
10062 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
10063 numbers and structures.
10064
10065 @item show type
10066 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
10067 is setting it automatically.
10068 @end table
10069
10070 @cindex range checking
10071 @cindex checks, range
10072 @node Range Checking
10073 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
10074
10075 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
10076 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
10077 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
10078 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
10079 not exceed the bounds of the array.
10080
10081 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
10082 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
10083 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
10084 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
10085
10086 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
10087 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
10088 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
10089 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
10090 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
10091 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
10092
10093 @smallexample
10094 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
10095 @end smallexample
10096
10097 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
10098 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
10099 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
10100
10101 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
10102
10103 @kindex set check range
10104 @kindex show check range
10105 @table @code
10106 @item set check range auto
10107 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
10108 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
10109 each language.
10110
10111 @item set check range on
10112 @itemx set check range off
10113 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
10114 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
10115 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
10116 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
10117
10118 @item set check range warn
10119 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
10120 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
10121 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
10122 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
10123 systems).
10124
10125 @item show range
10126 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
10127 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
10128 @end table
10129
10130 @node Supported Languages
10131 @section Supported Languages
10132
10133 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
10134 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
10135 @c This is false ...
10136 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
10137 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
10138 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
10139 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
10140 language.
10141
10142 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
10143 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
10144 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
10145 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
10146 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
10147 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
10148 language reference or tutorial.
10149
10150 @menu
10151 * C:: C and C@t{++}
10152 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
10153 * Fortran:: Fortran
10154 * Pascal:: Pascal
10155 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
10156 * Ada:: Ada
10157 @end menu
10158
10159 @node C
10160 @subsection C and C@t{++}
10161
10162 @cindex C and C@t{++}
10163 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
10164
10165 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
10166 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
10167 together.
10168
10169 @cindex C@t{++}
10170 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
10171 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
10172 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
10173 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
10174 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
10175 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
10176 compiler (@code{aCC}).
10177
10178 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
10179 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
10180 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
10181 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
10182 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
10183 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
10184
10185 @menu
10186 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
10187 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
10188 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
10189 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
10190 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
10191 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
10192 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
10193 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
10194 @end menu
10195
10196 @node C Operators
10197 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
10198
10199 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
10200
10201 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
10202 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
10203 often defined on groups of types.
10204
10205 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
10206
10207 @itemize @bullet
10208
10209 @item
10210 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
10211 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
10212
10213 @item
10214 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
10215 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
10216
10217 @item
10218 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
10219
10220 @item
10221 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
10222
10223 @end itemize
10224
10225 @noindent
10226 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
10227 in order of increasing precedence:
10228
10229 @table @code
10230 @item ,
10231 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
10232 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
10233 expression being the last expression evaluated.
10234
10235 @item =
10236 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
10237 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
10238
10239 @item @var{op}=
10240 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
10241 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
10242 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
10243 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
10244 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
10245
10246 @item ?:
10247 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
10248 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
10249 integral type.
10250
10251 @item ||
10252 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10253
10254 @item &&
10255 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
10256
10257 @item |
10258 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10259
10260 @item ^
10261 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10262
10263 @item &
10264 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
10265
10266 @item ==@r{, }!=
10267 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
10268 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
10269
10270 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
10271 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
10272 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
10273 and non-zero for true.
10274
10275 @item <<@r{, }>>
10276 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
10277
10278 @item @@
10279 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
10280
10281 @item +@r{, }-
10282 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
10283 pointer types.
10284
10285 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
10286 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
10287 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
10288 integral types.
10289
10290 @item ++@r{, }--
10291 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
10292 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
10293 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
10294 operation takes place.
10295
10296 @item *
10297 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
10298 @code{++}.
10299
10300 @item &
10301 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
10302
10303 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
10304 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
10305 to examine the address
10306 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
10307 stored.
10308
10309 @item -
10310 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
10311 precedence as @code{++}.
10312
10313 @item !
10314 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
10315 @code{++}.
10316
10317 @item ~
10318 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
10319 @code{++}.
10320
10321
10322 @item .@r{, }->
10323 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
10324 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
10325 pointer based on the stored type information.
10326 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
10327
10328 @item .*@r{, }->*
10329 Dereferences of pointers to members.
10330
10331 @item []
10332 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
10333 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
10334
10335 @item ()
10336 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
10337
10338 @item ::
10339 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
10340 and @code{class} types.
10341
10342 @item ::
10343 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
10344 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
10345 above.
10346 @end table
10347
10348 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
10349 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
10350 predefined meaning.
10351
10352 @node C Constants
10353 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
10354
10355 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
10356
10357 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
10358 following ways:
10359
10360 @itemize @bullet
10361 @item
10362 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
10363 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
10364 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
10365 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
10366 @code{long} value.
10367
10368 @item
10369 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
10370 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
10371 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
10372 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
10373 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
10374 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
10375 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
10376 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
10377 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
10378 constant.
10379
10380 @item
10381 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
10382 integral equivalents.
10383
10384 @item
10385 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
10386 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
10387 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
10388 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
10389 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
10390 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
10391 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
10392 @samp{\n} for newline.
10393
10394 @item
10395 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
10396 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
10397 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
10398 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
10399 characters.
10400
10401 @item
10402 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
10403 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
10404
10405 @item
10406 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
10407 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
10408 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
10409 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
10410 @end itemize
10411
10412 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
10413 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
10414
10415 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
10416 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
10417
10418 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
10419 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
10420 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
10421 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
10422 @quotation
10423 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
10424 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
10425 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
10426 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
10427 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
10428 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
10429 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
10430 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
10431 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
10432 C@t{++} code.
10433 @end quotation
10434
10435 @enumerate
10436
10437 @cindex member functions
10438 @item
10439 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
10440
10441 @smallexample
10442 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
10443 @end smallexample
10444
10445 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
10446 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
10447 @item
10448 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
10449 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
10450 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
10451 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
10452
10453 @cindex call overloaded functions
10454 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
10455 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
10456 @item
10457 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
10458 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
10459 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
10460 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
10461 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
10462 default arguments.
10463
10464 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
10465 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
10466 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
10467 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
10468 number of function arguments.
10469
10470 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
10471 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
10472 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
10473
10474 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
10475 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
10476 @smallexample
10477 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
10478 @end smallexample
10479
10480 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
10481 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
10482
10483 @cindex reference declarations
10484 @item
10485 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
10486 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
10487 dereferenced.
10488
10489 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
10490 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
10491 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
10492 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
10493 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
10494
10495 @item
10496 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
10497 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
10498 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
10499 necessary, for example in an expression like
10500 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
10501 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
10502 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
10503 @end enumerate
10504
10505 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
10506 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
10507 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
10508 invoking user-defined operators.
10509
10510 @node C Defaults
10511 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
10512
10513 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
10514
10515 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
10516 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
10517 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
10518 selects the working language.
10519
10520 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
10521 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
10522 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
10523 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
10524 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
10525 for further details.
10526
10527 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
10528 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
10529 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
10530
10531 @node C Checks
10532 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
10533
10534 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
10535
10536 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
10537 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
10538 considers two variables type equivalent if:
10539
10540 @itemize @bullet
10541 @item
10542 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
10543 enumerated tag.
10544
10545 @item
10546 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
10547 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
10548
10549 @ignore
10550 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
10551 @c FIXME--beers?
10552 @item
10553 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
10554 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
10555 compilers.)
10556 @end ignore
10557 @end itemize
10558
10559 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
10560 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
10561 that is not itself an array.
10562
10563 @node Debugging C
10564 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
10565
10566 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
10567 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
10568 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
10569 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
10570
10571 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
10572 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
10573 ,Expressions}.
10574
10575 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
10576 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
10577
10578 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
10579
10580 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
10581 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
10582
10583 @table @code
10584 @cindex break in overloaded functions
10585 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
10586 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
10587 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
10588 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
10589 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
10590
10591 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
10592 @item rbreak @var{regex}
10593 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
10594 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
10595 classes.
10596 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
10597
10598 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
10599 @item catch throw
10600 @itemx catch catch
10601 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
10602 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
10603
10604 @cindex inheritance
10605 @item ptype @var{typename}
10606 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
10607 @var{typename}.
10608 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
10609
10610 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
10611 @item set print demangle
10612 @itemx show print demangle
10613 @itemx set print asm-demangle
10614 @itemx show print asm-demangle
10615 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
10616 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
10617 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
10618
10619 @item set print object
10620 @itemx show print object
10621 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
10622 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
10623
10624 @item set print vtbl
10625 @itemx show print vtbl
10626 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
10627 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
10628 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
10629 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
10630
10631 @kindex set overload-resolution
10632 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
10633 @item set overload-resolution on
10634 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
10635 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
10636 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
10637 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
10638 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
10639 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
10640
10641 @item set overload-resolution off
10642 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
10643 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
10644 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
10645 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
10646 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
10647 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
10648 argument types.
10649
10650 @kindex show overload-resolution
10651 @item show overload-resolution
10652 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
10653
10654 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
10655 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
10656 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
10657 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
10658 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
10659 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
10660 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
10661 @end table
10662
10663 @node Decimal Floating Point
10664 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
10665 @cindex decimal floating point format
10666
10667 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
10668 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
10669 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
10670 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
10671
10672 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
10673 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
10674 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
10675 target.
10676
10677 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
10678 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
10679 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
10680
10681 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
10682 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
10683 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
10684
10685 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
10686 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers. See
10687 @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
10688
10689 @node Objective-C
10690 @subsection Objective-C
10691
10692 @cindex Objective-C
10693 This section provides information about some commands and command
10694 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
10695 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
10696 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
10697
10698 @menu
10699 * Method Names in Commands::
10700 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
10701 @end menu
10702
10703 @node Method Names in Commands
10704 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
10705
10706 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
10707 names as line specifications:
10708
10709 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
10710 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
10711 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
10712 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
10713 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
10714 @itemize
10715 @item @code{clear}
10716 @item @code{break}
10717 @item @code{info line}
10718 @item @code{jump}
10719 @item @code{list}
10720 @end itemize
10721
10722 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
10723
10724 @smallexample
10725 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
10726 @end smallexample
10727
10728 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
10729 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
10730 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
10731 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
10732 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
10733 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
10734 debugged, enter:
10735
10736 @smallexample
10737 break -[Fruit create]
10738 @end smallexample
10739
10740 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
10741 enter:
10742
10743 @smallexample
10744 list +[NSText initialize]
10745 @end smallexample
10746
10747 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
10748 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
10749 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
10750 is also possible to specify just a method name:
10751
10752 @smallexample
10753 break create
10754 @end smallexample
10755
10756 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
10757 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
10758 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
10759 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
10760 none apply.
10761
10762 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
10763 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
10764
10765 @smallexample
10766 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
10767 @end smallexample
10768
10769 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
10770 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
10771 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
10772 @kindex print-object
10773 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
10774
10775 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
10776
10777 @smallexample
10778 print -[@var{object} hash]
10779 @end smallexample
10780
10781 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
10782 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
10783 @noindent
10784 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
10785 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
10786 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
10787 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
10788 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
10789 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
10790
10791 @node Fortran
10792 @subsection Fortran
10793 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
10794
10795 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
10796 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
10797
10798 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
10799 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
10800 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
10801 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
10802 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
10803 underscore.
10804
10805 @menu
10806 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
10807 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
10808 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
10809 @end menu
10810
10811 @node Fortran Operators
10812 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
10813
10814 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
10815
10816 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
10817 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
10818 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
10819
10820 @table @code
10821 @item **
10822 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
10823 of the second one.
10824
10825 @item :
10826 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
10827 represent a section of array.
10828
10829 @item %
10830 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
10831 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
10832 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
10833 union type.
10834 @end table
10835
10836 @node Fortran Defaults
10837 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
10838
10839 @cindex Fortran Defaults
10840
10841 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
10842 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
10843 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
10844 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
10845
10846 @node Special Fortran Commands
10847 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
10848
10849 @cindex Special Fortran commands
10850
10851 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
10852 such as displaying common blocks.
10853
10854 @table @code
10855 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
10856 @kindex info common
10857 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
10858 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
10859 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
10860 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
10861 printed.
10862 @end table
10863
10864 @node Pascal
10865 @subsection Pascal
10866
10867 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
10868 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
10869 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
10870 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
10871 syntax.
10872
10873 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
10874 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
10875 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
10876
10877 @node Modula-2
10878 @subsection Modula-2
10879
10880 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
10881
10882 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
10883 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
10884 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
10885 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
10886 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
10887 table.
10888
10889 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
10890 @menu
10891 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
10892 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
10893 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
10894 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
10895 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
10896 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
10897 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
10898 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
10899 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
10900 @end menu
10901
10902 @node M2 Operators
10903 @subsubsection Operators
10904 @cindex Modula-2 operators
10905
10906 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
10907 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
10908 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
10909 following definitions hold:
10910
10911 @itemize @bullet
10912
10913 @item
10914 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
10915 their subranges.
10916
10917 @item
10918 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
10919
10920 @item
10921 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
10922
10923 @item
10924 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
10925 @var{type}}.
10926
10927 @item
10928 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
10929
10930 @item
10931 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
10932
10933 @item
10934 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
10935 @end itemize
10936
10937 @noindent
10938 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
10939 increasing precedence:
10940
10941 @table @code
10942 @item ,
10943 Function argument or array index separator.
10944
10945 @item :=
10946 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
10947 @var{value}.
10948
10949 @item <@r{, }>
10950 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
10951 types.
10952
10953 @item <=@r{, }>=
10954 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
10955 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
10956 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
10957
10958 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
10959 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
10960 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
10961 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
10962 comment character.
10963
10964 @item IN
10965 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
10966 Same precedence as @code{<}.
10967
10968 @item OR
10969 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
10970
10971 @item AND@r{, }&
10972 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
10973
10974 @item @@
10975 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
10976
10977 @item +@r{, }-
10978 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
10979 and difference on set types.
10980
10981 @item *
10982 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
10983 on set types.
10984
10985 @item /
10986 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
10987 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
10988
10989 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
10990 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
10991 precedence as @code{*}.
10992
10993 @item -
10994 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
10995
10996 @item ^
10997 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
10998
10999 @item NOT
11000 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
11001 @code{^}.
11002
11003 @item .
11004 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
11005 precedence as @code{^}.
11006
11007 @item []
11008 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
11009
11010 @item ()
11011 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
11012 as @code{^}.
11013
11014 @item ::@r{, }.
11015 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
11016 @end table
11017
11018 @quotation
11019 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
11020 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
11021 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
11022 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
11023 @end quotation
11024
11025
11026 @node Built-In Func/Proc
11027 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
11028 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
11029
11030 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
11031 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
11032
11033 @table @var
11034
11035 @item a
11036 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
11037
11038 @item c
11039 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
11040
11041 @item i
11042 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
11043
11044 @item m
11045 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
11046 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
11047 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
11048
11049 @item n
11050 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
11051
11052 @item r
11053 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
11054
11055 @item t
11056 represents a type.
11057
11058 @item v
11059 represents a variable.
11060
11061 @item x
11062 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
11063 explanation of the function for details.
11064 @end table
11065
11066 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
11067
11068 @table @code
11069 @item ABS(@var{n})
11070 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
11071
11072 @item CAP(@var{c})
11073 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
11074 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
11075
11076 @item CHR(@var{i})
11077 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11078
11079 @item DEC(@var{v})
11080 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11081
11082 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
11083 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11084 new value.
11085
11086 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11087 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
11088 set.
11089
11090 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
11091 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
11092
11093 @item HIGH(@var{a})
11094 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
11095
11096 @item INC(@var{v})
11097 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
11098
11099 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
11100 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
11101 new value.
11102
11103 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
11104 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
11105 there. Returns the new set.
11106
11107 @item MAX(@var{t})
11108 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
11109
11110 @item MIN(@var{t})
11111 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
11112
11113 @item ODD(@var{i})
11114 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
11115
11116 @item ORD(@var{x})
11117 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
11118 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
11119 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
11120 integral, character and enumerated types.
11121
11122 @item SIZE(@var{x})
11123 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11124
11125 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
11126 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
11127
11128 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
11129 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
11130
11131 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
11132 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
11133 @end table
11134
11135 @quotation
11136 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
11137 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
11138 an error.
11139 @end quotation
11140
11141 @cindex Modula-2 constants
11142 @node M2 Constants
11143 @subsubsection Constants
11144
11145 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
11146 ways:
11147
11148 @itemize @bullet
11149
11150 @item
11151 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
11152 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
11153 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
11154 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
11155
11156 @item
11157 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
11158 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
11159 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
11160 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
11161 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
11162 digits.
11163
11164 @item
11165 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
11166 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
11167 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
11168 followed by a @samp{C}.
11169
11170 @item
11171 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
11172 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
11173 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
11174 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
11175 sequences.
11176
11177 @item
11178 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
11179
11180 @item
11181 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
11182 @code{FALSE}.
11183
11184 @item
11185 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
11186
11187 @item
11188 Set constants are not yet supported.
11189 @end itemize
11190
11191 @node M2 Types
11192 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
11193 @cindex Modula-2 types
11194
11195 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
11196 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
11197 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
11198 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
11199 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
11200 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
11201
11202 The first example contains the following section of code:
11203
11204 @smallexample
11205 VAR
11206 s: SET OF CHAR ;
11207 r: [20..40] ;
11208 @end smallexample
11209
11210 @noindent
11211 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
11212 @code{r} and @code{s}.
11213
11214 @smallexample
11215 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11216 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
11217 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11218 SET OF CHAR
11219 (@value{GDBP}) print r
11220 21
11221 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
11222 [20..40]
11223 @end smallexample
11224
11225 @noindent
11226 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
11227
11228 @smallexample
11229 VAR
11230 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
11231 @end smallexample
11232
11233 @noindent
11234 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
11235
11236 @smallexample
11237 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11238 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
11239 @end smallexample
11240
11241 @noindent
11242 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
11243 expressions using the debugger.
11244
11245 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
11246 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
11247
11248 @smallexample
11249 VAR
11250 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
11251 @end smallexample
11252
11253 @smallexample
11254 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11255 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
11256 @end smallexample
11257
11258 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
11259 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
11260 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
11261 above.
11262
11263 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
11264
11265 @smallexample
11266 TYPE
11267 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
11268 t = [blue..yellow] ;
11269 VAR
11270 s: t ;
11271 BEGIN
11272 s := blue ;
11273 @end smallexample
11274
11275 @noindent
11276 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
11277 and value of a variable.
11278
11279 @smallexample
11280 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11281 $1 = blue
11282 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
11283 type = [blue..yellow]
11284 @end smallexample
11285
11286 @noindent
11287 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
11288 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
11289 their @code{C} counterparts.
11290
11291 @smallexample
11292 VAR
11293 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
11294 BEGIN
11295 s[1] := 1 ;
11296 @end smallexample
11297
11298 @smallexample
11299 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11300 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
11301 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11302 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
11303 @end smallexample
11304
11305 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
11306 pointer types as shown in this example:
11307
11308 @smallexample
11309 VAR
11310 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
11311 BEGIN
11312 NEW(s) ;
11313 s^[1] := 1 ;
11314 @end smallexample
11315
11316 @noindent
11317 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
11318
11319 @smallexample
11320 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11321 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
11322 @end smallexample
11323
11324 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
11325 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
11326 types:
11327
11328 @smallexample
11329 TYPE
11330 foo = RECORD
11331 f1: CARDINAL ;
11332 f2: CHAR ;
11333 f3: myarray ;
11334 END ;
11335
11336 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
11337 myrange = [-2..2] ;
11338 VAR
11339 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
11340 @end smallexample
11341
11342 @noindent
11343 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
11344 below.
11345
11346 @smallexample
11347 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11348 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
11349 f1 : CARDINAL;
11350 f2 : CHAR;
11351 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
11352 END
11353 @end smallexample
11354
11355 @node M2 Defaults
11356 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
11357 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
11358
11359 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
11360 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
11361 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11362 selected the working language.
11363
11364 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
11365 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
11366 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
11367 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
11368
11369 @node Deviations
11370 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
11371 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
11372
11373 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
11374 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
11375
11376 @itemize @bullet
11377 @item
11378 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
11379 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
11380 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
11381 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
11382 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
11383 returned a pointer.)
11384
11385 @item
11386 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
11387 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
11388 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
11389 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
11390
11391 @item
11392 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
11393 argument.
11394
11395 @item
11396 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
11397 @end itemize
11398
11399 @node M2 Checks
11400 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
11401 @cindex Modula-2 checks
11402
11403 @quotation
11404 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
11405 range checking.
11406 @end quotation
11407 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
11408
11409 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
11410
11411 @itemize @bullet
11412 @item
11413 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
11414 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
11415
11416 @item
11417 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
11418 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
11419 @end itemize
11420
11421 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
11422 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
11423
11424 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
11425 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
11426
11427 @node M2 Scope
11428 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
11429 @cindex scope
11430 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
11431 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
11432 @ifinfo
11433 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
11434 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
11435 @end ifinfo
11436 @ifnotinfo
11437 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
11438 @end ifnotinfo
11439
11440 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
11441 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
11442 similar syntax:
11443
11444 @smallexample
11445
11446 @var{module} . @var{id}
11447 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
11448 @end smallexample
11449
11450 @noindent
11451 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
11452 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
11453 identifier within your program, except another module.
11454
11455 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
11456 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
11457 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
11458 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
11459
11460 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
11461 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
11462 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
11463 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
11464 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
11465 @var{module}.
11466
11467 @node GDB/M2
11468 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
11469
11470 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
11471 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
11472 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
11473 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
11474 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
11475 analogue in Modula-2.
11476
11477 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
11478 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
11479 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
11480 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
11481 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
11482 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
11483
11484 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
11485 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
11486 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
11487
11488 @node Ada
11489 @subsection Ada
11490 @cindex Ada
11491
11492 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
11493 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
11494 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
11495 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
11496 to be difficult.
11497
11498
11499 @cindex expressions in Ada
11500 @menu
11501 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
11502 and semantics supported by Ada mode
11503 in @value{GDBN}.
11504 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
11505 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
11506 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
11507 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
11508 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
11509 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
11510 @end menu
11511
11512 @node Ada Mode Intro
11513 @subsubsection Introduction
11514 @cindex Ada mode, general
11515
11516 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
11517 syntax, with some extensions.
11518 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
11519
11520 @itemize @bullet
11521 @item
11522 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
11523 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
11524 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
11525 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
11526
11527 @item
11528 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
11529 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
11530
11531 @item
11532 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
11533 @end itemize
11534
11535 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
11536 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
11537 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
11538 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
11539 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
11540
11541 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
11542 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
11543 was translated from an Ada source file.
11544
11545 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
11546 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
11547 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
11548 middle (to allow based literals).
11549
11550 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
11551 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
11552 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
11553 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
11554 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
11555 functions to procedures elsewhere.
11556
11557 @node Omissions from Ada
11558 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
11559 @cindex Ada, omissions from
11560
11561 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
11562
11563 @itemize @bullet
11564 @item
11565 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
11566
11567 @itemize @minus
11568 @item
11569 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
11570 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
11571
11572 @item
11573 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
11574
11575 @item
11576 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
11577
11578 @item
11579 @t{'Tag}.
11580
11581 @item
11582 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
11583 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
11584
11585 @item
11586 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
11587 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
11588
11589 @item
11590 @t{'Address}.
11591 @end itemize
11592
11593 @item
11594 The names in
11595 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
11596 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
11597 not currently available.
11598
11599 @item
11600 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
11601 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
11602 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
11603 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
11604 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
11605 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
11606 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
11607 indeterminate values.
11608
11609 @item
11610 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
11611 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
11612 are not implemented.
11613
11614 @item
11615 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
11616 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
11617 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
11618 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
11619 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
11620
11621 @smallexample
11622 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
11623 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
11624 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
11625 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
11626 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
11627 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
11628 @end smallexample
11629
11630 Changing a
11631 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
11632 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
11633 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
11634 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
11635 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
11636 declared to have a type such as:
11637
11638 @smallexample
11639 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
11640 Id : Integer;
11641 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
11642 end record;
11643 @end smallexample
11644
11645 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
11646 assignments:
11647
11648 @smallexample
11649 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
11650 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
11651 @end smallexample
11652
11653 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
11654 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
11655 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
11656 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
11657 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
11658 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
11659 redundant component associations, although which component values are
11660 assigned in such cases is not defined.
11661
11662 @item
11663 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
11664
11665 @item
11666 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
11667 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
11668 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
11669 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
11670 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
11671 the proper resolution.
11672
11673 @item
11674 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
11675
11676 @item
11677 Entry calls are not implemented.
11678
11679 @item
11680 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
11681 formats are not supported.
11682
11683 @item
11684 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
11685
11686 @item
11687 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
11688 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
11689 context.
11690 Should your program
11691 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
11692 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
11693 @end itemize
11694
11695 @node Additions to Ada
11696 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
11697 @cindex Ada, deviations from
11698
11699 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
11700 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
11701
11702 @itemize @bullet
11703 @item
11704 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
11705 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
11706 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
11707 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
11708 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
11709 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
11710 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
11711 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
11712
11713 @item
11714 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
11715 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
11716 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
11717
11718 @item
11719 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
11720 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
11721
11722 @item
11723 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
11724 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
11725 @end itemize
11726
11727 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
11728 additions specific to Ada:
11729
11730 @itemize @bullet
11731 @item
11732 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
11733 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
11734
11735 @smallexample
11736 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
11737 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
11738 @end smallexample
11739
11740 @item
11741 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
11742 the value of its right-hand operand.
11743 This allows, for example,
11744 complex conditional breaks:
11745
11746 @smallexample
11747 (@value{GDBP}) break f
11748 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
11749 @end smallexample
11750
11751 @item
11752 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
11753 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
11754 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
11755 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
11756 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
11757 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
11758 in strings. For example,
11759 @smallexample
11760 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
11761 @end smallexample
11762 @noindent
11763 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
11764 after each period.
11765
11766 @item
11767 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
11768 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
11769 to write
11770
11771 @smallexample
11772 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
11773 @end smallexample
11774
11775 @item
11776 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
11777 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
11778 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
11779 of 3 might print as
11780
11781 @smallexample
11782 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
11783 @end smallexample
11784
11785 @noindent
11786 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
11787 clause.
11788
11789 @item
11790 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
11791 multi-character subsequence of
11792 their names (an exact match gets preference).
11793 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
11794 in place of @t{a'length}.
11795
11796 @item
11797 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
11798 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
11799 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
11800 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
11801 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
11802 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
11803 For example,
11804 @smallexample
11805 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
11806 @end smallexample
11807
11808 @item
11809 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
11810 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
11811 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
11812 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
11813 object.
11814
11815 @end itemize
11816
11817 @node Stopping Before Main Program
11818 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
11819
11820 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
11821 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
11822 before reaching the main procedure.
11823 As defined in the Ada Reference
11824 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
11825 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
11826 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
11827 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
11828
11829 @node Ada Tasks
11830 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
11831 @cindex Ada, tasking
11832
11833 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
11834 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
11835
11836 @table @code
11837 @kindex info tasks
11838 @item info tasks
11839 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
11840
11841
11842 @smallexample
11843 @iftex
11844 @leftskip=0.5cm
11845 @end iftex
11846 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
11847 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
11848 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
11849 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
11850 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
11851 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
11852
11853 @end smallexample
11854
11855 @noindent
11856 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
11857 task currently being inspected.
11858
11859 @table @asis
11860 @item ID
11861 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
11862
11863 @item TID
11864 The Ada task ID.
11865
11866 @item P-ID
11867 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
11868
11869 @item Pri
11870 The base priority of the task.
11871
11872 @item State
11873 Current state of the task.
11874
11875 @table @code
11876 @item Unactivated
11877 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
11878 executing.
11879
11880 @item Runnable
11881 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
11882 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
11883
11884 @item Terminated
11885 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
11886 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
11887 terminated themselves.
11888
11889 @item Child Activation Wait
11890 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
11891
11892 @item Accept Statement
11893 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
11894
11895 @item Waiting on entry call
11896 The task is waiting on an entry call.
11897
11898 @item Async Select Wait
11899 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
11900 select statement.
11901
11902 @item Delay Sleep
11903 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
11904 alternative open.
11905
11906 @item Child Termination Wait
11907 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
11908 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
11909 waiting on a terminate Phase.
11910
11911 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
11912 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
11913 finish terminating.
11914
11915 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
11916 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
11917 @end table
11918
11919 @item Name
11920 Name of the task in the program.
11921
11922 @end table
11923
11924 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
11925 @item info task @var{taskno}
11926 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
11927 the following example:
11928 @smallexample
11929 @iftex
11930 @leftskip=0.5cm
11931 @end iftex
11932 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
11933 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
11934 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
11935 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
11936 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
11937 Ada Task: 0x807c468
11938 Name: task_1
11939 Thread: 0x807f378
11940 Parent: 1 (main_task)
11941 Base Priority: 15
11942 State: Runnable
11943 @end smallexample
11944
11945 @item task
11946 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
11947 @cindex current Ada task ID
11948 This command prints the ID of the current task.
11949
11950 @smallexample
11951 @iftex
11952 @leftskip=0.5cm
11953 @end iftex
11954 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
11955 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
11956 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
11957 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
11958 (@value{GDBP}) task
11959 [Current task is 2]
11960 @end smallexample
11961
11962 @item task @var{taskno}
11963 @cindex Ada task switching
11964 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
11965 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
11966 from the current task to the given task.
11967
11968 @smallexample
11969 @iftex
11970 @leftskip=0.5cm
11971 @end iftex
11972 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
11973 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
11974 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
11975 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
11976 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
11977 [Switching to task 1]
11978 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
11979 (@value{GDBP}) bt
11980 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
11981 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
11982 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
11983 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
11984 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
11985 @end smallexample
11986
11987 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
11988 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
11989 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
11990 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
11991 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
11992 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
11993 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
11994 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
11995 in @ref{Specify Location}.
11996
11997 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
11998 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
11999 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
12000 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
12001 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
12002
12003 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
12004 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
12005 program.
12006
12007 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
12008 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
12009 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
12010
12011 For example,
12012
12013 @smallexample
12014 @iftex
12015 @leftskip=0.5cm
12016 @end iftex
12017 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12018 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12019 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12020 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
12021 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12022 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
12023 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
12024 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
12025 (@value{GDBP}) cont
12026 Continuing.
12027 task # 1 running
12028 task # 2 running
12029
12030 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
12031 15 flush;
12032 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
12033 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
12034 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
12035 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
12036 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
12037 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
12038 @end smallexample
12039 @end table
12040
12041 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
12042 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
12043 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
12044
12045 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
12046 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
12047 the platform being used.
12048 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
12049 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
12050 as usual.
12051
12052 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
12053 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
12054 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
12055 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
12056 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
12057 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
12058
12059 @node Ada Glitches
12060 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
12061 @cindex Ada, problems
12062
12063 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
12064 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
12065 @value{GDBN},
12066 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
12067 and the GNU Ada compiler.
12068
12069 @itemize @bullet
12070 @item
12071 Currently, the debugger
12072 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
12073 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
12074 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
12075 to get it printed properly.
12076
12077 @item
12078 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
12079 storage are invisible to the debugger.
12080
12081 @item
12082 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
12083 argument lists are treated as positional).
12084
12085 @item
12086 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
12087
12088 @item
12089 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
12090 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
12091 the host machine.
12092
12093 @item
12094 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
12095 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
12096 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
12097 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
12098 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
12099 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
12100 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
12101 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
12102 you can usually resolve the confusion
12103 by qualifying the problematic names with package
12104 @code{Standard} explicitly.
12105 @end itemize
12106
12107 @node Unsupported Languages
12108 @section Unsupported Languages
12109
12110 @cindex unsupported languages
12111 @cindex minimal language
12112 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
12113 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
12114 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
12115 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
12116 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
12117 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
12118
12119 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
12120 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
12121 language.
12122
12123 @node Symbols
12124 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
12125
12126 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
12127 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
12128 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
12129 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
12130 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
12131 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
12132 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
12133
12134 @cindex symbol names
12135 @cindex names of symbols
12136 @cindex quoting names
12137 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
12138 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
12139 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
12140 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
12141 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
12142 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
12143 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
12144 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
12145
12146 @smallexample
12147 p 'foo.c'::x
12148 @end smallexample
12149
12150 @noindent
12151 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
12152
12153 @table @code
12154 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
12155 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
12156 @kindex set case-sensitive
12157 @item set case-sensitive on
12158 @itemx set case-sensitive off
12159 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
12160 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
12161 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
12162 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
12163 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
12164 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
12165 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
12166 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
12167 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
12168 case-insensitive matches.
12169
12170 @kindex show case-sensitive
12171 @item show case-sensitive
12172 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
12173 lookups.
12174
12175 @kindex info address
12176 @cindex address of a symbol
12177 @item info address @var{symbol}
12178 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
12179 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
12180 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
12181 is always stored.
12182
12183 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
12184 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
12185 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
12186
12187 @kindex info symbol
12188 @cindex symbol from address
12189 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
12190 @item info symbol @var{addr}
12191 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
12192 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
12193 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
12194
12195 @smallexample
12196 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
12197 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
12198 @end smallexample
12199
12200 @noindent
12201 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
12202 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
12203
12204 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
12205 library containing the symbol is also printed:
12206
12207 @smallexample
12208 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
12209 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
12210 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
12211 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
12212 @end smallexample
12213
12214 @kindex whatis
12215 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
12216 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
12217 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
12218 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
12219 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
12220 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
12221 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
12222 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
12223 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
12224 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
12225 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12226
12227 @kindex ptype
12228 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
12229 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
12230 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
12231 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12232
12233 For example, for this variable declaration:
12234
12235 @smallexample
12236 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
12237 @end smallexample
12238
12239 @noindent
12240 the two commands give this output:
12241
12242 @smallexample
12243 @group
12244 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
12245 type = struct complex
12246 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
12247 type = struct complex @{
12248 double real;
12249 double imag;
12250 @}
12251 @end group
12252 @end smallexample
12253
12254 @noindent
12255 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
12256 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
12257
12258 @cindex incomplete type
12259 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
12260 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
12261 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
12262 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
12263 given these declarations:
12264
12265 @smallexample
12266 struct foo;
12267 struct foo *fooptr;
12268 @end smallexample
12269
12270 @noindent
12271 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
12272
12273 @smallexample
12274 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
12275 $1 = <incomplete type>
12276 @end smallexample
12277
12278 @noindent
12279 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
12280 completely specified.
12281
12282 @kindex info types
12283 @item info types @var{regexp}
12284 @itemx info types
12285 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
12286 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
12287 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
12288 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
12289 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
12290 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
12291 name is @code{value}.
12292
12293 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
12294 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
12295 lists all source files where a type is defined.
12296
12297 @kindex info scope
12298 @cindex local variables
12299 @item info scope @var{location}
12300 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
12301 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
12302 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
12303 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
12304 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
12305
12306 @smallexample
12307 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
12308 Scope for command_line_handler:
12309 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
12310 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
12311 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
12312 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
12313 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
12314 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
12315 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
12316 @end smallexample
12317
12318 @noindent
12319 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
12320 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
12321 collect}.
12322
12323 @kindex info source
12324 @item info source
12325 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
12326 the function containing the current point of execution:
12327 @itemize @bullet
12328 @item
12329 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
12330 @item
12331 the directory it was compiled in,
12332 @item
12333 its length, in lines,
12334 @item
12335 which programming language it is written in,
12336 @item
12337 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
12338 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
12339 @item
12340 whether the debugging information includes information about
12341 preprocessor macros.
12342 @end itemize
12343
12344
12345 @kindex info sources
12346 @item info sources
12347 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
12348 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
12349 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
12350
12351 @kindex info functions
12352 @item info functions
12353 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
12354
12355 @item info functions @var{regexp}
12356 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
12357 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
12358 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
12359 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
12360 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
12361 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
12362 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
12363
12364 @kindex info variables
12365 @item info variables
12366 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
12367 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
12368
12369 @item info variables @var{regexp}
12370 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
12371 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
12372 @var{regexp}.
12373
12374 @kindex info classes
12375 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
12376 @item info classes
12377 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
12378 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
12379 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
12380 expression.
12381
12382 @kindex info selectors
12383 @item info selectors
12384 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
12385 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
12386 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
12387 expression.
12388
12389 @ignore
12390 This was never implemented.
12391 @kindex info methods
12392 @item info methods
12393 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
12394 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
12395 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
12396 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
12397 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
12398 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
12399 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
12400 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
12401 @end ignore
12402
12403 @cindex reloading symbols
12404 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
12405 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
12406 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
12407 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
12408 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
12409
12410 @table @code
12411 @kindex set symbol-reloading
12412 @item set symbol-reloading on
12413 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
12414 object file with a particular name is seen again.
12415
12416 @item set symbol-reloading off
12417 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
12418 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
12419 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
12420 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
12421 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
12422 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
12423 name.
12424
12425 @kindex show symbol-reloading
12426 @item show symbol-reloading
12427 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
12428 @end table
12429
12430 @cindex opaque data types
12431 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
12432 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
12433 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
12434 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
12435 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
12436 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
12437 another source file. The default is on.
12438
12439 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
12440 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
12441
12442 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
12443 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
12444 is printed as follows:
12445 @smallexample
12446 @{<no data fields>@}
12447 @end smallexample
12448
12449 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
12450 @item show opaque-type-resolution
12451 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
12452
12453 @kindex set print symbol-loading
12454 @cindex print messages when symbols are loaded
12455 @item set print symbol-loading
12456 @itemx set print symbol-loading on
12457 @itemx set print symbol-loading off
12458 The @code{set print symbol-loading} command allows you to enable or
12459 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} loads symbols.
12460 By default, these messages will be printed, and normally this is what
12461 you want. Disabling these messages is useful when debugging applications
12462 with lots of shared libraries where the quantity of output can be more
12463 annoying than useful.
12464
12465 @kindex show print symbol-loading
12466 @item show print symbol-loading
12467 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} loads symbols.
12468
12469 @kindex maint print symbols
12470 @cindex symbol dump
12471 @kindex maint print psymbols
12472 @cindex partial symbol dump
12473 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
12474 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
12475 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
12476 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
12477 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
12478 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
12479 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
12480 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
12481 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
12482 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
12483 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
12484 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
12485 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
12486 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
12487 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
12488 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
12489 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
12490
12491 @kindex maint info symtabs
12492 @kindex maint info psymtabs
12493 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
12494 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
12495 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
12496 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
12497 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
12498 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
12499
12500 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
12501 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
12502 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
12503 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
12504 structure in more detail. For example:
12505
12506 @smallexample
12507 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
12508 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
12509 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
12510 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
12511 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
12512 readin no
12513 fullname (null)
12514 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
12515 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
12516 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
12517 dependencies (none)
12518 @}
12519 @}
12520 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
12521 (@value{GDBP})
12522 @end smallexample
12523 @noindent
12524 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
12525 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
12526 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
12527 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
12528 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
12529
12530 @smallexample
12531 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
12532 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
12533 line 1574.
12534 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
12535 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
12536 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
12537 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
12538 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
12539 dirname (null)
12540 fullname (null)
12541 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
12542 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
12543 debugformat DWARF 2
12544 @}
12545 @}
12546 (@value{GDBP})
12547 @end smallexample
12548 @end table
12549
12550
12551 @node Altering
12552 @chapter Altering Execution
12553
12554 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
12555 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
12556 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
12557 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
12558 program.
12559
12560 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
12561 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
12562 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
12563
12564 @menu
12565 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
12566 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
12567 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
12568 * Returning:: Returning from a function
12569 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
12570 * Patching:: Patching your program
12571 @end menu
12572
12573 @node Assignment
12574 @section Assignment to Variables
12575
12576 @cindex assignment
12577 @cindex setting variables
12578 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
12579 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
12580
12581 @smallexample
12582 print x=4
12583 @end smallexample
12584
12585 @noindent
12586 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
12587 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
12588 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
12589 information on operators in supported languages.
12590
12591 @kindex set variable
12592 @cindex variables, setting
12593 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
12594 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
12595 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
12596 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
12597 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
12598
12599 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
12600 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
12601 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
12602 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
12603 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
12604 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
12605 command @code{set width}:
12606
12607 @smallexample
12608 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
12609 type = double
12610 (@value{GDBP}) p width
12611 $4 = 13
12612 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
12613 Invalid syntax in expression.
12614 @end smallexample
12615
12616 @noindent
12617 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
12618 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
12619
12620 @smallexample
12621 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
12622 @end smallexample
12623
12624 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
12625 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
12626 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
12627 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
12628 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
12629 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
12630
12631 @smallexample
12632 @group
12633 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
12634 type = double
12635 (@value{GDBP}) p g
12636 $1 = 1
12637 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
12638 (@value{GDBP}) p g
12639 $2 = 1
12640 (@value{GDBP}) r
12641 The program being debugged has been started already.
12642 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
12643 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
12644 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
12645 Invalid bfd target.
12646 (@value{GDBP}) show g
12647 The current BFD target is "=4".
12648 @end group
12649 @end smallexample
12650
12651 @noindent
12652 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
12653 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
12654 @code{g}, use
12655
12656 @smallexample
12657 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
12658 @end smallexample
12659
12660 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
12661 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
12662 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
12663 same length or shorter.
12664 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
12665 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
12666
12667 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
12668 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
12669 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
12670 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
12671 and representation in memory), and
12672
12673 @smallexample
12674 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
12675 @end smallexample
12676
12677 @noindent
12678 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
12679
12680 @node Jumping
12681 @section Continuing at a Different Address
12682
12683 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
12684 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
12685 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
12686
12687 @table @code
12688 @kindex jump
12689 @item jump @var{linespec}
12690 @itemx jump @var{location}
12691 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
12692 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
12693 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
12694 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
12695 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
12696 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12697
12698 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
12699 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
12700 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
12701 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
12702 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
12703 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
12704 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
12705 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
12706 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
12707 @end table
12708
12709 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
12710 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
12711 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
12712 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
12713 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
12714 example,
12715
12716 @smallexample
12717 set $pc = 0x485
12718 @end smallexample
12719
12720 @noindent
12721 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
12722 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
12723 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
12724
12725 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
12726 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
12727 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
12728 detail.
12729
12730 @c @group
12731 @node Signaling
12732 @section Giving your Program a Signal
12733 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
12734
12735 @table @code
12736 @kindex signal
12737 @item signal @var{signal}
12738 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
12739 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
12740 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
12741 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
12742
12743 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
12744 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
12745 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
12746 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
12747 signal.
12748
12749 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
12750 after executing the command.
12751 @end table
12752 @c @end group
12753
12754 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
12755 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
12756 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
12757 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
12758 passes the signal directly to your program.
12759
12760
12761 @node Returning
12762 @section Returning from a Function
12763
12764 @table @code
12765 @cindex returning from a function
12766 @kindex return
12767 @item return
12768 @itemx return @var{expression}
12769 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
12770 command. If you give an
12771 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
12772 value.
12773 @end table
12774
12775 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
12776 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
12777 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
12778 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
12779
12780 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
12781 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
12782 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
12783 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
12784 of functions.
12785
12786 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
12787 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
12788 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
12789 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
12790 selected stack frame returns naturally.
12791
12792 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
12793 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
12794 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
12795 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
12796 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
12797 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
12798 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
12799 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
12800 assignment into the right register(s).
12801
12802 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
12803 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
12804 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
12805 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
12806 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
12807 into a @code{long long int}:
12808
12809 @smallexample
12810 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
12811 29 return 31;
12812 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
12813 Make func return now? (y or n) y
12814 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
12815 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
12816 (@value{GDBP})
12817 @end smallexample
12818
12819 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
12820 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
12821 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
12822 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
12823 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
12824 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
12825 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
12826 an appropriate cast explicitly:
12827
12828 @smallexample
12829 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
12830 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
12831 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
12832 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
12833 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
12834 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
12835 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
12836 (@value{GDBP})
12837 @end smallexample
12838
12839 @node Calling
12840 @section Calling Program Functions
12841
12842 @table @code
12843 @cindex calling functions
12844 @cindex inferior functions, calling
12845 @item print @var{expr}
12846 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
12847 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
12848 debugged.
12849
12850 @kindex call
12851 @item call @var{expr}
12852 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
12853 returned values.
12854
12855 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
12856 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
12857 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
12858 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
12859 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
12860 value history.
12861 @end table
12862
12863 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
12864 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
12865 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
12866 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
12867
12868 @table @code
12869 @item set unwindonsignal
12870 @kindex set unwindonsignal
12871 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
12872 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
12873 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
12874 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
12875 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
12876 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
12877 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
12878 received.
12879
12880 @item show unwindonsignal
12881 @kindex show unwindonsignal
12882 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
12883 @value{GDBN}.
12884 @end table
12885
12886 @cindex weak alias functions
12887 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
12888 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
12889 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
12890 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
12891 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
12892 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
12893 function instead.
12894
12895 @node Patching
12896 @section Patching Programs
12897
12898 @cindex patching binaries
12899 @cindex writing into executables
12900 @cindex writing into corefiles
12901
12902 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
12903 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
12904 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
12905 patching your program's binary.
12906
12907 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
12908 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
12909 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
12910 repairs.
12911
12912 @table @code
12913 @kindex set write
12914 @item set write on
12915 @itemx set write off
12916 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
12917 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
12918 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
12919
12920 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
12921 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
12922 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
12923
12924 @item show write
12925 @kindex show write
12926 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
12927 as well as reading.
12928 @end table
12929
12930 @node GDB Files
12931 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
12932
12933 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
12934 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
12935 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
12936 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
12937
12938 @menu
12939 * Files:: Commands to specify files
12940 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
12941 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
12942 * Data Files:: GDB data files
12943 @end menu
12944
12945 @node Files
12946 @section Commands to Specify Files
12947
12948 @cindex symbol table
12949 @cindex core dump file
12950
12951 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
12952 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
12953 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
12954 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
12955
12956 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
12957 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
12958 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
12959 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
12960 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
12961 new files are useful.
12962
12963 @table @code
12964 @cindex executable file
12965 @kindex file
12966 @item file @var{filename}
12967 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
12968 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
12969 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
12970 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
12971 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
12972 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
12973 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
12974 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
12975
12976 @cindex unlinked object files
12977 @cindex patching object files
12978 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
12979 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
12980 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
12981 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
12982 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
12983 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
12984 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
12985 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
12986
12987 @item file
12988 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
12989 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
12990
12991 @kindex exec-file
12992 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
12993 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
12994 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
12995 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
12996 discard information on the executable file.
12997
12998 @kindex symbol-file
12999 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
13000 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
13001 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
13002 table and program to run from the same file.
13003
13004 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
13005 program's symbol table.
13006
13007 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
13008 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
13009 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
13010 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
13011 @value{GDBN}.
13012
13013 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
13014 executing it once.
13015
13016 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
13017 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
13018 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
13019 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
13020 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
13021 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
13022 optimized code.
13023
13024 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
13025 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
13026 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
13027 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
13028 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
13029
13030 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
13031 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
13032 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
13033 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
13034 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
13035 Warnings and Messages}.)
13036
13037 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
13038 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
13039 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
13040 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
13041 in stabs format.
13042
13043 @kindex readnow
13044 @cindex reading symbols immediately
13045 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
13046 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13047 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13048 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
13049 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
13050 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
13051 entire symbol table available.
13052
13053 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
13054 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
13055 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
13056 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
13057 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
13058 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
13059 @c files.
13060
13061 @kindex core-file
13062 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
13063 @itemx core
13064 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
13065 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
13066 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
13067 executable file itself for other parts.
13068
13069 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
13070 to be used.
13071
13072 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
13073 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
13074 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
13075 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
13076 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
13077
13078 @kindex add-symbol-file
13079 @cindex dynamic linking
13080 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
13081 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
13082 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
13083 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
13084 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
13085 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
13086 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
13087 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
13088 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
13089 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
13090 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
13091 @var{address} as an expression.
13092
13093 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
13094 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
13095 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
13096 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
13097 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
13098
13099 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
13100 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
13101 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
13102 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
13103 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
13104 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
13105 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
13106 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
13107 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
13108
13109 @itemize @bullet
13110 @item
13111 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
13112 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
13113 @item
13114 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
13115 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
13116 @item
13117 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
13118 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
13119 @end itemize
13120
13121 @noindent
13122 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
13123 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
13124 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
13125 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
13126 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
13127 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
13128 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
13129 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
13130 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
13131 way.
13132
13133 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
13134
13135 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
13136 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
13137 @cindex load symbols from memory
13138 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
13139 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
13140 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
13141 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
13142 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
13143 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
13144 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
13145 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
13146 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
13147
13148 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
13149 @kindex assf
13150 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
13151 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
13152 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
13153 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
13154 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
13155 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
13156 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
13157 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
13158 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
13159 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
13160
13161 @kindex section
13162 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
13163 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
13164 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
13165 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
13166 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
13167 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
13168 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
13169 their addresses.
13170
13171 @kindex info files
13172 @kindex info target
13173 @item info files
13174 @itemx info target
13175 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
13176 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
13177 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
13178 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
13179 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
13180 current ones.
13181
13182 @kindex maint info sections
13183 @item maint info sections
13184 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
13185 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
13186 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
13187 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
13188 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
13189 may be arbitrarily combined):
13190
13191 @table @code
13192 @item ALLOBJ
13193 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
13194 @item @var{sections}
13195 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
13196 @item @var{section-flags}
13197 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
13198 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
13199 @table @code
13200 @item ALLOC
13201 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
13202 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
13203 @item LOAD
13204 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
13205 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
13206 @item RELOC
13207 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
13208 @item READONLY
13209 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
13210 @item CODE
13211 Section contains executable code only.
13212 @item DATA
13213 Section contains data only (no executable code).
13214 @item ROM
13215 Section will reside in ROM.
13216 @item CONSTRUCTOR
13217 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
13218 @item HAS_CONTENTS
13219 Section is not empty.
13220 @item NEVER_LOAD
13221 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
13222 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
13223 A notification to the linker that the section contains
13224 COFF shared library information.
13225 @item IS_COMMON
13226 Section contains common symbols.
13227 @end table
13228 @end table
13229 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
13230 @cindex read-only sections
13231 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
13232 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
13233 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
13234 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
13235 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
13236 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
13237 enhancement to debugging performance.
13238
13239 The default is off.
13240
13241 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
13242 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
13243 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
13244 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
13245
13246 @item show trust-readonly-sections
13247 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
13248 @end table
13249
13250 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
13251 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
13252 name and remembers it that way.
13253
13254 @cindex shared libraries
13255 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
13256 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
13257 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
13258
13259 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
13260 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
13261
13262 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
13263 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
13264 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
13265 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
13266 debugging a core file).
13267
13268 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
13269 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
13270
13271 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
13272 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
13273 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
13274
13275 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
13276 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
13277 particularly large or there are many of them.
13278
13279 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
13280 commands:
13281
13282 @table @code
13283 @kindex set auto-solib-add
13284 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
13285 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
13286 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
13287 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
13288 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
13289 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
13290 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
13291
13292 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
13293 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
13294 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
13295 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
13296 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
13297 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
13298 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
13299 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
13300 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
13301
13302 @kindex show auto-solib-add
13303 @item show auto-solib-add
13304 Display the current autoloading mode.
13305 @end table
13306
13307 @cindex load shared library
13308 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
13309 command:
13310
13311 @table @code
13312 @kindex info sharedlibrary
13313 @kindex info share
13314 @item info share
13315 @itemx info sharedlibrary
13316 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
13317
13318 @kindex sharedlibrary
13319 @kindex share
13320 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
13321 @itemx share @var{regex}
13322 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
13323 Unix regular expression.
13324 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
13325 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
13326 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
13327 loaded.
13328
13329 @item nosharedlibrary
13330 @kindex nosharedlibrary
13331 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
13332 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
13333 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
13334 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
13335 discarded.
13336 @end table
13337
13338 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
13339 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
13340 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
13341
13342 @table @code
13343 @item set stop-on-solib-events
13344 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
13345 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
13346 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
13347 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
13348 shared library.
13349
13350 @item show stop-on-solib-events
13351 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
13352 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
13353 library events happen.
13354 @end table
13355
13356 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
13357 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
13358 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
13359 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
13360 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
13361 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
13362 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
13363 not.
13364
13365 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
13366 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
13367 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
13368 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
13369 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
13370
13371 @table @code
13372 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
13373 @cindex system root, alternate
13374 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
13375 @kindex set sysroot
13376 @item set sysroot @var{path}
13377 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
13378 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
13379 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
13380 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
13381 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
13382 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
13383 under @var{path}.
13384
13385 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
13386 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
13387 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
13388 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
13389 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
13390 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
13391 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
13392 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
13393 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
13394
13395 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
13396 sysroot}.
13397
13398 @cindex default system root
13399 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
13400 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
13401 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
13402 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
13403 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
13404 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
13405 location.
13406
13407 @kindex show sysroot
13408 @item show sysroot
13409 Display the current shared library prefix.
13410
13411 @kindex set solib-search-path
13412 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
13413 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
13414 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
13415 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
13416 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
13417 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
13418 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
13419 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
13420 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
13421 of shared library symbols.
13422
13423 @kindex show solib-search-path
13424 @item show solib-search-path
13425 Display the current shared library search path.
13426 @end table
13427
13428
13429 @node Separate Debug Files
13430 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
13431 @cindex separate debugging information files
13432 @cindex debugging information in separate files
13433 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
13434 @cindex debugging information directory, global
13435 @cindex global debugging information directory
13436 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
13437 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
13438
13439 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
13440 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
13441 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
13442 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
13443 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
13444 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
13445 install only when they need to debug a problem.
13446
13447 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
13448 file:
13449
13450 @itemize @bullet
13451 @item
13452 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
13453 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
13454 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
13455 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
13456 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
13457 debug link specifies a CRC32 checksum for the debug file, which
13458 @value{GDBN} uses to validate that the executable and the debug file
13459 came from the same build.
13460
13461 @item
13462 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
13463 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
13464 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
13465 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
13466 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
13467 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
13468 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
13469 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
13470 below.
13471 @end itemize
13472
13473 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
13474 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
13475
13476 @itemize @bullet
13477 @item
13478 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
13479 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
13480 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
13481 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
13482 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
13483
13484 @item
13485 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
13486 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
13487 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
13488 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
13489 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
13490 hex characters, not 10.)
13491 @end itemize
13492
13493 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
13494 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
13495 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
13496 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
13497 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
13498 debug information files, in the indicated order:
13499
13500 @itemize @minus
13501 @item
13502 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
13503 @item
13504 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
13505 @item
13506 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
13507 @item
13508 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
13509 @end itemize
13510
13511 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
13512 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
13513
13514 @table @code
13515
13516 @kindex set debug-file-directory
13517 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directory}
13518 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
13519 information files to @var{directory}.
13520
13521 @kindex show debug-file-directory
13522 @item show debug-file-directory
13523 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
13524 information files.
13525
13526 @end table
13527
13528 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
13529 @cindex debug link sections
13530 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
13531 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
13532
13533 @itemize
13534 @item
13535 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
13536 a zero byte,
13537 @item
13538 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
13539 boundary within the section, and
13540 @item
13541 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
13542 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
13543 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
13544 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
13545 @end itemize
13546
13547 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
13548 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
13549 described above.
13550
13551 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
13552 @cindex build ID sections
13553 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
13554 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
13555 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
13556 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
13557 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
13558 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
13559 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
13560 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
13561 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
13562
13563 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
13564 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
13565 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
13566 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
13567 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
13568 in an ordinary executable.
13569
13570 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
13571 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
13572 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
13573 following commands:
13574
13575 @smallexample
13576 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
13577 @kbd{strip -g foo}
13578 @end smallexample
13579
13580 @noindent
13581 These commands remove the debugging
13582 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
13583 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
13584 two files:
13585
13586 @itemize @bullet
13587 @item
13588 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
13589 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
13590
13591 @smallexample
13592 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
13593 @end smallexample
13594
13595 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
13596 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
13597 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
13598 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
13599
13600 @item
13601 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
13602 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
13603 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
13604 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
13605 @end itemize
13606
13607 @noindent
13608
13609 Since there are many different ways to compute CRC's for the debug
13610 link (different polynomials, reversals, byte ordering, etc.), the
13611 simplest way to describe the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}
13612 sections is to give the complete code for a function that computes it:
13613
13614 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
13615 @smallexample
13616 unsigned long
13617 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
13618 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
13619 @{
13620 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
13621 @{
13622 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
13623 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
13624 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
13625 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
13626 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
13627 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
13628 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
13629 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
13630 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
13631 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
13632 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
13633 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
13634 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
13635 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
13636 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
13637 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
13638 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
13639 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
13640 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
13641 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
13642 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
13643 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
13644 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
13645 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
13646 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
13647 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
13648 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
13649 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
13650 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
13651 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
13652 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
13653 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
13654 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
13655 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
13656 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
13657 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
13658 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
13659 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
13660 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
13661 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
13662 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
13663 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
13664 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
13665 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
13666 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
13667 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
13668 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
13669 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
13670 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
13671 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
13672 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
13673 0x2d02ef8d
13674 @};
13675 unsigned char *end;
13676
13677 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
13678 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
13679 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
13680 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
13681 @}
13682 @end smallexample
13683
13684 @noindent
13685 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
13686
13687
13688 @node Symbol Errors
13689 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
13690
13691 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
13692 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
13693 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
13694 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
13695 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
13696 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
13697 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
13698 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
13699 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
13700 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
13701 Messages}).
13702
13703 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
13704
13705 @table @code
13706 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
13707
13708 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
13709 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
13710 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
13711 in its outer scope blocks.
13712
13713 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
13714 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
13715 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
13716 function.
13717
13718 @item block at @var{address} out of order
13719
13720 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
13721 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
13722 do so.
13723
13724 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
13725 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
13726 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
13727 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
13728 Messages}.)
13729
13730 @item bad block start address patched
13731
13732 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
13733 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
13734 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
13735
13736 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
13737 starting on the previous source line.
13738
13739 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
13740
13741 @cindex foo
13742 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
13743 larger than the size of the string table.
13744
13745 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
13746 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
13747 with this name.
13748
13749 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
13750
13751 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
13752 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
13753 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
13754
13755 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
13756 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
13757 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
13758 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
13759 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
13760 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
13761
13762 @item stub type has NULL name
13763
13764 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
13765
13766 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
13767 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
13768 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
13769 it.
13770
13771 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
13772
13773 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
13774
13775 @end table
13776
13777 @node Data Files
13778 @section GDB Data Files
13779
13780 @cindex prefix for data files
13781 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
13782 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
13783
13784 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
13785 is currently using.
13786
13787 @table @code
13788 @kindex set data-directory
13789 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
13790 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
13791 to @var{directory}.
13792
13793 @kindex show data-directory
13794 @item show data-directory
13795 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
13796 @end table
13797
13798 @cindex default data directory
13799 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
13800 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
13801 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
13802 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
13803 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
13804 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
13805 location.
13806
13807 @node Targets
13808 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
13809
13810 @cindex debugging target
13811 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
13812
13813 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
13814 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
13815 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
13816 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
13817 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
13818 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
13819 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
13820 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
13821
13822 @cindex target architecture
13823 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
13824 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
13825 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
13826 command.
13827
13828 @table @code
13829 @kindex set architecture
13830 @kindex show architecture
13831 @item set architecture @var{arch}
13832 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
13833 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
13834 supported architectures.
13835
13836 @item show architecture
13837 Show the current target architecture.
13838
13839 @item set processor
13840 @itemx processor
13841 @kindex set processor
13842 @kindex show processor
13843 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
13844 and @code{show architecture}.
13845 @end table
13846
13847 @menu
13848 * Active Targets:: Active targets
13849 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
13850 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
13851 @end menu
13852
13853 @node Active Targets
13854 @section Active Targets
13855
13856 @cindex stacking targets
13857 @cindex active targets
13858 @cindex multiple targets
13859
13860 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
13861 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
13862 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
13863 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
13864 a core file.
13865
13866 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
13867 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
13868 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
13869 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
13870 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
13871 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
13872 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
13873 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
13874 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
13875
13876 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
13877 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
13878 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
13879 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
13880 process target is active.
13881
13882 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
13883 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify
13884 Files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
13885 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
13886 Process}).
13887
13888 @node Target Commands
13889 @section Commands for Managing Targets
13890
13891 @table @code
13892 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
13893 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
13894 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
13895 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
13896 protocol of the target machine.
13897
13898 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
13899 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
13900 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
13901
13902 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
13903 after executing the command.
13904
13905 @kindex help target
13906 @item help target
13907 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
13908 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
13909 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13910
13911 @item help target @var{name}
13912 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
13913 select it.
13914
13915 @kindex set gnutarget
13916 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
13917 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
13918 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
13919 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
13920 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
13921 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
13922
13923 @quotation
13924 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
13925 you must know the actual BFD name.
13926 @end quotation
13927
13928 @noindent
13929 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
13930
13931 @kindex show gnutarget
13932 @item show gnutarget
13933 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
13934 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
13935 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
13936 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
13937 @end table
13938
13939 @cindex common targets
13940 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
13941 configuration):
13942
13943 @table @code
13944 @kindex target
13945 @item target exec @var{program}
13946 @cindex executable file target
13947 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
13948 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
13949
13950 @item target core @var{filename}
13951 @cindex core dump file target
13952 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
13953 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
13954
13955 @item target remote @var{medium}
13956 @cindex remote target
13957 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
13958 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
13959 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
13960
13961 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
13962 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
13963
13964 @smallexample
13965 target remote /dev/ttya
13966 @end smallexample
13967
13968 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
13969 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
13970 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
13971 clobbered by the download.
13972
13973 @item target sim
13974 @cindex built-in simulator target
13975 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
13976 In general,
13977 @smallexample
13978 target sim
13979 load
13980 run
13981 @end smallexample
13982 @noindent
13983 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
13984 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
13985 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
13986 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
13987 Processors}.
13988
13989 @end table
13990
13991 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
13992
13993 @table @code
13994
13995 @item target nrom @var{dev}
13996 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
13997 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
13998
13999 @end table
14000
14001 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
14002 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
14003
14004 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
14005 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
14006 various aspects of this process.
14007
14008 @table @code
14009
14010 @item set hash
14011 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14012 @cindex hash mark while downloading
14013 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
14014 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
14015 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
14016 monitor.
14017
14018 @item show hash
14019 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
14020 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
14021
14022 @item set debug monitor
14023 @kindex set debug monitor
14024 @cindex display remote monitor communications
14025 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
14026 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14027
14028 @item show debug monitor
14029 @kindex show debug monitor
14030 Show the current status of displaying communications between
14031 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
14032 @end table
14033
14034 @table @code
14035
14036 @kindex load @var{filename}
14037 @item load @var{filename}
14038 @anchor{load}
14039 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
14040 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
14041 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
14042 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
14043 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
14044 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14045
14046 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
14047 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
14048 target is @dots{}}''
14049
14050 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
14051 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
14052 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
14053 specifies a fixed address.
14054 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
14055
14056 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
14057 load programs into flash memory.
14058
14059 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
14060 @end table
14061
14062 @node Byte Order
14063 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
14064
14065 @cindex choosing target byte order
14066 @cindex target byte order
14067
14068 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
14069 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
14070 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
14071 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
14072 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
14073 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
14074
14075 @table @code
14076 @kindex set endian
14077 @item set endian big
14078 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
14079
14080 @item set endian little
14081 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
14082
14083 @item set endian auto
14084 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
14085 executable.
14086
14087 @item show endian
14088 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
14089
14090 @end table
14091
14092 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
14093 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
14094 target system.
14095
14096
14097 @node Remote Debugging
14098 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
14099 @cindex remote debugging
14100
14101 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
14102 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
14103 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
14104 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
14105 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
14106
14107 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
14108 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
14109 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
14110 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
14111 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
14112 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
14113
14114 Other remote targets may be available in your
14115 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
14116
14117 @menu
14118 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
14119 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
14120 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
14121 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
14122 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
14123 @end menu
14124
14125 @node Connecting
14126 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
14127
14128 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
14129 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
14130 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
14131 program as the first argument.
14132
14133 @cindex @code{target remote}
14134 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
14135 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
14136 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
14137 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
14138 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
14139 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
14140
14141 @table @code
14142
14143 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
14144 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
14145 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
14146 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
14147
14148 @smallexample
14149 target remote /dev/ttyb
14150 @end smallexample
14151
14152 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
14153 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
14154 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
14155 @code{target} command.
14156
14157 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
14158 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
14159 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
14160 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
14161 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
14162 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
14163 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
14164 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
14165 target.
14166
14167 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
14168 @code{manyfarms}:
14169
14170 @smallexample
14171 target remote manyfarms:2828
14172 @end smallexample
14173
14174 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
14175 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
14176 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
14177 port 1234 on your local machine:
14178
14179 @smallexample
14180 target remote :1234
14181 @end smallexample
14182 @noindent
14183
14184 Note that the colon is still required here.
14185
14186 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
14187 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
14188 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
14189 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
14190
14191 @smallexample
14192 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
14193 @end smallexample
14194
14195 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
14196 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
14197 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
14198 cause havoc with your debugging session.
14199
14200 @item target remote | @var{command}
14201 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
14202 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
14203 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
14204 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
14205 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
14206 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
14207 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
14208 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
14209
14210 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
14211 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
14212 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
14213
14214 @end table
14215
14216 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
14217 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
14218 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
14219 need to use @kbd{run}.
14220
14221 @cindex interrupting remote programs
14222 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
14223 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
14224 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
14225 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
14226 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
14227 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
14228
14229 @smallexample
14230 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
14231 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
14232 @end smallexample
14233
14234 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
14235 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
14236 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
14237 goes back to waiting.
14238
14239 @table @code
14240 @kindex detach (remote)
14241 @item detach
14242 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
14243 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
14244 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
14245 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
14246 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
14247
14248 @kindex disconnect
14249 @item disconnect
14250 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
14251 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
14252 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
14253 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
14254 another target.
14255
14256 @cindex send command to remote monitor
14257 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
14258 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
14259 @kindex monitor
14260 @item monitor @var{cmd}
14261 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
14262 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
14263 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
14264 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
14265 and implement.
14266 @end table
14267
14268 @node File Transfer
14269 @section Sending files to a remote system
14270 @cindex remote target, file transfer
14271 @cindex file transfer
14272 @cindex sending files to remote systems
14273
14274 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
14275 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
14276 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
14277 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
14278 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
14279 the only way to upload or download files.
14280
14281 Not all remote targets support these commands.
14282
14283 @table @code
14284 @kindex remote put
14285 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
14286 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
14287 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
14288
14289 @kindex remote get
14290 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
14291 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
14292 on the host system.
14293
14294 @kindex remote delete
14295 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
14296 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
14297
14298 @end table
14299
14300 @node Server
14301 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
14302
14303 @kindex gdbserver
14304 @cindex remote connection without stubs
14305 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
14306 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
14307 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
14308
14309 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
14310 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
14311 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
14312 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
14313 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
14314 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
14315 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
14316 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
14317 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
14318 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
14319 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
14320 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
14321 choice for debugging.
14322
14323 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
14324 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
14325 protocol.
14326
14327 @quotation
14328 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
14329 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
14330 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
14331 target system with the same privileges as the user running
14332 @code{gdbserver}.
14333 @end quotation
14334
14335 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
14336 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
14337
14338 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
14339 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
14340 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
14341 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
14342 system does all the symbol handling.
14343
14344 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
14345 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
14346 syntax is:
14347
14348 @smallexample
14349 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
14350 @end smallexample
14351
14352 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
14353 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
14354 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
14355 @file{/dev/com1}:
14356
14357 @smallexample
14358 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
14359 @end smallexample
14360
14361 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
14362 with it.
14363
14364 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
14365
14366 @smallexample
14367 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
14368 @end smallexample
14369
14370 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
14371 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
14372 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
14373 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
14374 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
14375 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
14376 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
14377 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
14378 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
14379 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
14380 @code{target remote} command.
14381
14382 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
14383
14384 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
14385 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
14386
14387 @smallexample
14388 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
14389 @end smallexample
14390
14391 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
14392 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
14393
14394 @pindex pidof
14395 @cindex attach to a program by name
14396 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
14397 @code{pidof} utility:
14398
14399 @smallexample
14400 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
14401 @end smallexample
14402
14403 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
14404 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
14405 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
14406
14407 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
14408 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
14409 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
14410
14411 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
14412 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
14413 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
14414 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
14415
14416 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
14417 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
14418 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
14419 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
14420 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
14421 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
14422 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
14423 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
14424 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
14425
14426 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
14427 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
14428 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
14429 the program you want to debug.
14430
14431 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
14432 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
14433 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
14434
14435 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
14436
14437 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
14438 status information about the debugging process. The
14439 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
14440 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
14441 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
14442
14443 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
14444 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
14445 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
14446 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
14447
14448 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
14449 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
14450 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
14451 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
14452
14453 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
14454 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
14455 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
14456 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
14457
14458 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
14459 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
14460 environment:
14461
14462 @smallexample
14463 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
14464 @end smallexample
14465
14466 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
14467
14468 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
14469
14470 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
14471 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
14472 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
14473 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
14474
14475 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
14476 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
14477 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
14478 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
14479 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
14480 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
14481 programs.
14482
14483 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
14484 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
14485 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
14486 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
14487 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
14488 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
14489 already on the target.
14490
14491 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
14492 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
14493 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
14494
14495 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
14496 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
14497 Here are the available commands.
14498
14499 @table @code
14500 @item monitor help
14501 List the available monitor commands.
14502
14503 @item monitor set debug 0
14504 @itemx monitor set debug 1
14505 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
14506
14507 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
14508 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
14509 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
14510 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
14511
14512 @item monitor exit
14513 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
14514 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
14515 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
14516 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
14517 of a multi-process mode debug session.
14518
14519 @end table
14520
14521 @node Remote Configuration
14522 @section Remote Configuration
14523
14524 @kindex set remote
14525 @kindex show remote
14526 This section documents the configuration options available when
14527 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
14528 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
14529 system-call-allowed}.
14530
14531 @table @code
14532 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
14533 @cindex address size for remote targets
14534 @cindex bits in remote address
14535 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
14536 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
14537 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
14538 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
14539
14540 @item show remoteaddresssize
14541 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
14542
14543 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
14544 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
14545 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
14546 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
14547 remote targets.
14548
14549 @item show remotebaud
14550 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
14551
14552 @item set remotebreak
14553 @cindex interrupt remote programs
14554 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
14555 @anchor{set remotebreak}
14556 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
14557 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
14558 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
14559 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
14560 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
14561
14562 @item show remotebreak
14563 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
14564 interrupt the remote program.
14565
14566 @item set remoteflow on
14567 @itemx set remoteflow off
14568 @kindex set remoteflow
14569 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
14570 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
14571
14572 @item show remoteflow
14573 @kindex show remoteflow
14574 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
14575
14576 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
14577 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
14578 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
14579 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
14580 @code{ascii}.
14581
14582 @item show remotelogbase
14583 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
14584 protocol.
14585
14586 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
14587 @cindex record serial communications on file
14588 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
14589 default is not to record at all.
14590
14591 @item show remotelogfile.
14592 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
14593 serial communications.
14594
14595 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
14596 @cindex timeout for serial communications
14597 @cindex remote timeout
14598 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
14599 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
14600
14601 @item show remotetimeout
14602 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
14603 responses.
14604
14605 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
14606 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
14607 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
14608 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
14609 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
14610 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
14611 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
14612 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
14613
14614 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
14615 @itemx show remote exec-file
14616 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
14617 @cindex executable file, for remote target
14618 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
14619 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
14620 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
14621 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
14622
14623 @kindex set tcp
14624 @kindex show tcp
14625 @item set tcp auto-retry on
14626 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
14627 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
14628 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
14629 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
14630 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
14631 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
14632 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
14633 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
14634
14635 @item set tcp auto-retry off
14636 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
14637
14638 @item show tcp auto-retry
14639 Show the current auto-retry setting.
14640
14641 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
14642 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
14643 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
14644 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
14645 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
14646 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
14647 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
14648 value.
14649
14650 @item show tcp connect-timeout
14651 Show the current connection timeout setting.
14652 @end table
14653
14654 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
14655 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
14656 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
14657 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
14658 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
14659 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
14660 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
14661 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
14662 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
14663
14664 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
14665 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
14666 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
14667 @value{GDBN} developers.
14668
14669 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
14670 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
14671 are:
14672
14673 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
14674 @item Command Name
14675 @tab Remote Packet
14676 @tab Related Features
14677
14678 @item @code{fetch-register}
14679 @tab @code{p}
14680 @tab @code{info registers}
14681
14682 @item @code{set-register}
14683 @tab @code{P}
14684 @tab @code{set}
14685
14686 @item @code{binary-download}
14687 @tab @code{X}
14688 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
14689
14690 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
14691 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
14692 @tab @code{info auxv}
14693
14694 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
14695 @tab @code{qSymbol}
14696 @tab Detecting multiple threads
14697
14698 @item @code{attach}
14699 @tab @code{vAttach}
14700 @tab @code{attach}
14701
14702 @item @code{verbose-resume}
14703 @tab @code{vCont}
14704 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
14705
14706 @item @code{run}
14707 @tab @code{vRun}
14708 @tab @code{run}
14709
14710 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
14711 @tab @code{Z0}
14712 @tab @code{break}
14713
14714 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
14715 @tab @code{Z1}
14716 @tab @code{hbreak}
14717
14718 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
14719 @tab @code{Z2}
14720 @tab @code{watch}
14721
14722 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
14723 @tab @code{Z3}
14724 @tab @code{rwatch}
14725
14726 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
14727 @tab @code{Z4}
14728 @tab @code{awatch}
14729
14730 @item @code{target-features}
14731 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
14732 @tab @code{set architecture}
14733
14734 @item @code{library-info}
14735 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
14736 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
14737
14738 @item @code{memory-map}
14739 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
14740 @tab @code{info mem}
14741
14742 @item @code{read-spu-object}
14743 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
14744 @tab @code{info spu}
14745
14746 @item @code{write-spu-object}
14747 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
14748 @tab @code{info spu}
14749
14750 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
14751 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
14752 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
14753
14754 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
14755 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
14756 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
14757
14758 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
14759 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
14760 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
14761
14762 @item @code{search-memory}
14763 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
14764 @tab @code{find}
14765
14766 @item @code{supported-packets}
14767 @tab @code{qSupported}
14768 @tab Remote communications parameters
14769
14770 @item @code{pass-signals}
14771 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
14772 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
14773
14774 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
14775 @tab @code{vFile:close}
14776 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
14777
14778 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
14779 @tab @code{vFile:open}
14780 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
14781
14782 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
14783 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
14784 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
14785
14786 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
14787 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
14788 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
14789
14790 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
14791 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
14792 @tab @code{remote delete}
14793
14794 @item @code{noack-packet}
14795 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
14796 @tab Packet acknowledgment
14797
14798 @item @code{osdata}
14799 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
14800 @tab @code{info os}
14801
14802 @item @code{query-attached}
14803 @tab @code{qAttached}
14804 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
14805 @end multitable
14806
14807 @node Remote Stub
14808 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
14809
14810 @cindex debugging stub, example
14811 @cindex remote stub, example
14812 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
14813 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
14814 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
14815 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
14816 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
14817 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
14818 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
14819 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
14820
14821 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
14822 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
14823 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
14824 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
14825 program, you need:
14826
14827 @enumerate
14828 @item
14829 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
14830 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
14831 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
14832
14833 @item
14834 A C subroutine library to support your program's
14835 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
14836
14837 @item
14838 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
14839 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
14840 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
14841 documentation.
14842 @end enumerate
14843
14844 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
14845 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
14846 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
14847
14848 @table @emph
14849 @item On the host,
14850 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
14851 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
14852 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
14853
14854 @item On the target,
14855 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
14856 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
14857 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
14858
14859 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
14860 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
14861 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
14862 @end table
14863
14864 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
14865 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
14866 @sc{sparc} boards.
14867
14868 @cindex remote serial stub list
14869 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
14870
14871 @table @code
14872
14873 @item i386-stub.c
14874 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
14875 @cindex Intel
14876 @cindex i386
14877 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
14878
14879 @item m68k-stub.c
14880 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
14881 @cindex Motorola 680x0
14882 @cindex m680x0
14883 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
14884
14885 @item sh-stub.c
14886 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
14887 @cindex Renesas
14888 @cindex SH
14889 For Renesas SH architectures.
14890
14891 @item sparc-stub.c
14892 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
14893 @cindex Sparc
14894 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
14895
14896 @item sparcl-stub.c
14897 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
14898 @cindex Fujitsu
14899 @cindex SparcLite
14900 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
14901
14902 @end table
14903
14904 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
14905 recently added stubs.
14906
14907 @menu
14908 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
14909 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
14910 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
14911 @end menu
14912
14913 @node Stub Contents
14914 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
14915
14916 @cindex remote serial stub
14917 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
14918 subroutines:
14919
14920 @table @code
14921 @item set_debug_traps
14922 @findex set_debug_traps
14923 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
14924 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
14925 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
14926 beginning of your program.
14927
14928 @item handle_exception
14929 @findex handle_exception
14930 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
14931 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
14932 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
14933 run when a trap is triggered.
14934
14935 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
14936 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
14937 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
14938 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
14939 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
14940 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
14941 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
14942 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
14943 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
14944 machine.
14945
14946 @item breakpoint
14947 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
14948 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
14949 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
14950 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
14951 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
14952 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
14953 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
14954 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
14955 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
14956 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
14957 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
14958
14959 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
14960 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
14961 start of your debugging session.
14962 @end table
14963
14964 @node Bootstrapping
14965 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
14966
14967 @cindex remote stub, support routines
14968 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
14969 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
14970 debugging target machine.
14971
14972 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
14973 serial port.
14974
14975 @table @code
14976 @item int getDebugChar()
14977 @findex getDebugChar
14978 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
14979 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
14980 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
14981
14982 @item void putDebugChar(int)
14983 @findex putDebugChar
14984 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
14985 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
14986 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
14987 @end table
14988
14989 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
14990 @cindex interrupting remote targets
14991 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
14992 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
14993 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
14994 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
14995 remote system to stop.
14996
14997 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
14998 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
14999 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
15000 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
15001
15002 Other routines you need to supply are:
15003
15004 @table @code
15005 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
15006 @findex exceptionHandler
15007 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
15008 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
15009 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
15010 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
15011 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
15012 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
15013 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
15014 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
15015 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
15016 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
15017 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
15018 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
15019 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
15020
15021 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
15022 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
15023 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
15024 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
15025 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
15026
15027 @item void flush_i_cache()
15028 @findex flush_i_cache
15029 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
15030 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
15031 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
15032
15033 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
15034 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
15035 @end table
15036
15037 @noindent
15038 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
15039
15040 @table @code
15041 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
15042 @findex memset
15043 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
15044 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
15045 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
15046 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
15047 @end table
15048
15049 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
15050 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
15051 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
15052 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
15053
15054
15055 @node Debug Session
15056 @subsection Putting it All Together
15057
15058 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
15059 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
15060 steps.
15061
15062 @enumerate
15063 @item
15064 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
15065 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
15066 @display
15067 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
15068 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
15069 @end display
15070
15071 @item
15072 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
15073
15074 @smallexample
15075 set_debug_traps();
15076 breakpoint();
15077 @end smallexample
15078
15079 @item
15080 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
15081 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
15082
15083 @smallexample
15084 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
15085 @end smallexample
15086
15087 @noindent
15088 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
15089 function in your program, that function is called when
15090 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
15091 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
15092 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
15093
15094 @item
15095 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
15096 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
15097
15098 @item
15099 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
15100 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
15101
15102 @item
15103 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
15104 @c document that. FIXME.
15105 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
15106 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
15107
15108 @item
15109 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
15110 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
15111
15112 @end enumerate
15113
15114 @node Configurations
15115 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
15116
15117 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
15118 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
15119 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
15120
15121 There are three major categories of configurations: native
15122 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
15123 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
15124 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
15125 are quite different from each other.
15126
15127 @menu
15128 * Native::
15129 * Embedded OS::
15130 * Embedded Processors::
15131 * Architectures::
15132 @end menu
15133
15134 @node Native
15135 @section Native
15136
15137 This section describes details specific to particular native
15138 configurations.
15139
15140 @menu
15141 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
15142 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
15143 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
15144 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
15145 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
15146 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
15147 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
15148 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
15149 @end menu
15150
15151 @node HP-UX
15152 @subsection HP-UX
15153
15154 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
15155 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
15156 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
15157
15158
15159 @node BSD libkvm Interface
15160 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
15161
15162 @cindex libkvm
15163 @cindex kernel memory image
15164 @cindex kernel crash dump
15165
15166 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
15167 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
15168 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
15169 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
15170 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
15171 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
15172 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
15173 @code{kvm} target:
15174
15175 @smallexample
15176 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
15177 @end smallexample
15178
15179 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
15180 argument:
15181
15182 @smallexample
15183 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
15184 @end smallexample
15185
15186 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
15187 available:
15188
15189 @table @code
15190 @kindex kvm
15191 @item kvm pcb
15192 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
15193
15194 @item kvm proc
15195 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
15196 modern FreeBSD systems.
15197 @end table
15198
15199 @node SVR4 Process Information
15200 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
15201 @cindex /proc
15202 @cindex examine process image
15203 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
15204
15205 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
15206 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
15207 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
15208 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
15209 proc} is available to report information about the process running
15210 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
15211 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
15212 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
15213 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
15214
15215 @table @code
15216 @kindex info proc
15217 @cindex process ID
15218 @item info proc
15219 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
15220 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
15221 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
15222 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
15223 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
15224 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
15225 executable file's absolute file name.
15226
15227 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
15228 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
15229 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
15230 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
15231 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
15232 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
15233
15234 @item info proc mappings
15235 @cindex memory address space mappings
15236 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
15237 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
15238 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
15239 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
15240 memory access rights to that range.
15241
15242 @item info proc stat
15243 @itemx info proc status
15244 @cindex process detailed status information
15245 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
15246 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
15247 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
15248 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
15249 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
15250 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
15251 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
15252
15253 @item info proc all
15254 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
15255 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
15256
15257 @ignore
15258 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
15259 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
15260 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
15261 @kindex info proc times
15262 @item info proc times
15263 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
15264 its children.
15265
15266 @kindex info proc id
15267 @item info proc id
15268 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
15269 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
15270 @end ignore
15271
15272 @item set procfs-trace
15273 @kindex set procfs-trace
15274 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
15275 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
15276
15277 @item show procfs-trace
15278 @kindex show procfs-trace
15279 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
15280
15281 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
15282 @kindex set procfs-file
15283 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
15284 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
15285 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
15286 standard output.
15287
15288 @item show procfs-file
15289 @kindex show procfs-file
15290 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
15291
15292 @item proc-trace-entry
15293 @itemx proc-trace-exit
15294 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
15295 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
15296 @kindex proc-trace-entry
15297 @kindex proc-trace-exit
15298 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
15299 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
15300 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
15301 from the @code{syscall} interface.
15302
15303 @item info pidlist
15304 @kindex info pidlist
15305 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
15306 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
15307 processes and all the threads within each process.
15308
15309 @item info meminfo
15310 @kindex info meminfo
15311 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
15312 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
15313 @end table
15314
15315 @node DJGPP Native
15316 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
15317 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
15318 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
15319 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
15320
15321 @cindex DPMI
15322 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
15323 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
15324 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
15325 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
15326
15327 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
15328 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
15329 subsection describes those commands.
15330
15331 @table @code
15332 @kindex info dos
15333 @item info dos
15334 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
15335 information about the target system and important OS structures.
15336
15337 @kindex sysinfo
15338 @cindex MS-DOS system info
15339 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
15340 @item info dos sysinfo
15341 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
15342 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
15343 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
15344
15345 @cindex GDT
15346 @cindex LDT
15347 @cindex IDT
15348 @cindex segment descriptor tables
15349 @cindex descriptor tables display
15350 @item info dos gdt
15351 @itemx info dos ldt
15352 @itemx info dos idt
15353 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
15354 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
15355 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
15356 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
15357 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
15358 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
15359 rights.
15360
15361 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
15362 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
15363 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
15364 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
15365 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
15366
15367 @cindex garbled pointers
15368 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
15369 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
15370 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
15371 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
15372 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
15373 debugged program's data segment:
15374
15375 @smallexample
15376 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
15377 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
15378 @end smallexample
15379
15380 @noindent
15381 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
15382 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
15383
15384 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
15385 @item info dos pde
15386 @itemx info dos pte
15387 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
15388 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
15389 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
15390 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
15391 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
15392 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
15393 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
15394 that is currently in use.
15395
15396 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
15397 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
15398 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
15399 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
15400 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
15401 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
15402 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
15403
15404 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
15405 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
15406 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
15407 controller.
15408
15409 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
15410
15411 @cindex physical address from linear address
15412 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
15413 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
15414 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
15415 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
15416 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
15417 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
15418 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
15419
15420 @smallexample
15421 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
15422 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
15423 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
15424 @end smallexample
15425
15426 @noindent
15427 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
15428 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
15429 attributes of that page.
15430
15431 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
15432 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
15433 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
15434 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
15435 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
15436 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
15437
15438 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
15439 transfer buffer:
15440
15441 @smallexample
15442 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
15443 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
15444 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
15445 @end smallexample
15446
15447 @noindent
15448 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
15449 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
15450 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
15451 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
15452 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
15453
15454 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
15455 @end table
15456
15457 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
15458 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
15459 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
15460 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
15461
15462 @table @code
15463 @kindex set com1base
15464 @kindex set com1irq
15465 @kindex set com2base
15466 @kindex set com2irq
15467 @kindex set com3base
15468 @kindex set com3irq
15469 @kindex set com4base
15470 @kindex set com4irq
15471 @item set com1base @var{addr}
15472 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
15473 port.
15474
15475 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
15476 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
15477 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
15478
15479 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
15480 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
15481 other 3 COM ports.
15482
15483 @kindex show com1base
15484 @kindex show com1irq
15485 @kindex show com2base
15486 @kindex show com2irq
15487 @kindex show com3base
15488 @kindex show com3irq
15489 @kindex show com4base
15490 @kindex show com4irq
15491 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
15492 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
15493 lines used by the COM ports.
15494
15495 @item info serial
15496 @kindex info serial
15497 @cindex DOS serial port status
15498 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
15499 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
15500 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
15501 counts of various errors encountered so far.
15502 @end table
15503
15504
15505 @node Cygwin Native
15506 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
15507 @cindex MS Windows debugging
15508 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
15509 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
15510
15511 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
15512 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information. There are various
15513 additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in this section.
15514 Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is described in
15515 @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
15516
15517 @table @code
15518 @kindex info w32
15519 @item info w32
15520 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
15521 information about the target system and important OS structures.
15522
15523 @item info w32 selector
15524 This command displays information returned by
15525 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
15526 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
15527 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
15528 Without argument, this command displays information
15529 about the six segment registers.
15530
15531 @kindex info dll
15532 @item info dll
15533 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
15534
15535 @kindex dll-symbols
15536 @item dll-symbols
15537 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
15538 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
15539
15540 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
15541 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
15542 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
15543 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
15544 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
15545 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
15546 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
15547 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
15548 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
15549 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
15550 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
15551
15552 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
15553 @item show cygwin-exceptions
15554 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
15555 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
15556
15557 @kindex set new-console
15558 @item set new-console @var{mode}
15559 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
15560 be started in a new console on next start.
15561 If @var{mode} is @code{off}i, the debuggee will
15562 be started in the same console as the debugger.
15563
15564 @kindex show new-console
15565 @item show new-console
15566 Displays whether a new console is used
15567 when the debuggee is started.
15568
15569 @kindex set new-group
15570 @item set new-group @var{mode}
15571 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
15572 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
15573 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
15574 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
15575
15576 @kindex show new-group
15577 @item show new-group
15578 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
15579
15580 @kindex set debugevents
15581 @item set debugevents
15582 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
15583 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
15584 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
15585 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
15586 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
15587
15588 @kindex set debugexec
15589 @item set debugexec
15590 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
15591 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
15592
15593 @kindex set debugexceptions
15594 @item set debugexceptions
15595 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
15596 debuggee seen by the debugger.
15597
15598 @kindex set debugmemory
15599 @item set debugmemory
15600 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
15601 and writes by the debugger.
15602
15603 @kindex set shell
15604 @item set shell
15605 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
15606 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
15607
15608 @kindex show shell
15609 @item show shell
15610 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
15611
15612 @end table
15613
15614 @menu
15615 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
15616 @end menu
15617
15618 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
15619 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
15620 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
15621 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
15622
15623 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
15624 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
15625 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
15626 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
15627 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
15628 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
15629 ``minimal symbols''.
15630
15631 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
15632 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
15633 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
15634 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
15635 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
15636 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
15637 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
15638 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
15639 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
15640 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
15641
15642 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
15643
15644 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
15645 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
15646 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
15647 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
15648 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
15649 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
15650 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
15651 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
15652 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
15653
15654 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
15655 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
15656 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
15657 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
15658 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
15659 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
15660
15661 @smallexample
15662 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
15663 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
15664
15665 Non-debugging symbols:
15666 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
15667 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
15668 @end smallexample
15669
15670 @smallexample
15671 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
15672 All functions matching regular expression "!":
15673
15674 Non-debugging symbols:
15675 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
15676 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
15677 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
15678 [etc...]
15679 @end smallexample
15680
15681 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
15682
15683 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
15684 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
15685 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
15686 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
15687 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
15688 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
15689 a function within a DLL without a running program.
15690
15691 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
15692 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
15693 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
15694 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
15695 problem:
15696
15697 @smallexample
15698 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
15699 $1 = 268572168
15700 @end smallexample
15701
15702 @smallexample
15703 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
15704 0x10021610: "\230y\""
15705 @end smallexample
15706
15707 And two possible solutions:
15708
15709 @smallexample
15710 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
15711 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
15712 @end smallexample
15713
15714 @smallexample
15715 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
15716 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
15717 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
15718 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
15719 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
15720 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
15721 @end smallexample
15722
15723 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
15724 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
15725 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
15726 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
15727 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
15728
15729 @smallexample
15730 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
15731 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
15732 @end smallexample
15733
15734 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
15735 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
15736 safe.
15737
15738 @node Hurd Native
15739 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
15740 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
15741
15742 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
15743 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
15744
15745 @table @code
15746 @item set signals
15747 @itemx set sigs
15748 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
15749 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
15750 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
15751 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
15752 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
15753 @code{signals}.
15754
15755 @item show signals
15756 @itemx show sigs
15757 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
15758 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
15759 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
15760
15761 @item set signal-thread
15762 @itemx set sigthread
15763 @kindex set signal-thread
15764 @kindex set sigthread
15765 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
15766 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
15767 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
15768 signal-thread}.
15769
15770 @item show signal-thread
15771 @itemx show sigthread
15772 @kindex show signal-thread
15773 @kindex show sigthread
15774 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
15775 delivered a signal.
15776
15777 @item set stopped
15778 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
15779 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
15780 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
15781 continued by delivering a signal to it.
15782
15783 @item show stopped
15784 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
15785 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
15786 stopped.
15787
15788 @item set exceptions
15789 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
15790 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
15791 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
15792 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
15793 trapping on.
15794
15795 @item show exceptions
15796 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
15797 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
15798
15799 @item set task pause
15800 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
15801 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
15802 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
15803 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
15804 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
15805 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
15806 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
15807 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
15808 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
15809
15810 @item show task pause
15811 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
15812 Show the current state of task suspension.
15813
15814 @item set task detach-suspend-count
15815 @cindex task suspend count
15816 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15817 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
15818 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
15819
15820 @item show task detach-suspend-count
15821 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
15822
15823 @item set task exception-port
15824 @itemx set task excp
15825 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15826 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
15827 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
15828 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
15829
15830 @item set noninvasive
15831 @cindex noninvasive task options
15832 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
15833 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
15834 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
15835 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
15836
15837 @item info send-rights
15838 @itemx info receive-rights
15839 @itemx info port-rights
15840 @itemx info port-sets
15841 @itemx info dead-names
15842 @itemx info ports
15843 @itemx info psets
15844 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15845 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15846 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15847 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15848 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15849 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
15850 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
15851 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
15852 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
15853
15854 @item set thread pause
15855 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
15856 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15857 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
15858 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
15859 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
15860 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
15861 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
15862 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
15863 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
15864 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
15865 only the current thread.
15866
15867 @item show thread pause
15868 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
15869 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
15870
15871 @item set thread run
15872 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
15873
15874 @item show thread run
15875 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
15876
15877 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
15878 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15879 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15880 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
15881 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
15882 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
15883 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
15884
15885 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
15886 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
15887 detaching.
15888
15889 @item set thread exception-port
15890 @itemx set thread excp
15891 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
15892 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
15893 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
15894
15895 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
15896 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
15897 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
15898 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
15899
15900 @item set thread default
15901 @itemx show thread default
15902 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15903 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
15904 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
15905 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
15906 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
15907 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
15908 the non-default commands.
15909 @end table
15910
15911
15912 @node Neutrino
15913 @subsection QNX Neutrino
15914 @cindex QNX Neutrino
15915
15916 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
15917 Neutrino target:
15918
15919 @table @code
15920 @item set debug nto-debug
15921 @kindex set debug nto-debug
15922 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
15923 Neutrino support.
15924
15925 @item show debug nto-debug
15926 @kindex show debug nto-debug
15927 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
15928 @end table
15929
15930 @node Darwin
15931 @subsection Darwin
15932 @cindex Darwin
15933
15934 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
15935
15936 @table @code
15937 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
15938 @kindex set debug darwin
15939 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
15940 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
15941
15942 @item show debug darwin
15943 @kindex show debug darwin
15944 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
15945
15946 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
15947 @kindex set debug mach-o
15948 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
15949 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
15950 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
15951 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
15952 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
15953 usage.
15954
15955 @item show debug mach-o
15956 @kindex show debug mach-o
15957 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
15958
15959 @item set mach-exceptions on
15960 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
15961 @kindex set mach-exceptions
15962 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
15963 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
15964 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
15965 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
15966
15967 @item show mach-exceptions
15968 @kindex show mach-exceptions
15969 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
15970 @end table
15971
15972
15973 @node Embedded OS
15974 @section Embedded Operating Systems
15975
15976 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
15977 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
15978 architectures.
15979
15980 @menu
15981 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
15982 @end menu
15983
15984 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
15985 various real-time operating systems.
15986
15987 @node VxWorks
15988 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
15989
15990 @cindex VxWorks
15991
15992 @table @code
15993
15994 @kindex target vxworks
15995 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
15996 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
15997 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
15998
15999 @end table
16000
16001 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
16002 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
16003
16004 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
16005 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
16006 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
16007 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
16008 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
16009 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
16010 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
16011
16012 @table @code
16013 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
16014 @kindex vxworks-timeout
16015 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
16016 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
16017 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
16018 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
16019 of a thin network line.
16020 @end table
16021
16022 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
16023 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
16024 procedures.
16025
16026 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
16027 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
16028 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
16029 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
16030 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
16031 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
16032 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
16033 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
16034 manual.
16035 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
16036
16037 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
16038 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
16039 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
16040 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
16041
16042 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
16043
16044 @smallexample
16045 (vxgdb)
16046 @end smallexample
16047
16048 @menu
16049 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
16050 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
16051 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
16052 @end menu
16053
16054 @node VxWorks Connection
16055 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
16056
16057 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
16058 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
16059
16060 @smallexample
16061 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
16062 @end smallexample
16063
16064 @need 750
16065 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
16066
16067 @smallexample
16068 Attaching remote machine across net...
16069 Connected to tt.
16070 @end smallexample
16071
16072 @need 1000
16073 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
16074 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
16075 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
16076 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
16077 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
16078
16079 @smallexample
16080 prog.o: No such file or directory.
16081 @end smallexample
16082
16083 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
16084 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
16085 command again.
16086
16087 @node VxWorks Download
16088 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
16089
16090 @cindex download to VxWorks
16091 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
16092 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
16093 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
16094 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
16095 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
16096 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
16097 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
16098 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
16099 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
16100 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
16101 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
16102 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
16103 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
16104 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
16105 program, type this on VxWorks:
16106
16107 @smallexample
16108 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
16109 @end smallexample
16110
16111 @noindent
16112 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
16113
16114 @smallexample
16115 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
16116 (vxgdb) load prog.o
16117 @end smallexample
16118
16119 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
16120
16121 @smallexample
16122 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
16123 @end smallexample
16124
16125 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
16126 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
16127 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
16128 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
16129 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
16130 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
16131 table.)
16132
16133 @node VxWorks Attach
16134 @subsubsection Running Tasks
16135
16136 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
16137 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
16138 follows:
16139
16140 @smallexample
16141 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
16142 @end smallexample
16143
16144 @noindent
16145 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
16146 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
16147 the time of attachment.
16148
16149 @node Embedded Processors
16150 @section Embedded Processors
16151
16152 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
16153 configurations.
16154
16155 @cindex send command to simulator
16156 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
16157 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
16158
16159 @table @code
16160 @item sim @var{command}
16161 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
16162 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
16163 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
16164 acceptable commands.
16165 @end table
16166
16167
16168 @menu
16169 * ARM:: ARM RDI
16170 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
16171 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
16172 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
16173 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
16174 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
16175 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
16176 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
16177 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
16178 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
16179 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
16180 * CRIS:: CRIS
16181 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
16182 @end menu
16183
16184 @node ARM
16185 @subsection ARM
16186 @cindex ARM RDI
16187
16188 @table @code
16189 @kindex target rdi
16190 @item target rdi @var{dev}
16191 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
16192 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
16193 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
16194
16195 @kindex target rdp
16196 @item target rdp @var{dev}
16197 ARM Demon monitor.
16198
16199 @end table
16200
16201 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
16202
16203 @table @code
16204 @item set arm disassembler
16205 @kindex set arm
16206 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
16207 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
16208
16209 @item show arm disassembler
16210 @kindex show arm
16211 Show the current disassembly style.
16212
16213 @item set arm apcs32
16214 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
16215 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
16216
16217 @item show arm apcs32
16218 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
16219
16220 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
16221 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
16222 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
16223
16224 @table @code
16225 @item auto
16226 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
16227 @item softfpa
16228 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
16229 processors.
16230 @item fpa
16231 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
16232 @item softvfp
16233 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
16234 @item vfp
16235 VFP co-processor.
16236 @end table
16237
16238 @item show arm fpu
16239 Show the current type of the FPU.
16240
16241 @item set arm abi
16242 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
16243
16244 @item show arm abi
16245 Show the currently used ABI.
16246
16247 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
16248 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
16249 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
16250 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
16251 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
16252 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
16253 register).
16254
16255 @item show arm fallback-mode
16256 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
16257
16258 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
16259 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
16260 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
16261 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
16262 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
16263
16264 @item show arm force-mode
16265 Show the current forced instruction mode.
16266
16267 @item set debug arm
16268 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
16269 target support subsystem.
16270
16271 @item show debug arm
16272 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
16273 @end table
16274
16275 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
16276 using the RDI interface:
16277
16278 @table @code
16279 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
16280 @kindex rdilogfile
16281 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
16282 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
16283 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
16284 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
16285 @file{rdi.log}.
16286
16287 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
16288 @kindex rdilogenable
16289 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
16290 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
16291 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
16292 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
16293 are logged to a file.
16294
16295 @item set rdiromatzero
16296 @kindex set rdiromatzero
16297 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
16298 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
16299 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
16300 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
16301 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
16302
16303 @item show rdiromatzero
16304 @kindex show rdiromatzero
16305 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
16306
16307 @item set rdiheartbeat
16308 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
16309 @cindex RDI heartbeat
16310 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
16311 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
16312 well as the Angel monitor.
16313
16314 @item show rdiheartbeat
16315 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
16316 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
16317 @end table
16318
16319
16320 @node M32R/D
16321 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
16322
16323 @table @code
16324 @kindex target m32r
16325 @item target m32r @var{dev}
16326 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
16327
16328 @kindex target m32rsdi
16329 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
16330 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
16331 @end table
16332
16333 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
16334
16335 @table @code
16336 @item set download-path @var{path}
16337 @kindex set download-path
16338 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
16339 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
16340
16341 @item show download-path
16342 @kindex show download-path
16343 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
16344
16345 @item set board-address @var{addr}
16346 @kindex set board-address
16347 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
16348 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
16349
16350 @item show board-address
16351 @kindex show board-address
16352 Show the current IP address of the target board.
16353
16354 @item set server-address @var{addr}
16355 @kindex set server-address
16356 @cindex download server address (M32R)
16357 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
16358 host machine.
16359
16360 @item show server-address
16361 @kindex show server-address
16362 Display the IP address of the download server.
16363
16364 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
16365 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
16366 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
16367 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
16368 executable file is uploaded.
16369
16370 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
16371 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
16372 Test the @code{upload} command.
16373 @end table
16374
16375 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
16376
16377 @table @code
16378 @item sdireset
16379 @kindex sdireset
16380 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
16381 This command resets the SDI connection.
16382
16383 @item sdistatus
16384 @kindex sdistatus
16385 This command shows the SDI connection status.
16386
16387 @item debug_chaos
16388 @kindex debug_chaos
16389 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
16390 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
16391
16392 @item use_debug_dma
16393 @kindex use_debug_dma
16394 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
16395
16396 @item use_mon_code
16397 @kindex use_mon_code
16398 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
16399
16400 @item use_ib_break
16401 @kindex use_ib_break
16402 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
16403
16404 @item use_dbt_break
16405 @kindex use_dbt_break
16406 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
16407 @end table
16408
16409 @node M68K
16410 @subsection M68k
16411
16412 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
16413 target command for the following ROM monitor.
16414
16415 @table @code
16416
16417 @kindex target dbug
16418 @item target dbug @var{dev}
16419 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
16420
16421 @end table
16422
16423 @node MIPS Embedded
16424 @subsection MIPS Embedded
16425
16426 @cindex MIPS boards
16427 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
16428 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
16429 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
16430
16431 @need 1000
16432 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
16433
16434 @table @code
16435 @item target mips @var{port}
16436 @kindex target mips @var{port}
16437 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
16438 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
16439 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
16440 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
16441 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
16442 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
16443
16444 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
16445 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
16446 debugger:
16447
16448 @smallexample
16449 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
16450 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
16451 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
16452 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
16453 (@value{GDBP}) run
16454 @end smallexample
16455
16456 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
16457 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
16458 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
16459 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
16460 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
16461
16462 @item target pmon @var{port}
16463 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
16464 PMON ROM monitor.
16465
16466 @item target ddb @var{port}
16467 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
16468 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
16469
16470 @item target lsi @var{port}
16471 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
16472 LSI variant of PMON.
16473
16474 @kindex target r3900
16475 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
16476 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
16477
16478 @kindex target array
16479 @item target array @var{dev}
16480 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
16481
16482 @end table
16483
16484
16485 @noindent
16486 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
16487
16488 @table @code
16489 @item set mipsfpu double
16490 @itemx set mipsfpu single
16491 @itemx set mipsfpu none
16492 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
16493 @itemx show mipsfpu
16494 @kindex set mipsfpu
16495 @kindex show mipsfpu
16496 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
16497 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
16498 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
16499 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
16500 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
16501 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
16502 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
16503 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
16504 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
16505 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
16506 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
16507 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
16508 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
16509
16510 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
16511 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
16512 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
16513
16514 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
16515 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
16516
16517 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
16518 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
16519 @itemx show timeout
16520 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
16521 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
16522 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
16523 @kindex set timeout
16524 @kindex show timeout
16525 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
16526 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
16527 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
16528 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
16529 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
16530 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
16531 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
16532 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
16533 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
16534 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
16535
16536 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
16537 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
16538 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
16539 to run before stopping.
16540
16541 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
16542 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
16543 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
16544 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
16545 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
16546 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
16547
16548 @item show syn-garbage-limit
16549 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
16550 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
16551 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
16552
16553 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
16554 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
16555 @cindex remote monitor prompt
16556 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
16557 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
16558 @table @asis
16559 @item pmon target
16560 @samp{PMON}
16561 @item ddb target
16562 @samp{NEC010}
16563 @item lsi target
16564 @samp{PMON>}
16565 @end table
16566
16567 @item show monitor-prompt
16568 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
16569 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
16570 remote monitor.
16571
16572 @item set monitor-warnings
16573 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
16574 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
16575 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
16576 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
16577 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
16578
16579 @item show monitor-warnings
16580 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
16581 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
16582
16583 @item pmon @var{command}
16584 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
16585 @cindex send PMON command
16586 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
16587 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
16588 @end table
16589
16590 @node OpenRISC 1000
16591 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
16592 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
16593
16594 @cindex or1k boards
16595 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
16596 about platform and commands.
16597
16598 @table @code
16599
16600 @kindex target jtag
16601 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
16602
16603 Connects to remote JTAG server.
16604 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
16605 connected via parallel port to the board.
16606
16607 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
16608
16609 @kindex or1ksim
16610 @item or1ksim @var{command}
16611 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
16612 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
16613
16614 @kindex info or1k spr
16615 @item info or1k spr
16616 Displays spr groups.
16617
16618 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
16619 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
16620 Displays register names in selected group.
16621
16622 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
16623 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
16624 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
16625 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
16626 Shows information about specified spr register.
16627
16628 @kindex spr
16629 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
16630 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
16631 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
16632 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
16633 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
16634 @end table
16635
16636 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
16637 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
16638 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
16639 triggers can be set using:
16640 @table @code
16641 @item $LEA/$LDATA
16642 Load effective address/data
16643 @item $SEA/$SDATA
16644 Store effective address/data
16645 @item $AEA/$ADATA
16646 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
16647 @item $FETCH
16648 Fetch data
16649 @end table
16650
16651 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
16652 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
16653
16654 @code{htrace} commands:
16655 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
16656 @table @code
16657 @kindex hwatch
16658 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
16659 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
16660 or Data. For example:
16661
16662 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
16663
16664 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
16665
16666 @kindex htrace
16667 @item htrace info
16668 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
16669
16670 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
16671 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
16672
16673 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
16674 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
16675
16676 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
16677 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
16678
16679 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
16680 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
16681 triggered.
16682
16683 @item htrace enable
16684 @itemx htrace disable
16685 Enables/disables the HW trace.
16686
16687 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
16688 Clears currently recorded trace data.
16689
16690 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
16691 will be written there.
16692
16693 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
16694 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
16695
16696 @item htrace mode continuous
16697 Set continuous trace mode.
16698
16699 @item htrace mode suspend
16700 Set suspend trace mode.
16701
16702 @end table
16703
16704 @node PowerPC Embedded
16705 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
16706
16707 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
16708
16709 @table @code
16710 @kindex set powerpc
16711 @item set powerpc soft-float
16712 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
16713 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
16714 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
16715 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
16716
16717 @item set powerpc vector-abi
16718 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
16719 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
16720 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
16721 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
16722 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
16723 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
16724 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
16725
16726 @kindex target dink32
16727 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
16728 DINK32 ROM monitor.
16729
16730 @kindex target ppcbug
16731 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
16732 @kindex target ppcbug1
16733 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
16734 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
16735
16736 @kindex target sds
16737 @item target sds @var{dev}
16738 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
16739 @end table
16740
16741 @cindex SDS protocol
16742 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
16743 by @value{GDBN}:
16744
16745 @table @code
16746 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
16747 @kindex set sdstimeout
16748 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
16749 default is 2 seconds.
16750
16751 @item show sdstimeout
16752 @kindex show sdstimeout
16753 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
16754
16755 @item sds @var{command}
16756 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
16757 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
16758 @end table
16759
16760
16761 @node PA
16762 @subsection HP PA Embedded
16763
16764 @table @code
16765
16766 @kindex target op50n
16767 @item target op50n @var{dev}
16768 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
16769
16770 @kindex target w89k
16771 @item target w89k @var{dev}
16772 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
16773
16774 @end table
16775
16776 @node Sparclet
16777 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
16778
16779 @cindex Sparclet
16780
16781 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
16782 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
16783 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
16784 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
16785 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
16786
16787 @table @code
16788 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
16789 @kindex remotetimeout
16790 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
16791 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
16792 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
16793 @end table
16794
16795 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
16796 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
16797 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
16798 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
16799 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
16800
16801 @smallexample
16802 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
16803 @end smallexample
16804
16805 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
16806
16807 @smallexample
16808 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
16809 @end smallexample
16810
16811 @cindex running, on Sparclet
16812 Once you have set
16813 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
16814 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
16815 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
16816
16817 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
16818
16819 @smallexample
16820 (gdbslet)
16821 @end smallexample
16822
16823 @menu
16824 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
16825 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
16826 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
16827 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
16828 @end menu
16829
16830 @node Sparclet File
16831 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
16832
16833 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
16834
16835 @smallexample
16836 (gdbslet) file prog
16837 @end smallexample
16838
16839 @need 1000
16840 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
16841 @value{GDBN} locates
16842 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
16843 path.
16844 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
16845 files will be searched as well.
16846 @value{GDBN} locates
16847 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
16848 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
16849 If it fails
16850 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
16851
16852 @smallexample
16853 prog: No such file or directory.
16854 @end smallexample
16855
16856 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
16857 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
16858 @code{target} command again.
16859
16860 @node Sparclet Connection
16861 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
16862
16863 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
16864 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
16865
16866 @smallexample
16867 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
16868 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
16869 main () at ../prog.c:3
16870 @end smallexample
16871
16872 @need 750
16873 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
16874
16875 @smallexample
16876 Connected to ttya.
16877 @end smallexample
16878
16879 @node Sparclet Download
16880 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
16881
16882 @cindex download to Sparclet
16883 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
16884 you can use the @value{GDBN}
16885 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
16886 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
16887 command.
16888 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
16889 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
16890 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
16891 of each of the file's sections.
16892 For instance, if the program
16893 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
16894 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
16895
16896 @smallexample
16897 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
16898 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
16899 @end smallexample
16900
16901 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
16902 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
16903 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
16904
16905 @node Sparclet Execution
16906 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
16907
16908 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
16909 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
16910 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
16911 manual for the list of commands.
16912
16913 @smallexample
16914 (gdbslet) b main
16915 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
16916 (gdbslet) run
16917 Starting program: prog
16918 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
16919 3 char *symarg = 0;
16920 (gdbslet) step
16921 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
16922 (gdbslet)
16923 @end smallexample
16924
16925 @node Sparclite
16926 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
16927
16928 @table @code
16929
16930 @kindex target sparclite
16931 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
16932 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
16933 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
16934 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
16935 remote protocol.
16936
16937 @end table
16938
16939 @node Z8000
16940 @subsection Zilog Z8000
16941
16942 @cindex Z8000
16943 @cindex simulator, Z8000
16944 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
16945
16946 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
16947 a Z8000 simulator.
16948
16949 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
16950 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
16951 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
16952 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
16953
16954 @table @code
16955 @item target sim @var{args}
16956 @kindex sim
16957 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
16958 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
16959 options, specify them via @var{args}.
16960 @end table
16961
16962 @noindent
16963 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
16964 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
16965 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
16966 to run your program, and so on.
16967
16968 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
16969 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
16970 additional items of information as specially named registers:
16971
16972 @table @code
16973
16974 @item cycles
16975 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
16976
16977 @item insts
16978 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
16979
16980 @item time
16981 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
16982
16983 @end table
16984
16985 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
16986 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
16987 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
16988 simulated clock ticks.
16989
16990 @node AVR
16991 @subsection Atmel AVR
16992 @cindex AVR
16993
16994 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
16995 following AVR-specific commands:
16996
16997 @table @code
16998 @item info io_registers
16999 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
17000 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
17001 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
17002 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
17003 @end table
17004
17005 @node CRIS
17006 @subsection CRIS
17007 @cindex CRIS
17008
17009 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
17010 following CRIS-specific commands:
17011
17012 @table @code
17013 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
17014 @cindex CRIS version
17015 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
17016 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
17017 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
17018
17019 @item show cris-version
17020 Show the current CRIS version.
17021
17022 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
17023 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
17024 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
17025 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
17026 @code{R59}.
17027
17028 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
17029 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
17030
17031 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
17032 @cindex CRIS mode
17033 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
17034 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
17035 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
17036
17037 @item show cris-mode
17038 Show the current CRIS mode.
17039 @end table
17040
17041 @node Super-H
17042 @subsection Renesas Super-H
17043 @cindex Super-H
17044
17045 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
17046 commands:
17047
17048 @table @code
17049 @item regs
17050 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
17051 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
17052
17053 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
17054 @kindex set sh calling-convention
17055 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
17056 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
17057 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
17058 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
17059 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
17060 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
17061 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
17062 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
17063 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
17064 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
17065
17066 @item show sh calling-convention
17067 @kindex show sh calling-convention
17068 Show the current calling convention setting.
17069
17070 @end table
17071
17072
17073 @node Architectures
17074 @section Architectures
17075
17076 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
17077 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
17078
17079 @menu
17080 * i386::
17081 * A29K::
17082 * Alpha::
17083 * MIPS::
17084 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
17085 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
17086 * PowerPC::
17087 @end menu
17088
17089 @node i386
17090 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
17091
17092 @table @code
17093 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
17094 @kindex set struct-convention
17095 @cindex struct return convention
17096 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
17097 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
17098 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
17099 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
17100 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
17101 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
17102 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
17103 be returned in a register.
17104
17105 @item show struct-convention
17106 @kindex show struct-convention
17107 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
17108 from functions.
17109 @end table
17110
17111 @node A29K
17112 @subsection A29K
17113
17114 @table @code
17115
17116 @kindex set rstack_high_address
17117 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
17118 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
17119 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
17120 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
17121 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
17122 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
17123 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
17124 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
17125 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
17126 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
17127 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
17128 hexadecimal.
17129
17130 @kindex show rstack_high_address
17131 @item show rstack_high_address
17132 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
17133 processors.
17134
17135 @end table
17136
17137 @node Alpha
17138 @subsection Alpha
17139
17140 See the following section.
17141
17142 @node MIPS
17143 @subsection MIPS
17144
17145 @cindex stack on Alpha
17146 @cindex stack on MIPS
17147 @cindex Alpha stack
17148 @cindex MIPS stack
17149 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
17150 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
17151 find the beginning of a function.
17152
17153 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
17154 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
17155 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
17156 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
17157 commands:
17158
17159 @table @code
17160 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
17161 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
17162 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
17163 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
17164 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
17165 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
17166 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
17167 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
17168
17169 @item show heuristic-fence-post
17170 Display the current limit.
17171 @end table
17172
17173 @noindent
17174 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
17175 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
17176
17177 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
17178 programs:
17179
17180 @table @code
17181 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
17182 @kindex set mips abi
17183 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
17184 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
17185 values of @var{arg} are:
17186
17187 @table @samp
17188 @item auto
17189 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
17190 default).
17191 @item o32
17192 @item o64
17193 @item n32
17194 @item n64
17195 @item eabi32
17196 @item eabi64
17197 @item auto
17198 @end table
17199
17200 @item show mips abi
17201 @kindex show mips abi
17202 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
17203
17204 @item set mipsfpu
17205 @itemx show mipsfpu
17206 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
17207
17208 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
17209 @kindex set mips mask-address
17210 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
17211 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
17212 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
17213 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
17214 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
17215
17216 @item show mips mask-address
17217 @kindex show mips mask-address
17218 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
17219 not.
17220
17221 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17222 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17223 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
17224 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
17225 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
17226 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
17227
17228 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17229 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17230 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
17231
17232 @item set debug mips
17233 @kindex set debug mips
17234 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
17235 target code in @value{GDBN}.
17236
17237 @item show debug mips
17238 @kindex show debug mips
17239 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
17240 @end table
17241
17242
17243 @node HPPA
17244 @subsection HPPA
17245 @cindex HPPA support
17246
17247 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
17248 following special commands:
17249
17250 @table @code
17251 @item set debug hppa
17252 @kindex set debug hppa
17253 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
17254 messages are to be displayed.
17255
17256 @item show debug hppa
17257 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
17258
17259 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
17260 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
17261 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
17262 given @var{address}.
17263
17264 @end table
17265
17266
17267 @node SPU
17268 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
17269 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
17270 @cindex SPU
17271
17272 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
17273 it provides the following special commands:
17274
17275 @table @code
17276 @item info spu event
17277 @kindex info spu
17278 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
17279 and pending event status.
17280
17281 @item info spu signal
17282 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
17283 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
17284 notification channels.
17285
17286 @item info spu mailbox
17287 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
17288 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
17289 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
17290
17291 @item info spu dma
17292 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
17293 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
17294 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
17295
17296 @item info spu proxydma
17297 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
17298 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
17299 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
17300
17301 @end table
17302
17303 @node PowerPC
17304 @subsection PowerPC
17305 @cindex PowerPC architecture
17306
17307 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
17308 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
17309 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
17310 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
17311 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
17312
17313 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
17314 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
17315 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
17316
17317 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
17318 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
17319
17320
17321 @node Controlling GDB
17322 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
17323
17324 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
17325 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
17326 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
17327 described here.
17328
17329 @menu
17330 * Prompt:: Prompt
17331 * Editing:: Command editing
17332 * Command History:: Command history
17333 * Screen Size:: Screen size
17334 * Numbers:: Numbers
17335 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
17336 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
17337 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
17338 @end menu
17339
17340 @node Prompt
17341 @section Prompt
17342
17343 @cindex prompt
17344
17345 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
17346 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
17347 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
17348 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
17349 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
17350 which one you are talking to.
17351
17352 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
17353 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
17354 or a prompt that does not.
17355
17356 @table @code
17357 @kindex set prompt
17358 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
17359 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
17360
17361 @kindex show prompt
17362 @item show prompt
17363 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
17364 @end table
17365
17366 @node Editing
17367 @section Command Editing
17368 @cindex readline
17369 @cindex command line editing
17370
17371 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
17372 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
17373 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
17374 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
17375 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
17376 debugging sessions.
17377
17378 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
17379 command @code{set}.
17380
17381 @table @code
17382 @kindex set editing
17383 @cindex editing
17384 @item set editing
17385 @itemx set editing on
17386 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
17387
17388 @item set editing off
17389 Disable command line editing.
17390
17391 @kindex show editing
17392 @item show editing
17393 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
17394 @end table
17395
17396 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
17397 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
17398 encouraged to read that chapter.
17399
17400 @node Command History
17401 @section Command History
17402 @cindex command history
17403
17404 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
17405 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
17406 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
17407 history facility.
17408
17409 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
17410 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
17411 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
17412
17413 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
17414 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
17415 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
17416 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
17417 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
17418 pressed on a line by itself.
17419
17420 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
17421 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
17422 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
17423 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
17424
17425 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
17426 history.
17427
17428 @table @code
17429 @cindex history substitution
17430 @cindex history file
17431 @kindex set history filename
17432 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
17433 @item set history filename @var{fname}
17434 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
17435 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
17436 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
17437 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
17438 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
17439 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
17440 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
17441 is not set.
17442
17443 @cindex save command history
17444 @kindex set history save
17445 @item set history save
17446 @itemx set history save on
17447 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
17448 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
17449
17450 @item set history save off
17451 Stop recording command history in a file.
17452
17453 @cindex history size
17454 @kindex set history size
17455 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
17456 @item set history size @var{size}
17457 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
17458 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
17459 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
17460 @end table
17461
17462 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
17463 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
17464
17465 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
17466 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
17467 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
17468 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
17469 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
17470 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
17471 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
17472 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
17473
17474 The commands to control history expansion are:
17475
17476 @table @code
17477 @item set history expansion on
17478 @itemx set history expansion
17479 @kindex set history expansion
17480 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
17481
17482 @item set history expansion off
17483 Disable history expansion.
17484
17485 @c @group
17486 @kindex show history
17487 @item show history
17488 @itemx show history filename
17489 @itemx show history save
17490 @itemx show history size
17491 @itemx show history expansion
17492 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
17493 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
17494 @c @end group
17495 @end table
17496
17497 @table @code
17498 @kindex show commands
17499 @cindex show last commands
17500 @cindex display command history
17501 @item show commands
17502 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
17503
17504 @item show commands @var{n}
17505 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
17506
17507 @item show commands +
17508 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
17509 @end table
17510
17511 @node Screen Size
17512 @section Screen Size
17513 @cindex size of screen
17514 @cindex pauses in output
17515
17516 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
17517 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
17518 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
17519 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
17520 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
17521 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
17522 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
17523 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
17524
17525 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
17526 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
17527 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
17528 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
17529 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
17530 width} commands:
17531
17532 @table @code
17533 @kindex set height
17534 @kindex set width
17535 @kindex show width
17536 @kindex show height
17537 @item set height @var{lpp}
17538 @itemx show height
17539 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
17540 @itemx show width
17541 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
17542 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
17543 commands display the current settings.
17544
17545 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
17546 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
17547 file or to an editor buffer.
17548
17549 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
17550 from wrapping its output.
17551
17552 @item set pagination on
17553 @itemx set pagination off
17554 @kindex set pagination
17555 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
17556 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}.
17557
17558 @item show pagination
17559 @kindex show pagination
17560 Show the current pagination mode.
17561 @end table
17562
17563 @node Numbers
17564 @section Numbers
17565 @cindex number representation
17566 @cindex entering numbers
17567
17568 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
17569 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
17570 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
17571 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
17572 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
17573 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
17574 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
17575 both input and output with the commands described below.
17576
17577 @table @code
17578 @kindex set input-radix
17579 @item set input-radix @var{base}
17580 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
17581 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
17582 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
17583 example, any of
17584
17585 @smallexample
17586 set input-radix 012
17587 set input-radix 10.
17588 set input-radix 0xa
17589 @end smallexample
17590
17591 @noindent
17592 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
17593 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
17594 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
17595 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
17596 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
17597 change the radix.
17598
17599 @kindex set output-radix
17600 @item set output-radix @var{base}
17601 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
17602 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
17603 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
17604
17605 @kindex show input-radix
17606 @item show input-radix
17607 Display the current default base for numeric input.
17608
17609 @kindex show output-radix
17610 @item show output-radix
17611 Display the current default base for numeric display.
17612
17613 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
17614 @itemx show radix
17615 @kindex set radix
17616 @kindex show radix
17617 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
17618 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
17619 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
17620 default value of 10.
17621
17622 @end table
17623
17624 @node ABI
17625 @section Configuring the Current ABI
17626
17627 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
17628 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
17629 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
17630 current ABI.
17631
17632 @cindex OS ABI
17633 @kindex set osabi
17634 @kindex show osabi
17635
17636 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
17637 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
17638 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
17639 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
17640 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
17641 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
17642 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
17643 platform provides.
17644
17645 @table @code
17646 @item show osabi
17647 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
17648
17649 @item set osabi
17650 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
17651
17652 @item set osabi @var{abi}
17653 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
17654 @end table
17655
17656 @cindex float promotion
17657
17658 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
17659 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
17660 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
17661 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
17662 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
17663 @code{double} and then passed.
17664
17665 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
17666 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
17667 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
17668
17669 @table @code
17670 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
17671 @item set coerce-float-to-double
17672 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
17673 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
17674 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
17675
17676 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
17677 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
17678 functions.
17679
17680 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
17681 @item show coerce-float-to-double
17682 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
17683 @end table
17684
17685 @kindex set cp-abi
17686 @kindex show cp-abi
17687 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
17688 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
17689 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
17690 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
17691 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
17692 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
17693 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
17694 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
17695 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
17696 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
17697 ``auto''.
17698
17699 @table @code
17700 @item show cp-abi
17701 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
17702
17703 @item set cp-abi
17704 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
17705
17706 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
17707 @itemx set cp-abi auto
17708 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
17709 @end table
17710
17711 @node Messages/Warnings
17712 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
17713
17714 @cindex verbose operation
17715 @cindex optional warnings
17716 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
17717 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
17718 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
17719 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
17720
17721 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
17722 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
17723 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
17724
17725 @table @code
17726 @kindex set verbose
17727 @item set verbose on
17728 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
17729
17730 @item set verbose off
17731 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
17732
17733 @kindex show verbose
17734 @item show verbose
17735 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
17736 @end table
17737
17738 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
17739 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
17740 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
17741 Symbol Files}).
17742
17743 @table @code
17744
17745 @kindex set complaints
17746 @item set complaints @var{limit}
17747 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
17748 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
17749 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
17750 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
17751
17752 @kindex show complaints
17753 @item show complaints
17754 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
17755
17756 @end table
17757
17758 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
17759 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
17760 you try to run a program which is already running:
17761
17762 @smallexample
17763 (@value{GDBP}) run
17764 The program being debugged has been started already.
17765 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
17766 @end smallexample
17767
17768 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
17769 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
17770
17771 @table @code
17772
17773 @kindex set confirm
17774 @cindex flinching
17775 @cindex confirmation
17776 @cindex stupid questions
17777 @item set confirm off
17778 Disables confirmation requests.
17779
17780 @item set confirm on
17781 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
17782
17783 @kindex show confirm
17784 @item show confirm
17785 Displays state of confirmation requests.
17786
17787 @end table
17788
17789 @cindex command tracing
17790 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
17791 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
17792 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
17793 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
17794
17795 @table @code
17796 @kindex set trace-commands
17797 @cindex command scripts, debugging
17798 @item set trace-commands on
17799 Enable command tracing.
17800 @item set trace-commands off
17801 Disable command tracing.
17802 @item show trace-commands
17803 Display the current state of command tracing.
17804 @end table
17805
17806 @node Debugging Output
17807 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
17808 @cindex optional debugging messages
17809
17810 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
17811 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
17812 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
17813 section documents those commands.
17814
17815 @table @code
17816 @kindex set exec-done-display
17817 @item set exec-done-display
17818 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
17819 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
17820 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
17821 @kindex show exec-done-display
17822 @item show exec-done-display
17823 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
17824 notification.
17825 @kindex set debug
17826 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
17827 @cindex architecture debugging info
17828 @item set debug arch
17829 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
17830 @kindex show debug
17831 @item show debug arch
17832 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
17833 @item set debug aix-thread
17834 @cindex AIX threads
17835 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
17836 module.
17837 @item show debug aix-thread
17838 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
17839 @item set debug dwarf2-die
17840 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
17841 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
17842 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
17843 A value of zero turns off the display.
17844 @item show debug dwarf2-die
17845 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
17846 @item set debug displaced
17847 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
17848 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
17849 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
17850 @item show debug displaced
17851 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
17852 related to displaced stepping.
17853 @item set debug event
17854 @cindex event debugging info
17855 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
17856 default is off.
17857 @item show debug event
17858 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
17859 info.
17860 @item set debug expression
17861 @cindex expression debugging info
17862 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
17863 expression parsing. The default is off.
17864 @item show debug expression
17865 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
17866 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
17867 @item set debug frame
17868 @cindex frame debugging info
17869 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
17870 default is off.
17871 @item show debug frame
17872 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
17873 info.
17874 @item set debug gnu-nat
17875 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
17876 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
17877 @item show debug gnu-nat
17878 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
17879 @item set debug infrun
17880 @cindex inferior debugging info
17881 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
17882 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
17883 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
17884 @item show debug infrun
17885 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
17886 @item set debug lin-lwp
17887 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
17888 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
17889 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
17890 @item show debug lin-lwp
17891 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
17892 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
17893 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
17894 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
17895 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
17896 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
17897 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
17898 @item set debug observer
17899 @cindex observer debugging info
17900 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
17901 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
17902 @item show debug observer
17903 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
17904 @item set debug overload
17905 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
17906 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
17907 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
17908 is off.
17909 @item show debug overload
17910 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
17911 debugging info.
17912 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
17913 @cindex serial connections, debugging
17914 @cindex debug remote protocol
17915 @cindex remote protocol debugging
17916 @cindex display remote packets
17917 @item set debug remote
17918 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
17919 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
17920 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
17921 @item show debug remote
17922 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
17923 @item set debug serial
17924 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
17925 default is off.
17926 @item show debug serial
17927 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
17928 info.
17929 @item set debug solib-frv
17930 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
17931 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
17932 @item show debug solib-frv
17933 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
17934 messages.
17935 @item set debug target
17936 @cindex target debugging info
17937 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
17938 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
17939 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
17940 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
17941 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
17942 @item show debug target
17943 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
17944 info.
17945 @item set debug timestamp
17946 @cindex timestampping debugging info
17947 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
17948 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
17949 message.
17950 @item show debug timestamp
17951 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
17952 debugging info.
17953 @item set debugvarobj
17954 @cindex variable object debugging info
17955 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
17956 info. The default is off.
17957 @item show debugvarobj
17958 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
17959 debugging info.
17960 @item set debug xml
17961 @cindex XML parser debugging
17962 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
17963 @item show debug xml
17964 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
17965 @end table
17966
17967 @node Extending GDB
17968 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
17969 @cindex extending GDB
17970
17971 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
17972 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
17973 Python scripting language.
17974
17975 @menu
17976 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
17977 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
17978 @end menu
17979
17980 @node Sequences
17981 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
17982
17983 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
17984 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
17985 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
17986 files.
17987
17988 @menu
17989 * Define:: How to define your own commands
17990 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
17991 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
17992 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
17993 @end menu
17994
17995 @node Define
17996 @subsection User-defined Commands
17997
17998 @cindex user-defined command
17999 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
18000 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
18001 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
18002 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
18003 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
18004 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
18005
18006 @smallexample
18007 define adder
18008 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
18009 end
18010 @end smallexample
18011
18012 @noindent
18013 To execute the command use:
18014
18015 @smallexample
18016 adder 1 2 3
18017 @end smallexample
18018
18019 @noindent
18020 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
18021 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
18022 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
18023 functions calls.
18024
18025 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
18026 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
18027 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
18028 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
18029
18030 @smallexample
18031 define adder
18032 if $argc == 2
18033 print $arg0 + $arg1
18034 end
18035 if $argc == 3
18036 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
18037 end
18038 end
18039 @end smallexample
18040
18041 @table @code
18042
18043 @kindex define
18044 @item define @var{commandname}
18045 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
18046 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
18047 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
18048 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
18049 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
18050 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
18051
18052 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
18053 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
18054 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
18055
18056 @kindex document
18057 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
18058 @item document @var{commandname}
18059 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
18060 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
18061 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
18062 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
18063 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
18064 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
18065
18066 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
18067 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
18068 does not change the documentation.
18069
18070 @kindex dont-repeat
18071 @cindex don't repeat command
18072 @item dont-repeat
18073 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
18074 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
18075 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
18076
18077 @kindex help user-defined
18078 @item help user-defined
18079 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
18080 (if any) for each.
18081
18082 @kindex show user
18083 @item show user
18084 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
18085 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
18086 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
18087 definitions for all user-defined commands.
18088
18089 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
18090 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
18091 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
18092 @item show max-user-call-depth
18093 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
18094 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
18095 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
18096 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
18097 @end table
18098
18099 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
18100 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
18101
18102 When user-defined commands are executed, the
18103 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
18104 stops execution of the user-defined command.
18105
18106 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
18107 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
18108 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
18109 messages when used in a user-defined command.
18110
18111 @node Hooks
18112 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
18113 @cindex command hooks
18114 @cindex hooks, for commands
18115 @cindex hooks, pre-command
18116
18117 @kindex hook
18118 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
18119 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
18120 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
18121 before that command.
18122
18123 @cindex hooks, post-command
18124 @kindex hookpost
18125 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
18126 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
18127 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
18128 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
18129 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
18130
18131 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
18132 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
18133
18134 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
18135 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
18136
18137 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
18138 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
18139 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
18140 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
18141 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
18142
18143 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
18144 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
18145 you could define:
18146
18147 @smallexample
18148 define hook-stop
18149 handle SIGALRM nopass
18150 end
18151
18152 define hook-run
18153 handle SIGALRM pass
18154 end
18155
18156 define hook-continue
18157 handle SIGALRM pass
18158 end
18159 @end smallexample
18160
18161 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
18162 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
18163 you could define:
18164
18165 @smallexample
18166 define hook-echo
18167 echo <<<---
18168 end
18169
18170 define hookpost-echo
18171 echo --->>>\n
18172 end
18173
18174 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
18175 <<<---Hello World--->>>
18176 (@value{GDBP})
18177
18178 @end smallexample
18179
18180 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
18181 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
18182 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
18183 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
18184 @c or not?
18185 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
18186 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
18187 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
18188
18189 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
18190 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
18191 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
18192
18193 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
18194 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
18195
18196 @node Command Files
18197 @subsection Command Files
18198
18199 @cindex command files
18200 @cindex scripting commands
18201 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
18202 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
18203 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
18204 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
18205 terminal.
18206
18207 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
18208 command:
18209
18210 @table @code
18211 @kindex source
18212 @cindex execute commands from a file
18213 @item source [@code{-v}] @var{filename}
18214 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
18215 @end table
18216
18217 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
18218 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
18219 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
18220 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
18221 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
18222
18223 @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename} in the current directory and then
18224 on the search path (specified with the @samp{directory} command).
18225
18226 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
18227 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
18228 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
18229
18230 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
18231 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
18232 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
18233 when called from command files.
18234
18235 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
18236 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
18237 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
18238 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
18239 the next command.
18240
18241 @smallexample
18242 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
18243 @end smallexample
18244
18245 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
18246 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
18247 would be directed to @file{log}.
18248
18249 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
18250 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
18251 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
18252 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
18253 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
18254 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
18255 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
18256 conditionally, etc.
18257
18258 @table @code
18259 @kindex if
18260 @kindex else
18261 @item if
18262 @itemx else
18263 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
18264 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
18265 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
18266 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
18267 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
18268 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
18269 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
18270
18271 @kindex while
18272 @item while
18273 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
18274 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
18275 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
18276 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
18277 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
18278 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
18279
18280 @kindex loop_break
18281 @item loop_break
18282 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
18283 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
18284 line.
18285
18286 @kindex loop_continue
18287 @item loop_continue
18288 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
18289 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
18290 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
18291 the controlling expression.
18292
18293 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
18294 @item end
18295 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
18296 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
18297 @end table
18298
18299
18300 @node Output
18301 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
18302
18303 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
18304 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
18305 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
18306 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
18307 want.
18308
18309 @table @code
18310 @kindex echo
18311 @item echo @var{text}
18312 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
18313 @c because it is not in ANSI.
18314 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
18315 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
18316 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
18317 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
18318 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
18319 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
18320 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
18321 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
18322 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
18323
18324 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
18325 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
18326
18327 @smallexample
18328 echo This is some text\n\
18329 which is continued\n\
18330 onto several lines.\n
18331 @end smallexample
18332
18333 produces the same output as
18334
18335 @smallexample
18336 echo This is some text\n
18337 echo which is continued\n
18338 echo onto several lines.\n
18339 @end smallexample
18340
18341 @kindex output
18342 @item output @var{expression}
18343 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
18344 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
18345 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
18346 on expressions.
18347
18348 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
18349 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
18350 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
18351 Formats}, for more information.
18352
18353 @kindex printf
18354 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
18355 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
18356 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
18357 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
18358 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
18359 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
18360 executing the code below:
18361
18362 @smallexample
18363 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
18364 @end smallexample
18365
18366 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
18367 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
18368 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
18369 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
18370 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
18371 printed.
18372
18373 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
18374
18375 @smallexample
18376 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
18377 @end smallexample
18378
18379 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
18380 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
18381 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
18382
18383 @itemize @bullet
18384 @item
18385 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
18386
18387 @item
18388 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
18389 width.
18390
18391 @item
18392 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
18393 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
18394
18395 @item
18396 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
18397 supported.
18398
18399 @item
18400 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
18401
18402 @item
18403 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
18404 @end itemize
18405
18406 @noindent
18407 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
18408 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
18409 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
18410 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
18411
18412 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
18413 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
18414 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
18415 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
18416 supported.
18417
18418 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
18419 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
18420 together with a floating point specifier.
18421 letters:
18422
18423 @itemize @bullet
18424 @item
18425 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
18426
18427 @item
18428 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
18429
18430 @item
18431 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
18432 @end itemize
18433
18434 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
18435 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
18436 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
18437
18438 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
18439 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
18440
18441 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
18442 @smallexample
18443 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
18444 @end smallexample
18445
18446 @end table
18447
18448 @node Python
18449 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
18450 @cindex python scripting
18451 @cindex scripting with python
18452
18453 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
18454 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
18455 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
18456
18457 @menu
18458 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
18459 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
18460 @end menu
18461
18462 @node Python Commands
18463 @subsection Python Commands
18464 @cindex python commands
18465 @cindex commands to access python
18466
18467 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
18468 and one related setting:
18469
18470 @table @code
18471 @kindex python
18472 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
18473 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
18474
18475 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
18476 argument as a Python command. For example:
18477
18478 @smallexample
18479 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
18480 23
18481 @end smallexample
18482
18483 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
18484 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
18485 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
18486 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
18487 containing @code{end}. For example:
18488
18489 @smallexample
18490 (@value{GDBP}) python
18491 Type python script
18492 End with a line saying just "end".
18493 >print 23
18494 >end
18495 23
18496 @end smallexample
18497
18498 @kindex maint set python print-stack
18499 @item maint set python print-stack
18500 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
18501 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
18502 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
18503 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
18504 disabled.
18505 @end table
18506
18507 @node Python API
18508 @subsection Python API
18509 @cindex python api
18510 @cindex programming in python
18511
18512 @cindex python stdout
18513 @cindex python pagination
18514 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
18515 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
18516 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
18517 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
18518 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
18519
18520 @menu
18521 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
18522 * Exception Handling::
18523 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
18524 * Values From Inferior::
18525 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
18526 * Pretty Printing:: Pretty-printing values.
18527 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
18528 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
18529 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
18530 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
18531 * Frames In Python:: Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
18532 @end menu
18533
18534 @node Basic Python
18535 @subsubsection Basic Python
18536
18537 @cindex python functions
18538 @cindex python module
18539 @cindex gdb module
18540 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
18541 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
18542 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
18543 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
18544
18545 @findex gdb.execute
18546 @defun execute command [from_tty]
18547 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
18548 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
18549 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
18550 If no exceptions occur, this function returns @code{None}.
18551
18552 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
18553 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
18554 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
18555 @end defun
18556
18557 @findex gdb.get_parameter
18558 @defun get_parameter parameter
18559 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
18560 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
18561 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
18562 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
18563
18564 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
18565 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
18566 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
18567 @end defun
18568
18569 @findex gdb.history
18570 @defun history number
18571 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
18572 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
18573 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
18574 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
18575 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
18576 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
18577 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
18578 raised.
18579
18580 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
18581 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
18582 @end defun
18583
18584 @findex gdb.write
18585 @defun write string
18586 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
18587 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
18588 call this function.
18589 @end defun
18590
18591 @findex gdb.flush
18592 @defun flush
18593 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
18594 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
18595 function.
18596 @end defun
18597
18598 @node Exception Handling
18599 @subsubsection Exception Handling
18600 @cindex python exceptions
18601 @cindex exceptions, python
18602
18603 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
18604 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
18605 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
18606 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
18607 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
18608 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
18609 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
18610
18611 @smallexample
18612 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
18613 Traceback (most recent call last):
18614 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
18615 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
18616 @end smallexample
18617
18618 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
18619 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
18620 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
18621 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
18622 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
18623 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
18624 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
18625 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
18626 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
18627 traceback.
18628
18629 @node Auto-loading
18630 @subsubsection Auto-loading
18631 @cindex auto-loading, Python
18632
18633 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
18634 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
18635 @value{GDBN} will look for a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
18636 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
18637 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
18638 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
18639 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
18640
18641 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
18642 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
18643 then @value{GDBN} will use the file named
18644 @file{@var{debug-file-directory}/@var{real-name}}, where
18645 @var{real-name} is the object file's real name, as described above.
18646
18647 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
18648 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
18649 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
18650 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
18651 is the object file's real name, as described above.
18652
18653 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the ``current
18654 objfile''. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
18655 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
18656 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
18657
18658 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
18659 debugging commands and scripts. You can enable or disable this
18660 feature, and view its current state.
18661
18662 @table @code
18663 @kindex maint set python auto-load
18664 @item maint set python auto-load [yes|no]
18665 Enable or disable the Python auto-loading feature.
18666
18667 @kindex show python auto-load
18668 @item show python auto-load
18669 Show whether Python auto-loading is enabled or disabled.
18670 @end table
18671
18672 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded.
18673 So, your @samp{-gdb.py} file should take care to ensure that it may be
18674 evaluated multiple times without error.
18675
18676 @node Values From Inferior
18677 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
18678 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
18679 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
18680
18681 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
18682 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
18683 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
18684 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
18685 fetching values when necessary.
18686
18687 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
18688 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
18689 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
18690
18691 @smallexample
18692 bar = some_val + 2
18693 @end smallexample
18694
18695 @noindent
18696 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
18697 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
18698
18699 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
18700 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
18701 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
18702 can access its @code{foo} element with:
18703
18704 @smallexample
18705 bar = some_val['foo']
18706 @end smallexample
18707
18708 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
18709
18710 The following attributes are provided:
18711
18712 @table @code
18713 @defivar Value address
18714 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
18715 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
18716 this attribute holds @code{None}.
18717 @end defivar
18718
18719 @cindex optimized out value in Python
18720 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
18721 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
18722 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
18723 @end defivar
18724
18725 @defivar Value type
18726 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
18727 @code{gdb.Type} object.
18728 @end defivar
18729 @end table
18730
18731 The following methods are provided:
18732
18733 @table @code
18734 @defmethod Value dereference
18735 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
18736 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
18737 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
18738
18739 @smallexample
18740 int *foo;
18741 @end smallexample
18742
18743 @noindent
18744 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
18745 @code{foo} points to like this:
18746
18747 @smallexample
18748 bar = foo.dereference ()
18749 @end smallexample
18750
18751 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
18752 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
18753 @end defmethod
18754
18755 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]}
18756 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
18757 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
18758 throw an exception.
18759
18760 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
18761 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
18762 language.
18763
18764 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
18765 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
18766 by a zero of the appropriate width.
18767
18768 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
18769 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
18770 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
18771 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
18772 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
18773 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
18774 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
18775 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
18776 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
18777
18778 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
18779 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
18780 @end defmethod
18781 @end table
18782
18783 @node Types In Python
18784 @subsubsection Types In Python
18785 @cindex types in Python
18786 @cindex Python, working with types
18787
18788 @tindex gdb.Type
18789 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
18790 @code{gdb.Type}.
18791
18792 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
18793 module:
18794
18795 @findex gdb.lookup_type
18796 @defun lookup_type name [block]
18797 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
18798 type to look up. It must be a string.
18799
18800 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
18801 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
18802 @end defun
18803
18804 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
18805
18806 @table @code
18807 @defivar Type code
18808 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
18809 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
18810 @end defivar
18811
18812 @defivar Type sizeof
18813 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
18814 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
18815 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
18816 @end defivar
18817
18818 @defivar Type tag
18819 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
18820 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
18821 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
18822 @code{None} is returned.
18823 @end defivar
18824 @end table
18825
18826 The following methods are provided:
18827
18828 @table @code
18829 @defmethod Type fields
18830 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
18831 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
18832 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
18833 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
18834 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
18835 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
18836
18837 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
18838 @table @code
18839 @item bitpos
18840 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
18841 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
18842 position of the field.
18843
18844 @item name
18845 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
18846
18847 @item artificial
18848 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
18849 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
18850 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
18851
18852 @item bitsize
18853 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
18854 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
18855 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
18856
18857 @item type
18858 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
18859 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
18860 @end table
18861 @end defmethod
18862
18863 @defmethod Type const
18864 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
18865 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
18866 @end defmethod
18867
18868 @defmethod Type volatile
18869 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
18870 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
18871 @end defmethod
18872
18873 @defmethod Type unqualified
18874 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
18875 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
18876 @code{volatile}.
18877 @end defmethod
18878
18879 @defmethod Type reference
18880 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
18881 type.
18882 @end defmethod
18883
18884 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
18885 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
18886 after removing all layers of typedefs.
18887 @end defmethod
18888
18889 @defmethod Type target
18890 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
18891 of this type.
18892
18893 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
18894 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
18895 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
18896 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
18897 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
18898 target type is the aliased type.
18899
18900 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
18901 exception.
18902 @end defmethod
18903
18904 @defmethod Type template_argument n
18905 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
18906 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
18907 @var{n}th template argument.
18908
18909 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
18910 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
18911
18912 @var{name} is searched for globally.
18913 @end defmethod
18914 @end table
18915
18916
18917 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
18918 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
18919 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
18920
18921 @table @code
18922 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
18923 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
18924 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
18925 The type is a pointer.
18926
18927 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
18928 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
18929 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
18930 The type is an array.
18931
18932 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
18933 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
18934 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
18935 The type is a structure.
18936
18937 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
18938 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
18939 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
18940 The type is a union.
18941
18942 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
18943 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
18944 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
18945 The type is an enum.
18946
18947 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
18948 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
18949 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
18950 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
18951
18952 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
18953 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
18954 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
18955 The type is a function.
18956
18957 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
18958 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
18959 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
18960 The type is an integer type.
18961
18962 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
18963 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
18964 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
18965 A floating point type.
18966
18967 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
18968 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
18969 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
18970 The special type @code{void}.
18971
18972 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
18973 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
18974 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
18975 A Pascal set type.
18976
18977 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
18978 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
18979 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
18980 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
18981
18982 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
18983 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
18984 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
18985 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
18986 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
18987
18988 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
18989 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
18990 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
18991 A string of bits.
18992
18993 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
18994 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
18995 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
18996 An unknown or erroneous type.
18997
18998 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
18999 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
19000 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
19001 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
19002
19003 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19004 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19005 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
19006 A pointer-to-member-function.
19007
19008 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19009 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19010 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
19011 A pointer-to-member.
19012
19013 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
19014 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
19015 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
19016 A reference type.
19017
19018 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19019 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19020 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
19021 A character type.
19022
19023 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19024 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19025 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
19026 A boolean type.
19027
19028 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19029 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19030 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
19031 A complex float type.
19032
19033 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19034 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19035 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
19036 A typedef to some other type.
19037
19038 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19039 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19040 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
19041 A C@t{++} namespace.
19042
19043 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19044 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19045 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
19046 A decimal floating point type.
19047
19048 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19049 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19050 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
19051 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
19052 convenience functions.
19053 @end table
19054
19055 @node Pretty Printing
19056 @subsubsection Pretty Printing
19057
19058 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values
19059 using Python code. The pretty-printer API allows application-specific
19060 code to greatly simplify the display of complex objects. This
19061 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
19062
19063 For example, here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a
19064 pretty-printer:
19065
19066 @smallexample
19067 (@value{GDBP}) print s
19068 $1 = @{
19069 static npos = 4294967295,
19070 _M_dataplus = @{
19071 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
19072 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{<No data fields>@}, <No data fields>@},
19073 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
19074 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
19075 @}
19076 @}
19077 @end smallexample
19078
19079 After a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} has been installed, only
19080 the contents are printed:
19081
19082 @smallexample
19083 (@value{GDBP}) print s
19084 $2 = "abcd"
19085 @end smallexample
19086
19087 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
19088 specific interface, defined here.
19089
19090 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
19091 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
19092 children of the pretty-printer's value.
19093
19094 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
19095 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
19096 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
19097 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
19098 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
19099
19100 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
19101 as though the value has no children.
19102 @end defop
19103
19104 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
19105 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
19106 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
19107 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
19108 printed.
19109
19110 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
19111 string.
19112
19113 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
19114
19115 @table @samp
19116 @item array
19117 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
19118 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
19119 @code{set print array}.
19120
19121 @item map
19122 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
19123 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
19124 values.
19125
19126 @item string
19127 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
19128 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
19129 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
19130 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
19131 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
19132 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
19133 @end table
19134 @end defop
19135
19136 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
19137 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
19138 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
19139
19140 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
19141 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
19142 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
19143 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
19144 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
19145 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
19146 the result of @code{children}.
19147
19148 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
19149
19150 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
19151 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
19152 another pretty-printer.
19153
19154 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
19155 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
19156 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
19157 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
19158 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
19159
19160 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
19161 @end defop
19162
19163 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
19164 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
19165
19166 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
19167 functions that have been registered via addition as a pretty-printer.
19168 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
19169 attribute.
19170
19171 A function on one of these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
19172 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
19173 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing}). If a function
19174 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
19175 @code{None}.
19176
19177 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
19178 @code{gdb.Objfile} and iteratively calls each function in the list for
19179 that @code{gdb.Objfile} until it receives a pretty-printer object.
19180 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
19181 @code{gdb.pretty-printers} list, again calling each function until an
19182 object is returned.
19183
19184 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
19185 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
19186 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
19187 object is returned.
19188
19189 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
19190 written:
19191
19192 @smallexample
19193 class StdStringPrinter:
19194 "Print a std::string"
19195
19196 def __init__ (self, val):
19197 self.val = val
19198
19199 def to_string (self):
19200 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
19201
19202 def display_hint (self):
19203 return 'string'
19204 @end smallexample
19205
19206 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
19207 example above might be written.
19208
19209 @smallexample
19210 def str_lookup_function (val):
19211
19212 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
19213 regex = re.compile ("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
19214 if lookup_tag == None:
19215 return None
19216 if regex.match (lookup_tag):
19217 return StdStringPrinter (val)
19218
19219 return None
19220 @end smallexample
19221
19222 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
19223 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
19224 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
19225 returns @code{None}.
19226
19227 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
19228 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
19229 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
19230 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
19231 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
19232 different names.
19233
19234 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
19235 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
19236 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
19237 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
19238 the current objfile.
19239
19240 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
19241 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
19242 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
19243 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
19244 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
19245 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
19246 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
19247 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
19248 inferior.
19249
19250 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing}),
19251 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
19252
19253 @smallexample
19254 def register_printers (objfile):
19255 objfile.pretty_printers.add (str_lookup_function)
19256 @end smallexample
19257
19258 @noindent
19259 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
19260
19261 @smallexample
19262 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
19263 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers (gdb.current_objfile ())
19264 @end smallexample
19265
19266 @node Commands In Python
19267 @subsubsection Commands In Python
19268
19269 @cindex commands in python
19270 @cindex python commands
19271 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
19272 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
19273 class, most commonly using a subclass.
19274
19275 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
19276 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
19277 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
19278 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
19279
19280 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
19281 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
19282 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
19283 an exception is raised.
19284
19285 There is no support for multi-line commands.
19286
19287 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
19288 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
19289 new command in the help system.
19290
19291 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
19292 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
19293 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
19294 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
19295 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
19296 error will occur when completion is attempted.
19297
19298 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
19299 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
19300 registered.
19301
19302 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
19303 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
19304 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
19305 not documented.'' is used.
19306 @end defmethod
19307
19308 @cindex don't repeat Python command
19309 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
19310 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
19311 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
19312 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
19313 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
19314 @end defmethod
19315
19316 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
19317 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
19318
19319 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
19320 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
19321
19322 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
19323 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
19324 that the command came from elsewhere.
19325
19326 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
19327 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
19328 @end defmethod
19329
19330 @cindex completion of Python commands
19331 @defmethod Command complete text word
19332 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
19333 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
19334 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
19335 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
19336 complete}).
19337
19338 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
19339 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
19340 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
19341 using a word-breaking heuristic.
19342
19343 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
19344 @itemize @bullet
19345 @item
19346 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
19347 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
19348 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
19349 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
19350 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
19351 sequence are ignored.
19352
19353 @item
19354 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
19355 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
19356 function is invoked, and its result is used.
19357
19358 @item
19359 All other results are treated as though there were no available
19360 completions.
19361 @end itemize
19362 @end defmethod
19363
19364 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
19365 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
19366 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
19367 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
19368 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
19369 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
19370
19371 @table @code
19372 @findex COMMAND_NONE
19373 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
19374 @item COMMAND_NONE
19375 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
19376 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
19377
19378 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
19379 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
19380 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
19381 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
19382 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
19383 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
19384 commands in this category.
19385
19386 @findex COMMAND_DATA
19387 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
19388 @item COMMAND_DATA
19389 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
19390 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
19391 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
19392 in this category.
19393
19394 @findex COMMAND_STACK
19395 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
19396 @item COMMAND_STACK
19397 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
19398 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
19399 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
19400 list of commands in this category.
19401
19402 @findex COMMAND_FILES
19403 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
19404 @item COMMAND_FILES
19405 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
19406 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
19407 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
19408 commands in this category.
19409
19410 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
19411 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
19412 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
19413 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
19414 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
19415 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
19416 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
19417 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
19418 commands in this category.
19419
19420 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
19421 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
19422 @item COMMAND_STATUS
19423 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
19424 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
19425 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
19426 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
19427
19428 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
19429 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
19430 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
19431 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
19432 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
19433 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
19434 this category.
19435
19436 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
19437 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
19438 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
19439 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
19440 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
19441 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
19442 commands in this category.
19443
19444 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
19445 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
19446 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
19447 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
19448 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
19449 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
19450 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
19451 category.
19452
19453 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
19454 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
19455 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
19456 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
19457 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
19458 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
19459 commands in this category.
19460 @end table
19461
19462 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
19463 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
19464 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
19465 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
19466
19467 @table @code
19468 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
19469 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
19470 @item COMPLETE_NONE
19471 This constant means that no completion should be done.
19472
19473 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
19474 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
19475 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
19476 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
19477
19478 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
19479 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
19480 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
19481 This constant means that location completion should be done.
19482 @xref{Specify Location}.
19483
19484 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
19485 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
19486 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
19487 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
19488 command names.
19489
19490 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
19491 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
19492 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
19493 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
19494 as the source.
19495 @end table
19496
19497 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
19498 implemented in Python:
19499
19500 @smallexample
19501 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
19502 """Greet the whole world."""
19503
19504 def __init__ (self):
19505 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
19506
19507 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
19508 print "Hello, World!"
19509
19510 HelloWorld ()
19511 @end smallexample
19512
19513 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
19514 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
19515 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
19516 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
19517
19518 @node Functions In Python
19519 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
19520
19521 @cindex writing convenience functions
19522 @cindex convenience functions in python
19523 @cindex python convenience functions
19524 @tindex gdb.Function
19525 @tindex Function
19526 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
19527 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
19528 class @code{gdb.Function}.
19529
19530 @defmethod Function __init__ name
19531 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
19532 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
19533 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
19534 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
19535 the given @var{name}.
19536
19537 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
19538 string for the new class.
19539 @end defmethod
19540
19541 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
19542 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
19543 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
19544 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
19545 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
19546 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
19547 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
19548 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
19549
19550 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
19551 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
19552 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
19553 @end defmethod
19554
19555 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
19556 be implemented in Python:
19557
19558 @smallexample
19559 class Greet (gdb.Function):
19560 """Return string to greet someone.
19561 Takes a name as argument."""
19562
19563 def __init__ (self):
19564 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
19565
19566 def invoke (self, name):
19567 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
19568
19569 Greet ()
19570 @end smallexample
19571
19572 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
19573 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
19574 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
19575 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
19576
19577 @node Objfiles In Python
19578 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
19579
19580 @cindex objfiles in python
19581 @tindex gdb.Objfile
19582 @tindex Objfile
19583 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
19584 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
19585 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
19586 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
19587 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
19588
19589 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
19590 @code{gdb} module:
19591
19592 @findex gdb.current_objfile
19593 @defun current_objfile
19594 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
19595 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
19596 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
19597 this function returns @code{None}.
19598 @end defun
19599
19600 @findex gdb.objfiles
19601 @defun objfiles
19602 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
19603 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
19604 @end defun
19605
19606 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
19607 class.
19608
19609 @defivar Objfile filename
19610 The file name of the objfile as a string.
19611 @end defivar
19612
19613 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
19614 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
19615 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
19616 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
19617 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
19618 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing}, for more
19619 information.
19620 @end defivar
19621
19622 @node Frames In Python
19623 @subsubsection Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
19624
19625 @cindex frames in python
19626 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
19627 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
19628 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
19629 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
19630 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
19631 exception.
19632
19633 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
19634 operator, like:
19635
19636 @smallexample
19637 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
19638 True
19639 @end smallexample
19640
19641 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
19642
19643 @findex gdb.selected_frame
19644 @defun selected_frame
19645 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
19646 @end defun
19647
19648 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
19649 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
19650 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
19651 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
19652 @end defun
19653
19654 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
19655
19656 @table @code
19657 @defmethod Frame is_valid
19658 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
19659 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
19660 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
19661 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
19662 @end defmethod
19663
19664 @defmethod Frame name
19665 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
19666 obtained.
19667 @end defmethod
19668
19669 @defmethod Frame type
19670 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
19671 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
19672 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
19673 @end defmethod
19674
19675 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
19676 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
19677 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
19678 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
19679 function to a string.
19680 @end defmethod
19681
19682 @defmethod Frame pc
19683 Returns the frame's resume address.
19684 @end defmethod
19685
19686 @defmethod Frame older
19687 Return the frame that called this frame.
19688 @end defmethod
19689
19690 @defmethod Frame newer
19691 Return the frame called by this frame.
19692 @end defmethod
19693
19694 @defmethod Frame read_var variable
19695 Return the value of the given variable in this frame. @var{variable} must
19696 be a string.
19697 @end defmethod
19698 @end table
19699
19700 @node Interpreters
19701 @chapter Command Interpreters
19702 @cindex command interpreters
19703
19704 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
19705 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
19706 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
19707
19708 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
19709 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
19710 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
19711 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
19712
19713 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
19714 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
19715 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
19716 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
19717
19718 @table @code
19719 @item console
19720 @cindex console interpreter
19721 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
19722 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
19723 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
19724
19725 @item mi
19726 @cindex mi interpreter
19727 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
19728 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
19729 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
19730 Interface}.
19731
19732 @item mi2
19733 @cindex mi2 interpreter
19734 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
19735
19736 @item mi1
19737 @cindex mi1 interpreter
19738 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
19739
19740 @end table
19741
19742 @cindex invoke another interpreter
19743 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
19744 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
19745 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
19746 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
19747 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
19748 the IDE inoperable!
19749
19750 @kindex interpreter-exec
19751 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
19752 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
19753 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
19754 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
19755
19756 @smallexample
19757 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
19758 @end smallexample
19759
19760 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
19761 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
19762
19763 @node TUI
19764 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
19765 @cindex TUI
19766 @cindex Text User Interface
19767
19768 @menu
19769 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
19770 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
19771 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
19772 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
19773 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
19774 @end menu
19775
19776 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
19777 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
19778 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
19779 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
19780 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
19781 is available.
19782
19783 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
19784 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
19785 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
19786 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
19787 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
19788 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
19789
19790 @node TUI Overview
19791 @section TUI Overview
19792
19793 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
19794
19795 @table @emph
19796 @item command
19797 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
19798 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
19799 managed using readline.
19800
19801 @item source
19802 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
19803 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
19804
19805 @item assembly
19806 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
19807
19808 @item register
19809 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
19810 when their values change.
19811 @end table
19812
19813 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
19814 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
19815 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
19816 indicates the breakpoint type:
19817
19818 @table @code
19819 @item B
19820 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
19821
19822 @item b
19823 Breakpoint which was never hit.
19824
19825 @item H
19826 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
19827
19828 @item h
19829 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
19830 @end table
19831
19832 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
19833
19834 @table @code
19835 @item +
19836 Breakpoint is enabled.
19837
19838 @item -
19839 Breakpoint is disabled.
19840 @end table
19841
19842 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
19843 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
19844 changes.
19845
19846 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
19847 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
19848 layouts:
19849
19850 @itemize @bullet
19851 @item
19852 source only,
19853
19854 @item
19855 assembly only,
19856
19857 @item
19858 source and assembly,
19859
19860 @item
19861 source and registers, or
19862
19863 @item
19864 assembly and registers.
19865 @end itemize
19866
19867 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
19868
19869 @table @emph
19870 @item target
19871 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
19872 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
19873
19874 @item process
19875 Gives the current process or thread number.
19876 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
19877
19878 @item function
19879 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
19880 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
19881 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
19882 the string @code{??} is displayed.
19883
19884 @item line
19885 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
19886 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
19887
19888 @item pc
19889 Indicates the current program counter address.
19890 @end table
19891
19892 @node TUI Keys
19893 @section TUI Key Bindings
19894 @cindex TUI key bindings
19895
19896 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
19897 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
19898 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
19899
19900 @table @kbd
19901 @kindex C-x C-a
19902 @item C-x C-a
19903 @kindex C-x a
19904 @itemx C-x a
19905 @kindex C-x A
19906 @itemx C-x A
19907 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
19908 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
19909 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
19910 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
19911 The screen is then refreshed.
19912
19913 @kindex C-x 1
19914 @item C-x 1
19915 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
19916 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
19917 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
19918
19919 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
19920
19921 @kindex C-x 2
19922 @item C-x 2
19923 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
19924 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
19925 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
19926 previous layout and the new one.
19927
19928 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
19929
19930 @kindex C-x o
19931 @item C-x o
19932 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
19933 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
19934 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
19935
19936 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
19937
19938 @kindex C-x s
19939 @item C-x s
19940 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
19941 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
19942 @end table
19943
19944 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
19945
19946 @table @asis
19947 @kindex PgUp
19948 @item @key{PgUp}
19949 Scroll the active window one page up.
19950
19951 @kindex PgDn
19952 @item @key{PgDn}
19953 Scroll the active window one page down.
19954
19955 @kindex Up
19956 @item @key{Up}
19957 Scroll the active window one line up.
19958
19959 @kindex Down
19960 @item @key{Down}
19961 Scroll the active window one line down.
19962
19963 @kindex Left
19964 @item @key{Left}
19965 Scroll the active window one column left.
19966
19967 @kindex Right
19968 @item @key{Right}
19969 Scroll the active window one column right.
19970
19971 @kindex C-L
19972 @item @kbd{C-L}
19973 Refresh the screen.
19974 @end table
19975
19976 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
19977 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
19978 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
19979 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
19980 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
19981
19982 @node TUI Single Key Mode
19983 @section TUI Single Key Mode
19984 @cindex TUI single key mode
19985
19986 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
19987 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
19988 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
19989
19990 @table @kbd
19991 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19992 @item c
19993 continue
19994
19995 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19996 @item d
19997 down
19998
19999 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20000 @item f
20001 finish
20002
20003 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20004 @item n
20005 next
20006
20007 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20008 @item q
20009 exit the SingleKey mode.
20010
20011 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20012 @item r
20013 run
20014
20015 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20016 @item s
20017 step
20018
20019 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20020 @item u
20021 up
20022
20023 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20024 @item v
20025 info locals
20026
20027 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
20028 @item w
20029 where
20030 @end table
20031
20032 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
20033 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
20034 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
20035 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
20036 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
20037 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
20038
20039
20040 @node TUI Commands
20041 @section TUI-specific Commands
20042 @cindex TUI commands
20043
20044 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
20045 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
20046 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
20047 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
20048
20049 @table @code
20050 @item info win
20051 @kindex info win
20052 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
20053
20054 @item layout next
20055 @kindex layout
20056 Display the next layout.
20057
20058 @item layout prev
20059 Display the previous layout.
20060
20061 @item layout src
20062 Display the source window only.
20063
20064 @item layout asm
20065 Display the assembly window only.
20066
20067 @item layout split
20068 Display the source and assembly window.
20069
20070 @item layout regs
20071 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
20072
20073 @item focus next
20074 @kindex focus
20075 Make the next window active for scrolling.
20076
20077 @item focus prev
20078 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
20079
20080 @item focus src
20081 Make the source window active for scrolling.
20082
20083 @item focus asm
20084 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
20085
20086 @item focus regs
20087 Make the register window active for scrolling.
20088
20089 @item focus cmd
20090 Make the command window active for scrolling.
20091
20092 @item refresh
20093 @kindex refresh
20094 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
20095
20096 @item tui reg float
20097 @kindex tui reg
20098 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
20099
20100 @item tui reg general
20101 Show the general registers in the register window.
20102
20103 @item tui reg next
20104 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
20105 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
20106 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
20107 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
20108
20109 @item tui reg system
20110 Show the system registers in the register window.
20111
20112 @item update
20113 @kindex update
20114 Update the source window and the current execution point.
20115
20116 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
20117 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
20118 @kindex winheight
20119 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
20120 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
20121 decrease it.
20122
20123 @item tabset @var{nchars}
20124 @kindex tabset
20125 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
20126 @end table
20127
20128 @node TUI Configuration
20129 @section TUI Configuration Variables
20130 @cindex TUI configuration variables
20131
20132 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
20133
20134 @table @code
20135 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
20136 @kindex set tui border-kind
20137 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
20138 The possible values are the following:
20139 @table @code
20140 @item space
20141 Use a space character to draw the border.
20142
20143 @item ascii
20144 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
20145
20146 @item acs
20147 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
20148 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
20149 @end table
20150
20151 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
20152 @kindex set tui border-mode
20153 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
20154 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
20155 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
20156 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
20157 @table @code
20158 @item normal
20159 Use normal attributes to display the border.
20160
20161 @item standout
20162 Use standout mode.
20163
20164 @item reverse
20165 Use reverse video mode.
20166
20167 @item half
20168 Use half bright mode.
20169
20170 @item half-standout
20171 Use half bright and standout mode.
20172
20173 @item bold
20174 Use extra bright or bold mode.
20175
20176 @item bold-standout
20177 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
20178 @end table
20179 @end table
20180
20181 @node Emacs
20182 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
20183
20184 @cindex Emacs
20185 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
20186 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
20187 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
20188 @value{GDBN}.
20189
20190 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
20191 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
20192 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
20193 created Emacs buffer.
20194 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
20195
20196 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
20197 things:
20198
20199 @itemize @bullet
20200 @item
20201 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
20202 the GUD buffer.
20203
20204 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
20205 and output done by the program you are debugging.
20206
20207 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
20208 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
20209 in this way.
20210
20211 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
20212 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
20213 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
20214 stop.
20215
20216 @item
20217 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
20218
20219 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
20220 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
20221 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
20222 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
20223 and the source.
20224
20225 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
20226 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
20227 @end itemize
20228
20229 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
20230 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
20231 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
20232 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
20233
20234 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
20235 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
20236 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
20237 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
20238 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
20239 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
20240 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
20241 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
20242 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
20243
20244 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
20245 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
20246 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
20247 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
20248
20249 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
20250 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
20251 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
20252 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
20253 one you want.
20254
20255 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
20256 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
20257
20258 @table @kbd
20259 @item C-h m
20260 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
20261
20262 @item C-c C-s
20263 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
20264 update the display window to show the current file and location.
20265
20266 @item C-c C-n
20267 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
20268 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
20269 to show the current file and location.
20270
20271 @item C-c C-i
20272 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
20273 display window accordingly.
20274
20275 @item C-c C-f
20276 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
20277 @code{finish} command.
20278
20279 @item C-c C-r
20280 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
20281 command.
20282
20283 @item C-c <
20284 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
20285 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
20286 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
20287
20288 @item C-c >
20289 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
20290 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
20291 @end table
20292
20293 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
20294 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
20295
20296 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
20297 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
20298 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
20299 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
20300 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
20301 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
20302 speedbar displays watch expressions.
20303
20304 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
20305 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
20306 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
20307 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
20308 frame.
20309
20310 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
20311 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
20312 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
20313 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
20314 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
20315 to correspond properly with the code.
20316
20317 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
20318 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
20319 Emacs Manual}).
20320
20321 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
20322 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
20323 @ignore
20324 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
20325 @kindex Epoch
20326 @kindex inspect
20327
20328 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
20329 called the @code{epoch}
20330 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
20331 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
20332 each value is printed in its own window.
20333 @end ignore
20334
20335
20336 @node GDB/MI
20337 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
20338
20339 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
20340
20341 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
20342 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
20343 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
20344 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
20345 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
20346 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
20347
20348 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
20349 in the form of a reference manual.
20350
20351 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
20352 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
20353 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
20354
20355 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
20356
20357 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
20358 This chapter uses the following notation:
20359
20360 @itemize @bullet
20361 @item
20362 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
20363
20364 @item
20365 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
20366 it may or may not be given.
20367
20368 @item
20369 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
20370 may repeat zero or more times.
20371
20372 @item
20373 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
20374 may repeat one or more times.
20375
20376 @item
20377 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
20378 @end itemize
20379
20380 @ignore
20381 @heading Dependencies
20382 @end ignore
20383
20384 @menu
20385 * GDB/MI General Design::
20386 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
20387 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
20388 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
20389 * GDB/MI Output Records::
20390 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
20391 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
20392 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
20393 * GDB/MI Program Context::
20394 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
20395 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
20396 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
20397 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
20398 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
20399 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
20400 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
20401 * GDB/MI File Commands::
20402 @ignore
20403 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
20404 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
20405 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
20406 @end ignore
20407 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
20408 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
20409 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
20410 @end menu
20411
20412 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20413 @node GDB/MI General Design
20414 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
20415 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
20416
20417 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
20418 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
20419 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
20420 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
20421 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
20422 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
20423 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
20424 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
20425 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
20426 a command and reported as part of that command response.
20427
20428 The important examples of notifications are:
20429 @itemize @bullet
20430
20431 @item
20432 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
20433 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
20434 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
20435 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
20436 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
20437 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
20438 command itself was successfully executed.
20439
20440 @item
20441 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
20442 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
20443 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
20444 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
20445 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
20446 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
20447
20448 @item
20449 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
20450 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
20451 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
20452 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
20453 orthogonal frontend design.
20454
20455 @end itemize
20456
20457 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
20458 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
20459 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
20460 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
20461 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
20462 the user interface.
20463
20464
20465 @menu
20466 * Context management::
20467 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
20468 * Thread groups::
20469 @end menu
20470
20471 @node Context management
20472 @subsection Context management
20473
20474 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
20475 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
20476 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
20477 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
20478 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
20479 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
20480 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
20481 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
20482 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
20483
20484 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
20485 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
20486 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
20487 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
20488 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
20489 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
20490 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
20491 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
20492 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
20493 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
20494 for thread and frame to operate on.
20495
20496 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
20497 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
20498 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
20499 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
20500 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
20501 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
20502 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
20503 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
20504 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
20505 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
20506
20507 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
20508 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
20509 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
20510 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
20511 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
20512 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
20513 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
20514 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
20515 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
20516 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
20517 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
20518 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
20519 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
20520 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
20521 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
20522 @samp{--frame} options.
20523
20524 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
20525 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
20526
20527 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
20528 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
20529 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
20530 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
20531 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
20532 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
20533 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
20534 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
20535 @code{-list-target-features} command.
20536
20537 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
20538 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
20539 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
20540 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
20541 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
20542 are running.
20543
20544 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
20545 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
20546 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
20547 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
20548 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
20549 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
20550 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
20551 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
20552 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
20553 @samp{--thread} option).
20554
20555 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
20556 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
20557 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
20558 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
20559
20560 @node Thread groups
20561 @subsection Thread groups
20562 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
20563 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
20564 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
20565 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
20566 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
20567
20568 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
20569 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
20570 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
20571 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
20572 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
20573 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
20574 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
20575 into processes.
20576
20577 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
20578 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
20579 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
20580 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
20581 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
20582 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
20583 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
20584 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
20585 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
20586 the members of specific thread group.
20587
20588 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
20589 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
20590 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
20591 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
20592 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
20593 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
20594 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
20595 after attaching to that thread group.
20596
20597 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20598 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
20599 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
20600
20601 @menu
20602 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
20603 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
20604 @end menu
20605
20606 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
20607 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
20608
20609 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
20610 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
20611 @table @code
20612 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
20613 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
20614
20615 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
20616 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
20617 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20618
20619 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
20620 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
20621 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
20622
20623 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
20624 "any sequence of digits"
20625
20626 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
20627 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
20628
20629 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
20630 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
20631
20632 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
20633 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
20634
20635 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
20636 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
20637 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
20638
20639 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
20640 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
20641
20642 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
20643 @code{CR | CR-LF}
20644 @end table
20645
20646 @noindent
20647 Notes:
20648
20649 @itemize @bullet
20650 @item
20651 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
20652 output is described below.
20653
20654 @item
20655 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
20656 finishes.
20657
20658 @item
20659 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
20660 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
20661 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
20662 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
20663 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
20664 @end itemize
20665
20666 Pragmatics:
20667
20668 @itemize @bullet
20669 @item
20670 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
20671
20672 @item
20673 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
20674 @end itemize
20675
20676 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
20677 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
20678
20679 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
20680 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
20681 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
20682 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
20683 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
20684 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
20685
20686 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
20687 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
20688 @var{token}.
20689
20690 @table @code
20691 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
20692 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
20693
20694 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
20695 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
20696
20697 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
20698 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
20699
20700 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
20701 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
20702
20703 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
20704 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
20705
20706 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
20707 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
20708
20709 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
20710 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
20711
20712 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
20713 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
20714
20715 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
20716 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
20717
20718 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
20719 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
20720 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
20721
20722 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
20723 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
20724
20725 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
20726 @code{ @var{string} }
20727
20728 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
20729 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
20730
20731 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
20732 @code{@var{c-string}}
20733
20734 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
20735 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
20736
20737 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
20738 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
20739 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
20740
20741 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
20742 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
20743
20744 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
20745 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
20746
20747 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
20748 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
20749
20750 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
20751 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
20752
20753 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
20754 @code{CR | CR-LF}
20755
20756 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
20757 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
20758 @end table
20759
20760 @noindent
20761 Notes:
20762
20763 @itemize @bullet
20764 @item
20765 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
20766
20767 @item
20768 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
20769 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
20770 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
20771 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
20772 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
20773 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
20774 prior command.
20775
20776 @item
20777 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20778 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
20779 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
20780 prefixed by @samp{+}.
20781
20782 @item
20783 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20784 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
20785 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
20786 @samp{*}.
20787
20788 @item
20789 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20790 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
20791 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
20792 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
20793
20794 @item
20795 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20796 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
20797 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
20798 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
20799
20800 @item
20801 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20802 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
20803 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
20804
20805 @item
20806 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20807 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
20808 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
20809 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
20810
20811 @item
20812 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20813 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
20814 @var{values}.
20815
20816
20817 @end itemize
20818
20819 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
20820 details about the various output records.
20821
20822 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20823 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
20824 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
20825
20826 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
20827 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
20828
20829 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
20830 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
20831 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
20832 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
20833 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
20834 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
20835
20836 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
20837 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
20838 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
20839
20840 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20841 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
20842 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
20843 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
20844
20845 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
20846 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
20847
20848 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
20849 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
20850 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
20851 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
20852 might change.
20853
20854 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
20855 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
20856 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
20857 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
20858
20859 @itemize @bullet
20860 @item
20861 New MI commands may be added.
20862
20863 @item
20864 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
20865
20866 @item
20867 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
20868 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
20869
20870 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
20871 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
20872
20873 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
20874 @c resolve inconsistencies.
20875 @end itemize
20876
20877 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
20878 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
20879 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
20880 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
20881 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
20882
20883 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
20884 @c version?
20885
20886 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
20887 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
20888 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
20889 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
20890 @cindex mailing lists
20891
20892 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20893 @node GDB/MI Output Records
20894 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
20895
20896 @menu
20897 * GDB/MI Result Records::
20898 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
20899 * GDB/MI Async Records::
20900 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
20901 @end menu
20902
20903 @node GDB/MI Result Records
20904 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
20905
20906 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
20907 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
20908 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
20909 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
20910
20911 @table @code
20912 @findex ^done
20913 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
20914 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
20915 values.
20916
20917 @item "^running"
20918 @findex ^running
20919 @c Is this one correct? Should it be an out-of-band notification?
20920 The asynchronous operation was successfully started. The target is
20921 running.
20922
20923 @item "^connected"
20924 @findex ^connected
20925 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
20926
20927 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
20928 @findex ^error
20929 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
20930 error message.
20931
20932 @item "^exit"
20933 @findex ^exit
20934 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
20935
20936 @end table
20937
20938 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
20939 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
20940
20941 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
20942 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
20943 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
20944 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
20945 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
20946
20947 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
20948 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
20949 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
20950 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
20951 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
20952
20953 @table @code
20954 @item "~" @var{string-output}
20955 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
20956 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
20957
20958 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
20959 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
20960 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
20961 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
20962
20963 @item "&" @var{string-output}
20964 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
20965 internals.
20966 @end table
20967
20968 @node GDB/MI Async Records
20969 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
20970
20971 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
20972 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
20973 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
20974 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
20975 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
20976 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
20977
20978 The following is the list of possible async records:
20979
20980 @table @code
20981
20982 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
20983 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
20984 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
20985 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
20986 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
20987 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
20988 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
20989 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
20990 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
20991 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
20992
20993 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}"
20994 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
20995 following values:
20996
20997 @table @code
20998 @item breakpoint-hit
20999 A breakpoint was reached.
21000 @item watchpoint-trigger
21001 A watchpoint was triggered.
21002 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
21003 A read watchpoint was triggered.
21004 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
21005 An access watchpoint was triggered.
21006 @item function-finished
21007 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
21008 @item location-reached
21009 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
21010 @item watchpoint-scope
21011 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
21012 @item end-stepping-range
21013 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
21014 similar CLI command was accomplished.
21015 @item exited-signalled
21016 The inferior exited because of a signal.
21017 @item exited
21018 The inferior exited.
21019 @item exited-normally
21020 The inferior exited normally.
21021 @item signal-received
21022 A signal was received by the inferior.
21023 @end table
21024
21025 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
21026 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
21027 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
21028 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
21029 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
21030 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
21031 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
21032 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
21033 several threads in the list.
21034
21035 @item =thread-group-created,id="@var{id}"
21036 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
21037 A thread thread group either was attached to, or has exited/detached
21038 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
21039 thread group.
21040
21041 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
21042 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
21043 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
21044 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
21045 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
21046
21047 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
21048 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
21049 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
21050 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
21051 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
21052 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
21053 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
21054
21055 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
21056 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
21057 that thread.
21058
21059 @item =library-loaded,...
21060 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
21061 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
21062 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
21063 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
21064 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
21065 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
21066 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
21067 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
21068 library are loaded.
21069
21070 @item =library-unloaded,...
21071 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
21072 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
21073 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification
21074
21075 @end table
21076
21077 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
21078 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
21079
21080 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
21081 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
21082 fields:
21083
21084 @table @code
21085 @item level
21086 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
21087 zero. This field is always present.
21088
21089 @item func
21090 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
21091 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
21092
21093 @item addr
21094 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
21095
21096 @item file
21097 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
21098 address. This field may be absent.
21099
21100 @item line
21101 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
21102 may be absent.
21103
21104 @item from
21105 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
21106 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
21107
21108 @end table
21109
21110
21111 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21112 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
21113 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
21114 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
21115
21116 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
21117 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
21118 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
21119 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
21120
21121 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
21122 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
21123
21124 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
21125
21126 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
21127 information of the breakpoint.
21128
21129 @smallexample
21130 -> -break-insert main
21131 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
21132 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
21133 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
21134 <- (gdb)
21135 @end smallexample
21136
21137 @subheading Program Execution
21138
21139 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
21140 reason that execution stopped.
21141
21142 @smallexample
21143 -> -exec-run
21144 <- ^running
21145 <- (gdb)
21146 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
21147 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
21148 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
21149 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
21150 <- (gdb)
21151 -> -exec-continue
21152 <- ^running
21153 <- (gdb)
21154 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
21155 <- (gdb)
21156 @end smallexample
21157
21158 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
21159
21160 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
21161
21162 @smallexample
21163 -> (gdb)
21164 <- -gdb-exit
21165 <- ^exit
21166 @end smallexample
21167
21168 @subheading A Bad Command
21169
21170 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
21171
21172 @smallexample
21173 -> -rubbish
21174 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
21175 <- (gdb)
21176 @end smallexample
21177
21178
21179 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21180 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
21181 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
21182
21183 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
21184 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
21185
21186 @subheading Motivation
21187
21188 The motivation for this collection of commands.
21189
21190 @subheading Introduction
21191
21192 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
21193
21194 @subheading Commands
21195
21196 For each command in the block, the following is described:
21197
21198 @subsubheading Synopsis
21199
21200 @smallexample
21201 -command @var{args}@dots{}
21202 @end smallexample
21203
21204 @subsubheading Result
21205
21206 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21207
21208 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
21209
21210 @subsubheading Example
21211
21212 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
21213 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
21214
21215
21216 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21217 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
21218 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
21219
21220 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
21221 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
21222 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
21223 breakpoints.
21224
21225 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
21226 @findex -break-after
21227
21228 @subsubheading Synopsis
21229
21230 @smallexample
21231 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
21232 @end smallexample
21233
21234 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
21235 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
21236 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
21237 @samp{-break-list} command below.
21238
21239 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21240
21241 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
21242
21243 @subsubheading Example
21244
21245 @smallexample
21246 (gdb)
21247 -break-insert main
21248 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
21249 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
21250 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
21251 (gdb)
21252 -break-after 1 3
21253 ~
21254 ^done
21255 (gdb)
21256 -break-list
21257 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
21258 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21259 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21260 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21261 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21262 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21263 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21264 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21265 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
21266 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
21267 (gdb)
21268 @end smallexample
21269
21270 @ignore
21271 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
21272 @findex -break-catch
21273
21274 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
21275 @findex -break-commands
21276 @end ignore
21277
21278
21279 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
21280 @findex -break-condition
21281
21282 @subsubheading Synopsis
21283
21284 @smallexample
21285 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
21286 @end smallexample
21287
21288 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
21289 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
21290 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
21291 command below).
21292
21293 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21294
21295 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
21296
21297 @subsubheading Example
21298
21299 @smallexample
21300 (gdb)
21301 -break-condition 1 1
21302 ^done
21303 (gdb)
21304 -break-list
21305 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
21306 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21307 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21308 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21309 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21310 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21311 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21312 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21313 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
21314 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
21315 (gdb)
21316 @end smallexample
21317
21318 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
21319 @findex -break-delete
21320
21321 @subsubheading Synopsis
21322
21323 @smallexample
21324 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
21325 @end smallexample
21326
21327 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
21328 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
21329
21330 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21331
21332 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
21333
21334 @subsubheading Example
21335
21336 @smallexample
21337 (gdb)
21338 -break-delete 1
21339 ^done
21340 (gdb)
21341 -break-list
21342 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
21343 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21344 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21345 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21346 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21347 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21348 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21349 body=[]@}
21350 (gdb)
21351 @end smallexample
21352
21353 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
21354 @findex -break-disable
21355
21356 @subsubheading Synopsis
21357
21358 @smallexample
21359 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
21360 @end smallexample
21361
21362 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
21363 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
21364
21365 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21366
21367 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
21368
21369 @subsubheading Example
21370
21371 @smallexample
21372 (gdb)
21373 -break-disable 2
21374 ^done
21375 (gdb)
21376 -break-list
21377 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
21378 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21379 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21380 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21381 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21382 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21383 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21384 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
21385 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
21386 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
21387 (gdb)
21388 @end smallexample
21389
21390 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
21391 @findex -break-enable
21392
21393 @subsubheading Synopsis
21394
21395 @smallexample
21396 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
21397 @end smallexample
21398
21399 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
21400
21401 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21402
21403 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
21404
21405 @subsubheading Example
21406
21407 @smallexample
21408 (gdb)
21409 -break-enable 2
21410 ^done
21411 (gdb)
21412 -break-list
21413 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
21414 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21415 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21416 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21417 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21418 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21419 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21420 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21421 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
21422 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
21423 (gdb)
21424 @end smallexample
21425
21426 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
21427 @findex -break-info
21428
21429 @subsubheading Synopsis
21430
21431 @smallexample
21432 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
21433 @end smallexample
21434
21435 @c REDUNDANT???
21436 Get information about a single breakpoint.
21437
21438 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21439
21440 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
21441
21442 @subsubheading Example
21443 N.A.
21444
21445 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
21446 @findex -break-insert
21447
21448 @subsubheading Synopsis
21449
21450 @smallexample
21451 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
21452 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
21453 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
21454 @end smallexample
21455
21456 @noindent
21457 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
21458
21459 @itemize @bullet
21460 @item function
21461 @c @item +offset
21462 @c @item -offset
21463 @c @item linenum
21464 @item filename:linenum
21465 @item filename:function
21466 @item *address
21467 @end itemize
21468
21469 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
21470
21471 @table @samp
21472 @item -t
21473 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
21474 @item -h
21475 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
21476 @item -c @var{condition}
21477 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
21478 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
21479 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
21480 @item -f
21481 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
21482 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
21483 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
21484 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
21485 cannot be parsed.
21486 @item -d
21487 Create a disabled breakpoint.
21488 @end table
21489
21490 @subsubheading Result
21491
21492 The result is in the form:
21493
21494 @smallexample
21495 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
21496 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
21497 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
21498 times="@var{times}"@}
21499 @end smallexample
21500
21501 @noindent
21502 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
21503 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
21504 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
21505 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
21506 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
21507 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
21508 which use the same output).
21509
21510 Note: this format is open to change.
21511 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
21512
21513 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21514
21515 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
21516 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
21517
21518 @subsubheading Example
21519
21520 @smallexample
21521 (gdb)
21522 -break-insert main
21523 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
21524 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
21525 (gdb)
21526 -break-insert -t foo
21527 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
21528 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
21529 (gdb)
21530 -break-list
21531 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
21532 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21533 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21534 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21535 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21536 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21537 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21538 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21539 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
21540 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
21541 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
21542 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
21543 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
21544 (gdb)
21545 -break-insert -r foo.*
21546 ~int foo(int, int);
21547 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
21548 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
21549 (gdb)
21550 @end smallexample
21551
21552 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
21553 @findex -break-list
21554
21555 @subsubheading Synopsis
21556
21557 @smallexample
21558 -break-list
21559 @end smallexample
21560
21561 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
21562
21563 @table @samp
21564 @item Number
21565 number of the breakpoint
21566 @item Type
21567 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
21568 @item Disposition
21569 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
21570 or @samp{nokeep}
21571 @item Enabled
21572 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
21573 @item Address
21574 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
21575 @item What
21576 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
21577 name, line number
21578 @item Times
21579 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
21580 @end table
21581
21582 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
21583 @code{body} field is an empty list.
21584
21585 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21586
21587 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
21588
21589 @subsubheading Example
21590
21591 @smallexample
21592 (gdb)
21593 -break-list
21594 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
21595 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21596 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21597 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21598 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21599 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21600 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21601 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21602 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
21603 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21604 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
21605 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
21606 (gdb)
21607 @end smallexample
21608
21609 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
21610
21611 @smallexample
21612 (gdb)
21613 -break-list
21614 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
21615 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21616 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21617 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21618 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21619 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21620 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21621 body=[]@}
21622 (gdb)
21623 @end smallexample
21624
21625 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
21626 @findex -break-watch
21627
21628 @subsubheading Synopsis
21629
21630 @smallexample
21631 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
21632 @end smallexample
21633
21634 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
21635 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
21636 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
21637 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
21638 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
21639 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
21640 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
21641 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
21642
21643 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
21644 breakpoints inserted.
21645
21646 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21647
21648 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
21649 @samp{rwatch}.
21650
21651 @subsubheading Example
21652
21653 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
21654
21655 @smallexample
21656 (gdb)
21657 -break-watch x
21658 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
21659 (gdb)
21660 -exec-continue
21661 ^running
21662 (gdb)
21663 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
21664 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
21665 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
21666 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
21667 (gdb)
21668 @end smallexample
21669
21670 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
21671 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
21672 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
21673
21674 @smallexample
21675 (gdb)
21676 -break-watch C
21677 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
21678 (gdb)
21679 -exec-continue
21680 ^running
21681 (gdb)
21682 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
21683 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
21684 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
21685 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21686 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
21687 (gdb)
21688 -exec-continue
21689 ^running
21690 (gdb)
21691 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
21692 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
21693 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
21694 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21695 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
21696 (gdb)
21697 @end smallexample
21698
21699 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
21700 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
21701 deleted.
21702
21703 @smallexample
21704 (gdb)
21705 -break-watch C
21706 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
21707 (gdb)
21708 -break-list
21709 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
21710 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21711 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21712 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21713 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21714 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21715 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21716 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21717 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
21718 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21719 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
21720 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
21721 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
21722 (gdb)
21723 -exec-continue
21724 ^running
21725 (gdb)
21726 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
21727 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
21728 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
21729 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21730 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
21731 (gdb)
21732 -break-list
21733 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
21734 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21735 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21736 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21737 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21738 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21739 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21740 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21741 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
21742 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21743 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
21744 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
21745 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
21746 (gdb)
21747 -exec-continue
21748 ^running
21749 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
21750 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
21751 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
21752 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21753 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
21754 (gdb)
21755 -break-list
21756 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
21757 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
21758 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
21759 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
21760 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
21761 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
21762 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
21763 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
21764 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
21765 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21766 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
21767 times="1"@}]@}
21768 (gdb)
21769 @end smallexample
21770
21771 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21772 @node GDB/MI Program Context
21773 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
21774
21775 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
21776 @findex -exec-arguments
21777
21778
21779 @subsubheading Synopsis
21780
21781 @smallexample
21782 -exec-arguments @var{args}
21783 @end smallexample
21784
21785 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
21786 @samp{-exec-run}.
21787
21788 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21789
21790 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
21791
21792 @subsubheading Example
21793
21794 @smallexample
21795 (gdb)
21796 -exec-arguments -v word
21797 ^done
21798 (gdb)
21799 @end smallexample
21800
21801
21802 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
21803 @findex -exec-show-arguments
21804
21805 @subsubheading Synopsis
21806
21807 @smallexample
21808 -exec-show-arguments
21809 @end smallexample
21810
21811 Print the arguments of the program.
21812
21813 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21814
21815 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
21816
21817 @subsubheading Example
21818 N.A.
21819
21820
21821 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
21822 @findex -environment-cd
21823
21824 @subsubheading Synopsis
21825
21826 @smallexample
21827 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
21828 @end smallexample
21829
21830 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
21831
21832 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21833
21834 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
21835
21836 @subsubheading Example
21837
21838 @smallexample
21839 (gdb)
21840 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
21841 ^done
21842 (gdb)
21843 @end smallexample
21844
21845
21846 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
21847 @findex -environment-directory
21848
21849 @subsubheading Synopsis
21850
21851 @smallexample
21852 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
21853 @end smallexample
21854
21855 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
21856 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
21857 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
21858 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
21859 occurs as normal.
21860 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
21861 multiple directories in a single command
21862 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
21863 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
21864 If blanks are needed as
21865 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
21866 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
21867 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
21868 character must not be used
21869 in any directory name.
21870 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
21871
21872 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21873
21874 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
21875
21876 @subsubheading Example
21877
21878 @smallexample
21879 (gdb)
21880 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
21881 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
21882 (gdb)
21883 -environment-directory ""
21884 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
21885 (gdb)
21886 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
21887 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
21888 (gdb)
21889 -environment-directory -r
21890 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
21891 (gdb)
21892 @end smallexample
21893
21894
21895 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
21896 @findex -environment-path
21897
21898 @subsubheading Synopsis
21899
21900 @smallexample
21901 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
21902 @end smallexample
21903
21904 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
21905 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
21906 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
21907 supplied in addition to the
21908 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
21909 occurs as normal.
21910 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
21911 multiple directories in a single command
21912 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
21913 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
21914 If blanks are needed as
21915 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
21916 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
21917 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
21918 character must not be used
21919 in any directory name.
21920 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
21921
21922
21923 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21924
21925 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
21926
21927 @subsubheading Example
21928
21929 @smallexample
21930 (gdb)
21931 -environment-path
21932 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
21933 (gdb)
21934 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
21935 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
21936 (gdb)
21937 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
21938 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
21939 (gdb)
21940 @end smallexample
21941
21942
21943 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
21944 @findex -environment-pwd
21945
21946 @subsubheading Synopsis
21947
21948 @smallexample
21949 -environment-pwd
21950 @end smallexample
21951
21952 Show the current working directory.
21953
21954 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21955
21956 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
21957
21958 @subsubheading Example
21959
21960 @smallexample
21961 (gdb)
21962 -environment-pwd
21963 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
21964 (gdb)
21965 @end smallexample
21966
21967 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21968 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
21969 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
21970
21971
21972 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
21973 @findex -thread-info
21974
21975 @subsubheading Synopsis
21976
21977 @smallexample
21978 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
21979 @end smallexample
21980
21981 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
21982 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
21983 threads. When printing information about all threads,
21984 also reports the current thread.
21985
21986 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21987
21988 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
21989 about all threads.
21990
21991 @subsubheading Example
21992
21993 @smallexample
21994 -thread-info
21995 ^done,threads=[
21996 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
21997 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
21998 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
21999 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
22000 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
22001 current-thread-id="1"
22002 (gdb)
22003 @end smallexample
22004
22005 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
22006
22007 @table @code
22008 @item stopped
22009 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
22010 threads.
22011
22012 @item running
22013 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
22014 threads.
22015
22016 @end table
22017
22018 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
22019 @findex -thread-list-ids
22020
22021 @subsubheading Synopsis
22022
22023 @smallexample
22024 -thread-list-ids
22025 @end smallexample
22026
22027 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
22028 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
22029
22030 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
22031 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
22032
22033 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22034
22035 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
22036
22037 @subsubheading Example
22038
22039 @smallexample
22040 (gdb)
22041 -thread-list-ids
22042 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
22043 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
22044 (gdb)
22045 @end smallexample
22046
22047
22048 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
22049 @findex -thread-select
22050
22051 @subsubheading Synopsis
22052
22053 @smallexample
22054 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
22055 @end smallexample
22056
22057 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
22058 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
22059
22060 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
22061 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
22062
22063 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22064
22065 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
22066
22067 @subsubheading Example
22068
22069 @smallexample
22070 (gdb)
22071 -exec-next
22072 ^running
22073 (gdb)
22074 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
22075 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
22076 (gdb)
22077 -thread-list-ids
22078 ^done,
22079 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
22080 number-of-threads="3"
22081 (gdb)
22082 -thread-select 3
22083 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
22084 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
22085 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
22086 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
22087 (gdb)
22088 @end smallexample
22089
22090 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22091 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
22092 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
22093
22094 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
22095 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
22096 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
22097 other cases.
22098
22099 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
22100 @findex -exec-continue
22101
22102 @subsubheading Synopsis
22103
22104 @smallexample
22105 -exec-continue [--all|--thread-group N]
22106 @end smallexample
22107
22108 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until a breakpoint is
22109 encountered, or until the inferior exits. In all-stop mode
22110 (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads,
22111 depending on the value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. In
22112 non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), if the @samp{--all} is not
22113 specified, only the thread specified with the @samp{--thread} option
22114 (or current thread, if no @samp{--thread} is provided) is resumed. If
22115 @samp{--all} is specified, all threads will be resumed. The
22116 @samp{--all} option is ignored in all-stop mode. If the
22117 @samp{--thread-group} options is specified, then all threads in that
22118 thread group are resumed.
22119
22120 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22121
22122 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
22123
22124 @subsubheading Example
22125
22126 @smallexample
22127 -exec-continue
22128 ^running
22129 (gdb)
22130 @@Hello world
22131 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
22132 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
22133 line="13"@}
22134 (gdb)
22135 @end smallexample
22136
22137
22138 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
22139 @findex -exec-finish
22140
22141 @subsubheading Synopsis
22142
22143 @smallexample
22144 -exec-finish
22145 @end smallexample
22146
22147 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
22148 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
22149
22150 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22151
22152 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
22153
22154 @subsubheading Example
22155
22156 Function returning @code{void}.
22157
22158 @smallexample
22159 -exec-finish
22160 ^running
22161 (gdb)
22162 @@hello from foo
22163 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
22164 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
22165 (gdb)
22166 @end smallexample
22167
22168 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
22169 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
22170 value itself.
22171
22172 @smallexample
22173 -exec-finish
22174 ^running
22175 (gdb)
22176 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
22177 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
22178 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22179 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
22180 (gdb)
22181 @end smallexample
22182
22183
22184 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
22185 @findex -exec-interrupt
22186
22187 @subsubheading Synopsis
22188
22189 @smallexample
22190 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
22191 @end smallexample
22192
22193 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
22194 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
22195 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
22196 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
22197 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
22198
22199 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
22200 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
22201 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
22202 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
22203
22204 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
22205 All threads will be interrupted if the @samp{--all} option is
22206 specified. If the @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, all
22207 threads in that group will be interrupted.
22208
22209 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22210
22211 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
22212
22213 @subsubheading Example
22214
22215 @smallexample
22216 (gdb)
22217 111-exec-continue
22218 111^running
22219
22220 (gdb)
22221 222-exec-interrupt
22222 222^done
22223 (gdb)
22224 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
22225 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
22226 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
22227 (gdb)
22228
22229 (gdb)
22230 -exec-interrupt
22231 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
22232 (gdb)
22233 @end smallexample
22234
22235 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
22236 @findex -exec-jump
22237
22238 @subsubheading Synopsis
22239
22240 @smallexample
22241 -exec-jump @var{location}
22242 @end smallexample
22243
22244 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
22245 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
22246 different forms of @var{location}.
22247
22248 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22249
22250 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
22251
22252 @subsubheading Example
22253
22254 @smallexample
22255 -exec-jump foo.c:10
22256 *running,thread-id="all"
22257 ^running
22258 @end smallexample
22259
22260
22261 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
22262 @findex -exec-next
22263
22264 @subsubheading Synopsis
22265
22266 @smallexample
22267 -exec-next
22268 @end smallexample
22269
22270 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
22271 of the next source line is reached.
22272
22273 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22274
22275 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
22276
22277 @subsubheading Example
22278
22279 @smallexample
22280 -exec-next
22281 ^running
22282 (gdb)
22283 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
22284 (gdb)
22285 @end smallexample
22286
22287
22288 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
22289 @findex -exec-next-instruction
22290
22291 @subsubheading Synopsis
22292
22293 @smallexample
22294 -exec-next-instruction
22295 @end smallexample
22296
22297 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
22298 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
22299 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
22300 printed as well.
22301
22302 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22303
22304 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
22305
22306 @subsubheading Example
22307
22308 @smallexample
22309 (gdb)
22310 -exec-next-instruction
22311 ^running
22312
22313 (gdb)
22314 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
22315 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
22316 (gdb)
22317 @end smallexample
22318
22319
22320 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
22321 @findex -exec-return
22322
22323 @subsubheading Synopsis
22324
22325 @smallexample
22326 -exec-return
22327 @end smallexample
22328
22329 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
22330 Displays the new current frame.
22331
22332 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22333
22334 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
22335
22336 @subsubheading Example
22337
22338 @smallexample
22339 (gdb)
22340 200-break-insert callee4
22341 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
22342 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
22343 (gdb)
22344 000-exec-run
22345 000^running
22346 (gdb)
22347 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
22348 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
22349 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22350 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
22351 (gdb)
22352 205-break-delete
22353 205^done
22354 (gdb)
22355 111-exec-return
22356 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
22357 args=[@{name="strarg",
22358 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
22359 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22360 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
22361 (gdb)
22362 @end smallexample
22363
22364
22365 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
22366 @findex -exec-run
22367
22368 @subsubheading Synopsis
22369
22370 @smallexample
22371 -exec-run
22372 @end smallexample
22373
22374 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
22375 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
22376 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
22377 the program has exited exceptionally.
22378
22379 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22380
22381 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
22382
22383 @subsubheading Examples
22384
22385 @smallexample
22386 (gdb)
22387 -break-insert main
22388 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
22389 (gdb)
22390 -exec-run
22391 ^running
22392 (gdb)
22393 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
22394 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
22395 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
22396 (gdb)
22397 @end smallexample
22398
22399 @noindent
22400 Program exited normally:
22401
22402 @smallexample
22403 (gdb)
22404 -exec-run
22405 ^running
22406 (gdb)
22407 x = 55
22408 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
22409 (gdb)
22410 @end smallexample
22411
22412 @noindent
22413 Program exited exceptionally:
22414
22415 @smallexample
22416 (gdb)
22417 -exec-run
22418 ^running
22419 (gdb)
22420 x = 55
22421 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
22422 (gdb)
22423 @end smallexample
22424
22425 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
22426 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
22427
22428 @smallexample
22429 (gdb)
22430 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
22431 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
22432 @end smallexample
22433
22434
22435 @c @subheading -exec-signal
22436
22437
22438 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
22439 @findex -exec-step
22440
22441 @subsubheading Synopsis
22442
22443 @smallexample
22444 -exec-step
22445 @end smallexample
22446
22447 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
22448 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
22449 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
22450 function.
22451
22452 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22453
22454 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
22455
22456 @subsubheading Example
22457
22458 Stepping into a function:
22459
22460 @smallexample
22461 -exec-step
22462 ^running
22463 (gdb)
22464 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
22465 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
22466 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
22467 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
22468 (gdb)
22469 @end smallexample
22470
22471 Regular stepping:
22472
22473 @smallexample
22474 -exec-step
22475 ^running
22476 (gdb)
22477 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
22478 (gdb)
22479 @end smallexample
22480
22481
22482 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
22483 @findex -exec-step-instruction
22484
22485 @subsubheading Synopsis
22486
22487 @smallexample
22488 -exec-step-instruction
22489 @end smallexample
22490
22491 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. The
22492 output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on whether
22493 we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the former
22494 case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed as
22495 well.
22496
22497 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22498
22499 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
22500
22501 @subsubheading Example
22502
22503 @smallexample
22504 (gdb)
22505 -exec-step-instruction
22506 ^running
22507
22508 (gdb)
22509 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
22510 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
22511 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
22512 (gdb)
22513 -exec-step-instruction
22514 ^running
22515
22516 (gdb)
22517 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
22518 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
22519 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
22520 (gdb)
22521 @end smallexample
22522
22523
22524 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
22525 @findex -exec-until
22526
22527 @subsubheading Synopsis
22528
22529 @smallexample
22530 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
22531 @end smallexample
22532
22533 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
22534 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
22535 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
22536 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
22537
22538 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22539
22540 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
22541
22542 @subsubheading Example
22543
22544 @smallexample
22545 (gdb)
22546 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
22547 ^running
22548 (gdb)
22549 x = 55
22550 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
22551 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
22552 (gdb)
22553 @end smallexample
22554
22555 @ignore
22556 @subheading -file-clear
22557 Is this going away????
22558 @end ignore
22559
22560 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22561 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
22562 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
22563
22564
22565 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
22566 @findex -stack-info-frame
22567
22568 @subsubheading Synopsis
22569
22570 @smallexample
22571 -stack-info-frame
22572 @end smallexample
22573
22574 Get info on the selected frame.
22575
22576 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22577
22578 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
22579 (without arguments).
22580
22581 @subsubheading Example
22582
22583 @smallexample
22584 (gdb)
22585 -stack-info-frame
22586 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
22587 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22588 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
22589 (gdb)
22590 @end smallexample
22591
22592 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
22593 @findex -stack-info-depth
22594
22595 @subsubheading Synopsis
22596
22597 @smallexample
22598 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
22599 @end smallexample
22600
22601 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
22602 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
22603
22604 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22605
22606 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
22607
22608 @subsubheading Example
22609
22610 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
22611
22612 @smallexample
22613 (gdb)
22614 -stack-info-depth
22615 ^done,depth="12"
22616 (gdb)
22617 -stack-info-depth 4
22618 ^done,depth="4"
22619 (gdb)
22620 -stack-info-depth 12
22621 ^done,depth="12"
22622 (gdb)
22623 -stack-info-depth 11
22624 ^done,depth="11"
22625 (gdb)
22626 -stack-info-depth 13
22627 ^done,depth="12"
22628 (gdb)
22629 @end smallexample
22630
22631 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
22632 @findex -stack-list-arguments
22633
22634 @subsubheading Synopsis
22635
22636 @smallexample
22637 -stack-list-arguments @var{show-values}
22638 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
22639 @end smallexample
22640
22641 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
22642 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
22643 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
22644 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
22645 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
22646 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
22647 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
22648 which case only existing frames will be returned.
22649
22650 The @var{show-values} argument must have a value of 0 or 1. A value of
22651 0 means that only the names of the arguments are listed, a value of 1
22652 means that both names and values of the arguments are printed.
22653
22654 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22655
22656 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
22657 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
22658 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
22659
22660 @subsubheading Example
22661
22662 @smallexample
22663 (gdb)
22664 -stack-list-frames
22665 ^done,
22666 stack=[
22667 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
22668 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22669 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
22670 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
22671 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22672 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
22673 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
22674 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22675 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
22676 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
22677 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22678 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
22679 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
22680 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
22681 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
22682 (gdb)
22683 -stack-list-arguments 0
22684 ^done,
22685 stack-args=[
22686 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
22687 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
22688 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
22689 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
22690 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
22691 (gdb)
22692 -stack-list-arguments 1
22693 ^done,
22694 stack-args=[
22695 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
22696 frame=@{level="1",
22697 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
22698 frame=@{level="2",args=[
22699 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
22700 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
22701 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
22702 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
22703 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
22704 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
22705 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
22706 (gdb)
22707 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
22708 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
22709 (gdb)
22710 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
22711 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
22712 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
22713 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
22714 (gdb)
22715 @end smallexample
22716
22717 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
22718
22719
22720 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
22721 @findex -stack-list-frames
22722
22723 @subsubheading Synopsis
22724
22725 @smallexample
22726 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
22727 @end smallexample
22728
22729 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
22730 following info:
22731
22732 @table @samp
22733 @item @var{level}
22734 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
22735 @item @var{addr}
22736 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
22737 @item @var{func}
22738 Function name.
22739 @item @var{file}
22740 File name of the source file where the function lives.
22741 @item @var{line}
22742 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
22743 @end table
22744
22745 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
22746 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
22747 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
22748 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
22749 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
22750 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
22751 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
22752
22753 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22754
22755 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
22756
22757 @subsubheading Example
22758
22759 Full stack backtrace:
22760
22761 @smallexample
22762 (gdb)
22763 -stack-list-frames
22764 ^done,stack=
22765 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
22766 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
22767 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22768 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22769 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22770 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22771 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22772 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22773 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22774 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22775 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22776 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22777 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22778 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22779 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22780 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22781 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22782 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22783 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22784 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22785 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22786 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22787 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
22788 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
22789 (gdb)
22790 @end smallexample
22791
22792 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
22793
22794 @smallexample
22795 (gdb)
22796 -stack-list-frames 3 5
22797 ^done,stack=
22798 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22799 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22800 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22801 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22802 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22803 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
22804 (gdb)
22805 @end smallexample
22806
22807 Show a single frame:
22808
22809 @smallexample
22810 (gdb)
22811 -stack-list-frames 3 3
22812 ^done,stack=
22813 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22814 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
22815 (gdb)
22816 @end smallexample
22817
22818
22819 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
22820 @findex -stack-list-locals
22821
22822 @subsubheading Synopsis
22823
22824 @smallexample
22825 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
22826 @end smallexample
22827
22828 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
22829 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
22830 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
22831 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
22832 type and value for simple data types and the name and type for arrays,
22833 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
22834 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
22835 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
22836 more detail.
22837
22838 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22839
22840 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
22841
22842 @subsubheading Example
22843
22844 @smallexample
22845 (gdb)
22846 -stack-list-locals 0
22847 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
22848 (gdb)
22849 -stack-list-locals --all-values
22850 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
22851 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
22852 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
22853 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
22854 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
22855 (gdb)
22856 @end smallexample
22857
22858
22859 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
22860 @findex -stack-select-frame
22861
22862 @subsubheading Synopsis
22863
22864 @smallexample
22865 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
22866 @end smallexample
22867
22868 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
22869 the stack.
22870
22871 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
22872 option to every command.
22873
22874 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22875
22876 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
22877 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
22878
22879 @subsubheading Example
22880
22881 @smallexample
22882 (gdb)
22883 -stack-select-frame 2
22884 ^done
22885 (gdb)
22886 @end smallexample
22887
22888 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22889 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
22890 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
22891
22892 @ignore
22893
22894 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
22895
22896 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
22897 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
22898 used by @code{Insight}.
22899
22900 The two main reasons for that are:
22901
22902 @enumerate 1
22903 @item
22904 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
22905
22906 @item
22907 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
22908 now).
22909 @end enumerate
22910
22911 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
22912 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
22913 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
22914 hints about their use.
22915
22916 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
22917 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
22918 least, the following operations:
22919
22920 @itemize @bullet
22921 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
22922 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
22923 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
22924 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
22925 @end itemize
22926
22927 @end ignore
22928
22929 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
22930
22931 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
22932
22933 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
22934 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
22935 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
22936 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
22937 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
22938 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
22939 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
22940 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
22941 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
22942 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
22943 object, or to change display format.
22944
22945 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
22946 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
22947 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
22948 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
22949 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
22950 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
22951 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
22952 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
22953 child will be created.
22954
22955 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
22956 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
22957 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
22958 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
22959 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
22960
22961 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
22962 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
22963 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
22964 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
22965 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
22966 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
22967 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
22968 variables that frontend has created.
22969
22970 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
22971 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
22972 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
22973 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
22974 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
22975 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
22976 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
22977 implicitly updated.
22978
22979 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
22980 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
22981 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
22982 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
22983 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
22984 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
22985 frame. Consider this example:
22986
22987 @smallexample
22988 void do_work(...)
22989 @{
22990 struct work_state state;
22991
22992 if (...)
22993 do_work(...);
22994 @}
22995 @end smallexample
22996
22997 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
22998 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
22999 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
23000 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
23001 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
23002
23003 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
23004 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
23005 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
23006 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
23007 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
23008 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
23009
23010 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
23011 access this functionality:
23012
23013 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
23014 @item @strong{Operation}
23015 @tab @strong{Description}
23016
23017 @item @code{-var-create}
23018 @tab create a variable object
23019 @item @code{-var-delete}
23020 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
23021 @item @code{-var-set-format}
23022 @tab set the display format of this variable
23023 @item @code{-var-show-format}
23024 @tab show the display format of this variable
23025 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
23026 @tab tells how many children this object has
23027 @item @code{-var-list-children}
23028 @tab return a list of the object's children
23029 @item @code{-var-info-type}
23030 @tab show the type of this variable object
23031 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
23032 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
23033 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
23034 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
23035 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
23036 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
23037 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
23038 @tab get the value of this variable
23039 @item @code{-var-assign}
23040 @tab set the value of this variable
23041 @item @code{-var-update}
23042 @tab update the variable and its children
23043 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
23044 @tab set frozeness attribute
23045 @end multitable
23046
23047 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
23048 how it can be used.
23049
23050 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
23051
23052 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
23053 @findex -var-create
23054
23055 @subsubheading Synopsis
23056
23057 @smallexample
23058 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
23059 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
23060 @end smallexample
23061
23062 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
23063 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
23064 register.
23065
23066 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
23067 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
23068 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
23069 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
23070 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
23071
23072 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
23073 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
23074 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
23075 object must be created.
23076
23077 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
23078 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
23079
23080 @itemize @bullet
23081 @item
23082 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
23083
23084 @item
23085 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
23086
23087 @item
23088 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
23089 @end itemize
23090
23091 @subsubheading Result
23092
23093 This operation returns the name, number of children and the type of the
23094 object created. Type is returned as a string as the ones generated by
23095 the @value{GDBN} CLI. If a fixed variable object is bound to a
23096 specific thread, the thread is is also printed:
23097
23098 @smallexample
23099 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}"
23100 @end smallexample
23101
23102
23103 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
23104 @findex -var-delete
23105
23106 @subsubheading Synopsis
23107
23108 @smallexample
23109 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
23110 @end smallexample
23111
23112 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
23113 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
23114
23115 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
23116
23117
23118 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
23119 @findex -var-set-format
23120
23121 @subsubheading Synopsis
23122
23123 @smallexample
23124 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
23125 @end smallexample
23126
23127 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
23128 @var{format-spec}.
23129
23130 @anchor{-var-set-format}
23131 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
23132
23133 @smallexample
23134 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
23135 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
23136 @end smallexample
23137
23138 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
23139 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
23140 for pointers, etc.).
23141
23142 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
23143 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
23144
23145 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
23146 @findex -var-show-format
23147
23148 @subsubheading Synopsis
23149
23150 @smallexample
23151 -var-show-format @var{name}
23152 @end smallexample
23153
23154 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
23155
23156 @smallexample
23157 @var{format} @expansion{}
23158 @var{format-spec}
23159 @end smallexample
23160
23161
23162 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
23163 @findex -var-info-num-children
23164
23165 @subsubheading Synopsis
23166
23167 @smallexample
23168 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
23169 @end smallexample
23170
23171 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
23172
23173 @smallexample
23174 numchild=@var{n}
23175 @end smallexample
23176
23177
23178 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
23179 @findex -var-list-children
23180
23181 @subsubheading Synopsis
23182
23183 @smallexample
23184 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name}
23185 @end smallexample
23186 @anchor{-var-list-children}
23187
23188 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
23189 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
23190 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
23191 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
23192 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
23193 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
23194 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
23195 and unions.
23196
23197 @subsubheading Example
23198
23199 @smallexample
23200 (gdb)
23201 -var-list-children n
23202 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[@{name=@var{name},
23203 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
23204 (gdb)
23205 -var-list-children --all-values n
23206 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[@{name=@var{name},
23207 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
23208 @end smallexample
23209
23210
23211 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
23212 @findex -var-info-type
23213
23214 @subsubheading Synopsis
23215
23216 @smallexample
23217 -var-info-type @var{name}
23218 @end smallexample
23219
23220 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
23221 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
23222 @value{GDBN} CLI:
23223
23224 @smallexample
23225 type=@var{typename}
23226 @end smallexample
23227
23228
23229 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
23230 @findex -var-info-expression
23231
23232 @subsubheading Synopsis
23233
23234 @smallexample
23235 -var-info-expression @var{name}
23236 @end smallexample
23237
23238 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
23239 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
23240 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
23241
23242 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
23243 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
23244
23245 @smallexample
23246 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
23247 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
23248 @end smallexample
23249
23250 @noindent
23251 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
23252
23253 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
23254 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
23255 is of limited use.
23256
23257 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
23258 @findex -var-info-path-expression
23259
23260 @subsubheading Synopsis
23261
23262 @smallexample
23263 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
23264 @end smallexample
23265
23266 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
23267 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
23268 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
23269 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
23270 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
23271 watchpoint from a variable object.
23272
23273 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
23274 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
23275 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
23276 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
23277 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
23278 @smallexample
23279 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
23280 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
23281 @end smallexample
23282
23283 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
23284 @findex -var-show-attributes
23285
23286 @subsubheading Synopsis
23287
23288 @smallexample
23289 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
23290 @end smallexample
23291
23292 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
23293
23294 @smallexample
23295 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
23296 @end smallexample
23297
23298 @noindent
23299 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
23300
23301 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
23302 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
23303
23304 @subsubheading Synopsis
23305
23306 @smallexample
23307 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
23308 @end smallexample
23309
23310 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
23311 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
23312 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
23313 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
23314 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
23315 the current display format will be used. The current display format
23316 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
23317
23318 @smallexample
23319 value=@var{value}
23320 @end smallexample
23321
23322 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
23323 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
23324
23325 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
23326 @findex -var-assign
23327
23328 @subsubheading Synopsis
23329
23330 @smallexample
23331 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
23332 @end smallexample
23333
23334 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
23335 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
23336 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
23337 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
23338
23339 @subsubheading Example
23340
23341 @smallexample
23342 (gdb)
23343 -var-assign var1 3
23344 ^done,value="3"
23345 (gdb)
23346 -var-update *
23347 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
23348 (gdb)
23349 @end smallexample
23350
23351 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
23352 @findex -var-update
23353
23354 @subsubheading Synopsis
23355
23356 @smallexample
23357 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
23358 @end smallexample
23359
23360 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
23361 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
23362 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
23363 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
23364 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
23365 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
23366 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
23367 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
23368 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
23369 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
23370 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
23371 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
23372 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
23373
23374 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
23375 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
23376 diagnostic.
23377
23378 @subsubheading Example
23379
23380 @smallexample
23381 (gdb)
23382 -var-assign var1 3
23383 ^done,value="3"
23384 (gdb)
23385 -var-update --all-values var1
23386 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
23387 type_changed="false"@}]
23388 (gdb)
23389 @end smallexample
23390
23391 @anchor{-var-update}
23392 The field in_scope may take three values:
23393
23394 @table @code
23395 @item "true"
23396 The variable object's current value is valid.
23397
23398 @item "false"
23399 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
23400 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
23401 scope.
23402
23403 @item "invalid"
23404 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
23405 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
23406 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
23407 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
23408 objects.
23409 @end table
23410
23411 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
23412 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
23413
23414 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
23415 @findex -var-set-frozen
23416 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
23417
23418 @subsubheading Synopsis
23419
23420 @smallexample
23421 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
23422 @end smallexample
23423
23424 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
23425 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
23426 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
23427 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
23428 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
23429 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
23430 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
23431 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
23432 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
23433 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
23434 @code{-var-update} does.
23435
23436 @subsubheading Example
23437
23438 @smallexample
23439 (gdb)
23440 -var-set-frozen V 1
23441 ^done
23442 (gdb)
23443 @end smallexample
23444
23445
23446 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23447 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
23448 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
23449
23450 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
23451 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
23452 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
23453 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
23454
23455 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
23456 @c @subheading -data-assign
23457 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
23458 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
23459 @c set variable
23460 @c @subsubheading Example
23461 @c N.A.
23462
23463 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
23464 @findex -data-disassemble
23465
23466 @subsubheading Synopsis
23467
23468 @smallexample
23469 -data-disassemble
23470 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
23471 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
23472 -- @var{mode}
23473 @end smallexample
23474
23475 @noindent
23476 Where:
23477
23478 @table @samp
23479 @item @var{start-addr}
23480 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
23481 @item @var{end-addr}
23482 is the end address
23483 @item @var{filename}
23484 is the name of the file to disassemble
23485 @item @var{linenum}
23486 is the line number to disassemble around
23487 @item @var{lines}
23488 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
23489 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
23490 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
23491 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
23492 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
23493 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
23494 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
23495 are displayed.
23496 @item @var{mode}
23497 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
23498 disassembly).
23499 @end table
23500
23501 @subsubheading Result
23502
23503 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
23504
23505 @itemize @bullet
23506 @item Address
23507 @item Func-name
23508 @item Offset
23509 @item Instruction
23510 @end itemize
23511
23512 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
23513 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
23514
23515 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23516
23517 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
23518
23519 @subsubheading Example
23520
23521 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
23522
23523 @smallexample
23524 (gdb)
23525 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
23526 ^done,
23527 asm_insns=[
23528 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
23529 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
23530 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
23531 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
23532 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
23533 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
23534 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
23535 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
23536 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
23537 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
23538 (gdb)
23539 @end smallexample
23540
23541 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
23542 @code{main}.
23543
23544 @smallexample
23545 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
23546 ^done,asm_insns=[
23547 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
23548 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
23549 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
23550 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
23551 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
23552 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
23553 [@dots{}]
23554 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
23555 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
23556 (gdb)
23557 @end smallexample
23558
23559 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
23560
23561 @smallexample
23562 (gdb)
23563 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
23564 ^done,asm_insns=[
23565 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
23566 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
23567 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
23568 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
23569 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
23570 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
23571 (gdb)
23572 @end smallexample
23573
23574 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
23575
23576 @smallexample
23577 (gdb)
23578 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
23579 ^done,asm_insns=[
23580 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
23581 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
23582 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
23583 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
23584 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
23585 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
23586 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
23587 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
23588 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
23589 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
23590 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
23591 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
23592 (gdb)
23593 @end smallexample
23594
23595
23596 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
23597 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
23598
23599 @subsubheading Synopsis
23600
23601 @smallexample
23602 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
23603 @end smallexample
23604
23605 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
23606 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
23607 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
23608
23609 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23610
23611 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
23612 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
23613 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
23614
23615 @subsubheading Example
23616
23617 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
23618 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
23619 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
23620 output.
23621
23622 @smallexample
23623 211-data-evaluate-expression A
23624 211^done,value="1"
23625 (gdb)
23626 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
23627 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
23628 (gdb)
23629 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
23630 411^done,value="4"
23631 (gdb)
23632 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
23633 511^done,value="4"
23634 (gdb)
23635 @end smallexample
23636
23637
23638 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
23639 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
23640
23641 @subsubheading Synopsis
23642
23643 @smallexample
23644 -data-list-changed-registers
23645 @end smallexample
23646
23647 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
23648
23649 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23650
23651 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
23652 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
23653
23654 @subsubheading Example
23655
23656 On a PPC MBX board:
23657
23658 @smallexample
23659 (gdb)
23660 -exec-continue
23661 ^running
23662
23663 (gdb)
23664 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
23665 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
23666 line="5"@}
23667 (gdb)
23668 -data-list-changed-registers
23669 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
23670 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
23671 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
23672 (gdb)
23673 @end smallexample
23674
23675
23676 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
23677 @findex -data-list-register-names
23678
23679 @subsubheading Synopsis
23680
23681 @smallexample
23682 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
23683 @end smallexample
23684
23685 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
23686 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
23687 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
23688 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
23689 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
23690 include empty register names.
23691
23692 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23693
23694 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
23695 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
23696 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
23697
23698 @subsubheading Example
23699
23700 For the PPC MBX board:
23701 @smallexample
23702 (gdb)
23703 -data-list-register-names
23704 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
23705 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
23706 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
23707 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
23708 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
23709 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
23710 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
23711 (gdb)
23712 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
23713 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
23714 (gdb)
23715 @end smallexample
23716
23717 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
23718 @findex -data-list-register-values
23719
23720 @subsubheading Synopsis
23721
23722 @smallexample
23723 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
23724 @end smallexample
23725
23726 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
23727 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
23728 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
23729 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
23730
23731 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
23732
23733 @table @code
23734 @item x
23735 Hexadecimal
23736 @item o
23737 Octal
23738 @item t
23739 Binary
23740 @item d
23741 Decimal
23742 @item r
23743 Raw
23744 @item N
23745 Natural
23746 @end table
23747
23748 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23749
23750 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
23751 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
23752
23753 @subsubheading Example
23754
23755 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
23756 don't appear in the actual output):
23757
23758 @smallexample
23759 (gdb)
23760 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
23761 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
23762 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
23763 (gdb)
23764 -data-list-register-values x
23765 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
23766 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
23767 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
23768 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
23769 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
23770 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
23771 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
23772 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
23773 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
23774 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
23775 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
23776 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
23777 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
23778 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
23779 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
23780 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
23781 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
23782 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
23783 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
23784 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
23785 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
23786 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
23787 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
23788 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
23789 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
23790 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
23791 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
23792 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
23793 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
23794 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
23795 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
23796 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
23797 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
23798 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
23799 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
23800 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
23801 (gdb)
23802 @end smallexample
23803
23804
23805 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
23806 @findex -data-read-memory
23807
23808 @subsubheading Synopsis
23809
23810 @smallexample
23811 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
23812 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
23813 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
23814 @end smallexample
23815
23816 @noindent
23817 where:
23818
23819 @table @samp
23820 @item @var{address}
23821 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
23822 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
23823 quoted using the C convention.
23824
23825 @item @var{word-format}
23826 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
23827 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
23828 ,Output Formats}).
23829
23830 @item @var{word-size}
23831 The size of each memory word in bytes.
23832
23833 @item @var{nr-rows}
23834 The number of rows in the output table.
23835
23836 @item @var{nr-cols}
23837 The number of columns in the output table.
23838
23839 @item @var{aschar}
23840 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
23841 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
23842 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
23843 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
23844
23845 @item @var{byte-offset}
23846 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
23847 @end table
23848
23849 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
23850 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
23851 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
23852 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
23853 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
23854 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
23855 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
23856 @samp{addr}.
23857
23858 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
23859 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
23860 @samp{prev-page}.
23861
23862 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23863
23864 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
23865 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
23866
23867 @subsubheading Example
23868
23869 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
23870 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
23871 word. Display each word in hex.
23872
23873 @smallexample
23874 (gdb)
23875 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
23876 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
23877 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
23878 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
23879 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
23880 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
23881 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
23882 (gdb)
23883 @end smallexample
23884
23885 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
23886 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
23887
23888 @smallexample
23889 (gdb)
23890 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
23891 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
23892 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
23893 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
23894 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
23895 (gdb)
23896 @end smallexample
23897
23898 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
23899 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
23900 used as the non-printable character.
23901
23902 @smallexample
23903 (gdb)
23904 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
23905 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
23906 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
23907 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
23908 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
23909 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
23910 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
23911 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
23912 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
23913 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
23914 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
23915 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
23916 (gdb)
23917 @end smallexample
23918
23919 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23920 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
23921 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
23922
23923 The tracepoint commands are not yet implemented.
23924
23925 @c @subheading -trace-actions
23926
23927 @c @subheading -trace-delete
23928
23929 @c @subheading -trace-disable
23930
23931 @c @subheading -trace-dump
23932
23933 @c @subheading -trace-enable
23934
23935 @c @subheading -trace-exists
23936
23937 @c @subheading -trace-find
23938
23939 @c @subheading -trace-frame-number
23940
23941 @c @subheading -trace-info
23942
23943 @c @subheading -trace-insert
23944
23945 @c @subheading -trace-list
23946
23947 @c @subheading -trace-pass-count
23948
23949 @c @subheading -trace-save
23950
23951 @c @subheading -trace-start
23952
23953 @c @subheading -trace-stop
23954
23955
23956 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23957 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
23958 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
23959
23960
23961 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
23962 @findex -symbol-info-address
23963
23964 @subsubheading Synopsis
23965
23966 @smallexample
23967 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
23968 @end smallexample
23969
23970 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
23971
23972 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23973
23974 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
23975
23976 @subsubheading Example
23977 N.A.
23978
23979
23980 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
23981 @findex -symbol-info-file
23982
23983 @subsubheading Synopsis
23984
23985 @smallexample
23986 -symbol-info-file
23987 @end smallexample
23988
23989 Show the file for the symbol.
23990
23991 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23992
23993 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
23994 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
23995
23996 @subsubheading Example
23997 N.A.
23998
23999
24000 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
24001 @findex -symbol-info-function
24002
24003 @subsubheading Synopsis
24004
24005 @smallexample
24006 -symbol-info-function
24007 @end smallexample
24008
24009 Show which function the symbol lives in.
24010
24011 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24012
24013 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
24014
24015 @subsubheading Example
24016 N.A.
24017
24018
24019 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
24020 @findex -symbol-info-line
24021
24022 @subsubheading Synopsis
24023
24024 @smallexample
24025 -symbol-info-line
24026 @end smallexample
24027
24028 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
24029
24030 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24031
24032 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
24033 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
24034
24035 @subsubheading Example
24036 N.A.
24037
24038
24039 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
24040 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
24041
24042 @subsubheading Synopsis
24043
24044 @smallexample
24045 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
24046 @end smallexample
24047
24048 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
24049
24050 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24051
24052 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
24053
24054 @subsubheading Example
24055 N.A.
24056
24057
24058 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
24059 @findex -symbol-list-functions
24060
24061 @subsubheading Synopsis
24062
24063 @smallexample
24064 -symbol-list-functions
24065 @end smallexample
24066
24067 List the functions in the executable.
24068
24069 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24070
24071 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
24072 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
24073
24074 @subsubheading Example
24075 N.A.
24076
24077
24078 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
24079 @findex -symbol-list-lines
24080
24081 @subsubheading Synopsis
24082
24083 @smallexample
24084 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
24085 @end smallexample
24086
24087 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
24088 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
24089 ascending PC order.
24090
24091 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24092
24093 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
24094
24095 @subsubheading Example
24096 @smallexample
24097 (gdb)
24098 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
24099 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
24100 (gdb)
24101 @end smallexample
24102
24103
24104 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
24105 @findex -symbol-list-types
24106
24107 @subsubheading Synopsis
24108
24109 @smallexample
24110 -symbol-list-types
24111 @end smallexample
24112
24113 List all the type names.
24114
24115 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24116
24117 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
24118 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
24119
24120 @subsubheading Example
24121 N.A.
24122
24123
24124 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
24125 @findex -symbol-list-variables
24126
24127 @subsubheading Synopsis
24128
24129 @smallexample
24130 -symbol-list-variables
24131 @end smallexample
24132
24133 List all the global and static variable names.
24134
24135 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24136
24137 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
24138
24139 @subsubheading Example
24140 N.A.
24141
24142
24143 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
24144 @findex -symbol-locate
24145
24146 @subsubheading Synopsis
24147
24148 @smallexample
24149 -symbol-locate
24150 @end smallexample
24151
24152 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24153
24154 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
24155
24156 @subsubheading Example
24157 N.A.
24158
24159
24160 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
24161 @findex -symbol-type
24162
24163 @subsubheading Synopsis
24164
24165 @smallexample
24166 -symbol-type @var{variable}
24167 @end smallexample
24168
24169 Show type of @var{variable}.
24170
24171 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24172
24173 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
24174 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
24175
24176 @subsubheading Example
24177 N.A.
24178
24179
24180 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24181 @node GDB/MI File Commands
24182 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
24183
24184 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
24185 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
24186
24187 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
24188 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
24189
24190 @subsubheading Synopsis
24191
24192 @smallexample
24193 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
24194 @end smallexample
24195
24196 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
24197 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
24198 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
24199 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
24200 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
24201 notification.
24202
24203 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24204
24205 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
24206
24207 @subsubheading Example
24208
24209 @smallexample
24210 (gdb)
24211 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
24212 ^done
24213 (gdb)
24214 @end smallexample
24215
24216
24217 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
24218 @findex -file-exec-file
24219
24220 @subsubheading Synopsis
24221
24222 @smallexample
24223 -file-exec-file @var{file}
24224 @end smallexample
24225
24226 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
24227 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
24228 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
24229 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
24230 notification.
24231
24232 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24233
24234 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
24235
24236 @subsubheading Example
24237
24238 @smallexample
24239 (gdb)
24240 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
24241 ^done
24242 (gdb)
24243 @end smallexample
24244
24245
24246 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
24247 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
24248
24249 @subsubheading Synopsis
24250
24251 @smallexample
24252 -file-list-exec-sections
24253 @end smallexample
24254
24255 List the sections of the current executable file.
24256
24257 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24258
24259 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
24260 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
24261 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
24262
24263 @subsubheading Example
24264 N.A.
24265
24266
24267 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
24268 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
24269
24270 @subsubheading Synopsis
24271
24272 @smallexample
24273 -file-list-exec-source-file
24274 @end smallexample
24275
24276 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
24277 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
24278 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
24279 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
24280
24281 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24282
24283 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
24284
24285 @subsubheading Example
24286
24287 @smallexample
24288 (gdb)
24289 123-file-list-exec-source-file
24290 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
24291 (gdb)
24292 @end smallexample
24293
24294
24295 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
24296 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
24297
24298 @subsubheading Synopsis
24299
24300 @smallexample
24301 -file-list-exec-source-files
24302 @end smallexample
24303
24304 List the source files for the current executable.
24305
24306 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
24307 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
24308
24309 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24310
24311 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
24312 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
24313
24314 @subsubheading Example
24315 @smallexample
24316 (gdb)
24317 -file-list-exec-source-files
24318 ^done,files=[
24319 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
24320 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
24321 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
24322 (gdb)
24323 @end smallexample
24324
24325 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
24326 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
24327
24328 @subsubheading Synopsis
24329
24330 @smallexample
24331 -file-list-shared-libraries
24332 @end smallexample
24333
24334 List the shared libraries in the program.
24335
24336 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24337
24338 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
24339
24340 @subsubheading Example
24341 N.A.
24342
24343
24344 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
24345 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
24346
24347 @subsubheading Synopsis
24348
24349 @smallexample
24350 -file-list-symbol-files
24351 @end smallexample
24352
24353 List symbol files.
24354
24355 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24356
24357 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
24358
24359 @subsubheading Example
24360 N.A.
24361
24362
24363 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
24364 @findex -file-symbol-file
24365
24366 @subsubheading Synopsis
24367
24368 @smallexample
24369 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
24370 @end smallexample
24371
24372 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
24373 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
24374 produced, except for a completion notification.
24375
24376 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24377
24378 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
24379
24380 @subsubheading Example
24381
24382 @smallexample
24383 (gdb)
24384 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
24385 ^done
24386 (gdb)
24387 @end smallexample
24388
24389 @ignore
24390 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24391 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
24392 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
24393
24394 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
24395
24396 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
24397
24398 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
24399
24400 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
24401
24402 @c @subheading -overlay-map
24403
24404 @c @subheading -overlay-off
24405
24406 @c @subheading -overlay-on
24407
24408 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
24409
24410 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24411 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
24412 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
24413
24414 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
24415
24416 @c @subheading -signal-handle
24417
24418 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
24419
24420 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
24421 @end ignore
24422
24423
24424 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24425 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
24426 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
24427
24428
24429 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
24430 @findex -target-attach
24431
24432 @subsubheading Synopsis
24433
24434 @smallexample
24435 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
24436 @end smallexample
24437
24438 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
24439 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
24440 group, the id previously returned by
24441 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
24442
24443 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24444
24445 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
24446
24447 @subsubheading Example
24448 @smallexample
24449 (gdb)
24450 -target-attach 34
24451 =thread-created,id="1"
24452 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
24453 ^done
24454 (gdb)
24455 @end smallexample
24456
24457 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
24458 @findex -target-compare-sections
24459
24460 @subsubheading Synopsis
24461
24462 @smallexample
24463 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
24464 @end smallexample
24465
24466 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
24467 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
24468
24469 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24470
24471 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
24472
24473 @subsubheading Example
24474 N.A.
24475
24476
24477 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
24478 @findex -target-detach
24479
24480 @subsubheading Synopsis
24481
24482 @smallexample
24483 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
24484 @end smallexample
24485
24486 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
24487 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
24488 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
24489
24490 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24491
24492 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
24493
24494 @subsubheading Example
24495
24496 @smallexample
24497 (gdb)
24498 -target-detach
24499 ^done
24500 (gdb)
24501 @end smallexample
24502
24503
24504 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
24505 @findex -target-disconnect
24506
24507 @subsubheading Synopsis
24508
24509 @smallexample
24510 -target-disconnect
24511 @end smallexample
24512
24513 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
24514 generally not resumed.
24515
24516 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24517
24518 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
24519
24520 @subsubheading Example
24521
24522 @smallexample
24523 (gdb)
24524 -target-disconnect
24525 ^done
24526 (gdb)
24527 @end smallexample
24528
24529
24530 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
24531 @findex -target-download
24532
24533 @subsubheading Synopsis
24534
24535 @smallexample
24536 -target-download
24537 @end smallexample
24538
24539 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
24540 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
24541
24542 @table @samp
24543 @item section
24544 The name of the section.
24545 @item section-sent
24546 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
24547 @item section-size
24548 The size of the section.
24549 @item total-sent
24550 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
24551 @item total-size
24552 The size of the overall executable to download.
24553 @end table
24554
24555 @noindent
24556 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
24557 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
24558
24559 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
24560 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
24561
24562 @table @samp
24563 @item section
24564 The name of the section.
24565 @item section-size
24566 The size of the section.
24567 @item total-size
24568 The size of the overall executable to download.
24569 @end table
24570
24571 @noindent
24572 At the end, a summary is printed.
24573
24574 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24575
24576 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
24577
24578 @subsubheading Example
24579
24580 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
24581 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
24582
24583 @smallexample
24584 (gdb)
24585 -target-download
24586 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
24587 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
24588 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
24589 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
24590 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
24591 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
24592 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
24593 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
24594 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
24595 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
24596 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
24597 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
24598 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
24599 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
24600 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
24601 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
24602 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
24603 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
24604 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
24605 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
24606 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
24607 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
24608 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
24609 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
24610 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
24611 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
24612 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
24613 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
24614 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
24615 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
24616 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
24617 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
24618 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
24619 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
24620 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
24621 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
24622 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
24623 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
24624 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
24625 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
24626 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
24627 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
24628 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
24629 write-rate="429"
24630 (gdb)
24631 @end smallexample
24632
24633
24634 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
24635 @findex -target-exec-status
24636
24637 @subsubheading Synopsis
24638
24639 @smallexample
24640 -target-exec-status
24641 @end smallexample
24642
24643 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
24644 not, for instance).
24645
24646 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24647
24648 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
24649
24650 @subsubheading Example
24651 N.A.
24652
24653
24654 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
24655 @findex -target-list-available-targets
24656
24657 @subsubheading Synopsis
24658
24659 @smallexample
24660 -target-list-available-targets
24661 @end smallexample
24662
24663 List the possible targets to connect to.
24664
24665 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24666
24667 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
24668
24669 @subsubheading Example
24670 N.A.
24671
24672
24673 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
24674 @findex -target-list-current-targets
24675
24676 @subsubheading Synopsis
24677
24678 @smallexample
24679 -target-list-current-targets
24680 @end smallexample
24681
24682 Describe the current target.
24683
24684 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24685
24686 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
24687 other things).
24688
24689 @subsubheading Example
24690 N.A.
24691
24692
24693 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
24694 @findex -target-list-parameters
24695
24696 @subsubheading Synopsis
24697
24698 @smallexample
24699 -target-list-parameters
24700 @end smallexample
24701
24702 @c ????
24703
24704 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24705
24706 No equivalent.
24707
24708 @subsubheading Example
24709 N.A.
24710
24711
24712 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
24713 @findex -target-select
24714
24715 @subsubheading Synopsis
24716
24717 @smallexample
24718 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
24719 @end smallexample
24720
24721 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
24722
24723 @table @samp
24724 @item @var{type}
24725 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
24726 @item @var{parameters}
24727 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
24728 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
24729 @end table
24730
24731 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
24732 which the target program is, in the following form:
24733
24734 @smallexample
24735 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
24736 args=[@var{arg list}]
24737 @end smallexample
24738
24739 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24740
24741 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
24742
24743 @subsubheading Example
24744
24745 @smallexample
24746 (gdb)
24747 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
24748 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
24749 (gdb)
24750 @end smallexample
24751
24752 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24753 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
24754 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
24755
24756
24757 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
24758 @findex -target-file-put
24759
24760 @subsubheading Synopsis
24761
24762 @smallexample
24763 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
24764 @end smallexample
24765
24766 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
24767 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
24768
24769 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24770
24771 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
24772
24773 @subsubheading Example
24774
24775 @smallexample
24776 (gdb)
24777 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
24778 ^done
24779 (gdb)
24780 @end smallexample
24781
24782
24783 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
24784 @findex -target-file-get
24785
24786 @subsubheading Synopsis
24787
24788 @smallexample
24789 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
24790 @end smallexample
24791
24792 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
24793 on the host system.
24794
24795 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24796
24797 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
24798
24799 @subsubheading Example
24800
24801 @smallexample
24802 (gdb)
24803 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
24804 ^done
24805 (gdb)
24806 @end smallexample
24807
24808
24809 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
24810 @findex -target-file-delete
24811
24812 @subsubheading Synopsis
24813
24814 @smallexample
24815 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
24816 @end smallexample
24817
24818 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
24819
24820 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24821
24822 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
24823
24824 @subsubheading Example
24825
24826 @smallexample
24827 (gdb)
24828 -target-file-delete remotefile
24829 ^done
24830 (gdb)
24831 @end smallexample
24832
24833
24834 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24835 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
24836 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
24837
24838 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
24839
24840 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
24841 @findex -gdb-exit
24842
24843 @subsubheading Synopsis
24844
24845 @smallexample
24846 -gdb-exit
24847 @end smallexample
24848
24849 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
24850
24851 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24852
24853 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
24854
24855 @subsubheading Example
24856
24857 @smallexample
24858 (gdb)
24859 -gdb-exit
24860 ^exit
24861 @end smallexample
24862
24863
24864 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
24865 @findex -exec-abort
24866
24867 @subsubheading Synopsis
24868
24869 @smallexample
24870 -exec-abort
24871 @end smallexample
24872
24873 Kill the inferior running program.
24874
24875 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24876
24877 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
24878
24879 @subsubheading Example
24880 N.A.
24881
24882
24883 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
24884 @findex -gdb-set
24885
24886 @subsubheading Synopsis
24887
24888 @smallexample
24889 -gdb-set
24890 @end smallexample
24891
24892 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
24893 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
24894
24895 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24896
24897 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
24898
24899 @subsubheading Example
24900
24901 @smallexample
24902 (gdb)
24903 -gdb-set $foo=3
24904 ^done
24905 (gdb)
24906 @end smallexample
24907
24908
24909 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
24910 @findex -gdb-show
24911
24912 @subsubheading Synopsis
24913
24914 @smallexample
24915 -gdb-show
24916 @end smallexample
24917
24918 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
24919
24920 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24921
24922 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
24923
24924 @subsubheading Example
24925
24926 @smallexample
24927 (gdb)
24928 -gdb-show annotate
24929 ^done,value="0"
24930 (gdb)
24931 @end smallexample
24932
24933 @c @subheading -gdb-source
24934
24935
24936 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
24937 @findex -gdb-version
24938
24939 @subsubheading Synopsis
24940
24941 @smallexample
24942 -gdb-version
24943 @end smallexample
24944
24945 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
24946
24947 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24948
24949 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
24950 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
24951
24952 @subsubheading Example
24953
24954 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
24955 @c box in TeX.
24956 @smallexample
24957 (gdb)
24958 -gdb-version
24959 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
24960 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
24961 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
24962 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
24963 ~ certain conditions.
24964 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
24965 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
24966 ~ details.
24967 ~This GDB was configured as
24968 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
24969 ^done
24970 (gdb)
24971 @end smallexample
24972
24973 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
24974 @findex -list-features
24975
24976 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
24977 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
24978 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
24979 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
24980 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
24981 startup.
24982
24983 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
24984 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
24985 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
24986 is given below.
24987
24988 Example output:
24989
24990 @smallexample
24991 (gdb) -list-features
24992 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
24993 @end smallexample
24994
24995 The current list of features is:
24996
24997 @table @samp
24998 @item frozen-varobjs
24999 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
25000 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
25001 of @code{-varobj-create}.
25002 @item pending-breakpoints
25003 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
25004 @item thread-info
25005 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
25006
25007 @end table
25008
25009 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
25010 @findex -list-target-features
25011
25012 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
25013 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
25014 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
25015 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
25016 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
25017 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
25018 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
25019 Example output:
25020
25021 @smallexample
25022 (gdb) -list-features
25023 ^done,result=["async"]
25024 @end smallexample
25025
25026 The current list of features is:
25027
25028 @table @samp
25029 @item async
25030 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
25031 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
25032 while the target is running.
25033
25034 @end table
25035
25036 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
25037 @findex -list-thread-groups
25038
25039 @subheading Synopsis
25040
25041 @smallexample
25042 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ @var{group} ]
25043 @end smallexample
25044
25045 When used without the @var{group} parameter, lists top-level thread
25046 groups that are being debugged. When used with the @var{group}
25047 parameter, the children of the specified group are listed. The
25048 children can be either threads, or other groups. At present,
25049 @value{GDBN} will not report both threads and groups as children at
25050 the same time, but it may change in future.
25051
25052 With the @samp{--available} option, instead of reporting groups that
25053 are been debugged, GDB will report all thread groups available on the
25054 target. Using the @samp{--available} option together with @var{group}
25055 is not allowed.
25056
25057 @subheading Example
25058
25059 @smallexample
25060 @value{GDBP}
25061 -list-thread-groups
25062 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
25063 -list-thread-groups 17
25064 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
25065 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
25066 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
25067 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
25068 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
25069 @end smallexample
25070
25071 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
25072 @findex -interpreter-exec
25073
25074 @subheading Synopsis
25075
25076 @smallexample
25077 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
25078 @end smallexample
25079 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
25080
25081 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
25082
25083 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
25084
25085 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
25086
25087 @subheading Example
25088
25089 @smallexample
25090 (gdb)
25091 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
25092 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
25093 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
25094 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
25095 ^done
25096 (gdb)
25097 @end smallexample
25098
25099 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
25100 @findex -inferior-tty-set
25101
25102 @subheading Synopsis
25103
25104 @smallexample
25105 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
25106 @end smallexample
25107
25108 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
25109
25110 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
25111
25112 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
25113
25114 @subheading Example
25115
25116 @smallexample
25117 (gdb)
25118 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
25119 ^done
25120 (gdb)
25121 @end smallexample
25122
25123 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
25124 @findex -inferior-tty-show
25125
25126 @subheading Synopsis
25127
25128 @smallexample
25129 -inferior-tty-show
25130 @end smallexample
25131
25132 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
25133
25134 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
25135
25136 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
25137
25138 @subheading Example
25139
25140 @smallexample
25141 (gdb)
25142 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
25143 ^done
25144 (gdb)
25145 -inferior-tty-show
25146 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
25147 (gdb)
25148 @end smallexample
25149
25150 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
25151 @findex -enable-timings
25152
25153 @subheading Synopsis
25154
25155 @smallexample
25156 -enable-timings [yes | no]
25157 @end smallexample
25158
25159 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
25160 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
25161 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
25162 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
25163
25164 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
25165
25166 No equivalent.
25167
25168 @subheading Example
25169
25170 @smallexample
25171 (gdb)
25172 -enable-timings
25173 ^done
25174 (gdb)
25175 -break-insert main
25176 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25177 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
25178 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
25179 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
25180 (gdb)
25181 -enable-timings no
25182 ^done
25183 (gdb)
25184 -exec-run
25185 ^running
25186 (gdb)
25187 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
25188 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
25189 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
25190 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
25191 (gdb)
25192 @end smallexample
25193
25194 @node Annotations
25195 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
25196
25197 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
25198 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
25199 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
25200 relatively high level.
25201
25202 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
25203 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
25204
25205 @ignore
25206 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
25207 @end ignore
25208
25209 @menu
25210 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
25211 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
25212 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
25213 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
25214 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
25215 * Annotations for Running::
25216 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
25217 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
25218 @end menu
25219
25220 @node Annotations Overview
25221 @section What is an Annotation?
25222 @cindex annotations
25223
25224 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
25225 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
25226 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
25227 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
25228 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
25229 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
25230 cannot contain newline characters.
25231
25232 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
25233 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
25234 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
25235 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
25236 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
25237 means those three characters as output.
25238
25239 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
25240 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
25241 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
25242 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
25243 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
25244 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
25245 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
25246 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
25247 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
25248
25249 @table @code
25250 @kindex set annotate
25251 @item set annotate @var{level}
25252 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
25253 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
25254
25255 @item show annotate
25256 @kindex show annotate
25257 Show the current annotation level.
25258 @end table
25259
25260 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
25261
25262 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
25263
25264 @smallexample
25265 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
25266 GNU gdb 6.0
25267 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
25268 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
25269 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
25270 under certain conditions.
25271 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
25272 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
25273 for details.
25274 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
25275
25276 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
25277 (@value{GDBP})
25278 ^Z^Zprompt
25279 @kbd{quit}
25280
25281 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
25282 $
25283 @end smallexample
25284
25285 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
25286 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
25287 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
25288 output from @value{GDBN}.
25289
25290 @node Server Prefix
25291 @section The Server Prefix
25292 @cindex server prefix
25293
25294 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
25295 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
25296 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
25297 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
25298 a transparent manner.
25299
25300 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
25301 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
25302 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
25303
25304 @node Prompting
25305 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
25306
25307 @cindex annotations for prompts
25308 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
25309 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
25310 over, etc.
25311
25312 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
25313 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
25314 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
25315 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
25316 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
25317 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
25318 features the following annotations:
25319
25320 @smallexample
25321 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
25322 ^Z^Zprompt
25323 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
25324 @end smallexample
25325
25326 The input types are
25327
25328 @table @code
25329 @findex pre-prompt annotation
25330 @findex prompt annotation
25331 @findex post-prompt annotation
25332 @item prompt
25333 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
25334
25335 @findex pre-commands annotation
25336 @findex commands annotation
25337 @findex post-commands annotation
25338 @item commands
25339 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
25340 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
25341
25342 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
25343 @findex overload-choice annotation
25344 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
25345 @item overload-choice
25346 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
25347
25348 @findex pre-query annotation
25349 @findex query annotation
25350 @findex post-query annotation
25351 @item query
25352 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
25353
25354 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
25355 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
25356 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
25357 @item prompt-for-continue
25358 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
25359 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
25360 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
25361 presence of annotations.
25362 @end table
25363
25364 @node Errors
25365 @section Errors
25366 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
25367
25368 @findex quit annotation
25369 @smallexample
25370 ^Z^Zquit
25371 @end smallexample
25372
25373 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
25374
25375 @findex error annotation
25376 @smallexample
25377 ^Z^Zerror
25378 @end smallexample
25379
25380 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
25381
25382 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
25383 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
25384 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
25385 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
25386 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
25387 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
25388 to the top level.
25389
25390 @findex error-begin annotation
25391 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
25392
25393 @smallexample
25394 ^Z^Zerror-begin
25395 @end smallexample
25396
25397 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
25398 message.
25399
25400 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
25401 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
25402 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
25403
25404 @node Invalidation
25405 @section Invalidation Notices
25406
25407 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
25408 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
25409 changed.
25410
25411 @table @code
25412 @findex frames-invalid annotation
25413 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
25414
25415 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
25416 have changed.
25417
25418 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
25419 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
25420
25421 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
25422 deleted a breakpoint.
25423 @end table
25424
25425 @node Annotations for Running
25426 @section Running the Program
25427 @cindex annotations for running programs
25428
25429 @findex starting annotation
25430 @findex stopping annotation
25431 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
25432 @code{step} or @code{continue},
25433
25434 @smallexample
25435 ^Z^Zstarting
25436 @end smallexample
25437
25438 is output. When the program stops,
25439
25440 @smallexample
25441 ^Z^Zstopped
25442 @end smallexample
25443
25444 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
25445 annotations describe how the program stopped.
25446
25447 @table @code
25448 @findex exited annotation
25449 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
25450 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
25451 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
25452
25453 @findex signalled annotation
25454 @findex signal-name annotation
25455 @findex signal-name-end annotation
25456 @findex signal-string annotation
25457 @findex signal-string-end annotation
25458 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
25459 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
25460 annotation continues:
25461
25462 @smallexample
25463 @var{intro-text}
25464 ^Z^Zsignal-name
25465 @var{name}
25466 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
25467 @var{middle-text}
25468 ^Z^Zsignal-string
25469 @var{string}
25470 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
25471 @var{end-text}
25472 @end smallexample
25473
25474 @noindent
25475 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
25476 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
25477 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
25478 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
25479 user's benefit and have no particular format.
25480
25481 @findex signal annotation
25482 @item ^Z^Zsignal
25483 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
25484 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
25485 terminated with it.
25486
25487 @findex breakpoint annotation
25488 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
25489 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
25490
25491 @findex watchpoint annotation
25492 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
25493 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
25494 @end table
25495
25496 @node Source Annotations
25497 @section Displaying Source
25498 @cindex annotations for source display
25499
25500 @findex source annotation
25501 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
25502
25503 @smallexample
25504 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
25505 @end smallexample
25506
25507 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
25508 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
25509 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
25510 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
25511 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
25512 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
25513 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
25514 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
25515 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
25516 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
25517 depend on the language).
25518
25519 @node GDB Bugs
25520 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
25521 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
25522 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
25523
25524 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
25525
25526 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
25527 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
25528 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
25529 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
25530
25531 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
25532 information that enables us to fix the bug.
25533
25534 @menu
25535 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
25536 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
25537 @end menu
25538
25539 @node Bug Criteria
25540 @section Have You Found a Bug?
25541 @cindex bug criteria
25542
25543 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
25544
25545 @itemize @bullet
25546 @cindex fatal signal
25547 @cindex debugger crash
25548 @cindex crash of debugger
25549 @item
25550 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
25551 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
25552
25553 @cindex error on valid input
25554 @item
25555 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
25556 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
25557 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
25558
25559 @cindex invalid input
25560 @item
25561 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
25562 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
25563 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
25564 for traditional practice''.
25565
25566 @item
25567 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
25568 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
25569 @end itemize
25570
25571 @node Bug Reporting
25572 @section How to Report Bugs
25573 @cindex bug reports
25574 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
25575
25576 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
25577 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
25578 contact that organization first.
25579
25580 You can find contact information for many support companies and
25581 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
25582 distribution.
25583 @c should add a web page ref...
25584
25585 @ifset BUGURL
25586 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
25587 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
25588 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
25589 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
25590 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
25591 be used.
25592
25593 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
25594 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
25595 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
25596 @samp{bug-gdb}.
25597
25598 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
25599 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
25600 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
25601 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
25602 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
25603 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
25604 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
25605 bug reports to the mailing list.
25606 @end ifset
25607 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
25608 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
25609 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
25610 @end ifclear
25611 @end ifset
25612
25613 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
25614 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
25615 fact or leave it out, state it!
25616
25617 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
25618 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
25619 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
25620 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
25621 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
25622 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
25623 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
25624 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
25625 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
25626
25627 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
25628 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
25629 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
25630 self-contained.
25631
25632 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
25633 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
25634 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
25635 bugs properly.
25636
25637 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
25638
25639 @itemize @bullet
25640 @item
25641 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
25642 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
25643 version}.
25644
25645 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
25646 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
25647
25648 @item
25649 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
25650 version number.
25651
25652 @item
25653 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
25654 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
25655
25656 @item
25657 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
25658 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
25659 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
25660 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
25661 those compilers.
25662
25663 @item
25664 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
25665 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
25666 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
25667 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
25668
25669 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
25670 and then we might not encounter the bug.
25671
25672 @item
25673 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
25674 reproduce the bug.
25675
25676 @item
25677 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
25678 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
25679
25680 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
25681 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
25682 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
25683 a chance to make a mistake.
25684
25685 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
25686 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
25687 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
25688 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
25689 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
25690 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
25691 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
25692 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
25693
25694 @pindex script
25695 @cindex recording a session script
25696 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
25697 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
25698 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
25699 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
25700
25701 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
25702 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
25703
25704 @item
25705 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
25706 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
25707 it by context, not by line number.
25708
25709 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
25710 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
25711
25712 @end itemize
25713
25714 Here are some things that are not necessary:
25715
25716 @itemize @bullet
25717 @item
25718 A description of the envelope of the bug.
25719
25720 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
25721 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
25722 changes will not affect it.
25723
25724 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
25725 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
25726 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
25727 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
25728
25729 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
25730 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
25731 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
25732 less time, and so on.
25733
25734 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
25735 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
25736
25737 @item
25738 A patch for the bug.
25739
25740 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
25741 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
25742 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
25743 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
25744
25745 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
25746 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
25747 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
25748 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
25749
25750 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
25751 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
25752 help us to understand.
25753
25754 @item
25755 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
25756
25757 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
25758 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
25759 @end itemize
25760
25761 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
25762 @c and consists of the two following files:
25763 @c rluser.texinfo
25764 @c inc-hist.texinfo
25765 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
25766 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
25767 @include rluser.texi
25768 @include inc-hist.texinfo
25769
25770
25771 @node Formatting Documentation
25772 @appendix Formatting Documentation
25773
25774 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
25775 @cindex reference card
25776 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
25777 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
25778 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
25779 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
25780 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
25781 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
25782
25783 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
25784 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
25785
25786 @smallexample
25787 make refcard.dvi
25788 @end smallexample
25789
25790 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
25791 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
25792 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
25793 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
25794 your @sc{dvi} output program.
25795
25796 @cindex documentation
25797
25798 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
25799 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
25800 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
25801 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
25802 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
25803 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
25804
25805 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
25806 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
25807 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
25808 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
25809 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
25810 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
25811 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
25812 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
25813
25814 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
25815 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
25816 @code{makeinfo}.
25817
25818 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
25819 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
25820 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
25821
25822 @smallexample
25823 cd gdb
25824 make gdb.info
25825 @end smallexample
25826
25827 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
25828 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
25829 Texinfo definitions file.
25830
25831 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
25832 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
25833 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
25834 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
25835 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
25836 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
25837 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
25838
25839 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
25840 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
25841 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
25842 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
25843 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
25844 directory.
25845
25846 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
25847 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
25848 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
25849 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
25850
25851 @smallexample
25852 make gdb.dvi
25853 @end smallexample
25854
25855 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
25856
25857 @node Installing GDB
25858 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
25859 @cindex installation
25860
25861 @menu
25862 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
25863 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
25864 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
25865 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
25866 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
25867 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
25868 @end menu
25869
25870 @node Requirements
25871 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
25872 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
25873
25874 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
25875 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
25876
25877 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
25878 @table @asis
25879 @item ISO C90 compiler
25880 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
25881 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
25882
25883 @end table
25884
25885 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
25886 @table @asis
25887 @item Expat
25888 @anchor{Expat}
25889 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
25890 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
25891 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
25892 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
25893 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
25894 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
25895
25896 Expat is used for:
25897
25898 @itemize @bullet
25899 @item
25900 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
25901 @item
25902 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
25903 @item
25904 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
25905 @item
25906 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
25907 @end itemize
25908
25909 @item zlib
25910 @cindex compressed debug sections
25911 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
25912 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
25913 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
25914 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
25915 information in such binaries.
25916
25917 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
25918 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
25919 @url{http://zlib.net}.
25920
25921 @item iconv
25922 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
25923 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
25924 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
25925 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
25926
25927 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
25928 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
25929 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
25930
25931 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
25932 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
25933 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
25934 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
25935 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
25936 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
25937 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
25938 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
25939 @end table
25940
25941 @node Running Configure
25942 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
25943 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
25944 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
25945 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
25946 build the @code{gdb} program.
25947 @iftex
25948 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
25949 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
25950 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
25951 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
25952 @end iftex
25953
25954 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
25955 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
25956 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
25957
25958 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
25959 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
25960
25961 @table @code
25962 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
25963 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
25964
25965 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
25966 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
25967
25968 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
25969 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
25970
25971 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
25972 @sc{gnu} include files
25973
25974 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
25975 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
25976
25977 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
25978 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
25979
25980 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
25981 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
25982
25983 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
25984 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
25985
25986 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
25987 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
25988 @end table
25989
25990 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
25991 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
25992 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
25993
25994 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
25995 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
25996 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
25997 argument.
25998
25999 For example:
26000
26001 @smallexample
26002 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
26003 ./configure @var{host}
26004 make
26005 @end smallexample
26006
26007 @noindent
26008 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
26009 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
26010 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
26011 correct value by examining your system.)
26012
26013 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
26014 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
26015 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
26016 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
26017
26018 @need 750
26019 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
26020 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
26021 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
26022
26023 @smallexample
26024 sh configure @var{host}
26025 @end smallexample
26026
26027 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
26028 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
26029 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
26030 @file{configure}
26031 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
26032 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
26033
26034 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
26035 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
26036 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
26037 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
26038 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
26039 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
26040 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
26041 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
26042 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
26043
26044 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
26045 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
26046 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
26047 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
26048 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
26049
26050 @node Separate Objdir
26051 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
26052
26053 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
26054 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
26055 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
26056 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
26057 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
26058 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
26059 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
26060 program specified there.
26061
26062 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
26063 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
26064 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
26065 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
26066 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
26067 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
26068
26069 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
26070 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
26071
26072 @smallexample
26073 @group
26074 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
26075 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
26076 cd ../gdb-sun4
26077 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
26078 make
26079 @end group
26080 @end smallexample
26081
26082 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
26083 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
26084 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
26085 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
26086 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
26087 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
26088
26089 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
26090 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
26091 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
26092 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
26093 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
26094
26095 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
26096 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
26097 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
26098 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
26099 You specify a cross-debugging target by
26100 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
26101
26102 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
26103 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
26104 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
26105
26106 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
26107 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
26108 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
26109 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
26110 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
26111
26112 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
26113 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
26114 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
26115 with each other.
26116
26117 @node Config Names
26118 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
26119
26120 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
26121 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
26122 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
26123 of information in the following pattern:
26124
26125 @smallexample
26126 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
26127 @end smallexample
26128
26129 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
26130 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
26131 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
26132
26133 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
26134 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
26135 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
26136 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
26137 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
26138 abbreviations---for example:
26139
26140 @smallexample
26141 % sh config.sub i386-linux
26142 i386-pc-linux-gnu
26143 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
26144 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
26145 % sh config.sub hp9k700
26146 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
26147 % sh config.sub sun4
26148 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
26149 % sh config.sub sun3
26150 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
26151 % sh config.sub i986v
26152 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
26153 @end smallexample
26154
26155 @noindent
26156 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
26157 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
26158
26159 @node Configure Options
26160 @section @file{configure} Options
26161
26162 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
26163 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
26164 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
26165 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
26166
26167 @smallexample
26168 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
26169 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
26170 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
26171 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
26172 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
26173 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
26174 @var{host}
26175 @end smallexample
26176
26177 @noindent
26178 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
26179 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
26180 @samp{--}.
26181
26182 @table @code
26183 @item --help
26184 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
26185
26186 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
26187 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
26188 @file{@var{dir}}.
26189
26190 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
26191 Configure the source to install programs under directory
26192 @file{@var{dir}}.
26193
26194 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
26195 @need 2000
26196 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
26197 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
26198 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
26199 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
26200 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
26201 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
26202 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
26203 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
26204 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
26205 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
26206 @var{dirname}.
26207
26208 @item --norecursion
26209 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
26210 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
26211
26212 @item --target=@var{target}
26213 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
26214 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
26215 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
26216
26217 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
26218
26219 @item @var{host} @dots{}
26220 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
26221
26222 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
26223 @end table
26224
26225 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
26226 needed for special purposes only.
26227
26228 @node System-wide configuration
26229 @section System-wide configuration and settings
26230 @cindex system-wide init file
26231
26232 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
26233 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
26234 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
26235
26236 Here is the corresponding configure option:
26237
26238 @table @code
26239 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
26240 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
26241 @var{file}.
26242 @end table
26243
26244 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
26245 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
26246
26247 @itemize @bullet
26248 @item
26249 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
26250 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
26251 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
26252 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
26253 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
26254 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
26255
26256 @item
26257 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
26258 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
26259 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
26260 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
26261 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
26262 @end itemize
26263
26264 @node Maintenance Commands
26265 @appendix Maintenance Commands
26266 @cindex maintenance commands
26267 @cindex internal commands
26268
26269 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
26270 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
26271 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
26272 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
26273 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
26274
26275 @table @code
26276 @kindex maint agent
26277 @item maint agent @var{expression}
26278 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
26279 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
26280 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
26281
26282 @kindex maint info breakpoints
26283 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
26284 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
26285 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
26286 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
26287 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
26288 is shown:
26289
26290 @table @code
26291 @item breakpoint
26292 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
26293
26294 @item watchpoint
26295 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
26296
26297 @item longjmp
26298 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
26299 @code{longjmp} calls.
26300
26301 @item longjmp resume
26302 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
26303
26304 @item until
26305 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
26306
26307 @item finish
26308 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
26309
26310 @item shlib events
26311 Shared library events.
26312
26313 @end table
26314
26315 @kindex set displaced-stepping
26316 @kindex show displaced-stepping
26317 @cindex displaced stepping support
26318 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
26319 @item set displaced-stepping
26320 @itemx show displaced-stepping
26321 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
26322 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
26323 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
26324 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
26325 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
26326
26327 @table @code
26328 @item set displaced-stepping on
26329 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
26330 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
26331
26332 @item set displaced-stepping off
26333 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
26334 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
26335
26336 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
26337 @item set displaced-stepping auto
26338 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
26339 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
26340 architecture supports displaced stepping.
26341 @end table
26342
26343 @kindex maint check-symtabs
26344 @item maint check-symtabs
26345 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
26346
26347 @kindex maint cplus first_component
26348 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
26349 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
26350
26351 @kindex maint cplus namespace
26352 @item maint cplus namespace
26353 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
26354
26355 @kindex maint demangle
26356 @item maint demangle @var{name}
26357 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
26358
26359 @kindex maint deprecate
26360 @kindex maint undeprecate
26361 @cindex deprecated commands
26362 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
26363 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
26364 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
26365 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
26366 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
26367 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
26368 the replacement as part of the warning.
26369
26370 @kindex maint dump-me
26371 @item maint dump-me
26372 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
26373 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
26374 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
26375 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
26376
26377 @kindex maint internal-error
26378 @kindex maint internal-warning
26379 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
26380 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
26381 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
26382 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
26383 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
26384 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
26385 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
26386 @value{GDBN} session.
26387
26388 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
26389 used as the text of the error or warning message.
26390
26391 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
26392
26393 @smallexample
26394 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
26395 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
26396 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
26397 debugging may prove unreliable.
26398 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
26399 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
26400 (@value{GDBP})
26401 @end smallexample
26402
26403 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
26404 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
26405
26406 @kindex maint set internal-error
26407 @kindex maint show internal-error
26408 @kindex maint set internal-warning
26409 @kindex maint show internal-warning
26410 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
26411 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
26412 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
26413 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
26414 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
26415 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
26416 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
26417 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
26418 described in the table below.
26419
26420 @table @samp
26421 @item quit
26422 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
26423 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
26424
26425 @item corefile
26426 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
26427 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
26428 @end table
26429
26430 @kindex maint packet
26431 @item maint packet @var{text}
26432 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
26433 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
26434 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
26435 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
26436 checksum.
26437
26438 @kindex maint print architecture
26439 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
26440 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
26441 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
26442
26443 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
26444 @item maint print c-tdesc
26445 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
26446 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
26447 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
26448
26449 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
26450 @item maint print dummy-frames
26451 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
26452
26453 @smallexample
26454 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
26455 @dots{}
26456 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
26457 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
26458 58 return (a + b);
26459 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
26460 @dots{}
26461 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
26462 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
26463 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
26464 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
26465 (@value{GDBP})
26466 @end smallexample
26467
26468 Takes an optional file parameter.
26469
26470 @kindex maint print registers
26471 @kindex maint print raw-registers
26472 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
26473 @kindex maint print register-groups
26474 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
26475 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
26476 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
26477 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
26478 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
26479
26480 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
26481 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
26482 includes the (cooked) value of all registers; and the command
26483 @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
26484 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
26485 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
26486
26487 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
26488 write the information.
26489
26490 @kindex maint print reggroups
26491 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
26492 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
26493 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
26494 information.
26495
26496 The register groups info looks like this:
26497
26498 @smallexample
26499 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
26500 Group Type
26501 general user
26502 float user
26503 all user
26504 vector user
26505 system user
26506 save internal
26507 restore internal
26508 @end smallexample
26509
26510 @kindex flushregs
26511 @item flushregs
26512 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
26513
26514 @kindex maint print objfiles
26515 @cindex info for known object files
26516 @item maint print objfiles
26517 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
26518 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
26519 and symtabs.
26520
26521 @kindex maint print statistics
26522 @cindex bcache statistics
26523 @item maint print statistics
26524 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
26525 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
26526 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
26527 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
26528 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
26529 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
26530 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
26531 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
26532 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
26533 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
26534 lengths.
26535
26536 @kindex maint print target-stack
26537 @cindex target stack description
26538 @item maint print target-stack
26539 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
26540 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
26541 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
26542 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
26543 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
26544 address.
26545
26546 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
26547 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
26548
26549 @kindex maint print type
26550 @cindex type chain of a data type
26551 @item maint print type @var{expr}
26552 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
26553 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
26554 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
26555 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
26556 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
26557
26558 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
26559 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
26560 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
26561 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
26562 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
26563
26564 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
26565 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
26566 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
26567 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
26568 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
26569 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
26570 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
26571 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
26572 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
26573
26574 @kindex maint set profile
26575 @kindex maint show profile
26576 @cindex profiling GDB
26577 @item maint set profile
26578 @itemx maint show profile
26579 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
26580
26581 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
26582 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
26583 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
26584 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
26585 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
26586 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
26587 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
26588
26589 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
26590 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
26591
26592 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
26593 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
26594 @cindex hardware debug registers
26595 @item maint set show-debug-regs
26596 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
26597 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
26598 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
26599 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
26600 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
26601 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
26602
26603 @kindex maint space
26604 @cindex memory used by commands
26605 @item maint space
26606 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
26607 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
26608 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
26609 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
26610 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
26611
26612 @kindex maint time
26613 @cindex time of command execution
26614 @item maint time
26615 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
26616 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
26617 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
26618 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
26619 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
26620 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
26621 it's not possibly currently
26622 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
26623 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
26624
26625 @kindex maint translate-address
26626 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
26627 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
26628 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
26629 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
26630 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
26631 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
26632 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
26633
26634 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
26635 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
26636 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
26637
26638 @end table
26639
26640 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
26641 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
26642
26643 @table @code
26644 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
26645 @kindex set watchdog
26646 @cindex watchdog timer
26647 @cindex timeout for commands
26648 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
26649 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
26650 reports and error and the command is aborted.
26651
26652 @item show watchdog
26653 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
26654 @end table
26655
26656 @node Remote Protocol
26657 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
26658
26659 @menu
26660 * Overview::
26661 * Packets::
26662 * Stop Reply Packets::
26663 * General Query Packets::
26664 * Register Packet Format::
26665 * Tracepoint Packets::
26666 * Host I/O Packets::
26667 * Interrupts::
26668 * Notification Packets::
26669 * Remote Non-Stop::
26670 * Packet Acknowledgment::
26671 * Examples::
26672 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
26673 * Library List Format::
26674 * Memory Map Format::
26675 @end menu
26676
26677 @node Overview
26678 @section Overview
26679
26680 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
26681 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
26682 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
26683 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
26684
26685 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
26686 transmitted and received data, respectively.
26687
26688 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
26689 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
26690 @cindex remote serial protocol
26691 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
26692 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
26693 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
26694 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
26695 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
26696
26697 @smallexample
26698 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
26699 @end smallexample
26700 @noindent
26701
26702 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
26703 @noindent
26704 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
26705 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
26706 eight bit unsigned checksum).
26707
26708 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
26709 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
26710
26711 @smallexample
26712 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
26713 @end smallexample
26714
26715 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
26716 @noindent
26717 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
26718 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
26719 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
26720
26721 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
26722 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
26723 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
26724 retransmission):
26725
26726 @smallexample
26727 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
26728 <- @code{+}
26729 @end smallexample
26730 @noindent
26731
26732 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
26733 once a connection is established.
26734 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
26735
26736 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
26737 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
26738 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
26739 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
26740 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
26741 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
26742 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
26743
26744 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
26745 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
26746 exceptions).
26747
26748 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
26749 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
26750 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
26751 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
26752
26753 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
26754 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
26755 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
26756
26757 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
26758 @anchor{Binary Data}
26759 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
26760 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
26761 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
26762 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
26763 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
26764 binary data.
26765
26766 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
26767 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
26768 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
26769 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
26770 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
26771 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
26772 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
26773 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
26774 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
26775 (described next).
26776
26777 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
26778 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
26779 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
26780 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
26781 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
26782 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
26783 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
26784 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
26785 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
26786 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
26787 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
26788 3}} more times.
26789
26790 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
26791 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
26792 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
26793 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
26794 @samp{0*"00}.
26795
26796 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
26797 error number. That number is not well defined.
26798
26799 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
26800 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
26801 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
26802 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
26803 on that response.
26804
26805 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
26806 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
26807 optional.
26808
26809 @node Packets
26810 @section Packets
26811
26812 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
26813 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
26814 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
26815 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
26816
26817 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
26818 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
26819 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
26820 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
26821 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
26822 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
26823 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
26824 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
26825 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
26826 @var{baz}.
26827
26828 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
26829 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
26830 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
26831 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
26832 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
26833 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
26834 pick any thread.
26835
26836 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
26837 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
26838 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
26839 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
26840 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
26841 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
26842 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
26843 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
26844 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
26845 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
26846 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
26847 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
26848 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
26849
26850 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
26851 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
26852 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
26853 more information.
26854
26855 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
26856 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
26857
26858 Here are the packet descriptions.
26859
26860 @table @samp
26861
26862 @item !
26863 @cindex @samp{!} packet
26864 @anchor{extended mode}
26865 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
26866 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
26867 debugged.
26868
26869 Reply:
26870 @table @samp
26871 @item OK
26872 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
26873 @end table
26874
26875 @item ?
26876 @cindex @samp{?} packet
26877 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
26878 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
26879 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
26880
26881 Reply:
26882 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26883
26884 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
26885 @cindex @samp{A} packet
26886 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
26887 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
26888 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
26889
26890 Reply:
26891 @table @samp
26892 @item OK
26893 The arguments were set.
26894 @item E @var{NN}
26895 An error occurred.
26896 @end table
26897
26898 @item b @var{baud}
26899 @cindex @samp{b} packet
26900 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
26901 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
26902
26903 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
26904 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
26905 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
26906
26907 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
26908 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
26909 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
26910 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
26911 of view, nothing actually happened.}
26912
26913 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
26914 @cindex @samp{B} packet
26915 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
26916 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
26917
26918 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
26919 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
26920
26921 @item bc
26922 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
26923 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
26924 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
26925
26926 Reply:
26927 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26928
26929 @item bs
26930 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
26931 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
26932 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
26933
26934 Reply:
26935 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26936
26937 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
26938 @cindex @samp{c} packet
26939 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
26940 resume at current address.
26941
26942 Reply:
26943 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26944
26945 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
26946 @cindex @samp{C} packet
26947 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
26948 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
26949
26950 Reply:
26951 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26952
26953 @item d
26954 @cindex @samp{d} packet
26955 Toggle debug flag.
26956
26957 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
26958 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
26959
26960 @item D
26961 @itemx D;@var{pid}
26962 @cindex @samp{D} packet
26963 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
26964 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
26965 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
26966
26967 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
26968 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
26969 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
26970 big-endian hex string.
26971
26972 Reply:
26973 @table @samp
26974 @item OK
26975 for success
26976 @item E @var{NN}
26977 for an error
26978 @end table
26979
26980 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
26981 @cindex @samp{F} packet
26982 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
26983 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
26984 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
26985
26986 @item g
26987 @anchor{read registers packet}
26988 @cindex @samp{g} packet
26989 Read general registers.
26990
26991 Reply:
26992 @table @samp
26993 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
26994 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
26995 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
26996 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
26997 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
26998 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
26999 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
27000 @item E @var{NN}
27001 for an error.
27002 @end table
27003
27004 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
27005 @cindex @samp{G} packet
27006 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
27007 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
27008
27009 Reply:
27010 @table @samp
27011 @item OK
27012 for success
27013 @item E @var{NN}
27014 for an error
27015 @end table
27016
27017 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
27018 @cindex @samp{H} packet
27019 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
27020 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
27021 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
27022 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
27023 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
27024
27025 Reply:
27026 @table @samp
27027 @item OK
27028 for success
27029 @item E @var{NN}
27030 for an error
27031 @end table
27032
27033 @c FIXME: JTC:
27034 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
27035 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
27036 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
27037 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
27038 @c described. For example:
27039 @c
27040 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
27041 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
27042 @c otherwise returns current registers.
27043 @c
27044 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
27045 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
27046 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
27047
27048 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
27049 @anchor{cycle step packet}
27050 @cindex @samp{i} packet
27051 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
27052 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
27053 step starting at that address.
27054
27055 @item I
27056 @cindex @samp{I} packet
27057 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
27058 step packet}.
27059
27060 @item k
27061 @cindex @samp{k} packet
27062 Kill request.
27063
27064 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
27065 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
27066 thread?)}.
27067
27068 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
27069 @cindex @samp{m} packet
27070 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
27071 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
27072
27073 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
27074 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
27075 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
27076 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
27077 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
27078 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
27079 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
27080 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
27081
27082 Reply:
27083 @table @samp
27084 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
27085 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
27086 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
27087 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
27088 @item E @var{NN}
27089 @var{NN} is errno
27090 @end table
27091
27092 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
27093 @cindex @samp{M} packet
27094 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
27095 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
27096 hexadecimal number.
27097
27098 Reply:
27099 @table @samp
27100 @item OK
27101 for success
27102 @item E @var{NN}
27103 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
27104 written).
27105 @end table
27106
27107 @item p @var{n}
27108 @cindex @samp{p} packet
27109 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
27110 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
27111 register value is encoded.
27112
27113 Reply:
27114 @table @samp
27115 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
27116 the register's value
27117 @item E @var{NN}
27118 for an error
27119 @item
27120 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
27121 @end table
27122
27123 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
27124 @anchor{write register packet}
27125 @cindex @samp{P} packet
27126 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
27127 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
27128 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
27129
27130 Reply:
27131 @table @samp
27132 @item OK
27133 for success
27134 @item E @var{NN}
27135 for an error
27136 @end table
27137
27138 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
27139 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
27140 @cindex @samp{q} packet
27141 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
27142 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
27143 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
27144
27145 @item r
27146 @cindex @samp{r} packet
27147 Reset the entire system.
27148
27149 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
27150
27151 @item R @var{XX}
27152 @cindex @samp{R} packet
27153 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
27154 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
27155
27156 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
27157
27158 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
27159 @cindex @samp{s} packet
27160 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
27161 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
27162
27163 Reply:
27164 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
27165
27166 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
27167 @anchor{step with signal packet}
27168 @cindex @samp{S} packet
27169 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
27170 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
27171
27172 Reply:
27173 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
27174
27175 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
27176 @cindex @samp{t} packet
27177 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
27178 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
27179 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
27180
27181 @item T @var{thread-id}
27182 @cindex @samp{T} packet
27183 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
27184
27185 Reply:
27186 @table @samp
27187 @item OK
27188 thread is still alive
27189 @item E @var{NN}
27190 thread is dead
27191 @end table
27192
27193 @item v
27194 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
27195 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
27196
27197 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
27198 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
27199 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
27200 The process ID is a
27201 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
27202 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
27203 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
27204
27205 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
27206 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
27207 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
27208 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
27209 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
27210 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
27211 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
27212 @c stopping or restarting threads.
27213
27214 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
27215
27216 Reply:
27217 @table @samp
27218 @item E @var{nn}
27219 for an error
27220 @item @r{Any stop packet}
27221 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
27222 @item OK
27223 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
27224 @end table
27225
27226 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
27227 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
27228 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
27229 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
27230 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
27231 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
27232 in their current state in non-stop mode.
27233 Specifying multiple
27234 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
27235 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
27236
27237 Currently supported actions are:
27238
27239 @table @samp
27240 @item c
27241 Continue.
27242 @item C @var{sig}
27243 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
27244 @item s
27245 Step.
27246 @item S @var{sig}
27247 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
27248 @item t
27249 Stop.
27250 @item T @var{sig}
27251 Stop with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
27252 @end table
27253
27254 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
27255 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
27256 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
27257
27258 The @samp{t} and @samp{T} actions are only relevant in non-stop mode
27259 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
27260 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
27261 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
27262 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
27263 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
27264 as an implementation detail.
27265
27266 Reply:
27267 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
27268
27269 @item vCont?
27270 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
27271 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
27272
27273 Reply:
27274 @table @samp
27275 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
27276 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
27277 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
27278 @item
27279 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
27280 @end table
27281
27282 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
27283 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
27284 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
27285 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
27286
27287 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
27288 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
27289 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
27290 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
27291 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
27292 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
27293 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
27294 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
27295 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
27296 packet is received.
27297
27298 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
27299 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
27300 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
27301 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
27302 @var{thread-id}.
27303
27304 Reply:
27305 @table @samp
27306 @item OK
27307 for success
27308 @item E @var{NN}
27309 for an error
27310 @end table
27311
27312 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
27313 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
27314 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
27315 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
27316 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
27317 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
27318 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
27319 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
27320 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
27321 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
27322 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
27323 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
27324
27325
27326 Reply:
27327 @table @samp
27328 @item OK
27329 for success
27330 @item E.memtype
27331 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
27332 @item E @var{NN}
27333 for an error
27334 @end table
27335
27336 @item vFlashDone
27337 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
27338 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
27339 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
27340 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
27341 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
27342 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
27343 request is completed.
27344
27345 @item vKill;@var{pid}
27346 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
27347 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
27348 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
27349 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
27350 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
27351
27352 Reply:
27353 @table @samp
27354 @item E @var{nn}
27355 for an error
27356 @item OK
27357 for success
27358 @end table
27359
27360 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
27361 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
27362 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
27363 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
27364 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
27365 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
27366 state.
27367
27368 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
27369
27370 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
27371
27372 Reply:
27373 @table @samp
27374 @item E @var{nn}
27375 for an error
27376 @item @r{Any stop packet}
27377 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
27378 @end table
27379
27380 @item vStopped
27381 @anchor{vStopped packet}
27382 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
27383
27384 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
27385 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
27386
27387 Reply:
27388 @table @samp
27389 @item @r{Any stop packet}
27390 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
27391 @item OK
27392 if there are no unreported stop events
27393 @end table
27394
27395 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
27396 @anchor{X packet}
27397 @cindex @samp{X} packet
27398 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
27399 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
27400 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
27401
27402 Reply:
27403 @table @samp
27404 @item OK
27405 for success
27406 @item E @var{NN}
27407 for an error
27408 @end table
27409
27410 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
27411 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
27412 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
27413 @cindex @samp{z} packet
27414 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
27415 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
27416 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} and covering the next
27417 @var{length} bytes.
27418
27419 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
27420 separately.
27421
27422 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
27423 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
27424 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
27425 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
27426 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
27427 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
27428
27429 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
27430 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
27431 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
27432 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
27433 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
27434 @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
27435
27436 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
27437 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
27438 @var{length} is used by targets that indicates the size of the
27439 breakpoint (in bytes) that should be inserted (e.g., the @sc{arm} and
27440 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint).
27441
27442 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
27443 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
27444 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
27445 target, is not defined.}
27446
27447 Reply:
27448 @table @samp
27449 @item OK
27450 success
27451 @item
27452 not supported
27453 @item E @var{NN}
27454 for an error
27455 @end table
27456
27457 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
27458 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
27459 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
27460 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
27461 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
27462 address @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
27463
27464 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
27465 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory.
27466
27467 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
27468 movement.}
27469
27470 Reply:
27471 @table @samp
27472 @item OK
27473 success
27474 @item
27475 not supported
27476 @item E @var{NN}
27477 for an error
27478 @end table
27479
27480 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
27481 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
27482 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
27483 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
27484 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint.
27485
27486 Reply:
27487 @table @samp
27488 @item OK
27489 success
27490 @item
27491 not supported
27492 @item E @var{NN}
27493 for an error
27494 @end table
27495
27496 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
27497 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
27498 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
27499 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
27500 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint.
27501
27502 Reply:
27503 @table @samp
27504 @item OK
27505 success
27506 @item
27507 not supported
27508 @item E @var{NN}
27509 for an error
27510 @end table
27511
27512 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
27513 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
27514 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
27515 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
27516 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint.
27517
27518 Reply:
27519 @table @samp
27520 @item OK
27521 success
27522 @item
27523 not supported
27524 @item E @var{NN}
27525 for an error
27526 @end table
27527
27528 @end table
27529
27530 @node Stop Reply Packets
27531 @section Stop Reply Packets
27532 @cindex stop reply packets
27533
27534 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
27535 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
27536 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
27537 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
27538 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
27539 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
27540 @value{GDBN} source code.
27541
27542 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
27543 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
27544 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
27545 components.
27546
27547 @table @samp
27548
27549 @item S @var{AA}
27550 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
27551 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
27552 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
27553
27554 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
27555 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
27556 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
27557 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
27558 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
27559 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
27560 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
27561 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
27562
27563 @itemize @bullet
27564 @item
27565 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
27566 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
27567 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
27568 two-digit hex number.
27569
27570 @item
27571 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
27572 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
27573
27574 @item
27575 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
27576 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
27577 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
27578 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
27579
27580 @item
27581 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
27582 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
27583 future.
27584 @end itemize
27585
27586 The currently defined stop reasons are:
27587
27588 @table @samp
27589 @item watch
27590 @itemx rwatch
27591 @itemx awatch
27592 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
27593 hex.
27594
27595 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
27596 @item library
27597 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
27598 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
27599 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
27600
27601 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
27602 @item replaylog
27603 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
27604 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
27605 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
27606 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
27607 for more information.
27608
27609
27610 @end table
27611
27612 @item W @var{AA}
27613 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
27614 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
27615 applicable to certain targets.
27616
27617 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
27618 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
27619 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
27620 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
27621
27622 @item X @var{AA}
27623 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
27624 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
27625
27626 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
27627 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
27628 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
27629 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
27630
27631 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
27632 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
27633 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
27634 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
27635 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
27636
27637 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
27638 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
27639 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
27640 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
27641 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
27642 system calls.
27643
27644 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
27645 this very system call.
27646
27647 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
27648 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
27649 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
27650 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
27651 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
27652 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
27653
27654 @end table
27655
27656 @node General Query Packets
27657 @section General Query Packets
27658 @cindex remote query requests
27659
27660 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
27661 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
27662 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
27663 sending information to and from the stub.
27664
27665 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
27666 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
27667 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
27668 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
27669 conventions:
27670
27671 @itemize @bullet
27672 @item
27673 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
27674 @item
27675 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
27676 letter.
27677 @item
27678 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
27679 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
27680 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
27681 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
27682 @end itemize
27683
27684 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
27685 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
27686 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
27687 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
27688 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
27689 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
27690 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
27691 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
27692 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
27693 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
27694 packet.}.
27695
27696 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
27697 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
27698 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
27699 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
27700 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
27701
27702 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
27703
27704 @table @samp
27705
27706 @item qC
27707 @cindex current thread, remote request
27708 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
27709 Return the current thread ID.
27710
27711 Reply:
27712 @table @samp
27713 @item QC @var{thread-id}
27714 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
27715 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
27716 @item @r{(anything else)}
27717 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
27718 @end table
27719
27720 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
27721 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
27722 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
27723 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory.
27724 Reply:
27725 @table @samp
27726 @item E @var{NN}
27727 An error (such as memory fault)
27728 @item C @var{crc32}
27729 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
27730 @end table
27731
27732 @item qfThreadInfo
27733 @itemx qsThreadInfo
27734 @cindex list active threads, remote request
27735 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
27736 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
27737 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
27738 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
27739 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
27740 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
27741 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
27742 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
27743
27744 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
27745
27746 Reply:
27747 @table @samp
27748 @item m @var{thread-id}
27749 A single thread ID
27750 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
27751 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
27752 @item l
27753 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
27754 @end table
27755
27756 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
27757 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
27758 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
27759 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
27760 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
27761 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
27762 fields.
27763
27764 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
27765 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
27766 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
27767 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
27768 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
27769
27770 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
27771 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
27772
27773 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
27774 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
27775 information associated with the variable.)
27776
27777 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
27778 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
27779 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
27780 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
27781 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
27782 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
27783
27784 Reply:
27785 @table @samp
27786 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
27787 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
27788 local storage requested.
27789
27790 @item E @var{nn}
27791 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
27792
27793 @item
27794 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
27795 @end table
27796
27797 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
27798 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
27799 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
27800 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
27801 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
27802 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
27803 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
27804
27805 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
27806
27807 Reply:
27808 @table @samp
27809 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
27810 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
27811 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
27812 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
27813 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
27814 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
27815 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
27816 @end table
27817
27818 @item qOffsets
27819 @cindex section offsets, remote request
27820 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
27821 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
27822 image.
27823
27824 Reply:
27825 @table @samp
27826 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
27827 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
27828 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
27829 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
27830 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
27831 segments by the supplied offsets.
27832
27833 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
27834 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
27835 to the @code{Bss} section.}
27836
27837 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
27838 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
27839 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
27840 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
27841 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
27842 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
27843 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
27844 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
27845 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
27846 @end table
27847
27848 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
27849 @cindex thread information, remote request
27850 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
27851 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
27852 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
27853 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
27854
27855 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
27856 (see below).
27857
27858 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
27859
27860 @item QNonStop:1
27861 @item QNonStop:0
27862 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
27863 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
27864 @anchor{QNonStop}
27865 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
27866 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
27867
27868 Reply:
27869 @table @samp
27870 @item OK
27871 The request succeeded.
27872
27873 @item E @var{nn}
27874 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
27875
27876 @item
27877 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
27878 the stub.
27879 @end table
27880
27881 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27882 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
27883 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
27884 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
27885
27886 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
27887 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
27888 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
27889 @anchor{QPassSignals}
27890 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
27891 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
27892 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
27893 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
27894 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
27895 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
27896 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
27897 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
27898 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
27899
27900 Reply:
27901 @table @samp
27902 @item OK
27903 The request succeeded.
27904
27905 @item E @var{nn}
27906 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
27907
27908 @item
27909 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
27910 the stub.
27911 @end table
27912
27913 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
27914 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
27915 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27916 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
27917
27918 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
27919 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
27920 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
27921 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
27922 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
27923 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
27924 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
27925 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
27926 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
27927
27928 Reply:
27929 @table @samp
27930 @item OK
27931 A command response with no output.
27932 @item @var{OUTPUT}
27933 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
27934 @item E @var{NN}
27935 Indicate a badly formed request.
27936 @item
27937 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
27938 @end table
27939
27940 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
27941 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
27942 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
27943 packets.)
27944
27945 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
27946 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
27947 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
27948 @anchor{qSearch memory}
27949 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
27950 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
27951 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
27952
27953 Reply:
27954 @table @samp
27955 @item 0
27956 The pattern was not found.
27957 @item 1,address
27958 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
27959 @item E @var{NN}
27960 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
27961 @item
27962 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
27963 @end table
27964
27965 @item QStartNoAckMode
27966 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
27967 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
27968 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
27969 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
27970
27971 Reply:
27972 @table @samp
27973 @item OK
27974 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
27975 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
27976 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
27977 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
27978 @item
27979 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
27980 @end table
27981
27982 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
27983 @cindex supported packets, remote query
27984 @cindex features of the remote protocol
27985 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
27986 @anchor{qSupported}
27987 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
27988 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
27989 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
27990 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
27991 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
27992 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
27993 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
27994 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
27995 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
27996 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
27997 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
27998 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
27999 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
28000 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
28001
28002 Reply:
28003 @table @samp
28004 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
28005 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
28006 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
28007 possible forms).
28008 @item
28009 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
28010 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
28011 @end table
28012
28013 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
28014 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
28015 are:
28016
28017 @table @samp
28018 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
28019 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
28020 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
28021 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
28022 @item @var{name}+
28023 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
28024 need an associated value.
28025 @item @var{name}-
28026 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
28027 @item @var{name}?
28028 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
28029 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
28030 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
28031 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
28032 @end table
28033
28034 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
28035 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
28036 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
28037 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
28038 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
28039
28040 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
28041 are defined:
28042
28043 @table @samp
28044 @item multiprocess
28045 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
28046 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
28047 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
28048 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
28049 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
28050 @end table
28051
28052 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
28053 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
28054 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
28055 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
28056 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
28057 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
28058 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
28059 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
28060 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
28061 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
28062 all the features it supports.
28063
28064 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
28065 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
28066
28067 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
28068 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
28069 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
28070 form response.
28071
28072 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
28073 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
28074 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
28075 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
28076
28077 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
28078 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
28079 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
28080 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
28081 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
28082
28083 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
28084
28085 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
28086 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
28087 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
28088 @item Feature Name
28089 @tab Value Required
28090 @tab Default
28091 @tab Probe Allowed
28092
28093 @item @samp{PacketSize}
28094 @tab Yes
28095 @tab @samp{-}
28096 @tab No
28097
28098 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
28099 @tab No
28100 @tab @samp{-}
28101 @tab Yes
28102
28103 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
28104 @tab No
28105 @tab @samp{-}
28106 @tab Yes
28107
28108 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
28109 @tab No
28110 @tab @samp{-}
28111 @tab Yes
28112
28113 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
28114 @tab No
28115 @tab @samp{-}
28116 @tab Yes
28117
28118 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
28119 @tab No
28120 @tab @samp{-}
28121 @tab Yes
28122
28123 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
28124 @tab No
28125 @tab @samp{-}
28126 @tab Yes
28127
28128 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
28129 @tab No
28130 @tab @samp{-}
28131 @tab Yes
28132
28133 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
28134 @tab No
28135 @tab @samp{-}
28136 @tab Yes
28137
28138 @item @samp{QNonStop}
28139 @tab No
28140 @tab @samp{-}
28141 @tab Yes
28142
28143 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
28144 @tab No
28145 @tab @samp{-}
28146 @tab Yes
28147
28148 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
28149 @tab No
28150 @tab @samp{-}
28151 @tab Yes
28152
28153 @item @samp{multiprocess}
28154 @tab No
28155 @tab @samp{-}
28156 @tab No
28157
28158 @end multitable
28159
28160 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
28161
28162 @table @samp
28163 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
28164 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
28165 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
28166 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
28167 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
28168 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
28169 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
28170 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
28171 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
28172 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
28173
28174 @item qXfer:auxv:read
28175 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
28176 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
28177
28178 @item qXfer:features:read
28179 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
28180 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
28181
28182 @item qXfer:libraries:read
28183 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
28184 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
28185
28186 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
28187 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
28188 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
28189
28190 @item qXfer:spu:read
28191 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
28192 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
28193
28194 @item qXfer:spu:write
28195 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
28196 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
28197
28198 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
28199 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
28200 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
28201
28202 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
28203 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
28204 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
28205
28206 @item QNonStop
28207 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
28208 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
28209
28210 @item QPassSignals
28211 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
28212 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
28213
28214 @item QStartNoAckMode
28215 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
28216 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
28217
28218 @item multiprocess
28219 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
28220 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
28221 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
28222 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
28223 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
28224 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
28225 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
28226 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
28227 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
28228 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
28229 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
28230
28231 @item qXfer:osdata:read
28232 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
28233 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
28234
28235 @end table
28236
28237 @item qSymbol::
28238 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
28239 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
28240 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
28241 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
28242
28243 Reply:
28244 @table @samp
28245 @item OK
28246 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
28247 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
28248 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
28249 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
28250 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
28251 below.
28252 @end table
28253
28254 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
28255 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
28256
28257 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
28258 target has previously requested.
28259
28260 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
28261 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
28262 will be empty.
28263
28264 Reply:
28265 @table @samp
28266 @item OK
28267 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
28268 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
28269 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
28270 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
28271 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
28272 @end table
28273
28274 @item QTDP
28275 @itemx QTFrame
28276 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
28277
28278 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
28279 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
28280 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
28281 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
28282 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
28283 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
28284 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
28285 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
28286 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
28287 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
28288 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
28289
28290 Reply:
28291 @table @samp
28292 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
28293 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
28294 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
28295 the thread's attributes.
28296 @end table
28297
28298 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
28299 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
28300 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
28301 packets.)
28302
28303 @item QTStart
28304 @itemx QTStop
28305 @itemx QTinit
28306 @itemx QTro
28307 @itemx qTStatus
28308 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
28309
28310 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
28311 @cindex read special object, remote request
28312 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
28313 @anchor{qXfer read}
28314 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
28315 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
28316 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
28317 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
28318 additional details about what data to access.
28319
28320 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
28321 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
28322 formats, listed below.
28323
28324 @table @samp
28325 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
28326 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
28327 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
28328 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
28329
28330 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28331 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28332
28333 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
28334 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
28335 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
28336 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
28337 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
28338
28339 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28340 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28341
28342 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
28343 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
28344 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
28345 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
28346 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
28347
28348 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
28349 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
28350 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
28351
28352 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28353 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28354
28355 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
28356 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
28357 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
28358 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
28359 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
28360
28361 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28362 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28363
28364 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
28365 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
28366 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
28367 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
28368 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
28369
28370 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28371 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
28372 (@pxref{qSupported}).
28373
28374 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
28375 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
28376 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
28377 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
28378 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
28379 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
28380 in that context to be accessed.
28381
28382 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28383 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
28384 (@pxref{qSupported}).
28385
28386 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
28387 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
28388 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
28389 @xref{Operating System Information}.
28390
28391 @end table
28392
28393 Reply:
28394 @table @samp
28395 @item m @var{data}
28396 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
28397 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
28398 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
28399 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
28400 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
28401 request.
28402
28403 @item l @var{data}
28404 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
28405 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
28406 than the @var{length} in the request.
28407
28408 @item l
28409 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
28410 There is no more data to be read.
28411
28412 @item E00
28413 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
28414
28415 @item E @var{nn}
28416 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
28417 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
28418
28419 @item
28420 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
28421 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
28422 @end table
28423
28424 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
28425 @cindex write data into object, remote request
28426 @anchor{qXfer write}
28427 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
28428 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
28429 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
28430 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
28431 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
28432 to access.
28433
28434 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
28435 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
28436 formats, listed below.
28437
28438 @table @samp
28439 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
28440 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
28441 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
28442 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
28443 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
28444
28445 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28446 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
28447 (@pxref{qSupported}).
28448
28449 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
28450 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
28451 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
28452 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
28453 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
28454 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
28455 in that context to be accessed.
28456
28457 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
28458 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28459 @end table
28460
28461 Reply:
28462 @table @samp
28463 @item @var{nn}
28464 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
28465 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
28466
28467 @item E00
28468 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
28469
28470 @item E @var{nn}
28471 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
28472 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
28473
28474 @item
28475 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
28476 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
28477 @end table
28478
28479 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
28480 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
28481 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
28482 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
28483 must respond with an empty packet.
28484
28485 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
28486 @cindex query attached, remote request
28487 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
28488 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
28489 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
28490 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
28491 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
28492 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
28493 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
28494
28495 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
28496 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
28497 the @code{quit} command.
28498
28499 Reply:
28500 @table @samp
28501 @item 1
28502 The remote server attached to an existing process.
28503 @item 0
28504 The remote server created a new process.
28505 @item E @var{NN}
28506 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
28507 @end table
28508
28509 @end table
28510
28511 @node Register Packet Format
28512 @section Register Packet Format
28513
28514 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
28515 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
28516 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
28517 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
28518 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
28519 most-significant - least-significant.
28520
28521 @table @r
28522
28523 @item MIPS32
28524
28525 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
28526 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
28527 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
28528
28529 @item MIPS64
28530
28531 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
28532 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
28533 as @code{MIPS32}.
28534
28535 @end table
28536
28537 @node Tracepoint Packets
28538 @section Tracepoint Packets
28539 @cindex tracepoint packets
28540 @cindex packets, tracepoint
28541
28542 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
28543 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
28544
28545 @table @samp
28546
28547 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}@r{[}-@r{]}
28548 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
28549 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
28550 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
28551 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If the trailing @samp{-} is
28552 present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this
28553 tracepoint's actions.
28554
28555 Replies:
28556 @table @samp
28557 @item OK
28558 The packet was understood and carried out.
28559 @item
28560 The packet was not recognized.
28561 @end table
28562
28563 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
28564 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
28565 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
28566 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
28567 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
28568 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
28569 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
28570
28571 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
28572 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
28573 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
28574 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
28575 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
28576 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
28577 tracepoint actions.
28578
28579 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
28580 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
28581 following forms:
28582
28583 @table @samp
28584
28585 @item R @var{mask}
28586 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
28587 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
28588 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
28589 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
28590 not fit in a 32-bit word.
28591
28592 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
28593 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
28594 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
28595 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
28596 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
28597 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
28598 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
28599
28600 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
28601 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
28602 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
28603 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
28604 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
28605 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
28606 packet).
28607
28608 @end table
28609
28610 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
28611 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
28612 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
28613 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
28614 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
28615 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
28616 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
28617 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
28618
28619 Replies:
28620 @table @samp
28621 @item OK
28622 The packet was understood and carried out.
28623 @item
28624 The packet was not recognized.
28625 @end table
28626
28627 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
28628 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
28629 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
28630 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
28631
28632 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
28633 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
28634 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
28635 one of the following forms:
28636
28637 @table @samp
28638 @item F @var{f}
28639 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
28640 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
28641 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
28642
28643 @item T @var{t}
28644 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
28645 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
28646
28647 @end table
28648
28649 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
28650 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
28651 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
28652 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
28653
28654 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
28655 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
28656 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
28657 is a hexadecimal number.
28658
28659 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
28660 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
28661 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
28662 and @var{end} (exclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
28663 numbers.
28664
28665 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
28666 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
28667 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses.
28668
28669 @item QTStart
28670 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
28671 hits in the trace frame buffer.
28672
28673 @item QTStop
28674 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
28675
28676 @item QTinit
28677 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
28678
28679 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
28680 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
28681 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
28682 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
28683
28684 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
28685 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
28686 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
28687 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
28688
28689 @item qTStatus
28690 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
28691
28692 Replies:
28693 @table @samp
28694 @item T0
28695 There is no trace experiment running.
28696 @item T1
28697 There is a trace experiment running.
28698 @end table
28699
28700 @end table
28701
28702
28703 @node Host I/O Packets
28704 @section Host I/O Packets
28705 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
28706 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
28707
28708 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
28709 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
28710 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
28711 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
28712 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
28713 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
28714 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
28715 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
28716 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
28717 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
28718
28719 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
28720 its arguments. They have this format:
28721
28722 @table @samp
28723
28724 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
28725 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
28726 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
28727 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
28728 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
28729 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
28730 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
28731 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
28732 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
28733
28734 @end table
28735
28736 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
28737
28738 @table @samp
28739
28740 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
28741 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
28742 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
28743 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
28744 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
28745 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
28746 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
28747 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
28748 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
28749 @var{attachment}.
28750
28751 @item
28752 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
28753
28754 @end table
28755
28756 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
28757
28758 @table @samp
28759 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
28760 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
28761 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
28762 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
28763 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
28764 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
28765 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
28766
28767 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
28768 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
28769 -1 if an error occurs.
28770
28771 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
28772 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
28773 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
28774 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
28775 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
28776 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
28777 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
28778 @var{count} was zero.
28779
28780 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
28781 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
28782 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
28783 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
28784 some characters were escaped.
28785
28786 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
28787 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
28788 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
28789 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
28790 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
28791 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
28792 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
28793 error occurred.
28794
28795 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
28796 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
28797 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
28798
28799 @end table
28800
28801 @node Interrupts
28802 @section Interrupts
28803 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
28804
28805 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
28806 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C} or a @code{BREAK},
28807 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{remotebreak}
28808 setting (@pxref{set remotebreak}).
28809
28810 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
28811 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
28812 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
28813 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
28814 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
28815
28816 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
28817 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
28818 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
28819 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
28820 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
28821 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
28822 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
28823 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
28824
28825 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
28826 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
28827 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
28828 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
28829 currently-executing threads and processes.
28830 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
28831 running program, it should send one of the stop
28832 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
28833 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
28834 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
28835 Interrupts received while the
28836 program is stopped are discarded.
28837
28838 @node Notification Packets
28839 @section Notification Packets
28840 @cindex notification packets
28841 @cindex packets, notification
28842
28843 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
28844 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
28845 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
28846 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
28847 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
28848 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
28849 is not a problem.
28850
28851 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
28852 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
28853 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
28854 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
28855 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
28856 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
28857 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
28858
28859 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
28860 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
28861
28862 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
28863 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
28864 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
28865 not they understand it.
28866
28867 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
28868 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
28869 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
28870 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
28871 recipients.
28872
28873 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
28874 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
28875 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
28876 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
28877 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
28878
28879 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
28880 defined:
28881
28882 @table @samp
28883 @item Stop: @var{reply}
28884 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
28885 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
28886 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
28887 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
28888 @value{GDBN}.
28889 @end table
28890
28891 @node Remote Non-Stop
28892 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
28893
28894 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
28895 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
28896 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
28897 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28898
28899 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
28900 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
28901 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
28902 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
28903 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
28904 probe the target state after a mode change.
28905
28906 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
28907 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
28908 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
28909 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
28910 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
28911 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
28912 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
28913 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
28914 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
28915 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
28916 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
28917
28918 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
28919 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
28920 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
28921 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
28922 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
28923 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
28924 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
28925 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
28926 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
28927 sending any queued stop events.
28928
28929 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
28930 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
28931 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
28932 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
28933 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
28934 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
28935 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
28936
28937 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
28938 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
28939 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
28940 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
28941 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
28942 process normally.
28943
28944 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
28945 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
28946 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
28947 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
28948 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
28949 should process normally.
28950
28951 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
28952 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
28953 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
28954 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
28955 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
28956
28957 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
28958 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
28959 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
28960 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
28961 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
28962 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
28963 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
28964 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
28965 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
28966 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
28967 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
28968 @samp{OK}.
28969
28970 @node Packet Acknowledgment
28971 @section Packet Acknowledgment
28972
28973 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
28974 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
28975 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
28976 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
28977 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
28978 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
28979 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
28980
28981 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
28982 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
28983 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
28984 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
28985 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
28986
28987 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
28988 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
28989 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
28990 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
28991
28992 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
28993 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
28994 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
28995 @pxref{qSupported}.
28996 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
28997 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
28998 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
28999 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
29000 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
29001 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
29002 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
29003
29004 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
29005 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
29006 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
29007 connection.
29008 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
29009 new connection is established,
29010 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
29011 for the current connection, once disabled.
29012
29013 @node Examples
29014 @section Examples
29015
29016 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
29017 does not get any direct output:
29018
29019 @smallexample
29020 -> @code{R00}
29021 <- @code{+}
29022 @emph{target restarts}
29023 -> @code{?}
29024 <- @code{+}
29025 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
29026 -> @code{+}
29027 @end smallexample
29028
29029 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
29030
29031 @smallexample
29032 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
29033 <- @code{+}
29034 -> @code{s}
29035 <- @code{+}
29036 @emph{time passes}
29037 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
29038 -> @code{+}
29039 -> @code{g}
29040 <- @code{+}
29041 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
29042 -> @code{+}
29043 @end smallexample
29044
29045 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
29046 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
29047 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
29048
29049 @menu
29050 * File-I/O Overview::
29051 * Protocol Basics::
29052 * The F Request Packet::
29053 * The F Reply Packet::
29054 * The Ctrl-C Message::
29055 * Console I/O::
29056 * List of Supported Calls::
29057 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
29058 * Constants::
29059 * File-I/O Examples::
29060 @end menu
29061
29062 @node File-I/O Overview
29063 @subsection File-I/O Overview
29064 @cindex file-i/o overview
29065
29066 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
29067 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
29068 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
29069 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
29070 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
29071 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
29072
29073 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
29074 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
29075 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
29076 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
29077 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
29078
29079 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
29080 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
29081 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
29082 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
29083 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
29084 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
29085 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
29086
29087 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
29088 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
29089 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
29090 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
29091 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
29092
29093 @smallexample
29094 (@value{GDBP}) continue
29095 <- target requests 'system call X'
29096 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
29097 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
29098 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
29099 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
29100 @end smallexample
29101
29102 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
29103 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
29104 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
29105 system are not supported by this protocol.
29106
29107 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
29108
29109 @node Protocol Basics
29110 @subsection Protocol Basics
29111 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
29112
29113 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
29114 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
29115 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
29116 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
29117 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
29118 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
29119 to call the appropriate host system call:
29120
29121 @itemize @bullet
29122 @item
29123 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
29124
29125 @item
29126 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
29127 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
29128 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
29129 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
29130
29131 @end itemize
29132
29133 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
29134
29135 @itemize @bullet
29136 @item
29137 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
29138 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
29139 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
29140 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
29141 packet.
29142
29143 @item
29144 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
29145 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
29146
29147 @item
29148 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
29149
29150 @item
29151 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
29152
29153 @item
29154 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
29155 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
29156 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
29157 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
29158 packet.
29159
29160 @end itemize
29161
29162 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
29163 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
29164
29165 @itemize @bullet
29166 @item
29167 Return value.
29168
29169 @item
29170 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
29171
29172 @item
29173 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
29174
29175 @end itemize
29176
29177 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
29178 the latest continue or step action.
29179
29180 @node The F Request Packet
29181 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
29182 @cindex file-i/o request packet
29183 @cindex @code{F} request packet
29184
29185 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
29186
29187 @table @samp
29188 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
29189
29190 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
29191 This is just the name of the function.
29192
29193 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
29194 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
29195 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
29196 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
29197 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
29198 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
29199 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
29200
29201 @end table
29202
29203
29204
29205 @node The F Reply Packet
29206 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
29207 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
29208 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
29209
29210 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
29211
29212 @table @samp
29213
29214 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
29215
29216 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
29217
29218 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
29219 representation.
29220 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
29221
29222 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
29223 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
29224 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
29225
29226 @smallexample
29227 F0,0,C
29228 @end smallexample
29229
29230 @noindent
29231 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
29232
29233 @smallexample
29234 F-1,4,C
29235 @end smallexample
29236
29237 @noindent
29238 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
29239
29240 @end table
29241
29242
29243 @node The Ctrl-C Message
29244 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
29245 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
29246
29247 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
29248 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
29249 the target should behave as if it had
29250 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
29251 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
29252 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
29253 packet.
29254
29255 It's important for the target to know in which
29256 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
29257
29258 @itemize @bullet
29259 @item
29260 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
29261
29262 @item
29263 The system call on the host has been finished.
29264
29265 @end itemize
29266
29267 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
29268 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
29269 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
29270 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
29271 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
29272 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
29273
29274 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
29275 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
29276 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
29277 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
29278 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
29279 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
29280 or the full action has been completed.
29281
29282 @node Console I/O
29283 @subsection Console I/O
29284 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
29285
29286 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
29287 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
29288 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
29289 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
29290 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
29291 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
29292 conditions is met:
29293
29294 @itemize @bullet
29295 @item
29296 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
29297 @code{read}
29298 system call is treated as finished.
29299
29300 @item
29301 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
29302 newline.
29303
29304 @item
29305 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
29306 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
29307
29308 @end itemize
29309
29310 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
29311 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
29312 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
29313 is stopped at the user's request.
29314
29315
29316 @node List of Supported Calls
29317 @subsection List of Supported Calls
29318 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
29319
29320 @menu
29321 * open::
29322 * close::
29323 * read::
29324 * write::
29325 * lseek::
29326 * rename::
29327 * unlink::
29328 * stat/fstat::
29329 * gettimeofday::
29330 * isatty::
29331 * system::
29332 @end menu
29333
29334 @node open
29335 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
29336 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
29337
29338 @table @asis
29339 @item Synopsis:
29340 @smallexample
29341 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
29342 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
29343 @end smallexample
29344
29345 @item Request:
29346 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
29347
29348 @noindent
29349 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
29350
29351 @table @code
29352 @item O_CREAT
29353 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
29354 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
29355 are concerned.
29356
29357 @item O_EXCL
29358 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
29359 an error and open() fails.
29360
29361 @item O_TRUNC
29362 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
29363 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
29364 truncated to zero length.
29365
29366 @item O_APPEND
29367 The file is opened in append mode.
29368
29369 @item O_RDONLY
29370 The file is opened for reading only.
29371
29372 @item O_WRONLY
29373 The file is opened for writing only.
29374
29375 @item O_RDWR
29376 The file is opened for reading and writing.
29377 @end table
29378
29379 @noindent
29380 Other bits are silently ignored.
29381
29382
29383 @noindent
29384 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
29385
29386 @table @code
29387 @item S_IRUSR
29388 User has read permission.
29389
29390 @item S_IWUSR
29391 User has write permission.
29392
29393 @item S_IRGRP
29394 Group has read permission.
29395
29396 @item S_IWGRP
29397 Group has write permission.
29398
29399 @item S_IROTH
29400 Others have read permission.
29401
29402 @item S_IWOTH
29403 Others have write permission.
29404 @end table
29405
29406 @noindent
29407 Other bits are silently ignored.
29408
29409
29410 @item Return value:
29411 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
29412 occurred.
29413
29414 @item Errors:
29415
29416 @table @code
29417 @item EEXIST
29418 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
29419
29420 @item EISDIR
29421 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
29422
29423 @item EACCES
29424 The requested access is not allowed.
29425
29426 @item ENAMETOOLONG
29427 @var{pathname} was too long.
29428
29429 @item ENOENT
29430 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
29431
29432 @item ENODEV
29433 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
29434
29435 @item EROFS
29436 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
29437 write access was requested.
29438
29439 @item EFAULT
29440 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
29441
29442 @item ENOSPC
29443 No space on device to create the file.
29444
29445 @item EMFILE
29446 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
29447
29448 @item ENFILE
29449 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
29450 has been reached.
29451
29452 @item EINTR
29453 The call was interrupted by the user.
29454 @end table
29455
29456 @end table
29457
29458 @node close
29459 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
29460 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
29461
29462 @table @asis
29463 @item Synopsis:
29464 @smallexample
29465 int close(int fd);
29466 @end smallexample
29467
29468 @item Request:
29469 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
29470
29471 @item Return value:
29472 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
29473
29474 @item Errors:
29475
29476 @table @code
29477 @item EBADF
29478 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
29479
29480 @item EINTR
29481 The call was interrupted by the user.
29482 @end table
29483
29484 @end table
29485
29486 @node read
29487 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
29488 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
29489
29490 @table @asis
29491 @item Synopsis:
29492 @smallexample
29493 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
29494 @end smallexample
29495
29496 @item Request:
29497 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
29498
29499 @item Return value:
29500 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
29501 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
29502 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
29503
29504 @item Errors:
29505
29506 @table @code
29507 @item EBADF
29508 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
29509 reading.
29510
29511 @item EFAULT
29512 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
29513
29514 @item EINTR
29515 The call was interrupted by the user.
29516 @end table
29517
29518 @end table
29519
29520 @node write
29521 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
29522 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
29523
29524 @table @asis
29525 @item Synopsis:
29526 @smallexample
29527 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
29528 @end smallexample
29529
29530 @item Request:
29531 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
29532
29533 @item Return value:
29534 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
29535 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
29536 is returned.
29537
29538 @item Errors:
29539
29540 @table @code
29541 @item EBADF
29542 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
29543 writing.
29544
29545 @item EFAULT
29546 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
29547
29548 @item EFBIG
29549 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
29550 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
29551
29552 @item ENOSPC
29553 No space on device to write the data.
29554
29555 @item EINTR
29556 The call was interrupted by the user.
29557 @end table
29558
29559 @end table
29560
29561 @node lseek
29562 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
29563 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
29564
29565 @table @asis
29566 @item Synopsis:
29567 @smallexample
29568 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
29569 @end smallexample
29570
29571 @item Request:
29572 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
29573
29574 @var{flag} is one of:
29575
29576 @table @code
29577 @item SEEK_SET
29578 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
29579
29580 @item SEEK_CUR
29581 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
29582 bytes.
29583
29584 @item SEEK_END
29585 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
29586 bytes.
29587 @end table
29588
29589 @item Return value:
29590 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
29591 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
29592 value of -1 is returned.
29593
29594 @item Errors:
29595
29596 @table @code
29597 @item EBADF
29598 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
29599
29600 @item ESPIPE
29601 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
29602
29603 @item EINVAL
29604 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
29605
29606 @item EINTR
29607 The call was interrupted by the user.
29608 @end table
29609
29610 @end table
29611
29612 @node rename
29613 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
29614 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
29615
29616 @table @asis
29617 @item Synopsis:
29618 @smallexample
29619 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
29620 @end smallexample
29621
29622 @item Request:
29623 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
29624
29625 @item Return value:
29626 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
29627
29628 @item Errors:
29629
29630 @table @code
29631 @item EISDIR
29632 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
29633 directory.
29634
29635 @item EEXIST
29636 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
29637
29638 @item EBUSY
29639 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
29640 process.
29641
29642 @item EINVAL
29643 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
29644 of itself.
29645
29646 @item ENOTDIR
29647 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
29648 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
29649 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
29650
29651 @item EFAULT
29652 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
29653
29654 @item EACCES
29655 No access to the file or the path of the file.
29656
29657 @item ENAMETOOLONG
29658
29659 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
29660
29661 @item ENOENT
29662 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
29663
29664 @item EROFS
29665 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
29666
29667 @item ENOSPC
29668 The device containing the file has no room for the new
29669 directory entry.
29670
29671 @item EINTR
29672 The call was interrupted by the user.
29673 @end table
29674
29675 @end table
29676
29677 @node unlink
29678 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
29679 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
29680
29681 @table @asis
29682 @item Synopsis:
29683 @smallexample
29684 int unlink(const char *pathname);
29685 @end smallexample
29686
29687 @item Request:
29688 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
29689
29690 @item Return value:
29691 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
29692
29693 @item Errors:
29694
29695 @table @code
29696 @item EACCES
29697 No access to the file or the path of the file.
29698
29699 @item EPERM
29700 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
29701
29702 @item EBUSY
29703 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
29704 being used by another process.
29705
29706 @item EFAULT
29707 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
29708
29709 @item ENAMETOOLONG
29710 @var{pathname} was too long.
29711
29712 @item ENOENT
29713 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
29714
29715 @item ENOTDIR
29716 A component of the path is not a directory.
29717
29718 @item EROFS
29719 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
29720
29721 @item EINTR
29722 The call was interrupted by the user.
29723 @end table
29724
29725 @end table
29726
29727 @node stat/fstat
29728 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
29729 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
29730 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
29731
29732 @table @asis
29733 @item Synopsis:
29734 @smallexample
29735 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
29736 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
29737 @end smallexample
29738
29739 @item Request:
29740 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
29741 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
29742
29743 @item Return value:
29744 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
29745
29746 @item Errors:
29747
29748 @table @code
29749 @item EBADF
29750 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
29751
29752 @item ENOENT
29753 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
29754 path is an empty string.
29755
29756 @item ENOTDIR
29757 A component of the path is not a directory.
29758
29759 @item EFAULT
29760 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
29761
29762 @item EACCES
29763 No access to the file or the path of the file.
29764
29765 @item ENAMETOOLONG
29766 @var{pathname} was too long.
29767
29768 @item EINTR
29769 The call was interrupted by the user.
29770 @end table
29771
29772 @end table
29773
29774 @node gettimeofday
29775 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
29776 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
29777
29778 @table @asis
29779 @item Synopsis:
29780 @smallexample
29781 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
29782 @end smallexample
29783
29784 @item Request:
29785 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
29786
29787 @item Return value:
29788 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
29789
29790 @item Errors:
29791
29792 @table @code
29793 @item EINVAL
29794 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
29795
29796 @item EFAULT
29797 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
29798 @end table
29799
29800 @end table
29801
29802 @node isatty
29803 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
29804 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
29805
29806 @table @asis
29807 @item Synopsis:
29808 @smallexample
29809 int isatty(int fd);
29810 @end smallexample
29811
29812 @item Request:
29813 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
29814
29815 @item Return value:
29816 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
29817
29818 @item Errors:
29819
29820 @table @code
29821 @item EINTR
29822 The call was interrupted by the user.
29823 @end table
29824
29825 @end table
29826
29827 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
29828 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
29829 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
29830 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
29831 needed.
29832
29833
29834 @node system
29835 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
29836 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
29837
29838 @table @asis
29839 @item Synopsis:
29840 @smallexample
29841 int system(const char *command);
29842 @end smallexample
29843
29844 @item Request:
29845 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
29846
29847 @item Return value:
29848 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
29849 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
29850 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
29851 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
29852 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
29853 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
29854 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
29855
29856 @item Errors:
29857
29858 @table @code
29859 @item EINTR
29860 The call was interrupted by the user.
29861 @end table
29862
29863 @end table
29864
29865 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
29866 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
29867 the host is simplified before it's returned
29868 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
29869 is discarded, and the return value consists
29870 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
29871
29872 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
29873 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
29874 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
29875
29876 @table @code
29877 @item set remote system-call-allowed
29878 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
29879 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
29880 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
29881
29882 @item show remote system-call-allowed
29883 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
29884 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
29885 protocol.
29886 @end table
29887
29888 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
29889 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
29890 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
29891
29892 @menu
29893 * Integral Datatypes::
29894 * Pointer Values::
29895 * Memory Transfer::
29896 * struct stat::
29897 * struct timeval::
29898 @end menu
29899
29900 @node Integral Datatypes
29901 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
29902 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
29903
29904 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
29905 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
29906 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
29907
29908 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
29909 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
29910
29911 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
29912
29913 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
29914 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
29915
29916 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
29917
29918 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
29919 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
29920 byte order.
29921
29922 @node Pointer Values
29923 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
29924 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
29925
29926 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
29927 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
29928 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
29929 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
29930
29931 @smallexample
29932 @code{1aaf/12}
29933 @end smallexample
29934
29935 @noindent
29936 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
29937 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
29938 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
29939 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
29940
29941 @smallexample
29942 @code{123456/d}
29943 @end smallexample
29944
29945 @node Memory Transfer
29946 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
29947 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
29948
29949 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
29950 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
29951 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
29952 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
29953 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
29954 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
29955 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
29956
29957
29958 @node struct stat
29959 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
29960 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
29961
29962 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
29963 is defined as follows:
29964
29965 @smallexample
29966 struct stat @{
29967 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
29968 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
29969 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
29970 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
29971 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
29972 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
29973 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
29974 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
29975 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
29976 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
29977 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
29978 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
29979 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
29980 @};
29981 @end smallexample
29982
29983 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
29984 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
29985 structure is of size 64 bytes.
29986
29987 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
29988 range of values.
29989
29990 @table @code
29991
29992 @item st_dev
29993 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
29994
29995 @item st_ino
29996 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
29997
29998 @item st_mode
29999 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
30000 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
30001
30002 @item st_uid
30003 @itemx st_gid
30004 @itemx st_rdev
30005 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
30006
30007 @item st_atime
30008 @itemx st_mtime
30009 @itemx st_ctime
30010 These values have a host and file system dependent
30011 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
30012 support exact timing values.
30013 @end table
30014
30015 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
30016 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
30017 continuing.
30018
30019 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
30020 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
30021 get truncated on the target.
30022
30023 @node struct timeval
30024 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
30025 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
30026
30027 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
30028 is defined as follows:
30029
30030 @smallexample
30031 struct timeval @{
30032 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
30033 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
30034 @};
30035 @end smallexample
30036
30037 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
30038 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
30039 structure is of size 8 bytes.
30040
30041 @node Constants
30042 @subsection Constants
30043 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
30044
30045 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
30046 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
30047 values before and after the call as needed.
30048
30049 @menu
30050 * Open Flags::
30051 * mode_t Values::
30052 * Errno Values::
30053 * Lseek Flags::
30054 * Limits::
30055 @end menu
30056
30057 @node Open Flags
30058 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
30059 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
30060
30061 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
30062
30063 @smallexample
30064 O_RDONLY 0x0
30065 O_WRONLY 0x1
30066 O_RDWR 0x2
30067 O_APPEND 0x8
30068 O_CREAT 0x200
30069 O_TRUNC 0x400
30070 O_EXCL 0x800
30071 @end smallexample
30072
30073 @node mode_t Values
30074 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
30075 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
30076
30077 All values are given in octal representation.
30078
30079 @smallexample
30080 S_IFREG 0100000
30081 S_IFDIR 040000
30082 S_IRUSR 0400
30083 S_IWUSR 0200
30084 S_IXUSR 0100
30085 S_IRGRP 040
30086 S_IWGRP 020
30087 S_IXGRP 010
30088 S_IROTH 04
30089 S_IWOTH 02
30090 S_IXOTH 01
30091 @end smallexample
30092
30093 @node Errno Values
30094 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
30095 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
30096
30097 All values are given in decimal representation.
30098
30099 @smallexample
30100 EPERM 1
30101 ENOENT 2
30102 EINTR 4
30103 EBADF 9
30104 EACCES 13
30105 EFAULT 14
30106 EBUSY 16
30107 EEXIST 17
30108 ENODEV 19
30109 ENOTDIR 20
30110 EISDIR 21
30111 EINVAL 22
30112 ENFILE 23
30113 EMFILE 24
30114 EFBIG 27
30115 ENOSPC 28
30116 ESPIPE 29
30117 EROFS 30
30118 ENAMETOOLONG 91
30119 EUNKNOWN 9999
30120 @end smallexample
30121
30122 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
30123 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
30124
30125 @node Lseek Flags
30126 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
30127 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
30128
30129 @smallexample
30130 SEEK_SET 0
30131 SEEK_CUR 1
30132 SEEK_END 2
30133 @end smallexample
30134
30135 @node Limits
30136 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
30137 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
30138
30139 All values are given in decimal representation.
30140
30141 @smallexample
30142 INT_MIN -2147483648
30143 INT_MAX 2147483647
30144 UINT_MAX 4294967295
30145 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
30146 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
30147 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
30148 @end smallexample
30149
30150 @node File-I/O Examples
30151 @subsection File-I/O Examples
30152 @cindex file-i/o examples
30153
30154 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
30155 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
30156
30157 @smallexample
30158 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
30159 @emph{request memory read from target}
30160 -> @code{m1234,6}
30161 <- XXXXXX
30162 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
30163 -> @code{F6}
30164 @end smallexample
30165
30166 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
30167 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
30168
30169 @smallexample
30170 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
30171 @emph{request memory write to target}
30172 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
30173 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
30174 -> @code{F6}
30175 @end smallexample
30176
30177 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
30178 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
30179
30180 @smallexample
30181 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
30182 -> @code{F-1,9}
30183 @end smallexample
30184
30185 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
30186 host is called:
30187
30188 @smallexample
30189 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
30190 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
30191 <- @code{T02}
30192 @end smallexample
30193
30194 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
30195 host is called:
30196
30197 @smallexample
30198 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
30199 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
30200 <- @code{T02}
30201 @end smallexample
30202
30203 @node Library List Format
30204 @section Library List Format
30205 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
30206
30207 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
30208 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
30209 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
30210 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
30211 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
30212 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
30213 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
30214 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
30215 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
30216 are loaded.
30217
30218 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
30219 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
30220 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
30221 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
30222
30223 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
30224 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
30225 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
30226 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
30227 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
30228 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
30229
30230 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
30231 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
30232
30233 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
30234 offset, looks like this:
30235
30236 @smallexample
30237 <library-list>
30238 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
30239 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
30240 </library>
30241 </library-list>
30242 @end smallexample
30243
30244 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
30245 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
30246
30247 @smallexample
30248 <library-list>
30249 <library name="sharedlib.o">
30250 <section address="0x10000000"/>
30251 <section address="0x20000000"/>
30252 <section address="0x30000000"/>
30253 </library>
30254 </library-list>
30255 @end smallexample
30256
30257 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
30258
30259 @smallexample
30260 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
30261 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
30262 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
30263 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
30264 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
30265 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
30266 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
30267 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
30268 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
30269 @end smallexample
30270
30271 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
30272 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
30273 section for each library.
30274
30275 @node Memory Map Format
30276 @section Memory Map Format
30277 @cindex memory map format
30278
30279 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
30280 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
30281 memory map.
30282
30283 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
30284 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
30285 lists memory regions.
30286
30287 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
30288 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
30289
30290 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
30291
30292 @smallexample
30293 <?xml version="1.0"?>
30294 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
30295 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
30296 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
30297 <memory-map>
30298 region...
30299 </memory-map>
30300 @end smallexample
30301
30302 Each region can be either:
30303
30304 @itemize
30305
30306 @item
30307 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
30308 bytes from there:
30309
30310 @smallexample
30311 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
30312 @end smallexample
30313
30314
30315 @item
30316 A region of read-only memory:
30317
30318 @smallexample
30319 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
30320 @end smallexample
30321
30322
30323 @item
30324 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
30325 bytes in length:
30326
30327 @smallexample
30328 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
30329 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
30330 </memory>
30331 @end smallexample
30332
30333 @end itemize
30334
30335 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
30336 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
30337 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
30338
30339 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
30340
30341 @smallexample
30342 <!-- ................................................... -->
30343 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
30344 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
30345 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
30346 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
30347 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
30348 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
30349 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
30350 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
30351 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
30352 and its type, or device. -->
30353 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
30354 start CDATA #REQUIRED
30355 length CDATA #REQUIRED
30356 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
30357 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
30358 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
30359 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
30360 @end smallexample
30361
30362 @include agentexpr.texi
30363
30364 @node Target Descriptions
30365 @appendix Target Descriptions
30366 @cindex target descriptions
30367
30368 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
30369 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
30370 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
30371
30372 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
30373 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
30374 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
30375 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
30376 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
30377 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
30378 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
30379
30380 @itemize @bullet
30381 @item
30382 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
30383 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
30384 @item
30385 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
30386 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
30387 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
30388 @item
30389 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
30390 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
30391 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
30392 @end itemize
30393
30394 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
30395 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
30396 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
30397 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
30398 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
30399
30400 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
30401 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
30402
30403 @menu
30404 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
30405 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
30406 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
30407 descriptions.
30408 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
30409 @end menu
30410
30411 @node Retrieving Descriptions
30412 @section Retrieving Descriptions
30413
30414 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
30415 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
30416 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
30417 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
30418 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
30419 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
30420 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
30421 Format}.
30422
30423 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
30424 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
30425 specify a file are:
30426
30427 @table @code
30428 @cindex set tdesc filename
30429 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
30430 Read the target description from @var{path}.
30431
30432 @cindex unset tdesc filename
30433 @item unset tdesc filename
30434 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
30435 will use the description supplied by the current target.
30436
30437 @cindex show tdesc filename
30438 @item show tdesc filename
30439 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
30440 @end table
30441
30442
30443 @node Target Description Format
30444 @section Target Description Format
30445 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
30446
30447 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
30448 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
30449 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
30450 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
30451 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
30452 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
30453 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
30454
30455 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
30456 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
30457 sets. @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
30458 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
30459
30460 Here is a simple target description:
30461
30462 @smallexample
30463 <target version="1.0">
30464 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
30465 </target>
30466 @end smallexample
30467
30468 @noindent
30469 This minimal description only says that the target uses
30470 the x86-64 architecture.
30471
30472 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
30473 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
30474 are explained further below.
30475
30476 @smallexample
30477 <?xml version="1.0"?>
30478 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
30479 <target version="1.0">
30480 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
30481 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
30482 </target>
30483 @end smallexample
30484
30485 @noindent
30486 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
30487 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
30488 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
30489 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
30490 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
30491 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
30492 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
30493 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
30494 the version mismatch.
30495
30496 @subsection Inclusion
30497 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
30498 @cindex XInclude
30499 @ifnotinfo
30500 @cindex <xi:include>
30501 @end ifnotinfo
30502
30503 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
30504 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
30505 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
30506 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
30507 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
30508
30509 @smallexample
30510 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
30511 @end smallexample
30512
30513 @noindent
30514 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
30515 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
30516 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
30517 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
30518 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
30519 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
30520 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
30521 original description.
30522
30523 @subsection Architecture
30524 @cindex <architecture>
30525
30526 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
30527
30528 @smallexample
30529 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
30530 @end smallexample
30531
30532 @var{arch} is an architecture name from the same selection
30533 accepted by @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a
30534 Debugging Target}).
30535
30536 @subsection Features
30537 @cindex <feature>
30538
30539 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
30540 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
30541 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
30542 has this form:
30543
30544 @smallexample
30545 <feature name="@var{name}">
30546 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
30547 @var{reg}@dots{}
30548 </feature>
30549 @end smallexample
30550
30551 @noindent
30552 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
30553 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
30554 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
30555 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
30556
30557 @subsection Types
30558
30559 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
30560 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
30561 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
30562 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
30563 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
30564
30565 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
30566 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
30567 Types must be defined before they are used.
30568
30569 @cindex <vector>
30570 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
30571 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
30572 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
30573 @var{count}:
30574
30575 @smallexample
30576 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
30577 @end smallexample
30578
30579 @cindex <union>
30580 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
30581 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
30582 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
30583 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
30584
30585 @smallexample
30586 <union id="@var{id}">
30587 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
30588 @dots{}
30589 </union>
30590 @end smallexample
30591
30592 @subsection Registers
30593 @cindex <reg>
30594
30595 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
30596
30597 @smallexample
30598 <reg name="@var{name}"
30599 bitsize="@var{size}"
30600 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
30601 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
30602 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
30603 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
30604 @end smallexample
30605
30606 @noindent
30607 The components are as follows:
30608
30609 @table @var
30610
30611 @item name
30612 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
30613
30614 @item bitsize
30615 The register's size, in bits.
30616
30617 @item regnum
30618 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
30619 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
30620 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
30621 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
30622 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
30623 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
30624 in order of increasing register number.
30625
30626 @item save-restore
30627 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
30628 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
30629 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
30630 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
30631 ABI.
30632
30633 @item type
30634 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
30635 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
30636 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
30637 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
30638 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
30639 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
30640
30641 @item group
30642 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
30643 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
30644 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
30645 in @code{info registers}.
30646
30647 @end table
30648
30649 @node Predefined Target Types
30650 @section Predefined Target Types
30651 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
30652
30653 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
30654 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
30655 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
30656 types. The currently supported types are:
30657
30658 @table @code
30659
30660 @item int8
30661 @itemx int16
30662 @itemx int32
30663 @itemx int64
30664 @itemx int128
30665 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
30666
30667 @item uint8
30668 @itemx uint16
30669 @itemx uint32
30670 @itemx uint64
30671 @itemx uint128
30672 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
30673
30674 @item code_ptr
30675 @itemx data_ptr
30676 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
30677 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
30678 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
30679 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
30680 may be marked as data pointers.
30681
30682 @item ieee_single
30683 Single precision IEEE floating point.
30684
30685 @item ieee_double
30686 Double precision IEEE floating point.
30687
30688 @item arm_fpa_ext
30689 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
30690
30691 @end table
30692
30693 @node Standard Target Features
30694 @section Standard Target Features
30695 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
30696
30697 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
30698 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
30699 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
30700 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
30701 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
30702 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
30703 can recognize them.
30704
30705 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
30706 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
30707 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
30708 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
30709 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
30710 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
30711 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
30712 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
30713
30714 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
30715 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
30716 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
30717
30718 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
30719 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
30720 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
30721 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
30722
30723 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
30724 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
30725 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
30726
30727 @menu
30728 * ARM Features::
30729 * MIPS Features::
30730 * M68K Features::
30731 * PowerPC Features::
30732 @end menu
30733
30734
30735 @node ARM Features
30736 @subsection ARM Features
30737 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
30738
30739 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for ARM targets.
30740 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
30741 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
30742
30743 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
30744 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
30745
30746 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
30747 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
30748 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
30749 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
30750
30751 @node MIPS Features
30752 @subsection MIPS Features
30753 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
30754
30755 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
30756 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
30757 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
30758 on the target.
30759
30760 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
30761 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
30762 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
30763
30764 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
30765 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
30766 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
30767 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
30768
30769 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
30770 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
30771 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
30772
30773 @node M68K Features
30774 @subsection M68K Features
30775 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
30776
30777 @table @code
30778 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
30779 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
30780 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
30781 One of those features must be always present.
30782 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
30783 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
30784 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
30785 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
30786
30787 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
30788 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
30789 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
30790 @samp{fpiaddr}.
30791 @end table
30792
30793 @node PowerPC Features
30794 @subsection PowerPC Features
30795 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
30796
30797 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
30798 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
30799 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
30800 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
30801
30802 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
30803 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
30804
30805 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
30806 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
30807 and @samp{vrsave}.
30808
30809 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
30810 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
30811 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
30812 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
30813 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
30814 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
30815
30816 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
30817 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
30818 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
30819 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
30820 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
30821 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
30822 user.
30823
30824 @node Operating System Information
30825 @appendix Operating System Information
30826 @cindex operating system information
30827
30828 @menu
30829 * Process list::
30830 @end menu
30831
30832 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
30833 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
30834 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
30835 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
30836 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
30837 on a different aspect of target.
30838
30839 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
30840 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
30841 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
30842 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
30843
30844 @node Process list
30845 @appendixsection Process list
30846 @cindex operating system information, process list
30847
30848 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
30849 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
30850 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
30851 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
30852
30853 An example document is:
30854
30855 @smallexample
30856 <?xml version="1.0"?>
30857 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
30858 <osdata type="processes">
30859 <item>
30860 <column name="pid">1</column>
30861 <column name="user">root</column>
30862 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
30863 </item>
30864 </osdata>
30865 @end smallexample
30866
30867 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
30868 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
30869 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
30870 displayed by @value{GDBN}. Target may provide additional columns,
30871 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
30872
30873 @include gpl.texi
30874
30875 @raisesections
30876 @include fdl.texi
30877 @lowersections
30878
30879 @node Index
30880 @unnumbered Index
30881
30882 @printindex cp
30883
30884 @tex
30885 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
30886 % meantime:
30887 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
30888 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
30889 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
30890 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
30891 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
30892 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
30893 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
30894 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
30895 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
30896 \page\colophon
30897 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
30898 @end tex
30899
30900 @bye
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