gdb/
[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
25 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
26 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
27 @syncodeindex vr cp
28 @syncodeindex fn cp
29
30 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
31 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
32 @set EDITION Ninth
33
34 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
35 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
36
37 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
38
39 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
40 @c manuals to an info tree.
41 @dircategory Software development
42 @direntry
43 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
44 @end direntry
45
46 @copying
47 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
48 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
49 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
50
51 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
52 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or
53 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
54 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
55 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
56 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
57
58 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
59 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
60 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
61 @end copying
62
63 @ifnottex
64 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
65
66 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
67 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
68 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
69 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
70 @end ifset
71 Version @value{GDBVN}.
72
73 @insertcopying
74 @end ifnottex
75
76 @titlepage
77 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
78 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
79 @sp 1
80 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
81 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
82 @sp 1
83 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
84 @end ifset
85 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
86 @page
87 @tex
88 {\parskip=0pt
89 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
90 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
91 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
92 }
93 @end tex
94
95 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
96 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
97 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
98 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
99 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
100
101 @insertcopying
102 @page
103 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
104 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
105 software in general. We will miss him.
106 @end titlepage
107 @page
108
109 @ifnottex
110 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
111
112 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
113
114 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
115
116 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
117 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
118 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
119 @end ifset
120 Version @value{GDBVN}.
121
122 Copyright (C) 1988-2009 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
123
124 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
125 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
126 software in general. We will miss him.
127
128 @menu
129 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
130 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
131
132 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
133 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
134 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
135 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
136 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
137 * Stack:: Examining the stack
138 * Source:: Examining source files
139 * Data:: Examining data
140 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
141 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
142 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
143
144 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
145
146 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
147 * Altering:: Altering execution
148 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
149 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
150 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
151 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
152 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
153 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
154 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
155 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
156 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
157 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
158 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
159
160 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
161
162 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
163 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
164 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
165 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
166 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
167 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
168 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
169 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
170 @value{GDBN}
171 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
172 the operating system
173 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
174 how you can copy and share GDB
175 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
176 * Index:: Index
177 @end menu
178
179 @end ifnottex
180
181 @contents
182
183 @node Summary
184 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
185
186 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
187 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
188 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
189
190 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
191 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
192
193 @itemize @bullet
194 @item
195 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
196
197 @item
198 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
199
200 @item
201 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
202
203 @item
204 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
205 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
206 @end itemize
207
208 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
209 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
210 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
211
212 @cindex Modula-2
213 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
214 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
215
216 @cindex Pascal
217 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
218 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
219 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
220 syntax.
221
222 @cindex Fortran
223 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
224 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
225 underscore.
226
227 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
228 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
229
230 @menu
231 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
232 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
233 @end menu
234
235 @node Free Software
236 @unnumberedsec Free Software
237
238 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
239 General Public License
240 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
241 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
242 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
243 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
244 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
245 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
246
247 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
248 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
249 from anyone else.
250
251 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
252
253 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
254 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
255 include with the free software. Many of our most important
256 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
257 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
258 when an important free software package does not come with a free
259 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
260 gaps today.
261
262 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
263 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
264 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
265 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
266 them from the free software world.
267
268 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
269 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
270 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
271 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
272 contract to make it non-free.
273
274 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
275 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
276 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
277 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
278 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
279 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
280 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
281
282 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
283 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
284 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
285 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
286
287 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
288 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
289 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
290 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
291 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
292 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
293 community.
294
295 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
296 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
297 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
298 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
299 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
300 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
301 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
302 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
303 of the manual.
304
305 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
306 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
307 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
308 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
309 manual to replace it.
310
311 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
312 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
313 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
314 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
315 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
316 the free software community.
317
318 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
319 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
320 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
321 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
322 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
323 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
324 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
325 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
326 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
327
328 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
329 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
330 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
331 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
332 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
333 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
334 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
335 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
336
337 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
338 published by other publishers, at
339 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
340
341 @node Contributors
342 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
343
344 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
345 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
346 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
347 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
348 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
349 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
350 blow-by-blow account.
351
352 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
353
354 @quotation
355 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
356 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
357 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
358 @end quotation
359
360 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
361 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
362 releases:
363 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
364 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
365 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
366 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
367 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
368 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
369 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
370 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
371 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
372
373 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
374 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
375
376 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
377 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
378 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
379 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
380 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
381
382 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
383 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
384 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
385
386 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
387 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
388
389 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
390
391 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
392 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
393 support.
394 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
395 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
396 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
397 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
398 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
399 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
400 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
401 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
402 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
403 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
404 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
405 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
406 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
407 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
408 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
409 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
410
411 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
412
413 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
414 libraries.
415
416 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
417 about several machine instruction sets.
418
419 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
420 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
421 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
422 and RDI targets, respectively.
423
424 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
425 command-line editing and command history.
426
427 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
428 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
429
430 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
431 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
432 symbols.
433
434 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
435 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
436
437 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
438
439 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
440 processors.
441
442 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
443
444 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
445
446 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
447
448 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
449 watchpoints.
450
451 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
452
453 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
454
455 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
456 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
457
458 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
459 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
460 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
461 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
462 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
463 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
464 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
465
466 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
467 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
468
469 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
470 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
471 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
472 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
473 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
474 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
475 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
476 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
477 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
478 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
479 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
480 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
481 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
482 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
483 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
484
485 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
486 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
487
488 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
489 Hat.
490
491 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
492 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
493 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
494 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
495 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
496 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
497
498 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
499 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
500 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
501 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
502 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
503 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
504 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
505 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
506 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
507 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
508 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
509 Weigand.
510
511 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
512 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
513 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
514 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
515
516 @node Sample Session
517 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
518
519 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
520 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
521 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
522
523 @iftex
524 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
525 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
526 @end iftex
527
528 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
529 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
530
531 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
532 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
533 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
534 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
535 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
536 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
537 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
538 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
539 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
540
541 @smallexample
542 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
543 $ @b{./m4}
544 @b{define(foo,0000)}
545
546 @b{foo}
547 0000
548 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
549
550 @b{bar}
551 0000
552 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
553
554 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
555 @b{baz}
556 @b{Ctrl-d}
557 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
558 @end smallexample
559
560 @noindent
561 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
562
563 @smallexample
564 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
565 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
566 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
567 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
568 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
569 the conditions.
570 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
571 for details.
572
573 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
574 (@value{GDBP})
575 @end smallexample
576
577 @noindent
578 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
579 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
580 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
581 that examples fit in this manual.
582
583 @smallexample
584 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
585 @end smallexample
586
587 @noindent
588 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
589 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
590 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
591 @code{break} command.
592
593 @smallexample
594 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
595 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
596 @end smallexample
597
598 @noindent
599 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
600 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
601 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
602
603 @smallexample
604 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
605 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
606 @b{define(foo,0000)}
607
608 @b{foo}
609 0000
610 @end smallexample
611
612 @noindent
613 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
614 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
615 context where it stops.
616
617 @smallexample
618 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
619
620 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
621 at builtin.c:879
622 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
623 @end smallexample
624
625 @noindent
626 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
627 the next line of the current function.
628
629 @smallexample
630 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
631 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
632 : nil,
633 @end smallexample
634
635 @noindent
636 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
637 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
638 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
639 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
640
641 @smallexample
642 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
643 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
644 at input.c:530
645 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
646 @end smallexample
647
648 @noindent
649 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
650 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
651 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
652 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
653 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
654 stack frame for each active subroutine.
655
656 @smallexample
657 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
658 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
659 at input.c:530
660 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
661 at builtin.c:882
662 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
663 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
664 at macro.c:71
665 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
666 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
667 @end smallexample
668
669 @noindent
670 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
671 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
672 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
673
674 @smallexample
675 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
676 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
677 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
678 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
679 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
680 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
681 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
682 : xstrdup(rq);
683 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
684 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
685 @end smallexample
686
687 @noindent
688 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
689 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
690 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
691 (@code{print}) to see their values.
692
693 @smallexample
694 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
695 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
696 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
697 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
698 @end smallexample
699
700 @noindent
701 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
702 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
703 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
704
705 @smallexample
706 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
707 533 xfree(rquote);
708 534
709 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
710 : xstrdup (lq);
711 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
712 : xstrdup (rq);
713 537
714 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
715 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
716 540 @}
717 541
718 542 void
719 @end smallexample
720
721 @noindent
722 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
723 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
724
725 @smallexample
726 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
727 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
728 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
729 540 @}
730 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
731 $3 = 9
732 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
733 $4 = 7
734 @end smallexample
735
736 @noindent
737 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
738 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
739 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
740 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
741 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
742 assignments.
743
744 @smallexample
745 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
746 $5 = 7
747 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
748 $6 = 9
749 @end smallexample
750
751 @noindent
752 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
753 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
754 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
755 example that caused trouble initially:
756
757 @smallexample
758 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
759 Continuing.
760
761 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
762
763 baz
764 0000
765 @end smallexample
766
767 @noindent
768 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
769 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
770 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
771
772 @smallexample
773 @b{Ctrl-d}
774 Program exited normally.
775 @end smallexample
776
777 @noindent
778 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
779 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
780 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
781
782 @smallexample
783 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
784 @end smallexample
785
786 @node Invocation
787 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
788
789 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
790 The essentials are:
791 @itemize @bullet
792 @item
793 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
794 @item
795 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
796 @end itemize
797
798 @menu
799 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
800 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
801 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
802 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
803 @end menu
804
805 @node Invoking GDB
806 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
807
808 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
809 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
810
811 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
812 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
813
814 The command-line options described here are designed
815 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
816 options may effectively be unavailable.
817
818 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
819 specifying an executable program:
820
821 @smallexample
822 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
823 @end smallexample
824
825 @noindent
826 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
827 specified:
828
829 @smallexample
830 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
831 @end smallexample
832
833 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
834 to debug a running process:
835
836 @smallexample
837 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
838 @end smallexample
839
840 @noindent
841 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
842 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
843
844 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
845 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
846 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
847 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
848 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
849
850 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
851 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
852 option processing.
853 @smallexample
854 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
855 @end smallexample
856 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
857 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
858
859 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
860 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
861
862 @smallexample
863 @value{GDBP} -silent
864 @end smallexample
865
866 @noindent
867 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
868 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
869
870 @noindent
871 Type
872
873 @smallexample
874 @value{GDBP} -help
875 @end smallexample
876
877 @noindent
878 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
879 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
880
881 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
882 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
883 @samp{-x} option is used.
884
885
886 @menu
887 * File Options:: Choosing files
888 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
889 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
890 @end menu
891
892 @node File Options
893 @subsection Choosing Files
894
895 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
896 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
897 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
898 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
899 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
900 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
901 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
902 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
903 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
904 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
905 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
906 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
907 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
908
909 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
910 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
911 argument and ignore it.
912
913 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
914 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
915 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
916 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
917 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
918
919 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
920 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
921 @c it.
922
923 @table @code
924 @item -symbols @var{file}
925 @itemx -s @var{file}
926 @cindex @code{--symbols}
927 @cindex @code{-s}
928 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
929
930 @item -exec @var{file}
931 @itemx -e @var{file}
932 @cindex @code{--exec}
933 @cindex @code{-e}
934 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
935 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
936
937 @item -se @var{file}
938 @cindex @code{--se}
939 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
940 file.
941
942 @item -core @var{file}
943 @itemx -c @var{file}
944 @cindex @code{--core}
945 @cindex @code{-c}
946 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
947
948 @item -pid @var{number}
949 @itemx -p @var{number}
950 @cindex @code{--pid}
951 @cindex @code{-p}
952 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
953
954 @item -command @var{file}
955 @itemx -x @var{file}
956 @cindex @code{--command}
957 @cindex @code{-x}
958 Execute @value{GDBN} commands from file @var{file}. @xref{Command
959 Files,, Command files}.
960
961 @item -eval-command @var{command}
962 @itemx -ex @var{command}
963 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
964 @cindex @code{-ex}
965 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
966
967 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
968 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
969
970 @smallexample
971 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
972 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
973 @end smallexample
974
975 @item -directory @var{directory}
976 @itemx -d @var{directory}
977 @cindex @code{--directory}
978 @cindex @code{-d}
979 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
980
981 @item -r
982 @itemx -readnow
983 @cindex @code{--readnow}
984 @cindex @code{-r}
985 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
986 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
987 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
988
989 @end table
990
991 @node Mode Options
992 @subsection Choosing Modes
993
994 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
995 batch mode or quiet mode.
996
997 @table @code
998 @item -nx
999 @itemx -n
1000 @cindex @code{--nx}
1001 @cindex @code{-n}
1002 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1003 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1004 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1005 Files}.
1006
1007 @item -quiet
1008 @itemx -silent
1009 @itemx -q
1010 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1011 @cindex @code{--silent}
1012 @cindex @code{-q}
1013 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1014 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1015
1016 @item -batch
1017 @cindex @code{--batch}
1018 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1019 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1020 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1021 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1022 in the command files.
1023
1024 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1025 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1026 make this more useful, the message
1027
1028 @smallexample
1029 Program exited normally.
1030 @end smallexample
1031
1032 @noindent
1033 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1034 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1035 mode.
1036
1037 @item -batch-silent
1038 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1039 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1040 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1041 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1042 for an interactive session.
1043
1044 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1045 messages, for example.
1046
1047 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1048 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1049
1050 @item -return-child-result
1051 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1052 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1053 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1054
1055 @itemize @bullet
1056 @item
1057 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1058 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1059 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1060 @item
1061 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1062 @item
1063 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1064 the exit code will be -1.
1065 @end itemize
1066
1067 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1068 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1069 interface.
1070
1071 @item -nowindows
1072 @itemx -nw
1073 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1074 @cindex @code{-nw}
1075 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1076 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1077 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1078
1079 @item -windows
1080 @itemx -w
1081 @cindex @code{--windows}
1082 @cindex @code{-w}
1083 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1084 used if possible.
1085
1086 @item -cd @var{directory}
1087 @cindex @code{--cd}
1088 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1089 instead of the current directory.
1090
1091 @item -fullname
1092 @itemx -f
1093 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1094 @cindex @code{-f}
1095 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1096 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1097 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1098 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1099 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1100 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1101 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1102 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1103 frame.
1104
1105 @item -epoch
1106 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1107 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1108 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1109 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1110 separate window.
1111
1112 @item -annotate @var{level}
1113 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1114 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1115 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1116 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1117 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1118 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1119 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1120 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1121 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1122
1123 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1124 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1125
1126 @item --args
1127 @cindex @code{--args}
1128 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1129 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1130 This option stops option processing.
1131
1132 @item -baud @var{bps}
1133 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1134 @cindex @code{--baud}
1135 @cindex @code{-b}
1136 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1137 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1138
1139 @item -l @var{timeout}
1140 @cindex @code{-l}
1141 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1142 for remote debugging.
1143
1144 @item -tty @var{device}
1145 @itemx -t @var{device}
1146 @cindex @code{--tty}
1147 @cindex @code{-t}
1148 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1149 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1150
1151 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1152 @item -tui
1153 @cindex @code{--tui}
1154 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1155 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1156 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1157 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1158 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1159 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1160 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1161
1162 @c @item -xdb
1163 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1164 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1165 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1166 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1167 @c systems.
1168
1169 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1170 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1171 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1172 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1173 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1174 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1175
1176 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1177 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1178 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1179 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1180 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1181 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1182
1183 @item -write
1184 @cindex @code{--write}
1185 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1186 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1187 (@pxref{Patching}).
1188
1189 @item -statistics
1190 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1191 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1192 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1193
1194 @item -version
1195 @cindex @code{--version}
1196 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1197 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1198
1199 @end table
1200
1201 @node Startup
1202 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1203 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1204
1205 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1206
1207 @enumerate
1208 @item
1209 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1210 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1211
1212 @item
1213 @cindex init file
1214 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1215 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1216 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1217 that file.
1218
1219 @item
1220 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1221 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1222 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1223 that file.
1224
1225 @item
1226 Processes command line options and operands.
1227
1228 @item
1229 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1230 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1231 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1232 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1233 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1234 @value{GDBN}.
1235
1236 @item
1237 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1238 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1239
1240 @item
1241 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1242 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1243 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1244 @end enumerate
1245
1246 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1247 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1248 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1249 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1250 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1251 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1252
1253 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1254 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1255
1256 @cindex init file name
1257 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1258 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1259 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1260 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1261 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1262 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1263 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1264 the file to the standard name.
1265
1266
1267 @node Quitting GDB
1268 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1269 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1270 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1271
1272 @table @code
1273 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1274 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1275 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1276 @itemx q
1277 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1278 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1279 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1280 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1281 error code.
1282 @end table
1283
1284 @cindex interrupt
1285 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1286 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1287 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1288 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1289 until a time when it is safe.
1290
1291 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1292 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1293 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1294
1295 @node Shell Commands
1296 @section Shell Commands
1297
1298 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1299 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1300 just use the @code{shell} command.
1301
1302 @table @code
1303 @kindex shell
1304 @cindex shell escape
1305 @item shell @var{command string}
1306 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1307 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1308 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1309 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1310 @end table
1311
1312 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1313 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1314 @value{GDBN}:
1315
1316 @table @code
1317 @kindex make
1318 @cindex calling make
1319 @item make @var{make-args}
1320 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1321 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1322 @end table
1323
1324 @node Logging Output
1325 @section Logging Output
1326 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1327 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1328
1329 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1330 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1331
1332 @table @code
1333 @kindex set logging
1334 @item set logging on
1335 Enable logging.
1336 @item set logging off
1337 Disable logging.
1338 @cindex logging file name
1339 @item set logging file @var{file}
1340 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1341 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1342 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1343 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1344 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1345 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1346 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1347 @kindex show logging
1348 @item show logging
1349 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1350 @end table
1351
1352 @node Commands
1353 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1354
1355 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1356 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1357 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1358 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1359 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1360
1361 @menu
1362 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1363 * Completion:: Command completion
1364 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1365 @end menu
1366
1367 @node Command Syntax
1368 @section Command Syntax
1369
1370 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1371 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1372 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1373 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1374 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1375 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1376
1377 @cindex abbreviation
1378 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1379 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1380 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1381 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1382 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1383 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1384 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1385
1386 @cindex repeating commands
1387 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1388 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1389 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1390 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1391 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1392 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1393 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1394
1395 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1396 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1397 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1398
1399 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1400 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1401 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1402 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1403 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1404
1405 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1406 @cindex comment
1407 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1408 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1409 Files,,Command Files}).
1410
1411 @cindex repeating command sequences
1412 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1413 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1414 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1415 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1416 for editing.
1417
1418 @node Completion
1419 @section Command Completion
1420
1421 @cindex completion
1422 @cindex word completion
1423 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1424 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1425 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1426 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1427
1428 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1429 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1430 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1431 enter it). For example, if you type
1432
1433 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1434 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1435 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1436 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1437 @smallexample
1438 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1439 @end smallexample
1440
1441 @noindent
1442 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1443 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1444
1445 @smallexample
1446 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1447 @end smallexample
1448
1449 @noindent
1450 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1451 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1452 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1453 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1454 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1455 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1456
1457 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1458 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1459 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1460 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1461 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1462 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1463 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1464 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1465 example:
1466
1467 @smallexample
1468 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1469 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1470 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1471 make_abs_section make_function_type
1472 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1473 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1474 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1475 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1476 @end smallexample
1477
1478 @noindent
1479 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1480 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1481 command.
1482
1483 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1484 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1485 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1486 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1487 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1488
1489 @cindex quotes in commands
1490 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1491 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1492 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1493 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1494 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1495 @value{GDBN} commands.
1496
1497 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1498 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1499 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1500 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1501 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1502 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1503 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1504 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1505 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1506 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1507 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1508
1509 @smallexample
1510 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1511 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1512 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1513 @end smallexample
1514
1515 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1516 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1517 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1518 place:
1519
1520 @smallexample
1521 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1522 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1523 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1524 @end smallexample
1525
1526 @noindent
1527 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1528 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1529 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1530
1531 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1532 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1533 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1534 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1535
1536 @cindex completion of structure field names
1537 @cindex structure field name completion
1538 @cindex completion of union field names
1539 @cindex union field name completion
1540 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1541 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1542 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1543 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1544 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1545 left-hand-side:
1546
1547 @smallexample
1548 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1549 magic to_delete to_fputs to_put to_rewind
1550 to_data to_flush to_isatty to_read to_write
1551 @end smallexample
1552
1553 @noindent
1554 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1555 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1556 follows:
1557
1558 @smallexample
1559 struct ui_file
1560 @{
1561 int *magic;
1562 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1563 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1564 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1565 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1566 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1567 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1568 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1569 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1570 void *to_data;
1571 @}
1572 @end smallexample
1573
1574
1575 @node Help
1576 @section Getting Help
1577 @cindex online documentation
1578 @kindex help
1579
1580 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1581 using the command @code{help}.
1582
1583 @table @code
1584 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1585 @item help
1586 @itemx h
1587 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1588 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1589
1590 @smallexample
1591 (@value{GDBP}) help
1592 List of classes of commands:
1593
1594 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1595 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1596 data -- Examining data
1597 files -- Specifying and examining files
1598 internals -- Maintenance commands
1599 obscure -- Obscure features
1600 running -- Running the program
1601 stack -- Examining the stack
1602 status -- Status inquiries
1603 support -- Support facilities
1604 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1605 stopping the program
1606 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1607
1608 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1609 commands in that class.
1610 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1611 documentation.
1612 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1613 (@value{GDBP})
1614 @end smallexample
1615 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1616
1617 @item help @var{class}
1618 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1619 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1620 help display for the class @code{status}:
1621
1622 @smallexample
1623 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1624 Status inquiries.
1625
1626 List of commands:
1627
1628 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1629 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1630 info -- Generic command for showing things
1631 about the program being debugged
1632 show -- Generic command for showing things
1633 about the debugger
1634
1635 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1636 documentation.
1637 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1638 (@value{GDBP})
1639 @end smallexample
1640
1641 @item help @var{command}
1642 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1643 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1644
1645 @kindex apropos
1646 @item apropos @var{args}
1647 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1648 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1649 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1650
1651 @smallexample
1652 apropos reload
1653 @end smallexample
1654
1655 @noindent
1656 results in:
1657
1658 @smallexample
1659 @c @group
1660 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1661 multiple times in one run
1662 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1663 multiple times in one run
1664 @c @end group
1665 @end smallexample
1666
1667 @kindex complete
1668 @item complete @var{args}
1669 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1670 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1671 command you want completed. For example:
1672
1673 @smallexample
1674 complete i
1675 @end smallexample
1676
1677 @noindent results in:
1678
1679 @smallexample
1680 @group
1681 if
1682 ignore
1683 info
1684 inspect
1685 @end group
1686 @end smallexample
1687
1688 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1689 @end table
1690
1691 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1692 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1693 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1694 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1695 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1696 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1697
1698 @c @group
1699 @table @code
1700 @kindex info
1701 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1702 @item info
1703 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1704 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1705 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1706 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1707 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1708 @w{@code{help info}}.
1709
1710 @kindex set
1711 @item set
1712 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1713 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1714 @code{set prompt $}.
1715
1716 @kindex show
1717 @item show
1718 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1719 @value{GDBN} itself.
1720 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1721 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1722 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1723 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1724
1725 @kindex info set
1726 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1727 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1728 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1729 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1730 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1731 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1732 @end table
1733 @c @end group
1734
1735 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1736 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1737
1738 @table @code
1739 @kindex show version
1740 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1741 @item show version
1742 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1743 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1744 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1745 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1746 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1747 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1748 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1749 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1750 @value{GDBN}.
1751
1752 @kindex show copying
1753 @kindex info copying
1754 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1755 @item show copying
1756 @itemx info copying
1757 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1758
1759 @kindex show warranty
1760 @kindex info warranty
1761 @item show warranty
1762 @itemx info warranty
1763 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1764 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1765
1766 @end table
1767
1768 @node Running
1769 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1770
1771 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1772 debugging information when you compile it.
1773
1774 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1775 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1776 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1777 kill a child process.
1778
1779 @menu
1780 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1781 * Starting:: Starting your program
1782 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1783 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1784
1785 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1786 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1787 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1788 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1789
1790 * Inferiors:: Debugging multiple inferiors
1791 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1792 * Processes:: Debugging programs with multiple processes
1793 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1794 @end menu
1795
1796 @node Compilation
1797 @section Compiling for Debugging
1798
1799 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1800 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1801 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1802 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1803 and addresses in the executable code.
1804
1805 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1806 the compiler.
1807
1808 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1809 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, many
1810 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1811 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1812 executables containing debugging information.
1813
1814 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1815 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1816 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1817 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1818 in pushing your luck.
1819
1820 @cindex optimized code, debugging
1821 @cindex debugging optimized code
1822 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
1823 optimizer is rearranging your code; the debugger shows you what is
1824 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
1825 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
1826 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
1827 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
1828
1829 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
1830 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
1831 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
1832 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
1833 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
1834
1835 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1836 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1837 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1838
1839 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1840 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1841 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1842 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1843 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1844 provides macro information if you specify the options
1845 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1846 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1847 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1848 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1849 @option{-g} alone.
1850
1851 @need 2000
1852 @node Starting
1853 @section Starting your Program
1854 @cindex starting
1855 @cindex running
1856
1857 @table @code
1858 @kindex run
1859 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1860 @item run
1861 @itemx r
1862 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1863 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1864 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1865 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1866 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1867
1868 @end table
1869
1870 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1871 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1872 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1873 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1874 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1875 message like this one:
1876
1877 @smallexample
1878 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1879 Try "help target" or "continue".
1880 @end smallexample
1881
1882 @noindent
1883 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1884 first (@pxref{load}).
1885
1886 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1887 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1888 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1889 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1890 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1891 divided into four categories:
1892
1893 @table @asis
1894 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1895 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1896 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1897 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1898 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1899 the arguments.
1900 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1901 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1902 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1903
1904 @item The @emph{environment.}
1905 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1906 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1907 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1908 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1909
1910 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1911 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1912 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1913 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1914
1915 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1916 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1917 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1918 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1919 set a different device for your program.
1920 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1921
1922 @cindex pipes
1923 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1924 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1925 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1926 wrong program.
1927 @end table
1928
1929 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1930 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1931 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1932 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1933 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1934
1935 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1936 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1937 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1938 your current breakpoints.
1939
1940 @table @code
1941 @kindex start
1942 @item start
1943 @cindex run to main procedure
1944 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1945 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1946 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1947 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1948 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1949 procedure, depending on the language used.
1950
1951 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1952 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1953 the @samp{run} command.
1954
1955 @cindex elaboration phase
1956 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1957 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1958 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1959 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1960 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1961 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1962 will remain to halt execution.
1963
1964 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1965 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
1966 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
1967 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
1968 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
1969
1970 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
1971 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
1972 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
1973 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
1974 elaboration code before running your program.
1975
1976 @kindex set exec-wrapper
1977 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
1978 @itemx show exec-wrapper
1979 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
1980 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
1981 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
1982 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
1983 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
1984 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
1985 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
1986 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
1987
1988 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
1989 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
1990 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
1991 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
1992
1993 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
1994 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
1995 environment:
1996
1997 @smallexample
1998 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
1999 (@value{GDBP}) run
2000 @end smallexample
2001
2002 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2003 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2004
2005 @kindex set disable-randomization
2006 @item set disable-randomization
2007 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2008 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2009 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2010 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2011 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2012
2013 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2014 behavior using
2015
2016 @smallexample
2017 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2018 @end smallexample
2019
2020 @item set disable-randomization off
2021 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2022 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2023 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2024 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2025 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2026 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2027
2028 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2029 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2030 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2031 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2032 a code at its expected addresses.
2033
2034 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2035 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2036 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2037 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2038 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2039 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2040 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2041 a randomly chosen address.
2042
2043 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2044 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2045 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2046 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2047 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2048
2049 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2050 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2051
2052 @item show disable-randomization
2053 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2054 the virtual address space of the started program.
2055
2056 @end table
2057
2058 @node Arguments
2059 @section Your Program's Arguments
2060
2061 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2062 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2063 @code{run} command.
2064 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2065 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2066 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2067 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2068 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2069
2070 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2071 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2072 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2073 the program, not by the shell.
2074
2075 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2076 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2077
2078 @table @code
2079 @kindex set args
2080 @item set args
2081 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2082 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2083 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2084 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2085 it again without arguments.
2086
2087 @kindex show args
2088 @item show args
2089 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2090 @end table
2091
2092 @node Environment
2093 @section Your Program's Environment
2094
2095 @cindex environment (of your program)
2096 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2097 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2098 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2099 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2100 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2101 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2102 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2103
2104 @table @code
2105 @kindex path
2106 @item path @var{directory}
2107 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2108 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2109 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2110 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2111 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2112 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2113 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2114
2115 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2116 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2117 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2118 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2119 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2120 @var{directory} to the search path.
2121 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2122 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2123
2124 @kindex show paths
2125 @item show paths
2126 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2127 environment variable).
2128
2129 @kindex show environment
2130 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2131 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2132 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2133 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2134 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2135
2136 @kindex set environment
2137 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2138 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2139 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2140 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2141 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2142 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2143 null value.
2144 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2145 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2146
2147 For example, this command:
2148
2149 @smallexample
2150 set env USER = foo
2151 @end smallexample
2152
2153 @noindent
2154 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2155 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2156 are not actually required.)
2157
2158 @kindex unset environment
2159 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2160 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2161 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2162 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2163 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2164 @end table
2165
2166 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2167 the shell indicated
2168 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2169 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2170 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2171 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2172 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2173 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2174 @file{.profile}.
2175
2176 @node Working Directory
2177 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2178
2179 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2180 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2181 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2182 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2183 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2184 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2185
2186 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2187 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2188 Specify Files}.
2189
2190 @table @code
2191 @kindex cd
2192 @cindex change working directory
2193 @item cd @var{directory}
2194 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2195
2196 @kindex pwd
2197 @item pwd
2198 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2199 @end table
2200
2201 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2202 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2203 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2204 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2205 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2206 current working directory of the debuggee.
2207
2208 @node Input/Output
2209 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2210
2211 @cindex redirection
2212 @cindex i/o
2213 @cindex terminal
2214 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2215 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2216 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2217 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2218 running your program.
2219
2220 @table @code
2221 @kindex info terminal
2222 @item info terminal
2223 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2224 program is using.
2225 @end table
2226
2227 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2228 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2229
2230 @smallexample
2231 run > outfile
2232 @end smallexample
2233
2234 @noindent
2235 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2236
2237 @kindex tty
2238 @cindex controlling terminal
2239 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2240 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2241 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2242 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2243 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2244
2245 @smallexample
2246 tty /dev/ttyb
2247 @end smallexample
2248
2249 @noindent
2250 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2251 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2252 that as their controlling terminal.
2253
2254 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2255 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2256 terminal.
2257
2258 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2259 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2260 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2261 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2262
2263 @cindex inferior tty
2264 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2265 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2266 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2267 program.
2268
2269 @table @code
2270 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2271 @kindex set inferior-tty
2272 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2273
2274 @item show inferior-tty
2275 @kindex show inferior-tty
2276 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2277 @end table
2278
2279 @node Attach
2280 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2281 @kindex attach
2282 @cindex attach
2283
2284 @table @code
2285 @item attach @var{process-id}
2286 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2287 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2288 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2289 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2290 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2291
2292 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2293 executing the command.
2294 @end table
2295
2296 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2297 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2298 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2299 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2300
2301 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2302 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2303 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2304 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2305 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2306 Specify Files}.
2307
2308 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2309 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2310 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2311 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2312 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2313 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2314 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2315
2316 @table @code
2317 @kindex detach
2318 @item detach
2319 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2320 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2321 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2322 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2323 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2324 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2325 executing the command.
2326 @end table
2327
2328 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2329 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2330 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2331 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2332 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2333 Messages}).
2334
2335 @node Kill Process
2336 @section Killing the Child Process
2337
2338 @table @code
2339 @kindex kill
2340 @item kill
2341 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2342 @end table
2343
2344 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2345 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2346 is running.
2347
2348 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2349 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2350 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2351 outside the debugger.
2352
2353 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2354 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2355 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2356 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2357 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2358 breakpoint settings).
2359
2360 @node Inferiors
2361 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors
2362
2363 Some @value{GDBN} targets are able to run multiple processes created
2364 from a single executable. This can happen, for instance, with an
2365 embedded system reporting back several processes via the remote
2366 protocol.
2367
2368 @cindex inferior
2369 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2370 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2371 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2372 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2373 may (in future) be retained after a process exits. Each run of an
2374 executable creates a new inferior, as does each attachment to an
2375 existing process. Inferiors have unique identifiers that are
2376 different from process ids, and may optionally be named as well.
2377 Usually each inferior will also have its own distinct address space,
2378 although some embedded targets may have several inferiors running in
2379 different parts of a single space.
2380
2381 Each inferior may in turn have multiple threads running in it.
2382
2383 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @code{info inferiors}:
2384
2385 @table @code
2386 @kindex info inferiors
2387 @item info inferiors
2388 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2389
2390 @kindex set print inferior-events
2391 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2392 @item set print inferior-events
2393 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2394 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2395 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2396 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2397 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2398 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2399
2400 @kindex show print inferior-events
2401 @item show print inferior-events
2402 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2403 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2404 @end table
2405
2406 @node Threads
2407 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2408
2409 @cindex threads of execution
2410 @cindex multiple threads
2411 @cindex switching threads
2412 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2413 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2414 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2415 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2416 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2417 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2418 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2419
2420 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2421 programs:
2422
2423 @itemize @bullet
2424 @item automatic notification of new threads
2425 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2426 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2427 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2428 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2429 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2430 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2431 messages on thread start and exit.
2432 @end itemize
2433
2434 @quotation
2435 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2436 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2437 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2438 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2439 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2440 like this:
2441
2442 @smallexample
2443 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2444 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2445 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2446 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2447 @end smallexample
2448 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2449 @c doesn't support threads"?
2450 @end quotation
2451
2452 @cindex focus of debugging
2453 @cindex current thread
2454 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2455 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2456 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2457 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2458 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2459
2460 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2461 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2462 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2463 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2464 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2465 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2466 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2467 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2468 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2469 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2470
2471 @smallexample
2472 [New Thread 46912507313328 (LWP 25582)]
2473 @end smallexample
2474
2475 @noindent
2476 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2477 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2478 further qualifier.
2479
2480 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2481 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2482 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2483 @c program?
2484 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2485 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2486 @c threads ab initio?
2487
2488 @cindex thread number
2489 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2490 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2491 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2492
2493 @table @code
2494 @kindex info threads
2495 @item info threads
2496 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2497 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2498
2499 @enumerate
2500 @item
2501 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2502
2503 @item
2504 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2505
2506 @item
2507 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2508 @end enumerate
2509
2510 @noindent
2511 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2512 indicates the current thread.
2513
2514 For example,
2515 @end table
2516 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2517
2518 @smallexample
2519 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2520 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2521 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2522 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2523 at threadtest.c:68
2524 @end smallexample
2525
2526 On HP-UX systems:
2527
2528 @cindex debugging multithreaded programs (on HP-UX)
2529 @cindex thread identifier (GDB), on HP-UX
2530 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2531 number---a small integer assigned in thread-creation order---with each
2532 thread in your program.
2533
2534 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message, on HP-UX
2535 @cindex thread identifier (system), on HP-UX
2536 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2537 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2538 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2539 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2540 both @value{GDBN}'s thread number and the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2541 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2542 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2543 HP-UX, you see
2544
2545 @smallexample
2546 [New thread 2 (system thread 26594)]
2547 @end smallexample
2548
2549 @noindent
2550 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread.
2551
2552 @table @code
2553 @kindex info threads (HP-UX)
2554 @item info threads
2555 Display a summary of all threads currently in your
2556 program. @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2557
2558 @enumerate
2559 @item the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2560
2561 @item the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2562
2563 @item the current stack frame summary for that thread
2564 @end enumerate
2565
2566 @noindent
2567 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2568 indicates the current thread.
2569
2570 For example,
2571 @end table
2572 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2573
2574 @smallexample
2575 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2576 * 3 system thread 26607 worker (wptr=0x7b09c318 "@@") \@*
2577 at quicksort.c:137
2578 2 system thread 26606 0x7b0030d8 in __ksleep () \@*
2579 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2580 1 system thread 27905 0x7b003498 in _brk () \@*
2581 from /usr/lib/libc.2
2582 @end smallexample
2583
2584 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2585 Solaris-specific command:
2586
2587 @table @code
2588 @item maint info sol-threads
2589 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2590 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2591 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2592 @end table
2593
2594 @table @code
2595 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2596 @item thread @var{threadno}
2597 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2598 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2599 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2600 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2601 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2602
2603 @smallexample
2604 @c FIXME!! This example made up; find a @value{GDBN} w/threads and get real one
2605 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2606 [Switching to process 35 thread 23]
2607 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2608 @end smallexample
2609
2610 @noindent
2611 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2612 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2613 threads.
2614
2615 @kindex thread apply
2616 @cindex apply command to several threads
2617 @item thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{command}
2618 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2619 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2620 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2621 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2622 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2623 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2624 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2625
2626 @kindex set print thread-events
2627 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2628 @item set print thread-events
2629 @itemx set print thread-events on
2630 @itemx set print thread-events off
2631 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2632 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2633 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2634 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2635 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2636
2637 @kindex show print thread-events
2638 @item show print thread-events
2639 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2640 have started and exited.
2641 @end table
2642
2643 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2644 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2645 programs with multiple threads.
2646
2647 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2648 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2649
2650 @node Processes
2651 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Processes
2652
2653 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2654 @cindex multiple processes
2655 @cindex processes, multiple
2656 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2657 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2658 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2659 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2660 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2661 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2662 will cause it to terminate.
2663
2664 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2665 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2666 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2667 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2668 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2669 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2670 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2671 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2672 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2673 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2674
2675 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2676 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2677 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2678 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2679
2680 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2681 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2682
2683 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2684 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2685
2686 @table @code
2687 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2688 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2689 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2690 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2691 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2692
2693 @table @code
2694 @item parent
2695 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2696 unimpeded. This is the default.
2697
2698 @item child
2699 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2700 unimpeded.
2701
2702 @end table
2703
2704 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2705 @item show follow-fork-mode
2706 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2707 @end table
2708
2709 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2710 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2711 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2712
2713 @table @code
2714 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2715 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2716 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2717 retain debugger control over them both.
2718
2719 @table @code
2720 @item on
2721 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2722 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2723 independently. This is the default.
2724
2725 @item off
2726 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2727 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2728 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2729 is held suspended.
2730
2731 @end table
2732
2733 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2734 @item show detach-on-fork
2735 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2736 @end table
2737
2738 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then
2739 @value{GDBN} will retain control of all forked processes (including
2740 nested forks). You can list the forked processes under the control of
2741 @value{GDBN} by using the @w{@code{info forks}} command, and switch
2742 from one fork to another by using the @w{@code{fork}} command.
2743
2744 @table @code
2745 @kindex info forks
2746 @item info forks
2747 Print a list of all forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2748 The listing will include a fork id, a process id, and the current
2749 position (program counter) of the process.
2750
2751 @kindex fork @var{fork-id}
2752 @item fork @var{fork-id}
2753 Make fork number @var{fork-id} the current process. The argument
2754 @var{fork-id} is the internal fork number assigned by @value{GDBN},
2755 as shown in the first field of the @samp{info forks} display.
2756
2757 @kindex process @var{process-id}
2758 @item process @var{process-id}
2759 Make process number @var{process-id} the current process. The
2760 argument @var{process-id} must be one that is listed in the output of
2761 @samp{info forks}.
2762
2763 @end table
2764
2765 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2766 from it by using the @w{@code{detach fork}} command (allowing it to
2767 run independently), or delete (and kill) it using the
2768 @w{@code{delete fork}} command.
2769
2770 @table @code
2771 @kindex detach fork @var{fork-id}
2772 @item detach fork @var{fork-id}
2773 Detach from the process identified by @value{GDBN} fork number
2774 @var{fork-id}, and remove it from the fork list. The process will be
2775 allowed to run independently.
2776
2777 @kindex delete fork @var{fork-id}
2778 @item delete fork @var{fork-id}
2779 Kill the process identified by @value{GDBN} fork number @var{fork-id},
2780 and remove it from the fork list.
2781
2782 @end table
2783
2784 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
2785 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
2786 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
2787 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
2788 the child process's @code{main}.
2789
2790 When a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you cannot debug the
2791 child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
2792
2793 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
2794 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent process,
2795 use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name as its
2796 argument.
2797
2798 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
2799 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
2800 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
2801
2802 @node Checkpoint/Restart
2803 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
2804
2805 @cindex checkpoint
2806 @cindex restart
2807 @cindex bookmark
2808 @cindex snapshot of a process
2809 @cindex rewind program state
2810
2811 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
2812 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
2813 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
2814 later.
2815
2816 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
2817 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
2818 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
2819 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
2820 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
2821
2822 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
2823 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
2824 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
2825 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
2826 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
2827 start again from there.
2828
2829 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
2830 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
2831
2832 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
2833
2834 @table @code
2835 @kindex checkpoint
2836 @item checkpoint
2837 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
2838 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
2839 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
2840
2841 @kindex info checkpoints
2842 @item info checkpoints
2843 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
2844 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
2845 listed:
2846
2847 @table @code
2848 @item Checkpoint ID
2849 @item Process ID
2850 @item Code Address
2851 @item Source line, or label
2852 @end table
2853
2854 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
2855 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
2856 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
2857 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
2858 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
2859 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
2860 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
2861
2862 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
2863 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
2864 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
2865 the debugger.
2866
2867 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
2868 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
2869 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
2870
2871 @end table
2872
2873 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
2874 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
2875 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
2876 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
2877 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
2878 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
2879 previously read data can be read again.
2880
2881 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
2882 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
2883 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
2884 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
2885 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
2886 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
2887
2888 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
2889 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
2890 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
2891 different execution path this time.
2892
2893 @cindex checkpoints and process id
2894 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
2895 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
2896 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
2897 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
2898 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
2899 potentially pose a problem.
2900
2901 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
2902
2903 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
2904 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
2905 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
2906 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
2907 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
2908 next.
2909
2910 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
2911 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
2912 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
2913 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
2914 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
2915
2916 @node Stopping
2917 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
2918
2919 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
2920 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
2921 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
2922
2923 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
2924 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
2925 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
2926 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
2927 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
2928 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
2929 explicitly request this information at any time.
2930
2931 @table @code
2932 @kindex info program
2933 @item info program
2934 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
2935 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
2936 @end table
2937
2938 @menu
2939 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
2940 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
2941 * Signals:: Signals
2942 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
2943 @end menu
2944
2945 @node Breakpoints
2946 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
2947
2948 @cindex breakpoints
2949 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
2950 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
2951 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
2952 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
2953 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
2954 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
2955 program.
2956
2957 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
2958 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
2959 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
2960 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
2961 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
2962 call).
2963
2964 @cindex watchpoints
2965 @cindex data breakpoints
2966 @cindex memory tracing
2967 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
2968 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
2969 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
2970 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
2971 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
2972 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
2973 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
2974 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
2975 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
2976 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
2977 same commands.
2978
2979 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
2980 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
2981 Automatic Display}.
2982
2983 @cindex catchpoints
2984 @cindex breakpoint on events
2985 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
2986 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
2987 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
2988 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
2989 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
2990 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
2991 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
2992
2993 @cindex breakpoint numbers
2994 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
2995 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
2996 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
2997 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
2998 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
2999 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3000 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3001 enable it again.
3002
3003 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3004 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3005 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3006 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3007 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3008 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3009 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3010
3011 @menu
3012 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3013 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3014 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3015 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3016 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3017 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3018 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3019 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3020 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3021 @end menu
3022
3023 @node Set Breaks
3024 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3025
3026 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3027 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3028 @c
3029 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3030
3031 @kindex break
3032 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3033 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3034 @cindex latest breakpoint
3035 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3036 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3037 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3038 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3039 convenience variables.
3040
3041 @table @code
3042 @item break @var{location}
3043 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3044 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3045 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3046 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3047 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3048
3049 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3050 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3051 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3052 that situation.
3053
3054 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3055 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3056 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3057
3058 @item break
3059 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3060 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3061 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3062 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3063 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3064 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3065 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3066 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3067 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3068 inside loops.
3069
3070 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3071 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3072 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3073 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3074 existed when your program stopped.
3075
3076 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3077 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3078 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3079 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3080 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3081 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3082 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3083
3084 @kindex tbreak
3085 @item tbreak @var{args}
3086 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3087 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3088 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3089 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3090
3091 @kindex hbreak
3092 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3093 @item hbreak @var{args}
3094 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3095 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3096 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3097 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3098 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3099 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3100 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3101 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3102 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3103 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3104 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3105 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3106 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3107 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3108 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3109 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3110 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3111 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3112
3113 @kindex thbreak
3114 @item thbreak @var{args}
3115 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3116 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3117 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3118 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3119 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3120 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3121 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3122 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3123
3124 @kindex rbreak
3125 @cindex regular expression
3126 @cindex breakpoints in functions matching a regexp
3127 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3128 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3129 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3130 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3131 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3132 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3133 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3134 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3135
3136 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3137 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3138 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3139 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3140 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3141 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3142
3143 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3144 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3145 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3146 classes.
3147
3148 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3149 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3150 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3151
3152 @smallexample
3153 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3154 @end smallexample
3155
3156 @kindex info breakpoints
3157 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3158 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3159 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3160 @itemx info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3161 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3162 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3163 about the specified breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint). For
3164 each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3165
3166 @table @emph
3167 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3168 @item Type
3169 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3170 @item Disposition
3171 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3172 @item Enabled or Disabled
3173 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3174 that are not enabled.
3175 @item Address
3176 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3177 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3178 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3179 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3180 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3181 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3182 @item What
3183 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3184 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3185 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3186 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3187 @end table
3188
3189 @noindent
3190 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3191 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3192 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3193 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3194 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3195 valid location.
3196
3197 @noindent
3198 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3199 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3200 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3201 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3202 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3203
3204 @noindent
3205 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3206 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3207 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3208 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3209 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3210 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3211 @end table
3212
3213 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3214 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3215 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3216 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3217
3218 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3219 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3220 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3221 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3222
3223 @itemize @bullet
3224 @item
3225 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3226 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3227
3228 @item
3229 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3230 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3231
3232 @item
3233 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3234 several places where that function is inlined.
3235 @end itemize
3236
3237 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3238 the relevant locations@footnote{
3239 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3240 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3241 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3242 info with line numbers for them.}.
3243
3244 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3245 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3246 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3247 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3248 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3249 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3250 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3251
3252 For example:
3253
3254 @smallexample
3255 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3256 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3257 stop only if i==1
3258 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3259 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3260 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3261 @end smallexample
3262
3263 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3264 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3265 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3266 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3267 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3268 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3269 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3270 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3271 that belong to that breakpoint.
3272
3273 @cindex pending breakpoints
3274 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3275 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3276 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3277 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3278 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3279 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3280 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3281 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3282 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3283 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3284 is not yet resolved.
3285
3286 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3287 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3288 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3289 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3290 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3291 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3292
3293 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3294 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3295 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3296 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3297
3298 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3299 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3300 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3301
3302 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3303 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3304 address specification to an address:
3305
3306 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3307 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3308 @table @code
3309 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3310 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3311 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3312
3313 @item set breakpoint pending on
3314 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3315 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3316
3317 @item set breakpoint pending off
3318 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3319 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3320 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3321
3322 @item show breakpoint pending
3323 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3324 @end table
3325
3326 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3327 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3328 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3329
3330 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3331 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3332 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3333 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3334 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3335 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3336 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3337 breakpoints.
3338
3339 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3340
3341 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3342 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3343 @table @code
3344 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3345 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3346 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3347 breakpoint must be used.
3348
3349 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3350 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3351 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3352 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3353 @end table
3354
3355 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3356 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3357 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3358 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3359 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3360 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3361 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3362 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3363 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3364
3365 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3366 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3367 @table @code
3368 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3369 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3370 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3371 removed from the target when it stops.
3372
3373 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3374 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3375 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3376 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3377 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3378
3379 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3380 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3381 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3382 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3383 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3384 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3385 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3386 @end table
3387
3388 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3389 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3390 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3391 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3392 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3393 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3394 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3395 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3396
3397
3398 @node Set Watchpoints
3399 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3400
3401 @cindex setting watchpoints
3402 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3403 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3404 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3405 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3406 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3407
3408 @itemize @bullet
3409 @item
3410 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3411
3412 @item
3413 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3414 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3415 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3416
3417 @item
3418 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3419 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3420 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3421 @end itemize
3422
3423 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3424 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3425 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3426 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3427 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3428 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3429 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3430 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3431 the expression changes.
3432
3433 @cindex software watchpoints
3434 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3435 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3436 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3437 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3438 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3439 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3440 culprit.)
3441
3442 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3443 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3444 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3445
3446 @table @code
3447 @kindex watch
3448 @item watch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3449 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3450 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3451 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3452 to watch the value of a single variable:
3453
3454 @smallexample
3455 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3456 @end smallexample
3457
3458 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3459 clause, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3460 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3461 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3462 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3463 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3464
3465 @kindex rwatch
3466 @item rwatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3467 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3468 by the program.
3469
3470 @kindex awatch
3471 @item awatch @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}
3472 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3473 or written into by the program.
3474
3475 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@r{]}
3476 @item info watchpoints
3477 This command prints a list of watchpoints, breakpoints, and catchpoints;
3478 it is the same as @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3479 @end table
3480
3481 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3482 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3483 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3484 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3485 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3486 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3487
3488 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3489 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3490 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3491 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3492 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3493 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3494 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3495 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3496
3497 @table @code
3498 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3499 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3500 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3501
3502 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3503 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3504 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3505 @end table
3506
3507 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3508 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3509 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3510
3511 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3512
3513 @smallexample
3514 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3515 @end smallexample
3516
3517 @noindent
3518 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3519
3520 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3521 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3522 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3523 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3524 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3525 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3526 will print a message like this:
3527
3528 @smallexample
3529 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3530 @end smallexample
3531
3532 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3533 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3534 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3535 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3536 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3537 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3538 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3539 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3540
3541 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3542 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3543 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3544 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3545 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3546 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3547
3548 @smallexample
3549 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3550 @end smallexample
3551
3552 @noindent
3553 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3554
3555 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3556 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3557 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3558 expression with separately allocated resources.
3559
3560 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3561 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3562 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3563
3564 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3565 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3566 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3567 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3568 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3569 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3570 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3571 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3572 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3573
3574 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3575 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3576 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3577 watched expression from every thread.
3578
3579 @quotation
3580 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3581 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3582 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3583 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3584 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3585 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3586 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3587 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3588 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3589 @end quotation
3590
3591 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3592
3593 @node Set Catchpoints
3594 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3595 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3596 @cindex exception handlers
3597 @cindex event handling
3598
3599 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3600 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3601 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3602
3603 @table @code
3604 @kindex catch
3605 @item catch @var{event}
3606 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3607 @table @code
3608 @item throw
3609 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3610 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3611
3612 @item catch
3613 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3614
3615 @item exception
3616 @cindex Ada exception catching
3617 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3618 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3619 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3620 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3621 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3622
3623 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3624 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3625 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3626 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3627 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3628 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3629 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3630 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3631
3632 @item exception unhandled
3633 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3634
3635 @item assert
3636 A failed Ada assertion.
3637
3638 @item exec
3639 @cindex break on fork/exec
3640 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3641 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3642
3643 @item fork
3644 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3645 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3646
3647 @item vfork
3648 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3649 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3650
3651 @end table
3652
3653 @item tcatch @var{event}
3654 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
3655 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
3656
3657 @end table
3658
3659 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
3660
3661 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
3662 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
3663
3664 @itemize @bullet
3665 @item
3666 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
3667 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
3668 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
3669 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
3670 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
3671 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
3672 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
3673 disabled within interactive calls.
3674
3675 @item
3676 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
3677
3678 @item
3679 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
3680 @end itemize
3681
3682 @cindex raise exceptions
3683 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
3684 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
3685 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
3686 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
3687 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
3688 out where the exception was raised.
3689
3690 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
3691 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
3692 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
3693 which has the following ANSI C interface:
3694
3695 @smallexample
3696 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
3697 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
3698 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
3699 @end smallexample
3700
3701 @noindent
3702 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
3703 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
3704 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
3705
3706 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
3707 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
3708 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
3709 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
3710 raised.
3711
3712
3713 @node Delete Breaks
3714 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
3715
3716 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3717 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
3718 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3719 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
3720 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
3721 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
3722
3723 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
3724 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
3725 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
3726 their breakpoint numbers.
3727
3728 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
3729 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
3730 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
3731
3732 @table @code
3733 @kindex clear
3734 @item clear
3735 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
3736 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
3737 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
3738 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
3739
3740 @item clear @var{location}
3741 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
3742 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
3743 most useful ones are listed below:
3744
3745 @table @code
3746 @item clear @var{function}
3747 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
3748 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
3749
3750 @item clear @var{linenum}
3751 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
3752 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
3753 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
3754 @end table
3755
3756 @cindex delete breakpoints
3757 @kindex delete
3758 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
3759 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3760 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
3761 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
3762 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
3763 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
3764 @end table
3765
3766 @node Disabling
3767 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
3768
3769 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
3770 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
3771 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
3772 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
3773 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
3774
3775 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
3776 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying one
3777 or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} or
3778 @code{info watch} to print a list of breakpoints, watchpoints, and
3779 catchpoints if you do not know which numbers to use.
3780
3781 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
3782 affects all of its locations.
3783
3784 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
3785 states of enablement:
3786
3787 @itemize @bullet
3788 @item
3789 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
3790 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
3791 @item
3792 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
3793 @item
3794 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
3795 disabled.
3796 @item
3797 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
3798 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
3799 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
3800 @end itemize
3801
3802 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
3803 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
3804
3805 @table @code
3806 @kindex disable
3807 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
3808 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3809 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
3810 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
3811 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
3812 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
3813 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
3814
3815 @kindex enable
3816 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
3817 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
3818 become effective once again in stopping your program.
3819
3820 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
3821 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
3822 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
3823
3824 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
3825 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
3826 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
3827 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
3828 @end table
3829
3830 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
3831 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
3832 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
3833 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
3834 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
3835 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
3836 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
3837 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
3838 Stepping}.)
3839
3840 @node Conditions
3841 @subsection Break Conditions
3842 @cindex conditional breakpoints
3843 @cindex breakpoint conditions
3844
3845 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
3846 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
3847 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
3848 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
3849 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
3850 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
3851 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
3852 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
3853
3854 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
3855 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
3856 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
3857 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
3858 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
3859
3860 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
3861 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
3862 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
3863 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
3864 one.
3865
3866 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
3867 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
3868 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
3869 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
3870 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
3871 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
3872 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
3873 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
3874 conditions for the
3875 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
3876 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
3877
3878 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
3879 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
3880 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
3881 with the @code{condition} command.
3882
3883 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
3884 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
3885 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
3886 catchpoint.
3887
3888 @table @code
3889 @kindex condition
3890 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
3891 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
3892 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
3893 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
3894 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
3895 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
3896 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
3897 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
3898 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
3899 prints an error message:
3900
3901 @smallexample
3902 No symbol "foo" in current context.
3903 @end smallexample
3904
3905 @noindent
3906 @value{GDBN} does
3907 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
3908 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
3909 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
3910
3911 @item condition @var{bnum}
3912 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
3913 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
3914 @end table
3915
3916 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
3917 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
3918 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
3919 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
3920 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
3921 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
3922 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
3923 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
3924 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
3925 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
3926 your program reaches it.
3927
3928 @table @code
3929 @kindex ignore
3930 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
3931 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
3932 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
3933 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
3934 takes no action.
3935
3936 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
3937 a count of zero.
3938
3939 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
3940 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
3941 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
3942 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
3943
3944 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
3945 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
3946 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
3947
3948 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
3949 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
3950 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
3951 Variables}.
3952 @end table
3953
3954 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
3955
3956
3957 @node Break Commands
3958 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
3959
3960 @cindex breakpoint commands
3961 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
3962 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
3963 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
3964 enable other breakpoints.
3965
3966 @table @code
3967 @kindex commands
3968 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
3969 @item commands @r{[}@var{bnum}@r{]}
3970 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
3971 @itemx end
3972 Specify a list of commands for breakpoint number @var{bnum}. The commands
3973 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
3974 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
3975
3976 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
3977 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
3978
3979 With no @var{bnum} argument, @code{commands} refers to the last
3980 breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most
3981 recently encountered).
3982 @end table
3983
3984 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
3985 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
3986
3987 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
3988 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
3989 that resumes execution.
3990
3991 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
3992 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
3993 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
3994 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
3995 ambiguities about which list to execute.
3996
3997 @kindex silent
3998 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
3999 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4000 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4001 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4002 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4003 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4004
4005 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4006 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4007 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4008
4009 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4010 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4011
4012 @smallexample
4013 break foo if x>0
4014 commands
4015 silent
4016 printf "x is %d\n",x
4017 cont
4018 end
4019 @end smallexample
4020
4021 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4022 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4023 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4024 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4025 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4026 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4027 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4028
4029 @smallexample
4030 break 403
4031 commands
4032 silent
4033 set x = y + 4
4034 cont
4035 end
4036 @end smallexample
4037
4038 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4039 @node Error in Breakpoints
4040 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4041
4042 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4043 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4044
4045 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4046 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4047 @smallexample
4048 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4049 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4050 @end smallexample
4051
4052 @noindent
4053 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4054 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4055 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4056
4057 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4058 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4059
4060 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4061 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4062 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4063
4064 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4065 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4066 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4067 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4068
4069 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4070 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4071 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4072 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4073 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4074 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4075 first in the bundle.
4076
4077 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4078 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4079 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4080 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4081 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4082 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4083 is hit.
4084
4085 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4086 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4087
4088 @smallexample
4089 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4090 @end smallexample
4091
4092 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4093 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4094 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4095 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4096 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4097 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4098 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4099 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4100
4101 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4102 adjusted breakpoints:
4103
4104 @smallexample
4105 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4106 to 0x00010410.
4107 @end smallexample
4108
4109 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4110 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4111 frequently than expected.
4112
4113 @node Continuing and Stepping
4114 @section Continuing and Stepping
4115
4116 @cindex stepping
4117 @cindex continuing
4118 @cindex resuming execution
4119 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4120 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4121 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4122 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4123 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4124 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4125 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4126 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4127
4128 @table @code
4129 @kindex continue
4130 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4131 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4132 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4133 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4134 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4135 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4136 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4137 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4138 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4139 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4140
4141 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4142 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4143 @code{continue} is ignored.
4144
4145 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4146 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4147 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4148 @code{continue}.
4149 @end table
4150
4151 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4152 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4153 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4154 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4155
4156 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4157 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4158 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4159 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4160 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4161 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4162
4163 @table @code
4164 @kindex step
4165 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4166 @item step
4167 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4168 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4169 abbreviated @code{s}.
4170
4171 @quotation
4172 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4173 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4174 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4175 @c distinction here.
4176 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4177 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4178 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4179 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4180 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4181 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4182 below.
4183 @end quotation
4184
4185 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4186 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4187 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4188 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4189 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4190 called within the line.
4191
4192 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4193 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4194 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4195 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4196 was any debugging information about the routine.
4197
4198 @item step @var{count}
4199 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4200 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4201 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4202
4203 @kindex next
4204 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4205 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4206 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4207 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4208 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4209 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4210 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4211 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4212
4213 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4214
4215
4216 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4217 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4218 @c
4219 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4220 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4221 @c function are executed without stopping.
4222
4223 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4224 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4225 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4226
4227 @kindex set step-mode
4228 @item set step-mode
4229 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4230 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4231 @itemx set step-mode on
4232 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4233 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4234 information rather than stepping over it.
4235
4236 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4237 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4238 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4239
4240 @item set step-mode off
4241 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4242 debug information. This is the default.
4243
4244 @item show step-mode
4245 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4246 source line debug information.
4247
4248 @kindex finish
4249 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4250 @item finish
4251 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4252 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4253 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4254
4255 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4256 ,Returning from a Function}).
4257
4258 @kindex until
4259 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4260 @cindex run until specified location
4261 @item until
4262 @itemx u
4263 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4264 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4265 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4266 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4267 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4268 than the address of the jump.
4269
4270 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4271 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4272 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4273 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4274 through the next iteration.
4275
4276 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4277 stack frame.
4278
4279 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4280 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4281 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4282 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4283 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4284
4285 @smallexample
4286 (@value{GDBP}) f
4287 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4288 206 expand_input();
4289 (@value{GDBP}) until
4290 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4291 @end smallexample
4292
4293 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4294 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4295 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4296 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4297 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4298 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4299 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4300
4301 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4302 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4303 argument.
4304
4305 @item until @var{location}
4306 @itemx u @var{location}
4307 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4308 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4309 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4310 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4311 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4312 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4313 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4314 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4315 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4316 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4317 invocations have returned.
4318
4319 @smallexample
4320 94 int factorial (int value)
4321 95 @{
4322 96 if (value > 1) @{
4323 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4324 98 @}
4325 99 return (value);
4326 100 @}
4327 @end smallexample
4328
4329
4330 @kindex advance @var{location}
4331 @itemx advance @var{location}
4332 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4333 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4334 @ref{Specify Location}.
4335 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4336 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4337 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4338 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4339
4340
4341 @kindex stepi
4342 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4343 @item stepi
4344 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4345 @itemx si
4346 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4347
4348 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4349 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4350 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4351 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4352
4353 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4354
4355 @need 750
4356 @kindex nexti
4357 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4358 @item nexti
4359 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4360 @itemx ni
4361 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4362 proceed until the function returns.
4363
4364 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4365 @end table
4366
4367 @node Signals
4368 @section Signals
4369 @cindex signals
4370
4371 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4372 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4373 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4374 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4375 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4376 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4377 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4378 requested an alarm).
4379
4380 @cindex fatal signals
4381 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4382 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4383 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4384 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4385 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4386 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4387
4388 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4389 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4390 signal.
4391
4392 @cindex handling signals
4393 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4394 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4395 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4396 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4397 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4398
4399 @table @code
4400 @kindex info signals
4401 @kindex info handle
4402 @item info signals
4403 @itemx info handle
4404 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4405 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4406 the defined types of signals.
4407
4408 @item info signals @var{sig}
4409 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4410
4411 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4412
4413 @kindex handle
4414 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4415 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4416 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4417 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4418 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4419 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4420 say what change to make.
4421 @end table
4422
4423 @c @group
4424 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4425 Their full names are:
4426
4427 @table @code
4428 @item nostop
4429 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4430 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4431
4432 @item stop
4433 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4434 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4435
4436 @item print
4437 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4438
4439 @item noprint
4440 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4441 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4442
4443 @item pass
4444 @itemx noignore
4445 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4446 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4447 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4448
4449 @item nopass
4450 @itemx ignore
4451 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4452 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4453 @end table
4454 @c @end group
4455
4456 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4457 program until you
4458 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4459 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4460 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4461 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4462 program sees that signal when you continue.
4463
4464 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4465 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4466 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4467 erroneous signals.
4468
4469 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4470 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4471 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4472 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4473 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4474 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4475 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4476 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4477 Program a Signal}.
4478
4479 @cindex extra signal information
4480 @anchor{extra signal information}
4481
4482 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4483 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4484 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4485 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4486 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4487 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4488 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4489 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4490 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4491 system header.
4492
4493 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4494 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4495
4496 @smallexample
4497 @group
4498 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4499 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4500 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4501 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4502 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4503 type = struct @{
4504 int si_signo;
4505 int si_errno;
4506 int si_code;
4507 union @{
4508 int _pad[28];
4509 struct @{...@} _kill;
4510 struct @{...@} _timer;
4511 struct @{...@} _rt;
4512 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
4513 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
4514 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
4515 @} _sifields;
4516 @}
4517 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
4518 type = struct @{
4519 void *si_addr;
4520 @}
4521 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
4522 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
4523 @end group
4524 @end smallexample
4525
4526 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
4527
4528 @node Thread Stops
4529 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
4530
4531 @cindex stopped threads
4532 @cindex threads, stopped
4533
4534 @cindex continuing threads
4535 @cindex threads, continuing
4536
4537 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
4538 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
4539 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
4540 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
4541 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
4542 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
4543 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
4544 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
4545 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
4546
4547 @menu
4548 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
4549 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
4550 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
4551 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
4552 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
4553 @end menu
4554
4555 @node All-Stop Mode
4556 @subsection All-Stop Mode
4557
4558 @cindex all-stop mode
4559
4560 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
4561 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
4562 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
4563 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
4564 underfoot.
4565
4566 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
4567 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
4568 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
4569
4570 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
4571 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
4572 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
4573 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
4574 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
4575 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
4576 stops.
4577
4578 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
4579 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
4580 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
4581 first thread completes whatever you requested.
4582
4583 @cindex automatic thread selection
4584 @cindex switching threads automatically
4585 @cindex threads, automatic switching
4586 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
4587 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
4588 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
4589 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
4590 thread.
4591
4592 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
4593 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
4594
4595 @table @code
4596 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
4597 @cindex scheduler locking mode
4598 @cindex lock scheduler
4599 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
4600 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
4601 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
4602 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
4603 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
4604 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
4605 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
4606 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
4607 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
4608 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
4609 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
4610 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
4611
4612 @item show scheduler-locking
4613 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
4614 @end table
4615
4616 @node Non-Stop Mode
4617 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
4618
4619 @cindex non-stop mode
4620
4621 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
4622 @c with more details.
4623
4624 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
4625 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
4626 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
4627 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
4628 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
4629 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
4630
4631 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
4632 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
4633 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
4634 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
4635 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
4636 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
4637 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
4638 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
4639 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
4640 independently and simultaneously.
4641
4642 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
4643 or attach to your program:
4644
4645 @smallexample
4646 # Enable the async interface.
4647 set target-async 1
4648
4649 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
4650 set pagination off
4651
4652 # Finally, turn it on!
4653 set non-stop on
4654 @end smallexample
4655
4656 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
4657
4658 @table @code
4659 @kindex set non-stop
4660 @item set non-stop on
4661 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
4662 @item set non-stop off
4663 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
4664 @kindex show non-stop
4665 @item show non-stop
4666 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
4667 @end table
4668
4669 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
4670 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
4671 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
4672 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
4673 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
4674 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
4675 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
4676 default.
4677
4678 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
4679 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
4680 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
4681
4682 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
4683 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
4684 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
4685 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
4686 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
4687
4688 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
4689 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
4690 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
4691 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
4692 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
4693
4694 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
4695
4696 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
4697 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
4698 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
4699 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
4700 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
4701 previously current thread.
4702
4703 @node Background Execution
4704 @subsection Background Execution
4705
4706 @cindex foreground execution
4707 @cindex background execution
4708 @cindex asynchronous execution
4709 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
4710
4711 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
4712 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
4713 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
4714 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
4715 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
4716 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
4717
4718 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
4719 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
4720 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
4721
4722 @table @code
4723 @kindex set target-async
4724 @item set target-async on
4725 Enable asynchronous mode.
4726 @item set target-async off
4727 Disable asynchronous mode.
4728 @kindex show target-async
4729 @item show target-async
4730 Show the current target-async setting.
4731 @end table
4732
4733 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
4734 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
4735
4736 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
4737 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
4738 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
4739 are:
4740
4741 @table @code
4742 @kindex run&
4743 @item run
4744 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
4745
4746 @item attach
4747 @kindex attach&
4748 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
4749
4750 @item step
4751 @kindex step&
4752 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
4753
4754 @item stepi
4755 @kindex stepi&
4756 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
4757
4758 @item next
4759 @kindex next&
4760 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
4761
4762 @item nexti
4763 @kindex nexti&
4764 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
4765
4766 @item continue
4767 @kindex continue&
4768 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
4769
4770 @item finish
4771 @kindex finish&
4772 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
4773
4774 @item until
4775 @kindex until&
4776 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
4777
4778 @end table
4779
4780 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
4781 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
4782 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
4783 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
4784 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
4785 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
4786
4787 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
4788 using the @code{interrupt} command.
4789
4790 @table @code
4791 @kindex interrupt
4792 @item interrupt
4793 @itemx interrupt -a
4794
4795 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
4796 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
4797 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
4798 use @code{interrupt -a}.
4799 @end table
4800
4801 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
4802 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
4803
4804 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
4805 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
4806 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
4807
4808 @table @code
4809 @cindex breakpoints and threads
4810 @cindex thread breakpoints
4811 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
4812 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
4813 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
4814 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
4815 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
4816 specify some source line.
4817
4818 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
4819 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
4820 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
4821 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
4822 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
4823
4824 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
4825 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
4826 program.
4827
4828 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
4829 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before the
4830 breakpoint condition, like this:
4831
4832 @smallexample
4833 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
4834 @end smallexample
4835
4836 @end table
4837
4838 @node Interrupted System Calls
4839 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
4840
4841 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
4842 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
4843 @cindex premature return from system calls
4844 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
4845 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
4846 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
4847 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
4848 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
4849 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
4850 stop execution.
4851
4852 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
4853 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
4854 style anyways.
4855
4856 For example, do not write code like this:
4857
4858 @smallexample
4859 sleep (10);
4860 @end smallexample
4861
4862 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
4863 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
4864
4865 Instead, write this:
4866
4867 @smallexample
4868 int unslept = 10;
4869 while (unslept > 0)
4870 unslept = sleep (unslept);
4871 @end smallexample
4872
4873 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
4874 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
4875 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
4876 @value{GDBN}.
4877
4878 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
4879 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
4880 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
4881 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
4882
4883
4884 @node Reverse Execution
4885 @chapter Running programs backward
4886 @cindex reverse execution
4887 @cindex running programs backward
4888
4889 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
4890 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
4891 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
4892 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
4893
4894 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
4895 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
4896 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
4897 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
4898 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
4899 all target environments can support reverse execution.
4900
4901 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
4902 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
4903 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
4904 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
4905 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
4906 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
4907 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
4908 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
4909 prior values@footnote{
4910 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
4911 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
4912 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
4913
4914 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
4915 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
4916 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
4917 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
4918 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
4919 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
4920 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
4921 }.
4922
4923 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
4924 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
4925
4926 @table @code
4927 @kindex reverse-continue
4928 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
4929 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4930 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4931 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
4932 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
4933 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
4934 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
4935
4936 @kindex reverse-step
4937 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
4938 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4939 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
4940 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
4941
4942 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
4943 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
4944 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
4945 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
4946 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
4947 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
4948
4949 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
4950 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
4951
4952 @kindex reverse-stepi
4953 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
4954 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4955 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
4956 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
4957 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
4958 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
4959 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
4960
4961 @kindex reverse-next
4962 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
4963 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4964 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
4965 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
4966 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
4967 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
4968 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
4969 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
4970 line of a function back to its return to its caller
4971 @footnote{Unles the code is too heavily optimized.}.
4972
4973 @kindex reverse-nexti
4974 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
4975 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4976 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
4977 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
4978 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
4979 another instruction, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
4980 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
4981 frame) is reached.
4982
4983 @kindex reverse-finish
4984 @item reverse-finish
4985 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
4986 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
4987 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
4988 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
4989
4990 @kindex set exec-direction
4991 @item set exec-direction
4992 Set the direction of target execution.
4993 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
4994 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
4995 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
4996 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
4997 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
4998 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
4999 @item set exec-direction forward
5000 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5001 This is the default.
5002 @end table
5003
5004
5005 @node Stack
5006 @chapter Examining the Stack
5007
5008 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5009 stopped and how it got there.
5010
5011 @cindex call stack
5012 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5013 is generated.
5014 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5015 the arguments of the call,
5016 and the local variables of the function being called.
5017 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5018 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5019 stack}.
5020
5021 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5022 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5023
5024 @cindex selected frame
5025 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5026 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5027 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5028 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5029 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5030 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5031
5032 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5033 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5034 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5035
5036 @menu
5037 * Frames:: Stack frames
5038 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5039 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5040 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5041
5042 @end menu
5043
5044 @node Frames
5045 @section Stack Frames
5046
5047 @cindex frame, definition
5048 @cindex stack frame
5049 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5050 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5051 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5052 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5053 which the function is executing.
5054
5055 @cindex initial frame
5056 @cindex outermost frame
5057 @cindex innermost frame
5058 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5059 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5060 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5061 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5062 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5063 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5064 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5065 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5066
5067 @cindex frame pointer
5068 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5069 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5070 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5071 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5072 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5073 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5074
5075 @cindex frame number
5076 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5077 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5078 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5079 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5080 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5081
5082 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5083 @c underflow problems.
5084 @cindex frameless execution
5085 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5086 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5087 @smallexample
5088 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5089 @end smallexample
5090 generates functions without a frame.)
5091 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5092 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5093 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5094 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5095 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5096 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5097 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5098
5099 @table @code
5100 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5101 @cindex current stack frame
5102 @item frame @var{args}
5103 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5104 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5105 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5106 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5107
5108 @kindex select-frame
5109 @cindex selecting frame silently
5110 @item select-frame
5111 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5112 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5113 @code{frame}.
5114 @end table
5115
5116 @node Backtrace
5117 @section Backtraces
5118
5119 @cindex traceback
5120 @cindex call stack traces
5121 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5122 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5123 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5124 stack.
5125
5126 @table @code
5127 @kindex backtrace
5128 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5129 @item backtrace
5130 @itemx bt
5131 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5132 frames in the stack.
5133
5134 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5135 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5136
5137 @item backtrace @var{n}
5138 @itemx bt @var{n}
5139 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5140
5141 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5142 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5143 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5144
5145 @item backtrace full
5146 @itemx bt full
5147 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5148 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5149 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5150 number of frames to print, as described above.
5151 @end table
5152
5153 @kindex where
5154 @kindex info stack
5155 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5156 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5157
5158 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5159 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5160 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5161 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5162 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5163 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5164 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5165 multi-threaded program.
5166
5167 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5168 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5169 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5170 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5171 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5172 line number.
5173
5174 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5175 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5176
5177 @smallexample
5178 @group
5179 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5180 at builtin.c:993
5181 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5182 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5183 at macro.c:71
5184 (More stack frames follow...)
5185 @end group
5186 @end smallexample
5187
5188 @noindent
5189 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5190 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5191 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5192
5193 @noindent
5194 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5195 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5196 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5197 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5198 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
5199
5200 @cindex value optimized out, in backtrace
5201 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
5202 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
5203 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
5204 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
5205 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
5206 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
5207 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
5208 such a backtrace might look like:
5209
5210 @smallexample
5211 @group
5212 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5213 at builtin.c:993
5214 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<value optimized out>) at macro.c:242
5215 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<value optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
5216 at macro.c:71
5217 (More stack frames follow...)
5218 @end group
5219 @end smallexample
5220
5221 @noindent
5222 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
5223 shown as @samp{<value optimized out>}.
5224
5225 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
5226 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
5227 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
5228
5229 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
5230 @cindex program entry point
5231 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
5232 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
5233 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
5234 @code{main}@footnote{
5235 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
5236 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
5237 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
5238 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
5239 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
5240 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
5241
5242 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
5243 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
5244
5245 @table @code
5246 @item set backtrace past-main
5247 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
5248 @kindex set backtrace
5249 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
5250
5251 @item set backtrace past-main off
5252 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
5253 default.
5254
5255 @item show backtrace past-main
5256 @kindex show backtrace
5257 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
5258
5259 @item set backtrace past-entry
5260 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
5261 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
5262 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
5263 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
5264
5265 @item set backtrace past-entry off
5266 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
5267 application. This is the default.
5268
5269 @item show backtrace past-entry
5270 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
5271
5272 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
5273 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
5274 @cindex backtrace limit
5275 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
5276 unlimited.
5277
5278 @item show backtrace limit
5279 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
5280 @end table
5281
5282 @node Selection
5283 @section Selecting a Frame
5284
5285 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
5286 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
5287 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
5288 of the stack frame just selected.
5289
5290 @table @code
5291 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
5292 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
5293 @item frame @var{n}
5294 @itemx f @var{n}
5295 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
5296 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
5297 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
5298 @code{main}.
5299
5300 @item frame @var{addr}
5301 @itemx f @var{addr}
5302 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
5303 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
5304 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
5305 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
5306 switches between them.
5307
5308 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
5309 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
5310
5311 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
5312 pointer and a program counter.
5313
5314 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
5315 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
5316
5317 @kindex up
5318 @item up @var{n}
5319 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5320 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
5321 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
5322
5323 @kindex down
5324 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
5325 @item down @var{n}
5326 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
5327 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
5328 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
5329 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
5330 @end table
5331
5332 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
5333 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
5334 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
5335 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
5336
5337 @need 1000
5338 For example:
5339
5340 @smallexample
5341 @group
5342 (@value{GDBP}) up
5343 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
5344 at env.c:10
5345 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
5346 @end group
5347 @end smallexample
5348
5349 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
5350 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
5351 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
5352 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
5353 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
5354 for details.
5355
5356 @table @code
5357 @kindex down-silently
5358 @kindex up-silently
5359 @item up-silently @var{n}
5360 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
5361 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
5362 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
5363 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
5364 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
5365 distracting.
5366 @end table
5367
5368 @node Frame Info
5369 @section Information About a Frame
5370
5371 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
5372 stack frame.
5373
5374 @table @code
5375 @item frame
5376 @itemx f
5377 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
5378 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
5379 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
5380 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
5381 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5382
5383 @kindex info frame
5384 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
5385 @item info frame
5386 @itemx info f
5387 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
5388 including:
5389
5390 @itemize @bullet
5391 @item
5392 the address of the frame
5393 @item
5394 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
5395 @item
5396 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
5397 @item
5398 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
5399 @item
5400 the address of the frame's arguments
5401 @item
5402 the address of the frame's local variables
5403 @item
5404 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
5405 @item
5406 which registers were saved in the frame
5407 @end itemize
5408
5409 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
5410 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
5411 the usual conventions.
5412
5413 @item info frame @var{addr}
5414 @itemx info f @var{addr}
5415 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
5416 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
5417 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
5418 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
5419 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5420
5421 @kindex info args
5422 @item info args
5423 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
5424
5425 @item info locals
5426 @kindex info locals
5427 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
5428 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
5429 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
5430
5431 @kindex info catch
5432 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
5433 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
5434 @item info catch
5435 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
5436 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
5437 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
5438 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
5439 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
5440
5441 @end table
5442
5443
5444 @node Source
5445 @chapter Examining Source Files
5446
5447 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
5448 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
5449 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
5450 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
5451 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
5452 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
5453 source files by explicit command.
5454
5455 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
5456 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
5457 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
5458
5459 @menu
5460 * List:: Printing source lines
5461 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
5462 * Edit:: Editing source files
5463 * Search:: Searching source files
5464 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
5465 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
5466 @end menu
5467
5468 @node List
5469 @section Printing Source Lines
5470
5471 @kindex list
5472 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
5473 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
5474 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
5475 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
5476 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
5477
5478 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
5479
5480 @table @code
5481 @item list @var{linenum}
5482 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
5483 current source file.
5484
5485 @item list @var{function}
5486 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
5487 @var{function}.
5488
5489 @item list
5490 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
5491 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
5492 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
5493 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
5494 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
5495
5496 @item list -
5497 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
5498 @end table
5499
5500 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
5501 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
5502 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
5503
5504 @table @code
5505 @kindex set listsize
5506 @item set listsize @var{count}
5507 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
5508 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
5509
5510 @kindex show listsize
5511 @item show listsize
5512 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
5513 @end table
5514
5515 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
5516 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
5517 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
5518 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
5519 each repetition moves up in the source file.
5520
5521 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
5522 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
5523 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
5524 to specify some source line.
5525
5526 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
5527
5528 @table @code
5529 @item list @var{linespec}
5530 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
5531
5532 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
5533 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
5534 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
5535 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
5536 the same source file as the first linespec.
5537
5538 @item list ,@var{last}
5539 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
5540
5541 @item list @var{first},
5542 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
5543
5544 @item list +
5545 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
5546
5547 @item list -
5548 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
5549
5550 @item list
5551 As described in the preceding table.
5552 @end table
5553
5554 @node Specify Location
5555 @section Specifying a Location
5556 @cindex specifying location
5557 @cindex linespec
5558
5559 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
5560 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
5561 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
5562 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
5563
5564 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
5565 @value{GDBN} understands:
5566
5567 @table @code
5568 @item @var{linenum}
5569 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
5570
5571 @item -@var{offset}
5572 @itemx +@var{offset}
5573 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
5574 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
5575 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
5576 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
5577 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
5578 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
5579 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
5580 linespec.
5581
5582 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
5583 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
5584
5585 @item @var{function}
5586 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
5587 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
5588
5589 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
5590 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
5591 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
5592 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
5593 functions in different source files.
5594
5595 @item *@var{address}
5596 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
5597 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
5598 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
5599 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
5600 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
5601 source files.
5602
5603 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
5604 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
5605 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
5606 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
5607 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
5608 of @var{address}:
5609
5610 @table @code
5611 @item @var{expression}
5612 Any expression valid in the current working language.
5613
5614 @item @var{funcaddr}
5615 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
5616 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
5617 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
5618 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
5619 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
5620 (although the Pascal form also works).
5621
5622 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
5623 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
5624
5625 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
5626 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
5627 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
5628 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
5629 functions with identical names in different source files.
5630 @end table
5631
5632 @end table
5633
5634
5635 @node Edit
5636 @section Editing Source Files
5637 @cindex editing source files
5638
5639 @kindex edit
5640 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
5641 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
5642 The editing program of your choice
5643 is invoked with the current line set to
5644 the active line in the program.
5645 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
5646 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
5647
5648 @table @code
5649 @item edit @var{location}
5650 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
5651 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
5652 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
5653 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
5654 command most commonly used:
5655
5656 @table @code
5657 @item edit @var{number}
5658 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
5659
5660 @item edit @var{function}
5661 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
5662 @end table
5663
5664 @end table
5665
5666 @subsection Choosing your Editor
5667 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
5668 @footnote{
5669 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
5670 following command-line syntax:
5671 @smallexample
5672 ex +@var{number} file
5673 @end smallexample
5674 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
5675 the file where to start editing.}.
5676 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
5677 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
5678 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
5679 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
5680 @smallexample
5681 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
5682 export EDITOR
5683 gdb @dots{}
5684 @end smallexample
5685 or in the @code{csh} shell,
5686 @smallexample
5687 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
5688 gdb @dots{}
5689 @end smallexample
5690
5691 @node Search
5692 @section Searching Source Files
5693 @cindex searching source files
5694
5695 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
5696 regular expression.
5697
5698 @table @code
5699 @kindex search
5700 @kindex forward-search
5701 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
5702 @itemx search @var{regexp}
5703 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
5704 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
5705 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
5706 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
5707 @code{fo}.
5708
5709 @kindex reverse-search
5710 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
5711 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
5712 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
5713 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
5714 this command as @code{rev}.
5715 @end table
5716
5717 @node Source Path
5718 @section Specifying Source Directories
5719
5720 @cindex source path
5721 @cindex directories for source files
5722 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
5723 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
5724 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
5725 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
5726 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
5727 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
5728 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
5729
5730 For example, suppose an executable references the file
5731 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
5732 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
5733 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
5734 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
5735 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
5736 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
5737 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
5738 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
5739 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
5740 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
5741
5742 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
5743 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
5744 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
5745 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
5746 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
5747 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
5748
5749 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
5750 source files.
5751
5752 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
5753 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
5754 each line is in the file.
5755
5756 @kindex directory
5757 @kindex dir
5758 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
5759 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
5760 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
5761
5762 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
5763 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
5764
5765 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
5766 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
5767 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
5768 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
5769 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
5770 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
5771 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
5772 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
5773 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
5774 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
5775 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
5776 name to look up the sources.
5777
5778 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
5779 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
5780 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
5781 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
5782 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
5783 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
5784 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
5785 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
5786
5787 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
5788 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
5789 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
5790 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
5791 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
5792 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
5793 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
5794
5795 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
5796 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
5797 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
5798 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
5799 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
5800 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
5801 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
5802 command.
5803
5804 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
5805 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
5806 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
5807 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
5808 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
5809 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
5810 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
5811
5812 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
5813 @cindex default source path substitution
5814 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
5815 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
5816 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
5817 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
5818 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
5819 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
5820 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
5821 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
5822 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
5823 together.
5824
5825 @table @code
5826 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
5827 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
5828 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
5829 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
5830 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
5831 part of absolute file names) or
5832 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
5833 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
5834
5835 @kindex cdir
5836 @kindex cwd
5837 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
5838 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
5839 @cindex compilation directory
5840 @cindex current directory
5841 @cindex working directory
5842 @cindex directory, current
5843 @cindex directory, compilation
5844 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
5845 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
5846 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
5847 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
5848 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
5849 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
5850
5851 @item directory
5852 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
5853
5854 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
5855 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
5856
5857 @item show directories
5858 @kindex show directories
5859 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
5860
5861 @anchor{set substitute-path}
5862 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
5863 @kindex set substitute-path
5864 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
5865 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
5866 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
5867
5868 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
5869 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
5870
5871 @smallexample
5872 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
5873 @end smallexample
5874
5875 @noindent
5876 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
5877 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
5878 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
5879
5880 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
5881 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
5882 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
5883 the substitution.
5884
5885 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
5886
5887 @smallexample
5888 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
5889 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
5890 @end smallexample
5891
5892 @noindent
5893 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
5894 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
5895 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
5896 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
5897
5898
5899 @item unset substitute-path [path]
5900 @kindex unset substitute-path
5901 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
5902 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
5903 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
5904
5905 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
5906
5907 @item show substitute-path [path]
5908 @kindex show substitute-path
5909 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
5910 which would rewrite that path, if any.
5911
5912 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
5913 rules.
5914
5915 @end table
5916
5917 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
5918 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
5919 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
5920
5921 @enumerate
5922 @item
5923 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
5924
5925 @item
5926 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
5927 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
5928 directories in one command.
5929 @end enumerate
5930
5931 @node Machine Code
5932 @section Source and Machine Code
5933 @cindex source line and its code address
5934
5935 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
5936 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
5937 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
5938 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
5939 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
5940 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
5941 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
5942 well as hex.
5943
5944 @table @code
5945 @kindex info line
5946 @item info line @var{linespec}
5947 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
5948 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
5949 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
5950 @end table
5951
5952 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
5953 the object code for the first line of function
5954 @code{m4_changequote}:
5955
5956 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
5957 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
5958 @smallexample
5959 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
5960 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
5961 @end smallexample
5962
5963 @noindent
5964 @cindex code address and its source line
5965 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
5966 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
5967 @smallexample
5968 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
5969 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
5970 @end smallexample
5971
5972 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
5973 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
5974 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
5975 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
5976 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
5977 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
5978 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
5979 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
5980 Variables}).
5981
5982 @table @code
5983 @kindex disassemble
5984 @cindex assembly instructions
5985 @cindex instructions, assembly
5986 @cindex machine instructions
5987 @cindex listing machine instructions
5988 @item disassemble
5989 @itemx disassemble /m
5990 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
5991 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
5992 the @code{/m} modifier.
5993 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
5994 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
5995 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
5996 surrounding this value. Two arguments specify a range of addresses
5997 (first inclusive, second exclusive) to dump.
5998 @end table
5999
6000 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6001 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6002
6003 @smallexample
6004 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4 0x32e4
6005 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6006 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6007 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6008 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6009 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6010 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6011 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6012 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6013 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6014 End of assembler dump.
6015 @end smallexample
6016
6017 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86:
6018
6019 @smallexample
6020 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6021 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6022 5 @{
6023 0x08048330 <main+0>: push %ebp
6024 0x08048331 <main+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6025 0x08048333 <main+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6026 0x08048336 <main+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6027 0x08048339 <main+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6028
6029 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6030 0x0804833c <main+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6031 0x08048343 <main+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6032
6033 7 return 0;
6034 8 @}
6035 0x08048348 <main+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6036 0x0804834d <main+29>: leave
6037 0x0804834e <main+30>: ret
6038
6039 End of assembler dump.
6040 @end smallexample
6041
6042 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6043 mnemonics or other syntax.
6044
6045 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6046 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6047 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6048 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6049 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6050
6051 @table @code
6052 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6053 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6054 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6055 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6056 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6057 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6058
6059 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6060 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6061 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6062 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6063
6064 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6065 @item show disassembly-flavor
6066 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6067 @end table
6068
6069 @table @code
6070 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6071 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6072 @item set disassemble-next-line
6073 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6074 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6075 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6076 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6077 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6078 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6079 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6080 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6081 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6082 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6083 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6084 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6085 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6086 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6087 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6088 instruction.
6089 @end table
6090
6091
6092 @node Data
6093 @chapter Examining Data
6094
6095 @cindex printing data
6096 @cindex examining data
6097 @kindex print
6098 @kindex inspect
6099 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6100 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6101 @c different window or something like that.
6102 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6103 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6104 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6105 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6106 Different Languages}).
6107
6108 @table @code
6109 @item print @var{expr}
6110 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6111 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6112 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6113 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6114 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6115 Formats}.
6116
6117 @item print
6118 @itemx print /@var{f}
6119 @cindex reprint the last value
6120 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6121 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6122 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6123 @end table
6124
6125 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6126 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6127 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6128
6129 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6130 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6131 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6132 Table}.
6133
6134 @menu
6135 * Expressions:: Expressions
6136 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6137 * Variables:: Program variables
6138 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6139 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6140 * Memory:: Examining memory
6141 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6142 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6143 * Value History:: Value history
6144 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6145 * Registers:: Registers
6146 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6147 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
6148 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
6149 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
6150 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
6151 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
6152 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
6153 character set than GDB does
6154 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
6155 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
6156 @end menu
6157
6158 @node Expressions
6159 @section Expressions
6160
6161 @cindex expressions
6162 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
6163 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
6164 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
6165 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
6166 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
6167 you compiled your program to include this information; see
6168 @ref{Compilation}.
6169
6170 @cindex arrays in expressions
6171 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
6172 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
6173 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
6174 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
6175 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
6176 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
6177
6178 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
6179 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
6180 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
6181 languages.
6182
6183 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
6184 expressions regardless of your programming language.
6185
6186 @cindex casts, in expressions
6187 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
6188 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
6189 at that address in memory.
6190 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
6191
6192 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
6193 to programming languages:
6194
6195 @table @code
6196 @item @@
6197 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
6198 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
6199
6200 @item ::
6201 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
6202 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
6203
6204 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
6205 @cindex type casting memory
6206 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
6207 @cindex casts, to view memory
6208 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
6209 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
6210 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
6211 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
6212 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
6213 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
6214 @end table
6215
6216 @node Ambiguous Expressions
6217 @section Ambiguous Expressions
6218 @cindex ambiguous expressions
6219
6220 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
6221 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
6222 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
6223 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
6224 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
6225 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
6226 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
6227
6228 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
6229 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
6230 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
6231 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
6232 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
6233 as well.
6234
6235 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
6236 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
6237 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
6238 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
6239 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
6240 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
6241 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
6242 choices.
6243
6244 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
6245 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
6246 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
6247
6248 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
6249 @smallexample
6250 @group
6251 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
6252 [0] cancel
6253 [1] all
6254 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
6255 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
6256 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
6257 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
6258 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
6259 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
6260 > 2 4 6
6261 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
6262 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
6263 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
6264 Multiple breakpoints were set.
6265 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
6266 breakpoints.
6267 (@value{GDBP})
6268 @end group
6269 @end smallexample
6270
6271 @table @code
6272 @kindex set multiple-symbols
6273 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
6274 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
6275
6276 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
6277 is ambiguous.
6278
6279 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
6280 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
6281 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
6282 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
6283 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
6284 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
6285 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
6286 in the use of the menu.
6287
6288 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
6289 when an ambiguity is detected.
6290
6291 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
6292 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
6293
6294 @kindex show multiple-symbols
6295 @item show multiple-symbols
6296 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
6297 @end table
6298
6299 @node Variables
6300 @section Program Variables
6301
6302 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
6303 in your program.
6304
6305 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
6306 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
6307
6308 @itemize @bullet
6309 @item
6310 global (or file-static)
6311 @end itemize
6312
6313 @noindent or
6314
6315 @itemize @bullet
6316 @item
6317 visible according to the scope rules of the
6318 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
6319 @end itemize
6320
6321 @noindent This means that in the function
6322
6323 @smallexample
6324 foo (a)
6325 int a;
6326 @{
6327 bar (a);
6328 @{
6329 int b = test ();
6330 bar (b);
6331 @}
6332 @}
6333 @end smallexample
6334
6335 @noindent
6336 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
6337 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
6338 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
6339 the block where @code{b} is declared.
6340
6341 @cindex variable name conflict
6342 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
6343 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
6344 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
6345 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
6346 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
6347 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
6348 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
6349
6350 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
6351 @ifnotinfo
6352 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
6353 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
6354 @end ifnotinfo
6355 @smallexample
6356 @var{file}::@var{variable}
6357 @var{function}::@var{variable}
6358 @end smallexample
6359
6360 @noindent
6361 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
6362 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
6363 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
6364 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
6365
6366 @smallexample
6367 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
6368 @end smallexample
6369
6370 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
6371 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
6372 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
6373 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
6374 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
6375 @c conflict?? --mew
6376
6377 @cindex wrong values
6378 @cindex variable values, wrong
6379 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
6380 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
6381 @quotation
6382 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
6383 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
6384 scope, and just before exit.
6385 @end quotation
6386 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
6387 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
6388 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
6389 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
6390 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
6391 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
6392 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
6393 variable definitions may be gone.
6394
6395 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
6396 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
6397 when compiling.
6398
6399 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
6400 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
6401 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
6402 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
6403 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
6404 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
6405 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
6406
6407 @smallexample
6408 No symbol "foo" in current context.
6409 @end smallexample
6410
6411 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
6412 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
6413 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
6414 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
6415 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
6416 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
6417 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
6418 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
6419 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
6420 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
6421 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
6422
6423 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
6424 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
6425 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
6426 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
6427
6428 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
6429 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
6430 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
6431 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
6432 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
6433 For program code
6434
6435 @smallexample
6436 char var0[] = "A";
6437 signed char var1[] = "A";
6438 @end smallexample
6439
6440 You get during debugging
6441 @smallexample
6442 (gdb) print var0
6443 $1 = "A"
6444 (gdb) print var1
6445 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
6446 @end smallexample
6447
6448 @node Arrays
6449 @section Artificial Arrays
6450
6451 @cindex artificial array
6452 @cindex arrays
6453 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
6454 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
6455 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
6456 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
6457 program.
6458
6459 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
6460 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
6461 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
6462 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
6463 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
6464 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
6465 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
6466 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
6467 example. If a program says
6468
6469 @smallexample
6470 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
6471 @end smallexample
6472
6473 @noindent
6474 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
6475
6476 @smallexample
6477 p *array@@len
6478 @end smallexample
6479
6480 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
6481 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
6482 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
6483 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
6484 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
6485
6486 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
6487 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
6488 The value need not be in memory:
6489 @smallexample
6490 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
6491 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
6492 @end smallexample
6493
6494 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
6495 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
6496 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
6497 @smallexample
6498 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
6499 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
6500 @end smallexample
6501
6502 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
6503 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
6504 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
6505 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
6506 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6507 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
6508 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
6509 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
6510 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
6511 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
6512
6513 @smallexample
6514 set $i = 0
6515 p dtab[$i++]->fv
6516 @key{RET}
6517 @key{RET}
6518 @dots{}
6519 @end smallexample
6520
6521 @node Output Formats
6522 @section Output Formats
6523
6524 @cindex formatted output
6525 @cindex output formats
6526 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
6527 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
6528 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
6529 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
6530 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
6531
6532 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
6533 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
6534 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
6535 letters supported are:
6536
6537 @table @code
6538 @item x
6539 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
6540 hexadecimal.
6541
6542 @item d
6543 Print as integer in signed decimal.
6544
6545 @item u
6546 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
6547
6548 @item o
6549 Print as integer in octal.
6550
6551 @item t
6552 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
6553 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
6554 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
6555 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
6556
6557 @item a
6558 @cindex unknown address, locating
6559 @cindex locate address
6560 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
6561 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
6562 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
6563
6564 @smallexample
6565 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
6566 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
6567 @end smallexample
6568
6569 @noindent
6570 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
6571 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
6572
6573 @item c
6574 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
6575 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
6576 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
6577 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
6578
6579 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
6580 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
6581 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
6582 data.
6583
6584 @item f
6585 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
6586 using typical floating point syntax.
6587
6588 @item s
6589 @cindex printing strings
6590 @cindex printing byte arrays
6591 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
6592 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
6593 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
6594 natural types.
6595
6596 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
6597 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
6598 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
6599 array.
6600 @end table
6601
6602 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
6603
6604 @smallexample
6605 p/x $pc
6606 @end smallexample
6607
6608 @noindent
6609 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
6610 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
6611
6612 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
6613 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
6614 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
6615
6616 @node Memory
6617 @section Examining Memory
6618
6619 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
6620 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
6621
6622 @cindex examining memory
6623 @table @code
6624 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
6625 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
6626 @itemx x @var{addr}
6627 @itemx x
6628 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
6629 @end table
6630
6631 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
6632 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
6633 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
6634 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
6635 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
6636
6637 @table @r
6638 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
6639 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
6640 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
6641 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
6642 @c 4.1.2.
6643
6644 @item @var{f}, the display format
6645 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
6646 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
6647 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
6648 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
6649 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
6650
6651 @item @var{u}, the unit size
6652 The unit size is any of
6653
6654 @table @code
6655 @item b
6656 Bytes.
6657 @item h
6658 Halfwords (two bytes).
6659 @item w
6660 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
6661 @item g
6662 Giant words (eight bytes).
6663 @end table
6664
6665 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
6666 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. (For the @samp{s} and
6667 @samp{i} formats, the unit size is ignored and is normally not written.)
6668
6669 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
6670 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
6671 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
6672 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
6673 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
6674 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
6675 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
6676 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
6677 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
6678 a value from memory).
6679 @end table
6680
6681 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
6682 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
6683 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
6684 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
6685 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
6686
6687 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
6688 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
6689 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
6690 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
6691 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
6692
6693 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
6694 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
6695 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
6696 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
6697 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
6698 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
6699 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
6700 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
6701 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
6702
6703 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
6704 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
6705 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
6706 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
6707 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
6708 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
6709 for successive uses of @code{x}.
6710
6711 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
6712 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
6713 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
6714 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
6715 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
6716 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
6717 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
6718 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
6719 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
6720
6721 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
6722 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
6723 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
6724
6725 @cindex remote memory comparison
6726 @cindex verify remote memory image
6727 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
6728 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
6729 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
6730 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
6731 situations.
6732
6733 @table @code
6734 @kindex compare-sections
6735 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
6736 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
6737 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
6738 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
6739 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
6740 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
6741 remote request.
6742 @end table
6743
6744 @node Auto Display
6745 @section Automatic Display
6746 @cindex automatic display
6747 @cindex display of expressions
6748
6749 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
6750 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
6751 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
6752 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
6753 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
6754 The automatic display looks like this:
6755
6756 @smallexample
6757 2: foo = 38
6758 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
6759 @end smallexample
6760
6761 @noindent
6762 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
6763 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
6764 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
6765 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
6766 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
6767 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
6768
6769 @table @code
6770 @kindex display
6771 @item display @var{expr}
6772 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
6773 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
6774
6775 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
6776
6777 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
6778 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
6779 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
6780 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
6781 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
6782
6783 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
6784 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
6785 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
6786 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
6787 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6788 @end table
6789
6790 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
6791 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
6792 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
6793
6794 @table @code
6795 @kindex delete display
6796 @kindex undisplay
6797 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
6798 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
6799 Remove item numbers @var{dnums} from the list of expressions to display.
6800
6801 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
6802 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
6803
6804 @kindex disable display
6805 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
6806 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
6807 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
6808 enabled again later.
6809
6810 @kindex enable display
6811 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
6812 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
6813 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
6814
6815 @item display
6816 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
6817 done when your program stops.
6818
6819 @kindex info display
6820 @item info display
6821 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
6822 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
6823 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
6824 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
6825 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
6826 @end table
6827
6828 @cindex display disabled out of scope
6829 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
6830 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
6831 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
6832 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
6833 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
6834 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
6835 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
6836 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
6837 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
6838 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
6839
6840 @node Print Settings
6841 @section Print Settings
6842
6843 @cindex format options
6844 @cindex print settings
6845 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
6846 and symbols are printed.
6847
6848 @noindent
6849 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
6850
6851 @table @code
6852 @kindex set print
6853 @item set print address
6854 @itemx set print address on
6855 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
6856 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
6857 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
6858 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
6859 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
6860 @code{set print address on}:
6861
6862 @smallexample
6863 @group
6864 (@value{GDBP}) f
6865 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
6866 at input.c:530
6867 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
6868 @end group
6869 @end smallexample
6870
6871 @item set print address off
6872 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
6873 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
6874
6875 @smallexample
6876 @group
6877 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
6878 (@value{GDBP}) f
6879 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
6880 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
6881 @end group
6882 @end smallexample
6883
6884 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
6885 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
6886 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
6887 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
6888
6889 @kindex show print
6890 @item show print address
6891 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
6892 @end table
6893
6894 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
6895 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
6896 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
6897 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
6898 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
6899 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
6900 it prints a symbolic address:
6901
6902 @table @code
6903 @item set print symbol-filename on
6904 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
6905 @cindex symbol, source file and line
6906 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
6907 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
6908
6909 @item set print symbol-filename off
6910 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
6911 default.
6912
6913 @item show print symbol-filename
6914 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
6915 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
6916 @end table
6917
6918 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
6919 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
6920 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
6921
6922 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
6923 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
6924
6925 @table @code
6926 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
6927 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
6928 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
6929 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
6930 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
6931 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
6932
6933 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
6934 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
6935 symbolic address.
6936 @end table
6937
6938 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
6939 @cindex pointer, finding referent
6940 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
6941 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
6942 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
6943 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
6944 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
6945 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
6946
6947 @smallexample
6948 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
6949 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
6950 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
6951 @end smallexample
6952
6953 @quotation
6954 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
6955 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
6956 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
6957 @end quotation
6958
6959 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
6960
6961 @table @code
6962 @item set print array
6963 @itemx set print array on
6964 @cindex pretty print arrays
6965 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
6966 but uses more space. The default is off.
6967
6968 @item set print array off
6969 Return to compressed format for arrays.
6970
6971 @item show print array
6972 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
6973 arrays.
6974
6975 @cindex print array indexes
6976 @item set print array-indexes
6977 @itemx set print array-indexes on
6978 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
6979 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
6980 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
6981
6982 @item set print array-indexes off
6983 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
6984
6985 @item show print array-indexes
6986 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
6987 arrays.
6988
6989 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
6990 @cindex number of array elements to print
6991 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
6992 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
6993 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
6994 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
6995 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
6996 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
6997 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
6998
6999 @item show print elements
7000 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7001 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7002
7003 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7004 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7005 @cindex printing frame argument values
7006 @cindex print all frame argument values
7007 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7008 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7009 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7010 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7011 values are:
7012
7013 @table @code
7014 @item all
7015 The values of all arguments are printed.
7016
7017 @item scalars
7018 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7019 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7020 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7021 only scalar arguments are shown:
7022
7023 @smallexample
7024 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7025 at frame-args.c:23
7026 @end smallexample
7027
7028 @item none
7029 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7030 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7031
7032 @smallexample
7033 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7034 at frame-args.c:23
7035 @end smallexample
7036 @end table
7037
7038 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7039 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7040 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7041 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7042 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7043 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7044 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7045 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7046 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7047 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7048
7049 @item show print frame-arguments
7050 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7051
7052 @item set print repeats
7053 @cindex repeated array elements
7054 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7055 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7056 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7057 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7058 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7059 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7060 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7061
7062 @item show print repeats
7063 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7064 elements.
7065
7066 @item set print null-stop
7067 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7068 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7069 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7070 contain only short strings.
7071 The default is off.
7072
7073 @item show print null-stop
7074 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7075 @sc{null} character.
7076
7077 @item set print pretty on
7078 @cindex print structures in indented form
7079 @cindex indentation in structure display
7080 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7081 per line, like this:
7082
7083 @smallexample
7084 @group
7085 $1 = @{
7086 next = 0x0,
7087 flags = @{
7088 sweet = 1,
7089 sour = 1
7090 @},
7091 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7092 @}
7093 @end group
7094 @end smallexample
7095
7096 @item set print pretty off
7097 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7098
7099 @smallexample
7100 @group
7101 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7102 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7103 @end group
7104 @end smallexample
7105
7106 @noindent
7107 This is the default format.
7108
7109 @item show print pretty
7110 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
7111
7112 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
7113 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
7114 @cindex octal escapes in strings
7115 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
7116 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
7117 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
7118 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
7119 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
7120
7121 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
7122 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
7123 international character sets, and is the default.
7124
7125 @item show print sevenbit-strings
7126 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
7127
7128 @item set print union on
7129 @cindex unions in structures, printing
7130 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
7131 and other unions. This is the default setting.
7132
7133 @item set print union off
7134 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
7135 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
7136 instead.
7137
7138 @item show print union
7139 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
7140 structures and other unions.
7141
7142 For example, given the declarations
7143
7144 @smallexample
7145 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
7146 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
7147 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
7148 Bug_forms;
7149
7150 struct thing @{
7151 Species it;
7152 union @{
7153 Tree_forms tree;
7154 Bug_forms bug;
7155 @} form;
7156 @};
7157
7158 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
7159 @end smallexample
7160
7161 @noindent
7162 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
7163
7164 @smallexample
7165 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
7166 @end smallexample
7167
7168 @noindent
7169 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
7170
7171 @smallexample
7172 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
7173 @end smallexample
7174
7175 @noindent
7176 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
7177 and in Pascal.
7178 @end table
7179
7180 @need 1000
7181 @noindent
7182 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
7183
7184 @table @code
7185 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
7186 @item set print demangle
7187 @itemx set print demangle on
7188 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
7189 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
7190 linkage. The default is on.
7191
7192 @item show print demangle
7193 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
7194
7195 @item set print asm-demangle
7196 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
7197 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
7198 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
7199 The default is off.
7200
7201 @item show print asm-demangle
7202 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
7203 or demangled form.
7204
7205 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
7206 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
7207 @kindex set demangle-style
7208 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
7209 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
7210 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
7211
7212 @table @code
7213 @item auto
7214 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
7215
7216 @item gnu
7217 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
7218 This is the default.
7219
7220 @item hp
7221 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
7222
7223 @item lucid
7224 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
7225
7226 @item arm
7227 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
7228 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
7229 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
7230 require further enhancement to permit that.
7231
7232 @end table
7233 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
7234
7235 @item show demangle-style
7236 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
7237
7238 @item set print object
7239 @itemx set print object on
7240 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
7241 @cindex display derived types
7242 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
7243 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
7244 the virtual function table.
7245
7246 @item set print object off
7247 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
7248 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
7249
7250 @item show print object
7251 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
7252
7253 @item set print static-members
7254 @itemx set print static-members on
7255 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
7256 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
7257
7258 @item set print static-members off
7259 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
7260
7261 @item show print static-members
7262 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
7263
7264 @item set print pascal_static-members
7265 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
7266 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
7267 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
7268 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
7269
7270 @item set print pascal_static-members off
7271 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
7272
7273 @item show print pascal_static-members
7274 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
7275
7276 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
7277 @item set print vtbl
7278 @itemx set print vtbl on
7279 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
7280 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
7281 @cindex VTBL display
7282 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
7283 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
7284 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
7285
7286 @item set print vtbl off
7287 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
7288
7289 @item show print vtbl
7290 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
7291 @end table
7292
7293 @node Value History
7294 @section Value History
7295
7296 @cindex value history
7297 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
7298 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
7299 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
7300 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
7301 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
7302 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
7303 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
7304 symbol table.
7305
7306 @cindex @code{$}
7307 @cindex @code{$$}
7308 @cindex history number
7309 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
7310 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
7311 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
7312 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
7313 history number.
7314
7315 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
7316 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
7317 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
7318 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
7319 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
7320 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
7321 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
7322
7323 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
7324 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
7325
7326 @smallexample
7327 p *$
7328 @end smallexample
7329
7330 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
7331 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
7332
7333 @smallexample
7334 p *$.next
7335 @end smallexample
7336
7337 @noindent
7338 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
7339 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
7340
7341 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
7342 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
7343
7344 @smallexample
7345 print x
7346 set x=5
7347 @end smallexample
7348
7349 @noindent
7350 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
7351 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
7352
7353 @table @code
7354 @kindex show values
7355 @item show values
7356 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
7357 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
7358 values} does not change the history.
7359
7360 @item show values @var{n}
7361 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
7362
7363 @item show values +
7364 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
7365 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
7366 @end table
7367
7368 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
7369 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
7370
7371 @node Convenience Vars
7372 @section Convenience Variables
7373
7374 @cindex convenience variables
7375 @cindex user-defined variables
7376 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
7377 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
7378 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
7379 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
7380 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
7381
7382 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
7383 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
7384 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7385 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
7386 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
7387
7388 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
7389 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
7390 For example:
7391
7392 @smallexample
7393 set $foo = *object_ptr
7394 @end smallexample
7395
7396 @noindent
7397 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
7398 @code{object_ptr}.
7399
7400 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
7401 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
7402 value with another assignment at any time.
7403
7404 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
7405 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
7406 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
7407 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
7408
7409 @table @code
7410 @kindex show convenience
7411 @cindex show all user variables
7412 @item show convenience
7413 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
7414 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
7415
7416 @kindex init-if-undefined
7417 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
7418 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
7419 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
7420 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
7421 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
7422 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
7423 override default values used in a command script.
7424
7425 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
7426 any side-effects do not occur.
7427 @end table
7428
7429 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
7430 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
7431 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
7432
7433 @smallexample
7434 set $i = 0
7435 print bar[$i++]->contents
7436 @end smallexample
7437
7438 @noindent
7439 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
7440
7441 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
7442 values likely to be useful.
7443
7444 @table @code
7445 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
7446 @item $_
7447 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
7448 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
7449 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
7450 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
7451 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
7452 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
7453 to the type of @code{$__}.
7454
7455 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
7456 @item $__
7457 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
7458 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
7459 to match the format in which the data was printed.
7460
7461 @item $_exitcode
7462 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
7463 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
7464 the program being debugged terminates.
7465
7466 @item $_siginfo
7467 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
7468 The variable @code{$_siginfo} is bound to extra signal information
7469 inspection (@pxref{extra signal information}).
7470 @end table
7471
7472 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
7473 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
7474 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
7475
7476 @cindex convenience functions
7477 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
7478 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
7479 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
7480 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
7481 @value{GDBN}.
7482
7483 @table @code
7484 @item help function
7485 @kindex help function
7486 @cindex show all convenience functions
7487 Print a list of all convenience functions.
7488 @end table
7489
7490 @node Registers
7491 @section Registers
7492
7493 @cindex registers
7494 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
7495 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
7496 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
7497 your machine.
7498
7499 @table @code
7500 @kindex info registers
7501 @item info registers
7502 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
7503 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
7504
7505 @kindex info all-registers
7506 @cindex floating point registers
7507 @item info all-registers
7508 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
7509 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
7510
7511 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
7512 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
7513 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
7514 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
7515 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
7516 @end table
7517
7518 @cindex stack pointer register
7519 @cindex program counter register
7520 @cindex process status register
7521 @cindex frame pointer register
7522 @cindex standard registers
7523 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
7524 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
7525 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
7526 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
7527 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
7528 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
7529 register that contains the processor status. For example,
7530 you could print the program counter in hex with
7531
7532 @smallexample
7533 p/x $pc
7534 @end smallexample
7535
7536 @noindent
7537 or print the instruction to be executed next with
7538
7539 @smallexample
7540 x/i $pc
7541 @end smallexample
7542
7543 @noindent
7544 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
7545 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
7546 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
7547 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
7548 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
7549 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
7550 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
7551
7552 @smallexample
7553 set $sp += 4
7554 @end smallexample
7555
7556 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
7557 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
7558 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
7559 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
7560 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
7561 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
7562 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
7563
7564 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
7565 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
7566 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
7567 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
7568 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
7569 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
7570 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
7571
7572 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
7573 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
7574 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
7575 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
7576 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
7577 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
7578 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
7579 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
7580 prints the data in both formats.
7581
7582 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
7583 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
7584 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
7585 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
7586 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
7587 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
7588 registers in @code{struct} notation:
7589
7590 @smallexample
7591 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
7592 $1 = @{
7593 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
7594 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
7595 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
7596 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
7597 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
7598 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
7599 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
7600 @}
7601 @end smallexample
7602
7603 @noindent
7604 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
7605 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
7606 value to a @code{struct} member:
7607
7608 @smallexample
7609 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
7610 @end smallexample
7611
7612 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
7613 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
7614 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
7615 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
7616 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
7617 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
7618
7619 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
7620 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
7621 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
7622 frame makes no difference.
7623
7624 @node Floating Point Hardware
7625 @section Floating Point Hardware
7626 @cindex floating point
7627
7628 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
7629 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
7630
7631 @table @code
7632 @kindex info float
7633 @item info float
7634 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
7635 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
7636 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
7637 the ARM and x86 machines.
7638 @end table
7639
7640 @node Vector Unit
7641 @section Vector Unit
7642 @cindex vector unit
7643
7644 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
7645 more information about the status of the vector unit.
7646
7647 @table @code
7648 @kindex info vector
7649 @item info vector
7650 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
7651 layout vary depending on the hardware.
7652 @end table
7653
7654 @node OS Information
7655 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
7656 @cindex OS information
7657
7658 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
7659 you debug your program.
7660
7661 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
7662 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
7663 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
7664 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
7665 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
7666 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
7667 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
7668 structure.
7669
7670 @table @code
7671 @item info udot
7672 @kindex info udot
7673 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
7674 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
7675 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
7676 the @code{examine} command.
7677 @end table
7678
7679 @cindex auxiliary vector
7680 @cindex vector, auxiliary
7681 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
7682 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
7683 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
7684 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
7685 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
7686 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
7687 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
7688 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
7689 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
7690 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
7691 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
7692
7693 @table @code
7694 @kindex info auxv
7695 @item info auxv
7696 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
7697 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
7698 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
7699 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
7700 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
7701 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
7702 an unrecognized tag.
7703 @end table
7704
7705 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
7706 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
7707 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
7708 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
7709
7710 @table @code
7711 @kindex info os processes
7712 @item info os processes
7713 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
7714 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
7715 the command corresponding to the process.
7716 @end table
7717
7718 @node Memory Region Attributes
7719 @section Memory Region Attributes
7720 @cindex memory region attributes
7721
7722 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
7723 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
7724 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
7725 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
7726 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
7727 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
7728 user can override the fetched regions.
7729
7730 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
7731 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
7732 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
7733 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
7734 all memory.
7735
7736 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
7737 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
7738
7739 @table @code
7740 @kindex mem
7741 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
7742 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
7743 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
7744 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
7745 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
7746 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
7747
7748 @item mem auto
7749 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
7750 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
7751
7752 @kindex delete mem
7753 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
7754 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
7755 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
7756
7757 @kindex disable mem
7758 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
7759 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
7760 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
7761 It may be enabled again later.
7762
7763 @kindex enable mem
7764 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
7765 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
7766
7767 @kindex info mem
7768 @item info mem
7769 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
7770 for each region:
7771
7772 @table @emph
7773 @item Memory Region Number
7774 @item Enabled or Disabled.
7775 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
7776 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
7777
7778 @item Lo Address
7779 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
7780
7781 @item Hi Address
7782 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
7783
7784 @item Attributes
7785 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
7786 @end table
7787 @end table
7788
7789
7790 @subsection Attributes
7791
7792 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
7793 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
7794 write accesses to a memory region.
7795
7796 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
7797 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
7798 etc.@: from accessing memory.
7799
7800 @table @code
7801 @item ro
7802 Memory is read only.
7803 @item wo
7804 Memory is write only.
7805 @item rw
7806 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
7807 @end table
7808
7809 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
7810 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
7811 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
7812 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
7813 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
7814
7815 @table @code
7816 @item 8
7817 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
7818 @item 16
7819 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
7820 @item 32
7821 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
7822 @item 64
7823 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
7824 @end table
7825
7826 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
7827 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
7828 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
7829 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
7830 @c
7831 @c @table @code
7832 @c @item hwbreak
7833 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
7834 @c @item swbreak (default)
7835 @c @end table
7836
7837 @subsubsection Data Cache
7838 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
7839 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
7840 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
7841 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
7842 registers.
7843
7844 @table @code
7845 @item cache
7846 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
7847 @item nocache
7848 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
7849 @end table
7850
7851 @subsection Memory Access Checking
7852 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
7853 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
7854 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
7855 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
7856
7857 @table @code
7858 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
7859 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
7860 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
7861 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
7862 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
7863 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
7864 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
7865 The default value is @code{on}.
7866 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
7867 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
7868 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
7869 @end table
7870
7871
7872 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
7873 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
7874 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
7875 @c
7876 @c @table @code
7877 @c @item verify
7878 @c @item noverify (default)
7879 @c @end table
7880
7881 @node Dump/Restore Files
7882 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
7883 @cindex dump/restore files
7884 @cindex append data to a file
7885 @cindex dump data to a file
7886 @cindex restore data from a file
7887
7888 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
7889 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
7890 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
7891 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
7892 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
7893 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
7894 files.
7895
7896 @table @code
7897
7898 @kindex dump
7899 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
7900 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
7901 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
7902 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
7903
7904 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
7905 @table @code
7906 @item binary
7907 Raw binary form.
7908 @item ihex
7909 Intel hex format.
7910 @item srec
7911 Motorola S-record format.
7912 @item tekhex
7913 Tektronix Hex format.
7914 @end table
7915
7916 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
7917 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
7918 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
7919 form.
7920
7921 @kindex append
7922 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
7923 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
7924 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
7925 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
7926 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
7927
7928 @kindex restore
7929 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
7930 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
7931 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
7932 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
7933 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
7934
7935 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
7936 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
7937 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
7938 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
7939 from that location.
7940
7941 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
7942 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
7943 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
7944 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
7945
7946 @end table
7947
7948 @node Core File Generation
7949 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
7950 @cindex dump core from inferior
7951
7952 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
7953 image of a running process and its process status (register values
7954 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
7955 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
7956 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
7957 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
7958 the post-mortem debugging mode.
7959
7960 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
7961 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
7962 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
7963
7964 @table @code
7965 @kindex gcore
7966 @kindex generate-core-file
7967 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
7968 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
7969 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
7970 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
7971 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
7972 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
7973
7974 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
7975 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
7976 @end table
7977
7978 @node Character Sets
7979 @section Character Sets
7980 @cindex character sets
7981 @cindex charset
7982 @cindex translating between character sets
7983 @cindex host character set
7984 @cindex target character set
7985
7986 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
7987 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
7988 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
7989 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
7990 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
7991 @dfn{target character set}.
7992
7993 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
7994 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
7995 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
7996 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
7997 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
7998 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
7999 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
8000 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
8001 character and string literals in expressions.
8002
8003 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
8004 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
8005 target-charset} command, described below.
8006
8007 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
8008 support:
8009
8010 @table @code
8011 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
8012 @kindex set target-charset
8013 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
8014 list of supported target character sets, type
8015 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8016
8017 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
8018 @kindex set host-charset
8019 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
8020
8021 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
8022 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
8023 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
8024 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
8025 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
8026
8027 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
8028 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8029 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
8030
8031 @item set charset @var{charset}
8032 @kindex set charset
8033 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
8034 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
8035 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
8036 for both host and target.
8037
8038 @item show charset
8039 @kindex show charset
8040 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
8041
8042 @item show host-charset
8043 @kindex show host-charset
8044 Show the name of the current host character set.
8045
8046 @item show target-charset
8047 @kindex show target-charset
8048 Show the name of the current target character set.
8049
8050 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
8051 @kindex set target-wide-charset
8052 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
8053 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
8054 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
8055 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
8056
8057 @item show target-wide-charset
8058 @kindex show target-wide-charset
8059 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
8060 @end table
8061
8062 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
8063 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
8064 @file{charset-test.c}:
8065
8066 @smallexample
8067 #include <stdio.h>
8068
8069 char ascii_hello[]
8070 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
8071 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
8072 char ibm1047_hello[]
8073 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
8074 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
8075
8076 main ()
8077 @{
8078 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8079 @}
8080 @end smallexample
8081
8082 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
8083 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
8084 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
8085
8086 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
8087
8088 @smallexample
8089 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
8090 $ gdb -nw charset-test
8091 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
8092 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8093 @dots{}
8094 (@value{GDBP})
8095 @end smallexample
8096
8097 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
8098 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
8099 strings:
8100
8101 @smallexample
8102 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8103 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
8104 (@value{GDBP})
8105 @end smallexample
8106
8107 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
8108 initial character set:
8109 @smallexample
8110 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
8111 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8112 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
8113 (@value{GDBP})
8114 @end smallexample
8115
8116 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
8117 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
8118 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
8119 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
8120 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
8121
8122 @smallexample
8123 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8124 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
8125 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8126 $2 = 72 'H'
8127 (@value{GDBP})
8128 @end smallexample
8129
8130 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
8131 literals you use in expressions:
8132
8133 @smallexample
8134 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8135 $3 = 43 '+'
8136 (@value{GDBP})
8137 @end smallexample
8138
8139 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
8140 character.
8141
8142 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
8143 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
8144 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
8145
8146 @smallexample
8147 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8148 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
8149 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8150 $5 = 200 '\310'
8151 (@value{GDBP})
8152 @end smallexample
8153
8154 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
8155 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
8156
8157 @smallexample
8158 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8159 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
8160 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
8161 @end smallexample
8162
8163 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
8164 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
8165 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
8166 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
8167 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
8168
8169 @smallexample
8170 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
8171 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
8172 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
8173 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
8174 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
8175 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
8176 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
8177 $7 = 72 '\110'
8178 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
8179 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
8180 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
8181 $9 = 200 'H'
8182 (@value{GDBP})
8183 @end smallexample
8184
8185 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
8186 string literals you use in expressions:
8187
8188 @smallexample
8189 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
8190 $10 = 78 '+'
8191 (@value{GDBP})
8192 @end smallexample
8193
8194 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
8195 character.
8196
8197 @node Caching Remote Data
8198 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
8199 @cindex caching data of remote targets
8200
8201 @value{GDBN} can cache data exchanged between the debugger and a
8202 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
8203 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
8204 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately,
8205 @value{GDBN} does not currently know anything about volatile
8206 registers, and thus data caching will produce incorrect results when
8207 volatile registers are in use.
8208
8209 @table @code
8210 @kindex set remotecache
8211 @item set remotecache on
8212 @itemx set remotecache off
8213 Set caching state for remote targets. When @code{ON}, use data
8214 caching. By default, this option is @code{OFF}.
8215
8216 @kindex show remotecache
8217 @item show remotecache
8218 Show the current state of data caching for remote targets.
8219
8220 @kindex info dcache
8221 @item info dcache
8222 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
8223 information displayed includes: the dcache width and depth; and for
8224 each cache line, how many times it was referenced, and its data and
8225 state (invalid, dirty, valid). This command is useful for debugging
8226 the data cache operation.
8227 @end table
8228
8229 @node Searching Memory
8230 @section Search Memory
8231 @cindex searching memory
8232
8233 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
8234 @code{find} command.
8235
8236 @table @code
8237 @kindex find
8238 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8239 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
8240 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
8241 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
8242 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
8243 @end table
8244
8245 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
8246 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
8247
8248 @table @r
8249 @item @var{s}, search query size
8250 The size of each search query value.
8251
8252 @table @code
8253 @item b
8254 bytes
8255 @item h
8256 halfwords (two bytes)
8257 @item w
8258 words (four bytes)
8259 @item g
8260 giant words (eight bytes)
8261 @end table
8262
8263 All values are interpreted in the current language.
8264 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
8265 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
8266
8267 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
8268 value's type in the current language.
8269 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
8270 pattern as a mixture of types.
8271 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
8272 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
8273 which is typically four bytes.
8274
8275 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
8276 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
8277 @end table
8278
8279 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
8280 (@code{"}).
8281 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
8282 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
8283
8284 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
8285 number of matches found.
8286
8287 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
8288 @samp{$_}.
8289 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
8290
8291 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
8292
8293 @smallexample
8294 void
8295 hello ()
8296 @{
8297 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
8298 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
8299 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
8300 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
8301 printf ("%s\n", hello);
8302 @}
8303 @end smallexample
8304
8305 @noindent
8306 you get during debugging:
8307
8308 @smallexample
8309 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
8310 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8311 1 pattern found
8312 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
8313 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8314 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
8315 2 patterns found
8316 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
8317 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
8318 1 pattern found
8319 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
8320 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
8321 1 pattern found
8322 (gdb) print $numfound
8323 $1 = 1
8324 (gdb) print $_
8325 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
8326 @end smallexample
8327
8328 @node Macros
8329 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
8330
8331 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
8332 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
8333 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
8334 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
8335 where it was defined.
8336
8337 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
8338 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
8339 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
8340 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
8341
8342 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
8343 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
8344 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
8345 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
8346 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
8347 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
8348 see @ref{List}.
8349
8350 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
8351 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
8352 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
8353
8354 @table @code
8355
8356 @kindex macro expand
8357 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
8358 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
8359 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
8360 @item macro expand @var{expression}
8361 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
8362 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
8363 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
8364 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
8365 it can be any string of tokens.
8366
8367 @kindex macro exp1
8368 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
8369 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
8370 @cindex expand macro once
8371 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
8372 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
8373 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
8374 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
8375 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
8376 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
8377 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
8378 can be any string of tokens.
8379
8380 @kindex info macro
8381 @cindex macro definition, showing
8382 @cindex definition, showing a macro's
8383 @item info macro @var{macro}
8384 Show the definition of the macro named @var{macro}, and describe the
8385 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
8386
8387 @kindex macro define
8388 @cindex user-defined macros
8389 @cindex defining macros interactively
8390 @cindex macros, user-defined
8391 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
8392 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
8393 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
8394 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
8395 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
8396 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
8397 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
8398 @var{arglist}.
8399
8400 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
8401 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
8402 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
8403 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
8404 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
8405
8406 @kindex macro undef
8407 @item macro undef @var{macro}
8408 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
8409 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
8410 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
8411 in the program being debugged.
8412
8413 @kindex macro list
8414 @item macro list
8415 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
8416 @end table
8417
8418 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
8419 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
8420 show our source files:
8421
8422 @smallexample
8423 $ cat sample.c
8424 #include <stdio.h>
8425 #include "sample.h"
8426
8427 #define M 42
8428 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
8429
8430 main ()
8431 @{
8432 #define N 28
8433 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8434 #undef N
8435 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
8436 #define N 1729
8437 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
8438 @}
8439 $ cat sample.h
8440 #define Q <
8441 $
8442 @end smallexample
8443
8444 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
8445 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
8446 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
8447 information.
8448
8449 @smallexample
8450 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
8451 $
8452 @end smallexample
8453
8454 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
8455
8456 @smallexample
8457 $ gdb -nw sample
8458 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
8459 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
8460 GDB is free software, @dots{}
8461 (@value{GDBP})
8462 @end smallexample
8463
8464 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
8465 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
8466 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
8467
8468 @smallexample
8469 (@value{GDBP}) list main
8470 3
8471 4 #define M 42
8472 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
8473 6
8474 7 main ()
8475 8 @{
8476 9 #define N 28
8477 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8478 11 #undef N
8479 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
8480 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
8481 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
8482 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
8483 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
8484 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
8485 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
8486 #define Q <
8487 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
8488 expands to: (42 + 1)
8489 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
8490 expands to: once (M + 1)
8491 (@value{GDBP})
8492 @end smallexample
8493
8494 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
8495 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
8496 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
8497 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
8498
8499 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
8500 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
8501
8502 @smallexample
8503 (@value{GDBP}) break main
8504 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
8505 (@value{GDBP}) run
8506 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
8507
8508 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
8509 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
8510 (@value{GDBP})
8511 @end smallexample
8512
8513 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
8514
8515 @smallexample
8516 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
8517 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
8518 #define N 28
8519 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
8520 expands to: 28 < 42
8521 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
8522 $1 = 1
8523 (@value{GDBP})
8524 @end smallexample
8525
8526 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
8527 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
8528 thereof) in force at each point:
8529
8530 @smallexample
8531 (@value{GDBP}) next
8532 Hello, world!
8533 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
8534 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
8535 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
8536 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
8537 (@value{GDBP}) next
8538 We're so creative.
8539 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
8540 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
8541 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
8542 #define N 1729
8543 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
8544 expands to: 1729 < 42
8545 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
8546 $2 = 0
8547 (@value{GDBP})
8548 @end smallexample
8549
8550 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
8551 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
8552 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
8553 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
8554
8555 @smallexample
8556 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
8557 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
8558 -D__STDC__=1
8559 (@value{GDBP})
8560 @end smallexample
8561
8562
8563 @node Tracepoints
8564 @chapter Tracepoints
8565 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
8566 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
8567
8568 @cindex tracepoints
8569 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
8570 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
8571 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
8572 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
8573 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
8574 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
8575 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
8576
8577 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
8578 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
8579 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
8580 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
8581 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
8582 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
8583 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
8584 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
8585 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
8586 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
8587 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
8588
8589 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
8590 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
8591 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
8592 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
8593 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
8594 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
8595 Packets}.
8596
8597 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
8598
8599 @menu
8600 * Set Tracepoints::
8601 * Analyze Collected Data::
8602 * Tracepoint Variables::
8603 @end menu
8604
8605 @node Set Tracepoints
8606 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
8607
8608 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
8609 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
8610 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
8611 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
8612 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
8613 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
8614 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
8615
8616 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
8617 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
8618 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
8619 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
8620 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
8621 tracepoint was hit.
8622
8623 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Conditional
8624 expressions and ignore counts on tracepoints have no effect, and
8625 tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN} commands when they are
8626 hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific either.
8627
8628 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
8629 conditions and actions.
8630
8631 @menu
8632 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
8633 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
8634 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
8635 * Tracepoint Actions::
8636 * Listing Tracepoints::
8637 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
8638 @end menu
8639
8640 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
8641 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
8642
8643 @table @code
8644 @cindex set tracepoint
8645 @kindex trace
8646 @item trace @var{location}
8647 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
8648 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
8649 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
8650 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
8651 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
8652 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
8653 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
8654 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
8655 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
8656
8657 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
8658
8659 @smallexample
8660 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
8661
8662 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
8663
8664 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
8665
8666 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
8667
8668 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
8669 @end smallexample
8670
8671 @noindent
8672 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
8673
8674 @vindex $tpnum
8675 @cindex last tracepoint number
8676 @cindex recent tracepoint number
8677 @cindex tracepoint number
8678 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
8679 of the most recently set tracepoint.
8680
8681 @kindex delete tracepoint
8682 @cindex tracepoint deletion
8683 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
8684 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
8685 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
8686 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
8687
8688 Examples:
8689
8690 @smallexample
8691 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
8692
8693 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
8694 @end smallexample
8695
8696 @noindent
8697 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
8698 @end table
8699
8700 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
8701 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
8702
8703 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
8704
8705 @table @code
8706 @kindex disable tracepoint
8707 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
8708 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
8709 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
8710 the next trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
8711 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
8712
8713 @kindex enable tracepoint
8714 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
8715 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. The enabled
8716 tracepoints will become effective the next time a trace experiment is
8717 run.
8718 @end table
8719
8720 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
8721 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
8722
8723 @table @code
8724 @kindex passcount
8725 @cindex tracepoint pass count
8726 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
8727 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
8728 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
8729 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
8730 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
8731 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
8732 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
8733 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
8734 user.
8735
8736 Examples:
8737
8738 @smallexample
8739 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
8740 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
8741
8742 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
8743 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
8744 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
8745 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
8746 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
8747 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
8748 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
8749 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
8750 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
8751 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
8752 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
8753 @end smallexample
8754 @end table
8755
8756 @node Tracepoint Actions
8757 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
8758
8759 @table @code
8760 @kindex actions
8761 @cindex tracepoint actions
8762 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
8763 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
8764 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
8765 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
8766 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
8767 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
8768 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
8769 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
8770 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect} and
8771 @code{while-stepping}.
8772
8773 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
8774 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
8775 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
8776
8777 @smallexample
8778 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
8779
8780 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
8781
8782 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
8783 @end smallexample
8784
8785 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
8786 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
8787 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
8788 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
8789 followed by the list of things to be collected while stepping. The
8790 @code{while-stepping} command is terminated by its own separate
8791 @code{end} command. Lastly, the action list is terminated by an
8792 @code{end} command.
8793
8794 @smallexample
8795 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
8796 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
8797 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
8798 > collect bar,baz
8799 > collect $regs
8800 > while-stepping 12
8801 > collect $fp, $sp
8802 > end
8803 end
8804 @end smallexample
8805
8806 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
8807 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
8808 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
8809 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
8810 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
8811 special arguments are supported:
8812
8813 @table @code
8814 @item $regs
8815 collect all registers
8816
8817 @item $args
8818 collect all function arguments
8819
8820 @item $locals
8821 collect all local variables.
8822 @end table
8823
8824 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
8825 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
8826 arguments separated by commas: the effect is the same.
8827
8828 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
8829 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
8830
8831 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
8832 @item while-stepping @var{n}
8833 Perform @var{n} single-step traces after the tracepoint, collecting
8834 new data at each step. The @code{while-stepping} command is
8835 followed by the list of what to collect while stepping (followed by
8836 its own @code{end} command):
8837
8838 @smallexample
8839 > while-stepping 12
8840 > collect $regs, myglobal
8841 > end
8842 >
8843 @end smallexample
8844
8845 @noindent
8846 You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
8847 @code{stepping}.
8848 @end table
8849
8850 @node Listing Tracepoints
8851 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
8852
8853 @table @code
8854 @kindex info tracepoints
8855 @kindex info tp
8856 @cindex information about tracepoints
8857 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
8858 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
8859 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
8860 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
8861 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
8862 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
8863
8864 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
8865 tracing:
8866
8867 @itemize @bullet
8868 @item
8869 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
8870 @item
8871 its step count as given by the @code{while-stepping @var{n}} command
8872 @item
8873 its action list as given by the @code{actions} command. The actions
8874 are prefixed with an @samp{A} so as to distinguish them from commands.
8875 @end itemize
8876
8877 @smallexample
8878 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
8879 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
8880 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
8881 pass count 1200
8882 step count 20
8883 A while-stepping 20
8884 A collect globfoo, $regs
8885 A end
8886 A collect globfoo2
8887 A end
8888 (@value{GDBP})
8889 @end smallexample
8890
8891 @noindent
8892 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
8893 @end table
8894
8895 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
8896 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
8897
8898 @table @code
8899 @kindex tstart
8900 @cindex start a new trace experiment
8901 @cindex collected data discarded
8902 @item tstart
8903 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
8904 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
8905 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
8906 experiment.
8907
8908 @kindex tstop
8909 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
8910 @item tstop
8911 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
8912 stops collecting data.
8913
8914 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
8915 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
8916 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
8917
8918 @kindex tstatus
8919 @cindex status of trace data collection
8920 @cindex trace experiment, status of
8921 @item tstatus
8922 This command displays the status of the current trace data
8923 collection.
8924 @end table
8925
8926 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
8927
8928 @smallexample
8929 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
8930 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
8931 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
8932 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
8933 > while-stepping 11
8934 > collect $regs
8935 > end
8936 > end
8937 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
8938 [time passes @dots{}]
8939 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
8940 @end smallexample
8941
8942
8943 @node Analyze Collected Data
8944 @section Using the Collected Data
8945
8946 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
8947 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
8948 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
8949 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
8950 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
8951 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
8952 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
8953 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
8954 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
8955 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
8956 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
8957 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
8958 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
8959 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
8960 the buffer will fail.
8961
8962 @menu
8963 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
8964 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
8965 * save-tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
8966 @end menu
8967
8968 @node tfind
8969 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
8970
8971 @kindex tfind
8972 @cindex select trace snapshot
8973 @cindex find trace snapshot
8974 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
8975 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
8976 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
8977 snapshot is selected.
8978
8979 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
8980
8981 @table @code
8982 @item tfind start
8983 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
8984 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
8985
8986 @item tfind none
8987 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
8988
8989 @item tfind end
8990 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
8991
8992 @item tfind
8993 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
8994
8995 @item tfind -
8996 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
8997 retracing earlier steps.
8998
8999 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
9000 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
9001 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
9002 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
9003 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
9004
9005 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
9006 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
9007 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
9008 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
9009 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
9010
9011 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9012 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
9013 addresses.
9014
9015 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
9016 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
9017 @var{addr2}. @c FIXME: Is the range inclusive or exclusive?
9018
9019 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
9020 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
9021 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
9022 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
9023 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
9024 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
9025 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
9026 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
9027 @end table
9028
9029 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
9030 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
9031 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
9032 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
9033 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
9034 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
9035 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
9036 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
9037 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
9038 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
9039 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
9040 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
9041 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
9042 tracepoint as the current one.
9043
9044 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
9045 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
9046 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
9047 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
9048 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
9049
9050 @smallexample
9051 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9052 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9053 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
9054 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
9055 > tfind
9056 > end
9057
9058 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
9059 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
9060 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
9061 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
9062 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
9063 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
9064 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
9065 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
9066 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
9067 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
9068 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
9069 @end smallexample
9070
9071 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
9072 the buffer:
9073
9074 @smallexample
9075 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9076 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
9077 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
9078 > tfind line
9079 > end
9080
9081 Frame 0, X = 1
9082 Frame 7, X = 2
9083 Frame 13, X = 255
9084 @end smallexample
9085
9086 @node tdump
9087 @subsection @code{tdump}
9088 @kindex tdump
9089 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
9090 @cindex tracepoint data, display
9091
9092 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
9093 the current trace snapshot.
9094
9095 @smallexample
9096 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
9097 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
9098 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
9099 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
9100 > end
9101
9102 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
9103
9104 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
9105 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
9106 at gdb_test.c:444
9107 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
9108
9109 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
9110 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
9111 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
9112 d1 0x18 24
9113 d2 0x80 128
9114 d3 0x33 51
9115 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
9116 d5 0x22 34
9117 d6 0xe0 224
9118 d7 0x380035 3670069
9119 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
9120 a1 0x3000668 50333288
9121 a2 0x100 256
9122 a3 0x322000 3284992
9123 a4 0x3000698 50333336
9124 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
9125 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
9126 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
9127 ps 0x0 0
9128 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
9129 fpcontrol 0x0 0
9130 fpstatus 0x0 0
9131 fpiaddr 0x0 0
9132 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
9133 p1 = (void *) 0x11
9134 p2 = (void *) 0x22
9135 p3 = (void *) 0x33
9136 p4 = (void *) 0x44
9137 p5 = (void *) 0x55
9138 p6 = (void *) 0x66
9139 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
9140
9141 (@value{GDBP})
9142 @end smallexample
9143
9144 @node save-tracepoints
9145 @subsection @code{save-tracepoints @var{filename}}
9146 @kindex save-tracepoints
9147 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
9148
9149 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
9150 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
9151 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
9152 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
9153 Files}).
9154
9155 @node Tracepoint Variables
9156 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
9157 @cindex tracepoint variables
9158 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
9159
9160 @table @code
9161 @vindex $trace_frame
9162 @item (int) $trace_frame
9163 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
9164 snapshot is selected.
9165
9166 @vindex $tracepoint
9167 @item (int) $tracepoint
9168 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
9169
9170 @vindex $trace_line
9171 @item (int) $trace_line
9172 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
9173
9174 @vindex $trace_file
9175 @item (char []) $trace_file
9176 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
9177
9178 @vindex $trace_func
9179 @item (char []) $trace_func
9180 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
9181 @end table
9182
9183 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
9184 use @code{output} instead.
9185
9186 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
9187 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
9188 data.
9189
9190 @smallexample
9191 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
9192
9193 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
9194 > output $trace_file
9195 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
9196 > tfind
9197 > end
9198 @end smallexample
9199
9200 @node Overlays
9201 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
9202 @cindex overlays
9203
9204 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
9205 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
9206 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
9207 use overlays.
9208
9209 @menu
9210 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
9211 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
9212 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
9213 mapped by asking the inferior.
9214 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
9215 @end menu
9216
9217 @node How Overlays Work
9218 @section How Overlays Work
9219 @cindex mapped overlays
9220 @cindex unmapped overlays
9221 @cindex load address, overlay's
9222 @cindex mapped address
9223 @cindex overlay area
9224
9225 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
9226 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
9227 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
9228 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
9229 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
9230
9231 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
9232 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
9233 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
9234 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
9235 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
9236 largest overlay as well.
9237
9238 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
9239 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
9240 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
9241 there.
9242
9243 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
9244 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
9245 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
9246
9247 @smallexample
9248 @group
9249 Data Instruction Larger
9250 Address Space Address Space Address Space
9251 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
9252 | | | | | |
9253 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
9254 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
9255 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
9256 | and heap | | | | | |
9257 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
9258 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
9259 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
9260 | | | | | |
9261 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
9262 address | | | | | |
9263 | overlay | <-' | | |
9264 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
9265 | | <---. | | load address
9266 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
9267 | | | |
9268 +-----------+ | |
9269 +-----------+
9270 | |
9271 +-----------+
9272
9273 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
9274 @end group
9275 @end smallexample
9276
9277 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
9278 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
9279 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
9280 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
9281 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
9282 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
9283 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
9284 program and the overlay area.
9285
9286 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
9287 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
9288 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
9289 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
9290 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
9291 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
9292 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
9293
9294 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
9295 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
9296 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
9297
9298 @itemize @bullet
9299
9300 @item
9301 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
9302 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
9303 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
9304 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
9305
9306 @item
9307 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
9308 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
9309 your program's performance.
9310
9311 @item
9312 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
9313 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
9314 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
9315 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
9316 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
9317 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
9318 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
9319
9320 @item
9321 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
9322 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
9323 instruction and data spaces.
9324
9325 @end itemize
9326
9327 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
9328 improved in many ways:
9329
9330 @itemize @bullet
9331
9332 @item
9333 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
9334 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
9335 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
9336 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
9337 area in the usual way.
9338
9339 @item
9340 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
9341 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
9342
9343 @item
9344 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
9345 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
9346 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
9347 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
9348 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
9349 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
9350 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
9351
9352 @end itemize
9353
9354
9355 @node Overlay Commands
9356 @section Overlay Commands
9357
9358 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
9359 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
9360 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
9361 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
9362 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
9363 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
9364
9365 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
9366 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
9367
9368 @table @code
9369 @item overlay off
9370 @kindex overlay
9371 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
9372 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
9373 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
9374 overlay support is disabled.
9375
9376 @item overlay manual
9377 @cindex manual overlay debugging
9378 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
9379 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
9380 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
9381 commands described below.
9382
9383 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
9384 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
9385 @cindex map an overlay
9386 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
9387 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
9388 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
9389 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
9390 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
9391 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
9392
9393 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
9394 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
9395 @cindex unmap an overlay
9396 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
9397 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
9398 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
9399 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
9400
9401 @item overlay auto
9402 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
9403 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
9404 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
9405 Overlay Debugging}.
9406
9407 @item overlay load-target
9408 @itemx overlay load
9409 @cindex reloading the overlay table
9410 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
9411 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
9412 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
9413 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
9414 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
9415
9416 @item overlay list-overlays
9417 @itemx overlay list
9418 @cindex listing mapped overlays
9419 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
9420 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
9421
9422 @end table
9423
9424 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
9425 of the function the address falls in:
9426
9427 @smallexample
9428 (@value{GDBP}) print main
9429 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
9430 @end smallexample
9431 @noindent
9432 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
9433 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
9434 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
9435 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
9436
9437 @smallexample
9438 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
9439 No sections are mapped.
9440 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
9441 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
9442 @end smallexample
9443 @noindent
9444 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
9445 name normally:
9446
9447 @smallexample
9448 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
9449 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
9450 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
9451 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
9452 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
9453 @end smallexample
9454
9455 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
9456 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
9457 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
9458 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
9459 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
9460
9461 @itemize @bullet
9462 @item
9463 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
9464 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
9465 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
9466 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
9467 @item
9468 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
9469 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
9470 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
9471 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
9472 breakpoints properly.
9473 @end itemize
9474
9475
9476 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
9477 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
9478 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
9479
9480 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
9481 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
9482 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
9483 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
9484 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
9485 current state of the overlays.
9486
9487 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
9488 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
9489
9490 @table @asis
9491
9492 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
9493 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
9494
9495 @smallexample
9496 struct
9497 @{
9498 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
9499 unsigned long vma;
9500
9501 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
9502 unsigned long size;
9503
9504 /* The overlay's load address. */
9505 unsigned long lma;
9506
9507 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
9508 zero otherwise. */
9509 unsigned long mapped;
9510 @}
9511 @end smallexample
9512
9513 @item @code{_novlys}:
9514 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
9515 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
9516
9517 @end table
9518
9519 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
9520 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
9521 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
9522 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
9523 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
9524 currently mapped.
9525
9526 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
9527 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
9528 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
9529 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
9530 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
9531 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
9532 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
9533 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
9534 are not being executed.
9535
9536 @node Overlay Sample Program
9537 @section Overlay Sample Program
9538 @cindex overlay example program
9539
9540 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
9541 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
9542 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
9543 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
9544 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
9545 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
9546 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
9547
9548 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
9549 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
9550 suite. The program consists of the following files from
9551 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
9552
9553 @table @file
9554 @item overlays.c
9555 The main program file.
9556 @item ovlymgr.c
9557 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
9558 @item foo.c
9559 @itemx bar.c
9560 @itemx baz.c
9561 @itemx grbx.c
9562 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
9563 @item d10v.ld
9564 @itemx m32r.ld
9565 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
9566 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
9567 @end table
9568
9569 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
9570 cross-compiler like this:
9571
9572 @smallexample
9573 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
9574 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
9575 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
9576 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
9577 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
9578 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
9579 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
9580 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
9581 @end smallexample
9582
9583 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
9584 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
9585 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
9586
9587
9588 @node Languages
9589 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
9590 @cindex languages
9591
9592 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
9593 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
9594 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
9595 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
9596 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
9597 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
9598
9599 @cindex working language
9600 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
9601 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
9602 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
9603 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
9604 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
9605 language}.
9606
9607 @menu
9608 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
9609 * Show:: Displaying the language
9610 * Checks:: Type and range checks
9611 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
9612 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
9613 @end menu
9614
9615 @node Setting
9616 @section Switching Between Source Languages
9617
9618 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
9619 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
9620 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
9621 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
9622 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
9623 are printed, etc.
9624
9625 In addition to the working language, every source file that
9626 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
9627 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
9628 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
9629 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
9630 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
9631 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
9632 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
9633 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
9634 Displaying the Language}.
9635
9636 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
9637 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
9638 another language. In that case, make the
9639 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
9640 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
9641 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
9642
9643 @menu
9644 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
9645 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
9646 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
9647 @end menu
9648
9649 @node Filenames
9650 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
9651
9652 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
9653 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
9654
9655 @table @file
9656 @item .ada
9657 @itemx .ads
9658 @itemx .adb
9659 @itemx .a
9660 Ada source file.
9661
9662 @item .c
9663 C source file
9664
9665 @item .C
9666 @itemx .cc
9667 @itemx .cp
9668 @itemx .cpp
9669 @itemx .cxx
9670 @itemx .c++
9671 C@t{++} source file
9672
9673 @item .m
9674 Objective-C source file
9675
9676 @item .f
9677 @itemx .F
9678 Fortran source file
9679
9680 @item .mod
9681 Modula-2 source file
9682
9683 @item .s
9684 @itemx .S
9685 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
9686 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
9687 @end table
9688
9689 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
9690 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
9691
9692 @node Manually
9693 @subsection Setting the Working Language
9694
9695 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
9696 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
9697 your program.
9698
9699 @kindex set language
9700 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
9701 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
9702 a language, such as
9703 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
9704 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
9705
9706 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
9707 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
9708 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
9709 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
9710 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
9711 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
9712 command such as:
9713
9714 @smallexample
9715 print a = b + c
9716 @end smallexample
9717
9718 @noindent
9719 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
9720 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
9721 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
9722 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
9723
9724 @node Automatically
9725 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
9726
9727 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
9728 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
9729 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
9730 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
9731 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
9732 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
9733 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
9734 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
9735 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
9736
9737 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
9738 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
9739 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
9740 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
9741 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
9742
9743 @node Show
9744 @section Displaying the Language
9745
9746 The following commands help you find out which language is the
9747 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
9748
9749 @table @code
9750 @item show language
9751 @kindex show language
9752 Display the current working language. This is the
9753 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
9754 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
9755
9756 @item info frame
9757 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
9758 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
9759 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
9760 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
9761 information listed here.
9762
9763 @item info source
9764 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
9765 Display the source language of this source file.
9766 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
9767 information listed here.
9768 @end table
9769
9770 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
9771 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
9772 with a language explicitly:
9773
9774 @table @code
9775 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
9776 @kindex set extension-language
9777 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
9778 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
9779
9780 @item info extensions
9781 @kindex info extensions
9782 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
9783 @end table
9784
9785 @node Checks
9786 @section Type and Range Checking
9787
9788 @quotation
9789 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
9790 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
9791 section documents the intended facilities.
9792 @end quotation
9793 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
9794
9795 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
9796 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
9797 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
9798 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
9799 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
9800 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
9801 errors when your program is running.
9802
9803 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
9804 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
9805 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
9806 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
9807 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
9808 automatically based on your program's source language.
9809 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
9810 settings of supported languages.
9811
9812 @menu
9813 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
9814 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
9815 @end menu
9816
9817 @cindex type checking
9818 @cindex checks, type
9819 @node Type Checking
9820 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
9821
9822 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
9823 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
9824 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
9825 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
9826
9827 @smallexample
9828 1 + 2 @result{} 3
9829 @exdent but
9830 @error{} 1 + 2.3
9831 @end smallexample
9832
9833 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
9834 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
9835
9836 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
9837 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
9838 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
9839 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
9840 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
9841 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
9842 also issues a warning.
9843
9844 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
9845 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
9846 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
9847 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
9848 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
9849 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
9850
9851 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
9852 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
9853 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
9854 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
9855 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
9856 details on specific languages.
9857
9858 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
9859
9860 @kindex set check type
9861 @kindex show check type
9862 @table @code
9863 @item set check type auto
9864 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
9865 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
9866 each language.
9867
9868 @item set check type on
9869 @itemx set check type off
9870 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
9871 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
9872 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
9873 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
9874 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
9875
9876 @item set check type warn
9877 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
9878 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
9879 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
9880 numbers and structures.
9881
9882 @item show type
9883 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
9884 is setting it automatically.
9885 @end table
9886
9887 @cindex range checking
9888 @cindex checks, range
9889 @node Range Checking
9890 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
9891
9892 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
9893 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
9894 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
9895 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
9896 not exceed the bounds of the array.
9897
9898 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
9899 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
9900 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
9901 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
9902
9903 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
9904 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
9905 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
9906 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
9907 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
9908 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
9909
9910 @smallexample
9911 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
9912 @end smallexample
9913
9914 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
9915 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
9916 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
9917
9918 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
9919
9920 @kindex set check range
9921 @kindex show check range
9922 @table @code
9923 @item set check range auto
9924 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
9925 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
9926 each language.
9927
9928 @item set check range on
9929 @itemx set check range off
9930 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
9931 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
9932 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
9933 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
9934
9935 @item set check range warn
9936 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
9937 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
9938 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
9939 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
9940 systems).
9941
9942 @item show range
9943 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
9944 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
9945 @end table
9946
9947 @node Supported Languages
9948 @section Supported Languages
9949
9950 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, Pascal,
9951 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
9952 @c This is false ...
9953 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
9954 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
9955 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
9956 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
9957 language.
9958
9959 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
9960 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
9961 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
9962 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
9963 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
9964 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
9965 language reference or tutorial.
9966
9967 @menu
9968 * C:: C and C@t{++}
9969 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
9970 * Fortran:: Fortran
9971 * Pascal:: Pascal
9972 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
9973 * Ada:: Ada
9974 @end menu
9975
9976 @node C
9977 @subsection C and C@t{++}
9978
9979 @cindex C and C@t{++}
9980 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
9981
9982 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
9983 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
9984 together.
9985
9986 @cindex C@t{++}
9987 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
9988 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
9989 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
9990 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
9991 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
9992 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
9993 compiler (@code{aCC}).
9994
9995 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
9996 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
9997 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
9998 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
9999 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
10000 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
10001
10002 @menu
10003 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
10004 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
10005 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
10006 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
10007 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
10008 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
10009 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
10010 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
10011 @end menu
10012
10013 @node C Operators
10014 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
10015
10016 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
10017
10018 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
10019 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
10020 often defined on groups of types.
10021
10022 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
10023
10024 @itemize @bullet
10025
10026 @item
10027 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
10028 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
10029
10030 @item
10031 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
10032 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
10033
10034 @item
10035 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
10036
10037 @item
10038 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
10039
10040 @end itemize
10041
10042 @noindent
10043 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
10044 in order of increasing precedence:
10045
10046 @table @code
10047 @item ,
10048 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
10049 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
10050 expression being the last expression evaluated.
10051
10052 @item =
10053 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
10054 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
10055
10056 @item @var{op}=
10057 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
10058 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
10059 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
10060 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
10061 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
10062
10063 @item ?:
10064 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
10065 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
10066 integral type.
10067
10068 @item ||
10069 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10070
10071 @item &&
10072 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
10073
10074 @item |
10075 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10076
10077 @item ^
10078 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
10079
10080 @item &
10081 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
10082
10083 @item ==@r{, }!=
10084 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
10085 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
10086
10087 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
10088 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
10089 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
10090 and non-zero for true.
10091
10092 @item <<@r{, }>>
10093 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
10094
10095 @item @@
10096 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
10097
10098 @item +@r{, }-
10099 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
10100 pointer types.
10101
10102 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
10103 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
10104 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
10105 integral types.
10106
10107 @item ++@r{, }--
10108 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
10109 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
10110 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
10111 operation takes place.
10112
10113 @item *
10114 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
10115 @code{++}.
10116
10117 @item &
10118 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
10119
10120 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
10121 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
10122 to examine the address
10123 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
10124 stored.
10125
10126 @item -
10127 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
10128 precedence as @code{++}.
10129
10130 @item !
10131 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
10132 @code{++}.
10133
10134 @item ~
10135 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
10136 @code{++}.
10137
10138
10139 @item .@r{, }->
10140 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
10141 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
10142 pointer based on the stored type information.
10143 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
10144
10145 @item .*@r{, }->*
10146 Dereferences of pointers to members.
10147
10148 @item []
10149 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
10150 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
10151
10152 @item ()
10153 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
10154
10155 @item ::
10156 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
10157 and @code{class} types.
10158
10159 @item ::
10160 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
10161 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
10162 above.
10163 @end table
10164
10165 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
10166 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
10167 predefined meaning.
10168
10169 @node C Constants
10170 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
10171
10172 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
10173
10174 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
10175 following ways:
10176
10177 @itemize @bullet
10178 @item
10179 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
10180 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
10181 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
10182 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
10183 @code{long} value.
10184
10185 @item
10186 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
10187 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
10188 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
10189 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
10190 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
10191 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
10192 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
10193 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
10194 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
10195 constant.
10196
10197 @item
10198 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
10199 integral equivalents.
10200
10201 @item
10202 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
10203 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
10204 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
10205 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
10206 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
10207 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
10208 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
10209 @samp{\n} for newline.
10210
10211 @item
10212 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
10213 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
10214 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
10215 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
10216 characters.
10217
10218 @item
10219 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
10220 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
10221
10222 @item
10223 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
10224 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
10225 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
10226 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
10227 @end itemize
10228
10229 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
10230 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
10231
10232 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
10233 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
10234
10235 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
10236 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
10237 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
10238 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
10239 @quotation
10240 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
10241 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
10242 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
10243 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
10244 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
10245 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
10246 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
10247 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
10248 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
10249 C@t{++} code.
10250 @end quotation
10251
10252 @enumerate
10253
10254 @cindex member functions
10255 @item
10256 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
10257
10258 @smallexample
10259 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
10260 @end smallexample
10261
10262 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
10263 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
10264 @item
10265 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
10266 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
10267 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
10268 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
10269
10270 @cindex call overloaded functions
10271 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
10272 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
10273 @item
10274 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
10275 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
10276 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
10277 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
10278 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
10279 default arguments.
10280
10281 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
10282 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
10283 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
10284 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
10285 number of function arguments.
10286
10287 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
10288 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
10289 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
10290
10291 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
10292 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
10293 @smallexample
10294 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
10295 @end smallexample
10296
10297 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
10298 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
10299
10300 @cindex reference declarations
10301 @item
10302 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
10303 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
10304 dereferenced.
10305
10306 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
10307 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
10308 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
10309 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
10310 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
10311
10312 @item
10313 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
10314 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
10315 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
10316 necessary, for example in an expression like
10317 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
10318 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
10319 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
10320 @end enumerate
10321
10322 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
10323 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
10324 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
10325 invoking user-defined operators.
10326
10327 @node C Defaults
10328 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
10329
10330 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
10331
10332 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
10333 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
10334 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
10335 selects the working language.
10336
10337 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
10338 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
10339 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
10340 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
10341 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
10342 for further details.
10343
10344 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
10345 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
10346 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
10347
10348 @node C Checks
10349 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
10350
10351 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
10352
10353 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
10354 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
10355 considers two variables type equivalent if:
10356
10357 @itemize @bullet
10358 @item
10359 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
10360 enumerated tag.
10361
10362 @item
10363 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
10364 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
10365
10366 @ignore
10367 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
10368 @c FIXME--beers?
10369 @item
10370 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
10371 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
10372 compilers.)
10373 @end ignore
10374 @end itemize
10375
10376 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
10377 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
10378 that is not itself an array.
10379
10380 @node Debugging C
10381 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
10382
10383 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
10384 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
10385 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
10386 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
10387
10388 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
10389 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
10390 ,Expressions}.
10391
10392 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
10393 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
10394
10395 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
10396
10397 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
10398 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
10399
10400 @table @code
10401 @cindex break in overloaded functions
10402 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
10403 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
10404 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
10405 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
10406 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
10407
10408 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
10409 @item rbreak @var{regex}
10410 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
10411 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
10412 classes.
10413 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
10414
10415 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
10416 @item catch throw
10417 @itemx catch catch
10418 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
10419 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
10420
10421 @cindex inheritance
10422 @item ptype @var{typename}
10423 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
10424 @var{typename}.
10425 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
10426
10427 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
10428 @item set print demangle
10429 @itemx show print demangle
10430 @itemx set print asm-demangle
10431 @itemx show print asm-demangle
10432 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
10433 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
10434 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
10435
10436 @item set print object
10437 @itemx show print object
10438 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
10439 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
10440
10441 @item set print vtbl
10442 @itemx show print vtbl
10443 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
10444 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
10445 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
10446 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
10447
10448 @kindex set overload-resolution
10449 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
10450 @item set overload-resolution on
10451 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
10452 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
10453 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
10454 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
10455 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
10456 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
10457
10458 @item set overload-resolution off
10459 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
10460 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
10461 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
10462 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
10463 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
10464 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
10465 argument types.
10466
10467 @kindex show overload-resolution
10468 @item show overload-resolution
10469 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
10470
10471 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
10472 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
10473 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
10474 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
10475 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
10476 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
10477 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
10478 @end table
10479
10480 @node Decimal Floating Point
10481 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
10482 @cindex decimal floating point format
10483
10484 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
10485 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
10486 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
10487 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
10488
10489 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
10490 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
10491 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
10492 target.
10493
10494 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
10495 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
10496 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
10497
10498 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
10499 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
10500 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
10501
10502 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
10503 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers. See
10504 @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
10505
10506 @node Objective-C
10507 @subsection Objective-C
10508
10509 @cindex Objective-C
10510 This section provides information about some commands and command
10511 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
10512 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
10513 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
10514
10515 @menu
10516 * Method Names in Commands::
10517 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
10518 @end menu
10519
10520 @node Method Names in Commands
10521 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
10522
10523 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
10524 names as line specifications:
10525
10526 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
10527 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
10528 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
10529 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
10530 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
10531 @itemize
10532 @item @code{clear}
10533 @item @code{break}
10534 @item @code{info line}
10535 @item @code{jump}
10536 @item @code{list}
10537 @end itemize
10538
10539 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
10540
10541 @smallexample
10542 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
10543 @end smallexample
10544
10545 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
10546 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
10547 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
10548 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
10549 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
10550 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
10551 debugged, enter:
10552
10553 @smallexample
10554 break -[Fruit create]
10555 @end smallexample
10556
10557 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
10558 enter:
10559
10560 @smallexample
10561 list +[NSText initialize]
10562 @end smallexample
10563
10564 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
10565 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
10566 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
10567 is also possible to specify just a method name:
10568
10569 @smallexample
10570 break create
10571 @end smallexample
10572
10573 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
10574 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
10575 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
10576 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
10577 none apply.
10578
10579 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
10580 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
10581
10582 @smallexample
10583 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
10584 @end smallexample
10585
10586 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
10587 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
10588 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
10589 @kindex print-object
10590 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
10591
10592 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
10593
10594 @smallexample
10595 print -[@var{object} hash]
10596 @end smallexample
10597
10598 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
10599 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
10600 @noindent
10601 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
10602 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
10603 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
10604 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
10605 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
10606 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
10607
10608 @node Fortran
10609 @subsection Fortran
10610 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
10611
10612 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
10613 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
10614
10615 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
10616 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
10617 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
10618 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
10619 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
10620 underscore.
10621
10622 @menu
10623 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
10624 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
10625 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
10626 @end menu
10627
10628 @node Fortran Operators
10629 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
10630
10631 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
10632
10633 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
10634 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
10635 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
10636
10637 @table @code
10638 @item **
10639 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
10640 of the second one.
10641
10642 @item :
10643 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
10644 represent a section of array.
10645
10646 @item %
10647 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
10648 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
10649 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
10650 union type.
10651 @end table
10652
10653 @node Fortran Defaults
10654 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
10655
10656 @cindex Fortran Defaults
10657
10658 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
10659 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
10660 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
10661 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
10662
10663 @node Special Fortran Commands
10664 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
10665
10666 @cindex Special Fortran commands
10667
10668 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
10669 such as displaying common blocks.
10670
10671 @table @code
10672 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
10673 @kindex info common
10674 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
10675 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
10676 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
10677 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
10678 printed.
10679 @end table
10680
10681 @node Pascal
10682 @subsection Pascal
10683
10684 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
10685 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
10686 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
10687 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
10688 syntax.
10689
10690 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
10691 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
10692 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
10693
10694 @node Modula-2
10695 @subsection Modula-2
10696
10697 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
10698
10699 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
10700 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
10701 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
10702 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
10703 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
10704 table.
10705
10706 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
10707 @menu
10708 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
10709 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
10710 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
10711 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
10712 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
10713 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
10714 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
10715 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
10716 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
10717 @end menu
10718
10719 @node M2 Operators
10720 @subsubsection Operators
10721 @cindex Modula-2 operators
10722
10723 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
10724 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
10725 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
10726 following definitions hold:
10727
10728 @itemize @bullet
10729
10730 @item
10731 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
10732 their subranges.
10733
10734 @item
10735 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
10736
10737 @item
10738 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
10739
10740 @item
10741 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
10742 @var{type}}.
10743
10744 @item
10745 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
10746
10747 @item
10748 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
10749
10750 @item
10751 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
10752 @end itemize
10753
10754 @noindent
10755 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
10756 increasing precedence:
10757
10758 @table @code
10759 @item ,
10760 Function argument or array index separator.
10761
10762 @item :=
10763 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
10764 @var{value}.
10765
10766 @item <@r{, }>
10767 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
10768 types.
10769
10770 @item <=@r{, }>=
10771 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
10772 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
10773 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
10774
10775 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
10776 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
10777 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
10778 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
10779 comment character.
10780
10781 @item IN
10782 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
10783 Same precedence as @code{<}.
10784
10785 @item OR
10786 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
10787
10788 @item AND@r{, }&
10789 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
10790
10791 @item @@
10792 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
10793
10794 @item +@r{, }-
10795 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
10796 and difference on set types.
10797
10798 @item *
10799 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
10800 on set types.
10801
10802 @item /
10803 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
10804 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
10805
10806 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
10807 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
10808 precedence as @code{*}.
10809
10810 @item -
10811 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
10812
10813 @item ^
10814 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
10815
10816 @item NOT
10817 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
10818 @code{^}.
10819
10820 @item .
10821 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
10822 precedence as @code{^}.
10823
10824 @item []
10825 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
10826
10827 @item ()
10828 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
10829 as @code{^}.
10830
10831 @item ::@r{, }.
10832 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
10833 @end table
10834
10835 @quotation
10836 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
10837 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
10838 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
10839 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
10840 @end quotation
10841
10842
10843 @node Built-In Func/Proc
10844 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
10845 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
10846
10847 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
10848 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
10849
10850 @table @var
10851
10852 @item a
10853 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
10854
10855 @item c
10856 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
10857
10858 @item i
10859 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
10860
10861 @item m
10862 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
10863 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
10864 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
10865
10866 @item n
10867 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
10868
10869 @item r
10870 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
10871
10872 @item t
10873 represents a type.
10874
10875 @item v
10876 represents a variable.
10877
10878 @item x
10879 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
10880 explanation of the function for details.
10881 @end table
10882
10883 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
10884
10885 @table @code
10886 @item ABS(@var{n})
10887 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
10888
10889 @item CAP(@var{c})
10890 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
10891 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
10892
10893 @item CHR(@var{i})
10894 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
10895
10896 @item DEC(@var{v})
10897 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
10898
10899 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
10900 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
10901 new value.
10902
10903 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
10904 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
10905 set.
10906
10907 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
10908 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
10909
10910 @item HIGH(@var{a})
10911 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
10912
10913 @item INC(@var{v})
10914 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
10915
10916 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
10917 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
10918 new value.
10919
10920 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
10921 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
10922 there. Returns the new set.
10923
10924 @item MAX(@var{t})
10925 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
10926
10927 @item MIN(@var{t})
10928 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
10929
10930 @item ODD(@var{i})
10931 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
10932
10933 @item ORD(@var{x})
10934 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
10935 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
10936 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
10937 integral, character and enumerated types.
10938
10939 @item SIZE(@var{x})
10940 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
10941
10942 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
10943 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
10944
10945 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
10946 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
10947
10948 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
10949 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
10950 @end table
10951
10952 @quotation
10953 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
10954 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
10955 an error.
10956 @end quotation
10957
10958 @cindex Modula-2 constants
10959 @node M2 Constants
10960 @subsubsection Constants
10961
10962 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
10963 ways:
10964
10965 @itemize @bullet
10966
10967 @item
10968 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
10969 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
10970 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
10971 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
10972
10973 @item
10974 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
10975 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
10976 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
10977 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
10978 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
10979 digits.
10980
10981 @item
10982 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
10983 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
10984 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
10985 followed by a @samp{C}.
10986
10987 @item
10988 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
10989 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
10990 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
10991 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
10992 sequences.
10993
10994 @item
10995 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
10996
10997 @item
10998 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
10999 @code{FALSE}.
11000
11001 @item
11002 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
11003
11004 @item
11005 Set constants are not yet supported.
11006 @end itemize
11007
11008 @node M2 Types
11009 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
11010 @cindex Modula-2 types
11011
11012 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
11013 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
11014 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
11015 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
11016 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
11017 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
11018
11019 The first example contains the following section of code:
11020
11021 @smallexample
11022 VAR
11023 s: SET OF CHAR ;
11024 r: [20..40] ;
11025 @end smallexample
11026
11027 @noindent
11028 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
11029 @code{r} and @code{s}.
11030
11031 @smallexample
11032 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11033 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
11034 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11035 SET OF CHAR
11036 (@value{GDBP}) print r
11037 21
11038 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
11039 [20..40]
11040 @end smallexample
11041
11042 @noindent
11043 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
11044
11045 @smallexample
11046 VAR
11047 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
11048 @end smallexample
11049
11050 @noindent
11051 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
11052
11053 @smallexample
11054 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11055 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
11056 @end smallexample
11057
11058 @noindent
11059 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
11060 expressions using the debugger.
11061
11062 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
11063 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
11064
11065 @smallexample
11066 VAR
11067 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
11068 @end smallexample
11069
11070 @smallexample
11071 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11072 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
11073 @end smallexample
11074
11075 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
11076 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
11077 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
11078 above.
11079
11080 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
11081
11082 @smallexample
11083 TYPE
11084 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
11085 t = [blue..yellow] ;
11086 VAR
11087 s: t ;
11088 BEGIN
11089 s := blue ;
11090 @end smallexample
11091
11092 @noindent
11093 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
11094 and value of a variable.
11095
11096 @smallexample
11097 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11098 $1 = blue
11099 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
11100 type = [blue..yellow]
11101 @end smallexample
11102
11103 @noindent
11104 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
11105 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
11106 their @code{C} counterparts.
11107
11108 @smallexample
11109 VAR
11110 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
11111 BEGIN
11112 s[1] := 1 ;
11113 @end smallexample
11114
11115 @smallexample
11116 (@value{GDBP}) print s
11117 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
11118 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11119 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
11120 @end smallexample
11121
11122 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
11123 pointer types as shown in this example:
11124
11125 @smallexample
11126 VAR
11127 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
11128 BEGIN
11129 NEW(s) ;
11130 s^[1] := 1 ;
11131 @end smallexample
11132
11133 @noindent
11134 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
11135
11136 @smallexample
11137 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11138 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
11139 @end smallexample
11140
11141 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
11142 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
11143 types:
11144
11145 @smallexample
11146 TYPE
11147 foo = RECORD
11148 f1: CARDINAL ;
11149 f2: CHAR ;
11150 f3: myarray ;
11151 END ;
11152
11153 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
11154 myrange = [-2..2] ;
11155 VAR
11156 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
11157 @end smallexample
11158
11159 @noindent
11160 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
11161 below.
11162
11163 @smallexample
11164 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
11165 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
11166 f1 : CARDINAL;
11167 f2 : CHAR;
11168 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
11169 END
11170 @end smallexample
11171
11172 @node M2 Defaults
11173 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
11174 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
11175
11176 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
11177 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
11178 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
11179 selected the working language.
11180
11181 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
11182 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
11183 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
11184 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
11185
11186 @node Deviations
11187 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
11188 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
11189
11190 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
11191 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
11192
11193 @itemize @bullet
11194 @item
11195 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
11196 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
11197 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
11198 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
11199 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
11200 returned a pointer.)
11201
11202 @item
11203 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
11204 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
11205 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
11206 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
11207
11208 @item
11209 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
11210 argument.
11211
11212 @item
11213 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
11214 @end itemize
11215
11216 @node M2 Checks
11217 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
11218 @cindex Modula-2 checks
11219
11220 @quotation
11221 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
11222 range checking.
11223 @end quotation
11224 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
11225
11226 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
11227
11228 @itemize @bullet
11229 @item
11230 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
11231 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
11232
11233 @item
11234 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
11235 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
11236 @end itemize
11237
11238 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
11239 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
11240
11241 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
11242 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
11243
11244 @node M2 Scope
11245 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
11246 @cindex scope
11247 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
11248 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
11249 @ifinfo
11250 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
11251 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
11252 @end ifinfo
11253 @ifnotinfo
11254 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
11255 @end ifnotinfo
11256
11257 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
11258 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
11259 similar syntax:
11260
11261 @smallexample
11262
11263 @var{module} . @var{id}
11264 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
11265 @end smallexample
11266
11267 @noindent
11268 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
11269 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
11270 identifier within your program, except another module.
11271
11272 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
11273 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
11274 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
11275 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
11276
11277 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
11278 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
11279 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
11280 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
11281 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
11282 @var{module}.
11283
11284 @node GDB/M2
11285 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
11286
11287 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
11288 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
11289 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
11290 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
11291 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
11292 analogue in Modula-2.
11293
11294 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
11295 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
11296 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
11297 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
11298 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
11299 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
11300
11301 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
11302 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
11303 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
11304
11305 @node Ada
11306 @subsection Ada
11307 @cindex Ada
11308
11309 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
11310 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
11311 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
11312 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
11313 to be difficult.
11314
11315
11316 @cindex expressions in Ada
11317 @menu
11318 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
11319 and semantics supported by Ada mode
11320 in @value{GDBN}.
11321 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
11322 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
11323 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
11324 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
11325 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
11326 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
11327 @end menu
11328
11329 @node Ada Mode Intro
11330 @subsubsection Introduction
11331 @cindex Ada mode, general
11332
11333 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
11334 syntax, with some extensions.
11335 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
11336
11337 @itemize @bullet
11338 @item
11339 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
11340 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
11341 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
11342 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
11343
11344 @item
11345 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
11346 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
11347
11348 @item
11349 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
11350 @end itemize
11351
11352 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
11353 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
11354 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
11355 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
11356 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
11357
11358 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
11359 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
11360 was translated from an Ada source file.
11361
11362 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
11363 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
11364 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
11365 middle (to allow based literals).
11366
11367 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
11368 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
11369 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
11370 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
11371 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
11372 functions to procedures elsewhere.
11373
11374 @node Omissions from Ada
11375 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
11376 @cindex Ada, omissions from
11377
11378 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
11379
11380 @itemize @bullet
11381 @item
11382 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
11383
11384 @itemize @minus
11385 @item
11386 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
11387 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
11388
11389 @item
11390 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
11391
11392 @item
11393 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
11394
11395 @item
11396 @t{'Tag}.
11397
11398 @item
11399 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
11400 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
11401
11402 @item
11403 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
11404 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
11405
11406 @item
11407 @t{'Address}.
11408 @end itemize
11409
11410 @item
11411 The names in
11412 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
11413 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
11414 not currently available.
11415
11416 @item
11417 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
11418 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
11419 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
11420 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
11421 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
11422 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
11423 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
11424 indeterminate values.
11425
11426 @item
11427 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
11428 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
11429 are not implemented.
11430
11431 @item
11432 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
11433 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
11434 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
11435 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
11436 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
11437
11438 @smallexample
11439 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
11440 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
11441 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
11442 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
11443 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
11444 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
11445 @end smallexample
11446
11447 Changing a
11448 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
11449 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
11450 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
11451 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
11452 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
11453 declared to have a type such as:
11454
11455 @smallexample
11456 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
11457 Id : Integer;
11458 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
11459 end record;
11460 @end smallexample
11461
11462 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
11463 assignments:
11464
11465 @smallexample
11466 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
11467 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
11468 @end smallexample
11469
11470 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
11471 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
11472 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
11473 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
11474 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
11475 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
11476 redundant component associations, although which component values are
11477 assigned in such cases is not defined.
11478
11479 @item
11480 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
11481
11482 @item
11483 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
11484 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
11485 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
11486 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
11487 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
11488 the proper resolution.
11489
11490 @item
11491 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
11492
11493 @item
11494 Entry calls are not implemented.
11495
11496 @item
11497 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
11498 formats are not supported.
11499
11500 @item
11501 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
11502
11503 @item
11504 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
11505 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
11506 context.
11507 Should your program
11508 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
11509 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
11510 @end itemize
11511
11512 @node Additions to Ada
11513 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
11514 @cindex Ada, deviations from
11515
11516 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
11517 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
11518
11519 @itemize @bullet
11520 @item
11521 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
11522 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
11523 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
11524 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
11525 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
11526 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
11527 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
11528 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
11529
11530 @item
11531 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
11532 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
11533 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
11534
11535 @item
11536 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
11537 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
11538
11539 @item
11540 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
11541 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
11542 @end itemize
11543
11544 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
11545 additions specific to Ada:
11546
11547 @itemize @bullet
11548 @item
11549 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
11550 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
11551
11552 @smallexample
11553 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
11554 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
11555 @end smallexample
11556
11557 @item
11558 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
11559 the value of its right-hand operand.
11560 This allows, for example,
11561 complex conditional breaks:
11562
11563 @smallexample
11564 (@value{GDBP}) break f
11565 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
11566 @end smallexample
11567
11568 @item
11569 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
11570 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
11571 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
11572 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
11573 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
11574 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
11575 in strings. For example,
11576 @smallexample
11577 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
11578 @end smallexample
11579 @noindent
11580 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
11581 after each period.
11582
11583 @item
11584 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
11585 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
11586 to write
11587
11588 @smallexample
11589 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
11590 @end smallexample
11591
11592 @item
11593 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
11594 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
11595 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
11596 of 3 might print as
11597
11598 @smallexample
11599 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
11600 @end smallexample
11601
11602 @noindent
11603 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
11604 clause.
11605
11606 @item
11607 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
11608 multi-character subsequence of
11609 their names (an exact match gets preference).
11610 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
11611 in place of @t{a'length}.
11612
11613 @item
11614 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
11615 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
11616 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
11617 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
11618 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
11619 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
11620 For example,
11621 @smallexample
11622 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
11623 @end smallexample
11624
11625 @item
11626 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
11627 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
11628 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
11629 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
11630 object.
11631
11632 @end itemize
11633
11634 @node Stopping Before Main Program
11635 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
11636
11637 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
11638 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
11639 before reaching the main procedure.
11640 As defined in the Ada Reference
11641 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
11642 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
11643 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
11644 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
11645
11646 @node Ada Tasks
11647 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
11648 @cindex Ada, tasking
11649
11650 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
11651 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
11652
11653 @table @code
11654 @kindex info tasks
11655 @item info tasks
11656 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
11657
11658
11659 @smallexample
11660 @iftex
11661 @leftskip=0.5cm
11662 @end iftex
11663 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
11664 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
11665 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
11666 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
11667 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
11668 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
11669
11670 @end smallexample
11671
11672 @noindent
11673 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
11674 task currently being inspected.
11675
11676 @table @asis
11677 @item ID
11678 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
11679
11680 @item TID
11681 The Ada task ID.
11682
11683 @item P-ID
11684 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
11685
11686 @item Pri
11687 The base priority of the task.
11688
11689 @item State
11690 Current state of the task.
11691
11692 @table @code
11693 @item Unactivated
11694 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
11695 executing.
11696
11697 @item Runnable
11698 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
11699 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
11700
11701 @item Terminated
11702 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
11703 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
11704 terminated themselves.
11705
11706 @item Child Activation Wait
11707 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
11708
11709 @item Accept Statement
11710 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
11711
11712 @item Waiting on entry call
11713 The task is waiting on an entry call.
11714
11715 @item Async Select Wait
11716 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
11717 select statement.
11718
11719 @item Delay Sleep
11720 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
11721 alternative open.
11722
11723 @item Child Termination Wait
11724 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
11725 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
11726 waiting on a terminate Phase.
11727
11728 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
11729 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
11730 finish terminating.
11731
11732 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
11733 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
11734 @end table
11735
11736 @item Name
11737 Name of the task in the program.
11738
11739 @end table
11740
11741 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
11742 @item info task @var{taskno}
11743 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
11744 the following example:
11745 @smallexample
11746 @iftex
11747 @leftskip=0.5cm
11748 @end iftex
11749 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
11750 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
11751 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
11752 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
11753 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
11754 Ada Task: 0x807c468
11755 Name: task_1
11756 Thread: 0x807f378
11757 Parent: 1 (main_task)
11758 Base Priority: 15
11759 State: Runnable
11760 @end smallexample
11761
11762 @item task
11763 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
11764 @cindex current Ada task ID
11765 This command prints the ID of the current task.
11766
11767 @smallexample
11768 @iftex
11769 @leftskip=0.5cm
11770 @end iftex
11771 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
11772 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
11773 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
11774 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
11775 (@value{GDBP}) task
11776 [Current task is 2]
11777 @end smallexample
11778
11779 @item task @var{taskno}
11780 @cindex Ada task switching
11781 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
11782 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
11783 from the current task to the given task.
11784
11785 @smallexample
11786 @iftex
11787 @leftskip=0.5cm
11788 @end iftex
11789 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
11790 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
11791 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
11792 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
11793 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
11794 [Switching to task 1]
11795 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
11796 (@value{GDBP}) bt
11797 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
11798 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
11799 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
11800 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
11801 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
11802 @end smallexample
11803
11804 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
11805 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
11806 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
11807 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
11808 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
11809 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
11810 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
11811 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
11812 in @ref{Specify Location}.
11813
11814 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
11815 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
11816 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
11817 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
11818 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
11819
11820 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
11821 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
11822 program.
11823
11824 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
11825 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
11826 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
11827
11828 For example,
11829
11830 @smallexample
11831 @iftex
11832 @leftskip=0.5cm
11833 @end iftex
11834 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
11835 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
11836 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
11837 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
11838 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
11839 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
11840 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
11841 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
11842 (@value{GDBP}) cont
11843 Continuing.
11844 task # 1 running
11845 task # 2 running
11846
11847 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
11848 15 flush;
11849 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
11850 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
11851 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
11852 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
11853 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
11854 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
11855 @end smallexample
11856 @end table
11857
11858 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
11859 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
11860 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
11861
11862 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
11863 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
11864 the platform being used.
11865 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
11866 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
11867 as usual.
11868
11869 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
11870 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
11871 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
11872 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
11873 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
11874 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
11875
11876 @node Ada Glitches
11877 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
11878 @cindex Ada, problems
11879
11880 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
11881 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
11882 @value{GDBN},
11883 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
11884 and the GNU Ada compiler.
11885
11886 @itemize @bullet
11887 @item
11888 Currently, the debugger
11889 has insufficient information to determine whether certain pointers represent
11890 pointers to objects or the objects themselves.
11891 Thus, the user may have to tack an extra @code{.all} after an expression
11892 to get it printed properly.
11893
11894 @item
11895 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
11896 storage are invisible to the debugger.
11897
11898 @item
11899 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
11900 argument lists are treated as positional).
11901
11902 @item
11903 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
11904
11905 @item
11906 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
11907 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
11908 the host machine.
11909
11910 @item
11911 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
11912 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
11913 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
11914 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
11915 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
11916 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
11917 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
11918 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
11919 you can usually resolve the confusion
11920 by qualifying the problematic names with package
11921 @code{Standard} explicitly.
11922 @end itemize
11923
11924 @node Unsupported Languages
11925 @section Unsupported Languages
11926
11927 @cindex unsupported languages
11928 @cindex minimal language
11929 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
11930 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
11931 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
11932 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
11933 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
11934 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
11935
11936 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
11937 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
11938 language.
11939
11940 @node Symbols
11941 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
11942
11943 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
11944 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
11945 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
11946 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
11947 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
11948 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
11949 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
11950
11951 @cindex symbol names
11952 @cindex names of symbols
11953 @cindex quoting names
11954 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
11955 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
11956 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
11957 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
11958 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
11959 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
11960 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
11961 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
11962
11963 @smallexample
11964 p 'foo.c'::x
11965 @end smallexample
11966
11967 @noindent
11968 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
11969
11970 @table @code
11971 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
11972 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
11973 @kindex set case-sensitive
11974 @item set case-sensitive on
11975 @itemx set case-sensitive off
11976 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
11977 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
11978 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
11979 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
11980 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
11981 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
11982 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
11983 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
11984 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
11985 case-insensitive matches.
11986
11987 @kindex show case-sensitive
11988 @item show case-sensitive
11989 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
11990 lookups.
11991
11992 @kindex info address
11993 @cindex address of a symbol
11994 @item info address @var{symbol}
11995 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
11996 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
11997 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
11998 is always stored.
11999
12000 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
12001 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
12002 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
12003
12004 @kindex info symbol
12005 @cindex symbol from address
12006 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
12007 @item info symbol @var{addr}
12008 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
12009 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
12010 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
12011
12012 @smallexample
12013 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
12014 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
12015 @end smallexample
12016
12017 @noindent
12018 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
12019 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
12020
12021 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
12022 library containing the symbol is also printed:
12023
12024 @smallexample
12025 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
12026 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
12027 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
12028 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
12029 @end smallexample
12030
12031 @kindex whatis
12032 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
12033 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression or
12034 a data type. With no argument, print the data type of @code{$}, the
12035 last value in the value history. If @var{arg} is an expression, it is
12036 not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
12037 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place. If
12038 @var{arg} is a type name, it may be the name of a type or typedef, or
12039 for C code it may have the form @samp{class @var{class-name}},
12040 @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union @var{union-tag}} or
12041 @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
12042 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12043
12044 @kindex ptype
12045 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
12046 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
12047 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
12048 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
12049
12050 For example, for this variable declaration:
12051
12052 @smallexample
12053 struct complex @{double real; double imag;@} v;
12054 @end smallexample
12055
12056 @noindent
12057 the two commands give this output:
12058
12059 @smallexample
12060 @group
12061 (@value{GDBP}) whatis v
12062 type = struct complex
12063 (@value{GDBP}) ptype v
12064 type = struct complex @{
12065 double real;
12066 double imag;
12067 @}
12068 @end group
12069 @end smallexample
12070
12071 @noindent
12072 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
12073 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
12074
12075 @cindex incomplete type
12076 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
12077 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
12078 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
12079 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
12080 given these declarations:
12081
12082 @smallexample
12083 struct foo;
12084 struct foo *fooptr;
12085 @end smallexample
12086
12087 @noindent
12088 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
12089
12090 @smallexample
12091 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
12092 $1 = <incomplete type>
12093 @end smallexample
12094
12095 @noindent
12096 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
12097 completely specified.
12098
12099 @kindex info types
12100 @item info types @var{regexp}
12101 @itemx info types
12102 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
12103 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
12104 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
12105 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
12106 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
12107 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
12108 name is @code{value}.
12109
12110 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
12111 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
12112 lists all source files where a type is defined.
12113
12114 @kindex info scope
12115 @cindex local variables
12116 @item info scope @var{location}
12117 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
12118 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
12119 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
12120 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
12121 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
12122
12123 @smallexample
12124 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
12125 Scope for command_line_handler:
12126 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
12127 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
12128 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
12129 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
12130 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
12131 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
12132 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
12133 @end smallexample
12134
12135 @noindent
12136 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
12137 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
12138 collect}.
12139
12140 @kindex info source
12141 @item info source
12142 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
12143 the function containing the current point of execution:
12144 @itemize @bullet
12145 @item
12146 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
12147 @item
12148 the directory it was compiled in,
12149 @item
12150 its length, in lines,
12151 @item
12152 which programming language it is written in,
12153 @item
12154 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
12155 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
12156 @item
12157 whether the debugging information includes information about
12158 preprocessor macros.
12159 @end itemize
12160
12161
12162 @kindex info sources
12163 @item info sources
12164 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
12165 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
12166 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
12167
12168 @kindex info functions
12169 @item info functions
12170 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
12171
12172 @item info functions @var{regexp}
12173 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
12174 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
12175 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
12176 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
12177 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
12178 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
12179 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
12180
12181 @kindex info variables
12182 @item info variables
12183 Print the names and data types of all variables that are declared
12184 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
12185
12186 @item info variables @var{regexp}
12187 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
12188 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
12189 @var{regexp}.
12190
12191 @kindex info classes
12192 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
12193 @item info classes
12194 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
12195 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
12196 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
12197 expression.
12198
12199 @kindex info selectors
12200 @item info selectors
12201 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
12202 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
12203 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
12204 expression.
12205
12206 @ignore
12207 This was never implemented.
12208 @kindex info methods
12209 @item info methods
12210 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
12211 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
12212 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
12213 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
12214 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
12215 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
12216 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
12217 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
12218 @end ignore
12219
12220 @cindex reloading symbols
12221 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
12222 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
12223 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
12224 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
12225 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
12226
12227 @table @code
12228 @kindex set symbol-reloading
12229 @item set symbol-reloading on
12230 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
12231 object file with a particular name is seen again.
12232
12233 @item set symbol-reloading off
12234 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
12235 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
12236 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
12237 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
12238 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
12239 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
12240 name.
12241
12242 @kindex show symbol-reloading
12243 @item show symbol-reloading
12244 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
12245 @end table
12246
12247 @cindex opaque data types
12248 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
12249 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
12250 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
12251 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
12252 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
12253 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
12254 another source file. The default is on.
12255
12256 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
12257 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
12258
12259 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
12260 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
12261 is printed as follows:
12262 @smallexample
12263 @{<no data fields>@}
12264 @end smallexample
12265
12266 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
12267 @item show opaque-type-resolution
12268 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
12269
12270 @kindex set print symbol-loading
12271 @cindex print messages when symbols are loaded
12272 @item set print symbol-loading
12273 @itemx set print symbol-loading on
12274 @itemx set print symbol-loading off
12275 The @code{set print symbol-loading} command allows you to enable or
12276 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} loads symbols.
12277 By default, these messages will be printed, and normally this is what
12278 you want. Disabling these messages is useful when debugging applications
12279 with lots of shared libraries where the quantity of output can be more
12280 annoying than useful.
12281
12282 @kindex show print symbol-loading
12283 @item show print symbol-loading
12284 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} loads symbols.
12285
12286 @kindex maint print symbols
12287 @cindex symbol dump
12288 @kindex maint print psymbols
12289 @cindex partial symbol dump
12290 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
12291 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
12292 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
12293 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
12294 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
12295 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
12296 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
12297 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
12298 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
12299 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
12300 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
12301 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
12302 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
12303 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
12304 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
12305 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
12306 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
12307
12308 @kindex maint info symtabs
12309 @kindex maint info psymtabs
12310 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
12311 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
12312 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
12313 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
12314 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
12315 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
12316
12317 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
12318 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
12319 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
12320 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
12321 structure in more detail. For example:
12322
12323 @smallexample
12324 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
12325 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
12326 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
12327 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
12328 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
12329 readin no
12330 fullname (null)
12331 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
12332 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
12333 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
12334 dependencies (none)
12335 @}
12336 @}
12337 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
12338 (@value{GDBP})
12339 @end smallexample
12340 @noindent
12341 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
12342 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
12343 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
12344 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
12345 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
12346
12347 @smallexample
12348 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
12349 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
12350 line 1574.
12351 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
12352 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
12353 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
12354 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
12355 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
12356 dirname (null)
12357 fullname (null)
12358 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
12359 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
12360 debugformat DWARF 2
12361 @}
12362 @}
12363 (@value{GDBP})
12364 @end smallexample
12365 @end table
12366
12367
12368 @node Altering
12369 @chapter Altering Execution
12370
12371 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
12372 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
12373 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
12374 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
12375 program.
12376
12377 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
12378 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
12379 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
12380
12381 @menu
12382 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
12383 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
12384 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
12385 * Returning:: Returning from a function
12386 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
12387 * Patching:: Patching your program
12388 @end menu
12389
12390 @node Assignment
12391 @section Assignment to Variables
12392
12393 @cindex assignment
12394 @cindex setting variables
12395 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
12396 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
12397
12398 @smallexample
12399 print x=4
12400 @end smallexample
12401
12402 @noindent
12403 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
12404 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
12405 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
12406 information on operators in supported languages.
12407
12408 @kindex set variable
12409 @cindex variables, setting
12410 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
12411 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
12412 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
12413 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
12414 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
12415
12416 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
12417 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
12418 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
12419 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
12420 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
12421 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
12422 command @code{set width}:
12423
12424 @smallexample
12425 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
12426 type = double
12427 (@value{GDBP}) p width
12428 $4 = 13
12429 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
12430 Invalid syntax in expression.
12431 @end smallexample
12432
12433 @noindent
12434 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
12435 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
12436
12437 @smallexample
12438 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
12439 @end smallexample
12440
12441 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
12442 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
12443 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
12444 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
12445 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
12446 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
12447
12448 @smallexample
12449 @group
12450 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
12451 type = double
12452 (@value{GDBP}) p g
12453 $1 = 1
12454 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
12455 (@value{GDBP}) p g
12456 $2 = 1
12457 (@value{GDBP}) r
12458 The program being debugged has been started already.
12459 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
12460 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
12461 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
12462 Invalid bfd target.
12463 (@value{GDBP}) show g
12464 The current BFD target is "=4".
12465 @end group
12466 @end smallexample
12467
12468 @noindent
12469 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
12470 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
12471 @code{g}, use
12472
12473 @smallexample
12474 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
12475 @end smallexample
12476
12477 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
12478 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
12479 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
12480 same length or shorter.
12481 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
12482 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
12483
12484 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
12485 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
12486 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
12487 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
12488 and representation in memory), and
12489
12490 @smallexample
12491 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
12492 @end smallexample
12493
12494 @noindent
12495 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
12496
12497 @node Jumping
12498 @section Continuing at a Different Address
12499
12500 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
12501 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
12502 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
12503
12504 @table @code
12505 @kindex jump
12506 @item jump @var{linespec}
12507 @itemx jump @var{location}
12508 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
12509 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
12510 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
12511 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
12512 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
12513 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12514
12515 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
12516 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
12517 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
12518 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
12519 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
12520 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
12521 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
12522 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
12523 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
12524 @end table
12525
12526 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
12527 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
12528 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
12529 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
12530 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
12531 example,
12532
12533 @smallexample
12534 set $pc = 0x485
12535 @end smallexample
12536
12537 @noindent
12538 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
12539 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
12540 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
12541
12542 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
12543 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
12544 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
12545 detail.
12546
12547 @c @group
12548 @node Signaling
12549 @section Giving your Program a Signal
12550 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
12551
12552 @table @code
12553 @kindex signal
12554 @item signal @var{signal}
12555 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
12556 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
12557 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
12558 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
12559
12560 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
12561 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
12562 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
12563 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
12564 signal.
12565
12566 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
12567 after executing the command.
12568 @end table
12569 @c @end group
12570
12571 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
12572 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
12573 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
12574 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
12575 passes the signal directly to your program.
12576
12577
12578 @node Returning
12579 @section Returning from a Function
12580
12581 @table @code
12582 @cindex returning from a function
12583 @kindex return
12584 @item return
12585 @itemx return @var{expression}
12586 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
12587 command. If you give an
12588 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
12589 value.
12590 @end table
12591
12592 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
12593 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
12594 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
12595 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
12596
12597 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
12598 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
12599 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
12600 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
12601 of functions.
12602
12603 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
12604 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
12605 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
12606 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
12607 selected stack frame returns naturally.
12608
12609 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
12610 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
12611 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
12612 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
12613 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
12614 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
12615 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
12616 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
12617 assignment into the right register(s).
12618
12619 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
12620 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
12621 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
12622 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
12623 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
12624 into a @code{long long int}:
12625
12626 @smallexample
12627 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
12628 29 return 31;
12629 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
12630 Make func return now? (y or n) y
12631 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
12632 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
12633 (@value{GDBP})
12634 @end smallexample
12635
12636 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
12637 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
12638 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
12639 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
12640 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
12641 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
12642 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
12643 an appropriate cast explicitly:
12644
12645 @smallexample
12646 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
12647 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
12648 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
12649 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
12650 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
12651 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
12652 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
12653 (@value{GDBP})
12654 @end smallexample
12655
12656 @node Calling
12657 @section Calling Program Functions
12658
12659 @table @code
12660 @cindex calling functions
12661 @cindex inferior functions, calling
12662 @item print @var{expr}
12663 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
12664 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
12665 debugged.
12666
12667 @kindex call
12668 @item call @var{expr}
12669 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
12670 returned values.
12671
12672 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
12673 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
12674 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
12675 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
12676 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
12677 value history.
12678 @end table
12679
12680 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
12681 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
12682 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
12683 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
12684
12685 @table @code
12686 @item set unwindonsignal
12687 @kindex set unwindonsignal
12688 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
12689 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
12690 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
12691 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
12692 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
12693 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
12694 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
12695 received.
12696
12697 @item show unwindonsignal
12698 @kindex show unwindonsignal
12699 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
12700 @value{GDBN}.
12701 @end table
12702
12703 @cindex weak alias functions
12704 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
12705 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
12706 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
12707 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
12708 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
12709 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
12710 function instead.
12711
12712 @node Patching
12713 @section Patching Programs
12714
12715 @cindex patching binaries
12716 @cindex writing into executables
12717 @cindex writing into corefiles
12718
12719 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
12720 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
12721 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
12722 patching your program's binary.
12723
12724 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
12725 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
12726 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
12727 repairs.
12728
12729 @table @code
12730 @kindex set write
12731 @item set write on
12732 @itemx set write off
12733 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
12734 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
12735 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
12736
12737 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
12738 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
12739 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
12740
12741 @item show write
12742 @kindex show write
12743 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
12744 as well as reading.
12745 @end table
12746
12747 @node GDB Files
12748 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
12749
12750 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
12751 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
12752 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
12753 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
12754
12755 @menu
12756 * Files:: Commands to specify files
12757 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
12758 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
12759 * Data Files:: GDB data files
12760 @end menu
12761
12762 @node Files
12763 @section Commands to Specify Files
12764
12765 @cindex symbol table
12766 @cindex core dump file
12767
12768 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
12769 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
12770 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
12771 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
12772
12773 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
12774 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
12775 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
12776 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
12777 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
12778 new files are useful.
12779
12780 @table @code
12781 @cindex executable file
12782 @kindex file
12783 @item file @var{filename}
12784 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
12785 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
12786 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
12787 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
12788 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
12789 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
12790 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
12791 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
12792
12793 @cindex unlinked object files
12794 @cindex patching object files
12795 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
12796 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
12797 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
12798 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
12799 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
12800 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
12801 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
12802 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
12803
12804 @item file
12805 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
12806 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
12807
12808 @kindex exec-file
12809 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
12810 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
12811 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
12812 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
12813 discard information on the executable file.
12814
12815 @kindex symbol-file
12816 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
12817 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
12818 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
12819 table and program to run from the same file.
12820
12821 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
12822 program's symbol table.
12823
12824 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
12825 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
12826 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
12827 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
12828 @value{GDBN}.
12829
12830 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
12831 executing it once.
12832
12833 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
12834 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
12835 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
12836 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
12837 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
12838 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
12839 optimized code.
12840
12841 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
12842 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
12843 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
12844 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
12845 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
12846
12847 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
12848 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
12849 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
12850 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
12851 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
12852 Warnings and Messages}.)
12853
12854 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
12855 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
12856 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
12857 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
12858 in stabs format.
12859
12860 @kindex readnow
12861 @cindex reading symbols immediately
12862 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
12863 @item symbol-file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
12864 @itemx file @var{filename} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
12865 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
12866 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
12867 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
12868 entire symbol table available.
12869
12870 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
12871 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
12872 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
12873 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
12874 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
12875 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
12876 @c files.
12877
12878 @kindex core-file
12879 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
12880 @itemx core
12881 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
12882 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
12883 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
12884 executable file itself for other parts.
12885
12886 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
12887 to be used.
12888
12889 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
12890 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
12891 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
12892 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
12893 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
12894
12895 @kindex add-symbol-file
12896 @cindex dynamic linking
12897 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
12898 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
12899 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
12900 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
12901 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
12902 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
12903 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
12904 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
12905 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
12906 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
12907 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
12908 @var{address} as an expression.
12909
12910 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
12911 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
12912 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
12913 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
12914 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
12915
12916 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
12917 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
12918 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
12919 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
12920 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
12921 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
12922 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
12923 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
12924 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
12925
12926 @itemize @bullet
12927 @item
12928 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
12929 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
12930 @item
12931 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
12932 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
12933 @item
12934 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
12935 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
12936 @end itemize
12937
12938 @noindent
12939 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
12940 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
12941 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
12942 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
12943 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
12944 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
12945 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
12946 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
12947 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
12948 way.
12949
12950 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
12951
12952 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
12953 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
12954 @cindex load symbols from memory
12955 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
12956 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
12957 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
12958 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
12959 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
12960 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
12961 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
12962 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
12963 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
12964
12965 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
12966 @kindex assf
12967 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
12968 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
12969 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
12970 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
12971 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
12972 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
12973 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
12974 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
12975 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
12976 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
12977
12978 @kindex section
12979 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
12980 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
12981 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
12982 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
12983 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
12984 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
12985 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
12986 their addresses.
12987
12988 @kindex info files
12989 @kindex info target
12990 @item info files
12991 @itemx info target
12992 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
12993 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
12994 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
12995 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
12996 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
12997 current ones.
12998
12999 @kindex maint info sections
13000 @item maint info sections
13001 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
13002 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
13003 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
13004 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
13005 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
13006 may be arbitrarily combined):
13007
13008 @table @code
13009 @item ALLOBJ
13010 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
13011 @item @var{sections}
13012 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
13013 @item @var{section-flags}
13014 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
13015 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
13016 @table @code
13017 @item ALLOC
13018 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
13019 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
13020 @item LOAD
13021 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
13022 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
13023 @item RELOC
13024 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
13025 @item READONLY
13026 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
13027 @item CODE
13028 Section contains executable code only.
13029 @item DATA
13030 Section contains data only (no executable code).
13031 @item ROM
13032 Section will reside in ROM.
13033 @item CONSTRUCTOR
13034 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
13035 @item HAS_CONTENTS
13036 Section is not empty.
13037 @item NEVER_LOAD
13038 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
13039 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
13040 A notification to the linker that the section contains
13041 COFF shared library information.
13042 @item IS_COMMON
13043 Section contains common symbols.
13044 @end table
13045 @end table
13046 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
13047 @cindex read-only sections
13048 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
13049 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
13050 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
13051 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
13052 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
13053 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
13054 enhancement to debugging performance.
13055
13056 The default is off.
13057
13058 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
13059 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
13060 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
13061 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
13062
13063 @item show trust-readonly-sections
13064 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
13065 @end table
13066
13067 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
13068 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
13069 name and remembers it that way.
13070
13071 @cindex shared libraries
13072 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
13073 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
13074 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
13075
13076 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
13077 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
13078
13079 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
13080 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
13081 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
13082 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
13083 debugging a core file).
13084
13085 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
13086 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
13087
13088 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
13089 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
13090 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
13091
13092 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
13093 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
13094 particularly large or there are many of them.
13095
13096 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
13097 commands:
13098
13099 @table @code
13100 @kindex set auto-solib-add
13101 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
13102 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
13103 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
13104 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
13105 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
13106 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
13107 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
13108
13109 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
13110 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
13111 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
13112 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
13113 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
13114 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
13115 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
13116 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
13117 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
13118
13119 @kindex show auto-solib-add
13120 @item show auto-solib-add
13121 Display the current autoloading mode.
13122 @end table
13123
13124 @cindex load shared library
13125 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
13126 command:
13127
13128 @table @code
13129 @kindex info sharedlibrary
13130 @kindex info share
13131 @item info share
13132 @itemx info sharedlibrary
13133 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded.
13134
13135 @kindex sharedlibrary
13136 @kindex share
13137 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
13138 @itemx share @var{regex}
13139 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
13140 Unix regular expression.
13141 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
13142 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
13143 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
13144 loaded.
13145
13146 @item nosharedlibrary
13147 @kindex nosharedlibrary
13148 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
13149 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
13150 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
13151 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
13152 discarded.
13153 @end table
13154
13155 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
13156 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
13157 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
13158
13159 @table @code
13160 @item set stop-on-solib-events
13161 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
13162 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
13163 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
13164 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
13165 shared library.
13166
13167 @item show stop-on-solib-events
13168 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
13169 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
13170 library events happen.
13171 @end table
13172
13173 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
13174 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
13175 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
13176 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
13177 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
13178 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
13179 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
13180 not.
13181
13182 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
13183 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
13184 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
13185 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
13186 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
13187
13188 @table @code
13189 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
13190 @cindex system root, alternate
13191 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
13192 @kindex set sysroot
13193 @item set sysroot @var{path}
13194 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
13195 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
13196 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
13197 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
13198 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
13199 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
13200 under @var{path}.
13201
13202 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
13203 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
13204 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
13205 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
13206 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
13207 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
13208 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
13209 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
13210 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
13211
13212 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
13213 sysroot}.
13214
13215 @cindex default system root
13216 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
13217 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
13218 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
13219 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
13220 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
13221 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
13222 location.
13223
13224 @kindex show sysroot
13225 @item show sysroot
13226 Display the current shared library prefix.
13227
13228 @kindex set solib-search-path
13229 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
13230 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
13231 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
13232 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
13233 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
13234 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
13235 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
13236 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
13237 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
13238 of shared library symbols.
13239
13240 @kindex show solib-search-path
13241 @item show solib-search-path
13242 Display the current shared library search path.
13243 @end table
13244
13245
13246 @node Separate Debug Files
13247 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
13248 @cindex separate debugging information files
13249 @cindex debugging information in separate files
13250 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
13251 @cindex debugging information directory, global
13252 @cindex global debugging information directory
13253 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
13254 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
13255
13256 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
13257 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
13258 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
13259 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
13260 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
13261 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
13262 install only when they need to debug a problem.
13263
13264 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
13265 file:
13266
13267 @itemize @bullet
13268 @item
13269 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
13270 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
13271 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
13272 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
13273 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
13274 debug link specifies a CRC32 checksum for the debug file, which
13275 @value{GDBN} uses to validate that the executable and the debug file
13276 came from the same build.
13277
13278 @item
13279 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
13280 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
13281 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
13282 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
13283 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
13284 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
13285 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
13286 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
13287 below.
13288 @end itemize
13289
13290 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
13291 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
13292
13293 @itemize @bullet
13294 @item
13295 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
13296 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
13297 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
13298 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
13299 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
13300
13301 @item
13302 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
13303 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
13304 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
13305 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
13306 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
13307 hex characters, not 10.)
13308 @end itemize
13309
13310 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
13311 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
13312 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
13313 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
13314 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
13315 debug information files, in the indicated order:
13316
13317 @itemize @minus
13318 @item
13319 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
13320 @item
13321 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
13322 @item
13323 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
13324 @item
13325 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
13326 @end itemize
13327
13328 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
13329 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
13330
13331 @table @code
13332
13333 @kindex set debug-file-directory
13334 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directory}
13335 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
13336 information files to @var{directory}.
13337
13338 @kindex show debug-file-directory
13339 @item show debug-file-directory
13340 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
13341 information files.
13342
13343 @end table
13344
13345 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
13346 @cindex debug link sections
13347 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
13348 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
13349
13350 @itemize
13351 @item
13352 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
13353 a zero byte,
13354 @item
13355 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
13356 boundary within the section, and
13357 @item
13358 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
13359 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
13360 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
13361 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
13362 @end itemize
13363
13364 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
13365 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
13366 described above.
13367
13368 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
13369 @cindex build ID sections
13370 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
13371 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
13372 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
13373 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
13374 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
13375 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
13376 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
13377 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
13378 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
13379
13380 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
13381 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
13382 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
13383 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
13384 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
13385 in an ordinary executable.
13386
13387 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
13388 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
13389 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
13390 following commands:
13391
13392 @smallexample
13393 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
13394 @kbd{strip -g foo}
13395 @end smallexample
13396
13397 @noindent
13398 These commands remove the debugging
13399 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
13400 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
13401 two files:
13402
13403 @itemize @bullet
13404 @item
13405 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
13406 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
13407
13408 @smallexample
13409 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
13410 @end smallexample
13411
13412 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
13413 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
13414 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
13415 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
13416
13417 @item
13418 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
13419 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
13420 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
13421 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
13422 @end itemize
13423
13424 @noindent
13425
13426 Since there are many different ways to compute CRC's for the debug
13427 link (different polynomials, reversals, byte ordering, etc.), the
13428 simplest way to describe the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}
13429 sections is to give the complete code for a function that computes it:
13430
13431 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
13432 @smallexample
13433 unsigned long
13434 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
13435 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
13436 @{
13437 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
13438 @{
13439 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
13440 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
13441 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
13442 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
13443 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
13444 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
13445 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
13446 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
13447 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
13448 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
13449 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
13450 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
13451 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
13452 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
13453 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
13454 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
13455 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
13456 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
13457 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
13458 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
13459 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
13460 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
13461 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
13462 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
13463 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
13464 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
13465 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
13466 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
13467 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
13468 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
13469 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
13470 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
13471 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
13472 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
13473 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
13474 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
13475 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
13476 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
13477 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
13478 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
13479 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
13480 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
13481 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
13482 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
13483 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
13484 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
13485 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
13486 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
13487 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
13488 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
13489 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
13490 0x2d02ef8d
13491 @};
13492 unsigned char *end;
13493
13494 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
13495 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
13496 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
13497 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
13498 @}
13499 @end smallexample
13500
13501 @noindent
13502 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
13503
13504
13505 @node Symbol Errors
13506 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
13507
13508 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
13509 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
13510 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
13511 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
13512 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
13513 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
13514 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
13515 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
13516 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
13517 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
13518 Messages}).
13519
13520 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
13521
13522 @table @code
13523 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
13524
13525 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
13526 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
13527 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
13528 in its outer scope blocks.
13529
13530 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
13531 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
13532 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
13533 function.
13534
13535 @item block at @var{address} out of order
13536
13537 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
13538 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
13539 do so.
13540
13541 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
13542 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
13543 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
13544 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
13545 Messages}.)
13546
13547 @item bad block start address patched
13548
13549 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
13550 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
13551 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
13552
13553 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
13554 starting on the previous source line.
13555
13556 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
13557
13558 @cindex foo
13559 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
13560 larger than the size of the string table.
13561
13562 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
13563 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
13564 with this name.
13565
13566 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
13567
13568 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
13569 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
13570 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
13571
13572 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
13573 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
13574 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
13575 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
13576 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
13577 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
13578
13579 @item stub type has NULL name
13580
13581 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
13582
13583 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
13584 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
13585 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
13586 it.
13587
13588 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
13589
13590 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
13591
13592 @end table
13593
13594 @node Data Files
13595 @section GDB Data Files
13596
13597 @cindex prefix for data files
13598 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
13599 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
13600
13601 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
13602 is currently using.
13603
13604 @table @code
13605 @kindex set data-directory
13606 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
13607 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
13608 to @var{directory}.
13609
13610 @kindex show data-directory
13611 @item show data-directory
13612 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
13613 @end table
13614
13615 @cindex default data directory
13616 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
13617 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
13618 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
13619 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
13620 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
13621 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
13622 location.
13623
13624 @node Targets
13625 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
13626
13627 @cindex debugging target
13628 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
13629
13630 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
13631 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
13632 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
13633 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
13634 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
13635 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
13636 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
13637 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
13638
13639 @cindex target architecture
13640 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
13641 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
13642 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
13643 command.
13644
13645 @table @code
13646 @kindex set architecture
13647 @kindex show architecture
13648 @item set architecture @var{arch}
13649 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
13650 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
13651 supported architectures.
13652
13653 @item show architecture
13654 Show the current target architecture.
13655
13656 @item set processor
13657 @itemx processor
13658 @kindex set processor
13659 @kindex show processor
13660 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
13661 and @code{show architecture}.
13662 @end table
13663
13664 @menu
13665 * Active Targets:: Active targets
13666 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
13667 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
13668 @end menu
13669
13670 @node Active Targets
13671 @section Active Targets
13672
13673 @cindex stacking targets
13674 @cindex active targets
13675 @cindex multiple targets
13676
13677 There are three classes of targets: processes, core files, and
13678 executable files. @value{GDBN} can work concurrently on up to three
13679 active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for example)
13680 start a process and inspect its activity without abandoning your work on
13681 a core file.
13682
13683 For example, if you execute @samp{gdb a.out}, then the executable file
13684 @code{a.out} is the only active target. If you designate a core file as
13685 well---presumably from a prior run that crashed and coredumped---then
13686 @value{GDBN} has two active targets and uses them in tandem, looking
13687 first in the corefile target, then in the executable file, to satisfy
13688 requests for memory addresses. (Typically, these two classes of target
13689 are complementary, since core files contain only a program's
13690 read-write memory---variables and so on---plus machine status, while
13691 executable files contain only the program text and initialized data.)
13692
13693 When you type @code{run}, your executable file becomes an active process
13694 target as well. When a process target is active, all @value{GDBN}
13695 commands requesting memory addresses refer to that target; addresses in
13696 an active core file or executable file target are obscured while the
13697 process target is active.
13698
13699 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new
13700 core file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify
13701 Files}). To specify as a target a process that is already running, use
13702 the @code{attach} command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running
13703 Process}).
13704
13705 @node Target Commands
13706 @section Commands for Managing Targets
13707
13708 @table @code
13709 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
13710 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
13711 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
13712 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
13713 protocol of the target machine.
13714
13715 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
13716 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
13717 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
13718
13719 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
13720 after executing the command.
13721
13722 @kindex help target
13723 @item help target
13724 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
13725 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
13726 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13727
13728 @item help target @var{name}
13729 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
13730 select it.
13731
13732 @kindex set gnutarget
13733 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
13734 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
13735 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
13736 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
13737 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
13738 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
13739
13740 @quotation
13741 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
13742 you must know the actual BFD name.
13743 @end quotation
13744
13745 @noindent
13746 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
13747
13748 @kindex show gnutarget
13749 @item show gnutarget
13750 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
13751 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
13752 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
13753 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
13754 @end table
13755
13756 @cindex common targets
13757 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
13758 configuration):
13759
13760 @table @code
13761 @kindex target
13762 @item target exec @var{program}
13763 @cindex executable file target
13764 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
13765 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
13766
13767 @item target core @var{filename}
13768 @cindex core dump file target
13769 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
13770 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
13771
13772 @item target remote @var{medium}
13773 @cindex remote target
13774 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
13775 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
13776 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
13777
13778 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
13779 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
13780
13781 @smallexample
13782 target remote /dev/ttya
13783 @end smallexample
13784
13785 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
13786 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
13787 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
13788 clobbered by the download.
13789
13790 @item target sim
13791 @cindex built-in simulator target
13792 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
13793 In general,
13794 @smallexample
13795 target sim
13796 load
13797 run
13798 @end smallexample
13799 @noindent
13800 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
13801 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
13802 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
13803 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
13804 Processors}.
13805
13806 @end table
13807
13808 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
13809
13810 @table @code
13811
13812 @item target nrom @var{dev}
13813 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
13814 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
13815
13816 @end table
13817
13818 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
13819 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
13820
13821 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
13822 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
13823 various aspects of this process.
13824
13825 @table @code
13826
13827 @item set hash
13828 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
13829 @cindex hash mark while downloading
13830 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
13831 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
13832 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
13833 monitor.
13834
13835 @item show hash
13836 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
13837 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
13838
13839 @item set debug monitor
13840 @kindex set debug monitor
13841 @cindex display remote monitor communications
13842 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
13843 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
13844
13845 @item show debug monitor
13846 @kindex show debug monitor
13847 Show the current status of displaying communications between
13848 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
13849 @end table
13850
13851 @table @code
13852
13853 @kindex load @var{filename}
13854 @item load @var{filename}
13855 @anchor{load}
13856 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
13857 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
13858 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
13859 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
13860 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
13861 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
13862
13863 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
13864 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
13865 target is @dots{}}''
13866
13867 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
13868 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
13869 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
13870 specifies a fixed address.
13871 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
13872
13873 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
13874 load programs into flash memory.
13875
13876 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
13877 @end table
13878
13879 @node Byte Order
13880 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
13881
13882 @cindex choosing target byte order
13883 @cindex target byte order
13884
13885 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
13886 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
13887 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
13888 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
13889 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
13890 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
13891
13892 @table @code
13893 @kindex set endian
13894 @item set endian big
13895 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
13896
13897 @item set endian little
13898 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
13899
13900 @item set endian auto
13901 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
13902 executable.
13903
13904 @item show endian
13905 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
13906
13907 @end table
13908
13909 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
13910 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
13911 target system.
13912
13913
13914 @node Remote Debugging
13915 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
13916 @cindex remote debugging
13917
13918 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
13919 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
13920 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
13921 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
13922 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
13923
13924 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
13925 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
13926 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
13927 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
13928 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
13929 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
13930
13931 Other remote targets may be available in your
13932 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
13933
13934 @menu
13935 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
13936 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
13937 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
13938 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
13939 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
13940 @end menu
13941
13942 @node Connecting
13943 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
13944
13945 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
13946 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
13947 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
13948 program as the first argument.
13949
13950 @cindex @code{target remote}
13951 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
13952 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
13953 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
13954 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
13955 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
13956 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
13957
13958 @table @code
13959
13960 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
13961 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
13962 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
13963 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
13964
13965 @smallexample
13966 target remote /dev/ttyb
13967 @end smallexample
13968
13969 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
13970 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
13971 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
13972 @code{target} command.
13973
13974 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
13975 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
13976 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
13977 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
13978 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
13979 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
13980 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
13981 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
13982 target.
13983
13984 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
13985 @code{manyfarms}:
13986
13987 @smallexample
13988 target remote manyfarms:2828
13989 @end smallexample
13990
13991 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
13992 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
13993 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
13994 port 1234 on your local machine:
13995
13996 @smallexample
13997 target remote :1234
13998 @end smallexample
13999 @noindent
14000
14001 Note that the colon is still required here.
14002
14003 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
14004 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
14005 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
14006 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
14007
14008 @smallexample
14009 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
14010 @end smallexample
14011
14012 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
14013 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
14014 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
14015 cause havoc with your debugging session.
14016
14017 @item target remote | @var{command}
14018 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
14019 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
14020 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
14021 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
14022 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
14023 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
14024 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
14025 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
14026
14027 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
14028 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
14029 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
14030
14031 @end table
14032
14033 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
14034 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
14035 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
14036 need to use @kbd{run}.
14037
14038 @cindex interrupting remote programs
14039 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
14040 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
14041 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
14042 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
14043 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
14044 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
14045
14046 @smallexample
14047 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
14048 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
14049 @end smallexample
14050
14051 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
14052 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
14053 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
14054 goes back to waiting.
14055
14056 @table @code
14057 @kindex detach (remote)
14058 @item detach
14059 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
14060 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
14061 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
14062 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
14063 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
14064
14065 @kindex disconnect
14066 @item disconnect
14067 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
14068 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
14069 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
14070 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
14071 another target.
14072
14073 @cindex send command to remote monitor
14074 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
14075 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
14076 @kindex monitor
14077 @item monitor @var{cmd}
14078 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
14079 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
14080 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
14081 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
14082 and implement.
14083 @end table
14084
14085 @node File Transfer
14086 @section Sending files to a remote system
14087 @cindex remote target, file transfer
14088 @cindex file transfer
14089 @cindex sending files to remote systems
14090
14091 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
14092 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
14093 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
14094 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
14095 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
14096 the only way to upload or download files.
14097
14098 Not all remote targets support these commands.
14099
14100 @table @code
14101 @kindex remote put
14102 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
14103 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
14104 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
14105
14106 @kindex remote get
14107 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
14108 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
14109 on the host system.
14110
14111 @kindex remote delete
14112 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
14113 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
14114
14115 @end table
14116
14117 @node Server
14118 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
14119
14120 @kindex gdbserver
14121 @cindex remote connection without stubs
14122 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
14123 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
14124 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
14125
14126 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
14127 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
14128 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
14129 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
14130 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
14131 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
14132 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
14133 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
14134 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
14135 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
14136 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
14137 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
14138 choice for debugging.
14139
14140 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
14141 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
14142 protocol.
14143
14144 @quotation
14145 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
14146 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
14147 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
14148 target system with the same privileges as the user running
14149 @code{gdbserver}.
14150 @end quotation
14151
14152 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
14153 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
14154
14155 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
14156 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
14157 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
14158 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
14159 system does all the symbol handling.
14160
14161 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
14162 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
14163 syntax is:
14164
14165 @smallexample
14166 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
14167 @end smallexample
14168
14169 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
14170 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
14171 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
14172 @file{/dev/com1}:
14173
14174 @smallexample
14175 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
14176 @end smallexample
14177
14178 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
14179 with it.
14180
14181 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
14182
14183 @smallexample
14184 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
14185 @end smallexample
14186
14187 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
14188 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
14189 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
14190 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
14191 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
14192 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
14193 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
14194 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
14195 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
14196 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
14197 @code{target remote} command.
14198
14199 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
14200
14201 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
14202 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
14203
14204 @smallexample
14205 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
14206 @end smallexample
14207
14208 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
14209 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
14210
14211 @pindex pidof
14212 @cindex attach to a program by name
14213 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
14214 @code{pidof} utility:
14215
14216 @smallexample
14217 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
14218 @end smallexample
14219
14220 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
14221 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
14222 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
14223
14224 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
14225 @cindex gdbserver, multiple processes
14226 @cindex multiple processes with gdbserver
14227
14228 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
14229 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
14230 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
14231 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
14232
14233 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
14234 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
14235 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
14236 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
14237 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
14238 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
14239 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
14240 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
14241 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
14242
14243 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
14244 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
14245 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
14246 the program you want to debug.
14247
14248 @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit in multi-process mode.
14249 You can terminate it by using @code{monitor exit}
14250 (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}).
14251
14252 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
14253
14254 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
14255 status information about the debugging process. The
14256 @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
14257 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
14258 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
14259
14260 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
14261 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
14262 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
14263 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
14264
14265 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
14266 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
14267 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
14268 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
14269
14270 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
14271 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
14272 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
14273 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
14274
14275 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
14276 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
14277 environment:
14278
14279 @smallexample
14280 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
14281 @end smallexample
14282
14283 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
14284
14285 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
14286
14287 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
14288 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
14289 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
14290 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
14291
14292 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
14293 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
14294 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
14295 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
14296 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
14297 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
14298 programs.
14299
14300 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
14301 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
14302 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
14303 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
14304 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
14305 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
14306 already on the target.
14307
14308 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
14309 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
14310 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
14311
14312 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
14313 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
14314 Here are the available commands.
14315
14316 @table @code
14317 @item monitor help
14318 List the available monitor commands.
14319
14320 @item monitor set debug 0
14321 @itemx monitor set debug 1
14322 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
14323
14324 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
14325 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
14326 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
14327 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
14328
14329 @item monitor exit
14330 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
14331 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
14332 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
14333 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
14334 of a multi-process mode debug session.
14335
14336 @end table
14337
14338 @node Remote Configuration
14339 @section Remote Configuration
14340
14341 @kindex set remote
14342 @kindex show remote
14343 This section documents the configuration options available when
14344 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
14345 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
14346 system-call-allowed}.
14347
14348 @table @code
14349 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
14350 @cindex address size for remote targets
14351 @cindex bits in remote address
14352 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
14353 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
14354 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
14355 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
14356
14357 @item show remoteaddresssize
14358 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
14359
14360 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
14361 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
14362 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
14363 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
14364 remote targets.
14365
14366 @item show remotebaud
14367 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
14368
14369 @item set remotebreak
14370 @cindex interrupt remote programs
14371 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
14372 @anchor{set remotebreak}
14373 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
14374 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
14375 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
14376 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
14377 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
14378
14379 @item show remotebreak
14380 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
14381 interrupt the remote program.
14382
14383 @item set remoteflow on
14384 @itemx set remoteflow off
14385 @kindex set remoteflow
14386 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
14387 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
14388
14389 @item show remoteflow
14390 @kindex show remoteflow
14391 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
14392
14393 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
14394 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
14395 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
14396 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
14397 @code{ascii}.
14398
14399 @item show remotelogbase
14400 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
14401 protocol.
14402
14403 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
14404 @cindex record serial communications on file
14405 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
14406 default is not to record at all.
14407
14408 @item show remotelogfile.
14409 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
14410 serial communications.
14411
14412 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
14413 @cindex timeout for serial communications
14414 @cindex remote timeout
14415 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
14416 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
14417
14418 @item show remotetimeout
14419 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
14420 responses.
14421
14422 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
14423 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
14424 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
14425 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
14426 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
14427 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
14428 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
14429 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
14430
14431 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
14432 @itemx show remote exec-file
14433 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
14434 @cindex executable file, for remote target
14435 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
14436 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
14437 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
14438 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
14439
14440 @kindex set tcp
14441 @kindex show tcp
14442 @item set tcp auto-retry on
14443 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
14444 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
14445 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
14446 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
14447 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
14448 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
14449 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
14450 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
14451
14452 @item set tcp auto-retry off
14453 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
14454
14455 @item show tcp auto-retry
14456 Show the current auto-retry setting.
14457
14458 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
14459 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
14460 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
14461 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
14462 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
14463 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
14464 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
14465 value.
14466
14467 @item show tcp connect-timeout
14468 Show the current connection timeout setting.
14469 @end table
14470
14471 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
14472 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
14473 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
14474 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
14475 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
14476 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
14477 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
14478 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
14479 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
14480
14481 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
14482 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
14483 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
14484 @value{GDBN} developers.
14485
14486 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
14487 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
14488 are:
14489
14490 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
14491 @item Command Name
14492 @tab Remote Packet
14493 @tab Related Features
14494
14495 @item @code{fetch-register}
14496 @tab @code{p}
14497 @tab @code{info registers}
14498
14499 @item @code{set-register}
14500 @tab @code{P}
14501 @tab @code{set}
14502
14503 @item @code{binary-download}
14504 @tab @code{X}
14505 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
14506
14507 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
14508 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
14509 @tab @code{info auxv}
14510
14511 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
14512 @tab @code{qSymbol}
14513 @tab Detecting multiple threads
14514
14515 @item @code{attach}
14516 @tab @code{vAttach}
14517 @tab @code{attach}
14518
14519 @item @code{verbose-resume}
14520 @tab @code{vCont}
14521 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
14522
14523 @item @code{run}
14524 @tab @code{vRun}
14525 @tab @code{run}
14526
14527 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
14528 @tab @code{Z0}
14529 @tab @code{break}
14530
14531 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
14532 @tab @code{Z1}
14533 @tab @code{hbreak}
14534
14535 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
14536 @tab @code{Z2}
14537 @tab @code{watch}
14538
14539 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
14540 @tab @code{Z3}
14541 @tab @code{rwatch}
14542
14543 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
14544 @tab @code{Z4}
14545 @tab @code{awatch}
14546
14547 @item @code{target-features}
14548 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
14549 @tab @code{set architecture}
14550
14551 @item @code{library-info}
14552 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
14553 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
14554
14555 @item @code{memory-map}
14556 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
14557 @tab @code{info mem}
14558
14559 @item @code{read-spu-object}
14560 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
14561 @tab @code{info spu}
14562
14563 @item @code{write-spu-object}
14564 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
14565 @tab @code{info spu}
14566
14567 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
14568 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
14569 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
14570
14571 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
14572 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
14573 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
14574
14575 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
14576 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
14577 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
14578
14579 @item @code{search-memory}
14580 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
14581 @tab @code{find}
14582
14583 @item @code{supported-packets}
14584 @tab @code{qSupported}
14585 @tab Remote communications parameters
14586
14587 @item @code{pass-signals}
14588 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
14589 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
14590
14591 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
14592 @tab @code{vFile:close}
14593 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
14594
14595 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
14596 @tab @code{vFile:open}
14597 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
14598
14599 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
14600 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
14601 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
14602
14603 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
14604 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
14605 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
14606
14607 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
14608 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
14609 @tab @code{remote delete}
14610
14611 @item @code{noack-packet}
14612 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
14613 @tab Packet acknowledgment
14614
14615 @item @code{osdata}
14616 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
14617 @tab @code{info os}
14618
14619 @item @code{query-attached}
14620 @tab @code{qAttached}
14621 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
14622 @end multitable
14623
14624 @node Remote Stub
14625 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
14626
14627 @cindex debugging stub, example
14628 @cindex remote stub, example
14629 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
14630 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
14631 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
14632 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
14633 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
14634 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
14635 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
14636 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
14637
14638 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
14639 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
14640 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
14641 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
14642 program, you need:
14643
14644 @enumerate
14645 @item
14646 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
14647 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
14648 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
14649
14650 @item
14651 A C subroutine library to support your program's
14652 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
14653
14654 @item
14655 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
14656 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
14657 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
14658 documentation.
14659 @end enumerate
14660
14661 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
14662 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
14663 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
14664
14665 @table @emph
14666 @item On the host,
14667 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
14668 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
14669 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
14670
14671 @item On the target,
14672 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
14673 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
14674 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
14675
14676 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
14677 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
14678 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
14679 @end table
14680
14681 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
14682 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
14683 @sc{sparc} boards.
14684
14685 @cindex remote serial stub list
14686 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
14687
14688 @table @code
14689
14690 @item i386-stub.c
14691 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
14692 @cindex Intel
14693 @cindex i386
14694 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
14695
14696 @item m68k-stub.c
14697 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
14698 @cindex Motorola 680x0
14699 @cindex m680x0
14700 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
14701
14702 @item sh-stub.c
14703 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
14704 @cindex Renesas
14705 @cindex SH
14706 For Renesas SH architectures.
14707
14708 @item sparc-stub.c
14709 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
14710 @cindex Sparc
14711 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
14712
14713 @item sparcl-stub.c
14714 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
14715 @cindex Fujitsu
14716 @cindex SparcLite
14717 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
14718
14719 @end table
14720
14721 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
14722 recently added stubs.
14723
14724 @menu
14725 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
14726 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
14727 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
14728 @end menu
14729
14730 @node Stub Contents
14731 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
14732
14733 @cindex remote serial stub
14734 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
14735 subroutines:
14736
14737 @table @code
14738 @item set_debug_traps
14739 @findex set_debug_traps
14740 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
14741 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
14742 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
14743 beginning of your program.
14744
14745 @item handle_exception
14746 @findex handle_exception
14747 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
14748 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
14749 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
14750 run when a trap is triggered.
14751
14752 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
14753 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
14754 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
14755 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
14756 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
14757 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
14758 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
14759 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
14760 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
14761 machine.
14762
14763 @item breakpoint
14764 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
14765 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
14766 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
14767 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
14768 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
14769 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
14770 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
14771 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
14772 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
14773 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
14774 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
14775
14776 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
14777 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
14778 start of your debugging session.
14779 @end table
14780
14781 @node Bootstrapping
14782 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
14783
14784 @cindex remote stub, support routines
14785 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
14786 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
14787 debugging target machine.
14788
14789 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
14790 serial port.
14791
14792 @table @code
14793 @item int getDebugChar()
14794 @findex getDebugChar
14795 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
14796 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
14797 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
14798
14799 @item void putDebugChar(int)
14800 @findex putDebugChar
14801 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
14802 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
14803 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
14804 @end table
14805
14806 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
14807 @cindex interrupting remote targets
14808 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
14809 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
14810 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
14811 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
14812 remote system to stop.
14813
14814 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
14815 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
14816 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
14817 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
14818
14819 Other routines you need to supply are:
14820
14821 @table @code
14822 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
14823 @findex exceptionHandler
14824 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
14825 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
14826 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
14827 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
14828 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
14829 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
14830 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
14831 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
14832 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
14833 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
14834 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
14835 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
14836 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
14837
14838 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
14839 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
14840 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
14841 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
14842 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
14843
14844 @item void flush_i_cache()
14845 @findex flush_i_cache
14846 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
14847 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
14848 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
14849
14850 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
14851 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
14852 @end table
14853
14854 @noindent
14855 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
14856
14857 @table @code
14858 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
14859 @findex memset
14860 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
14861 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
14862 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
14863 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
14864 @end table
14865
14866 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
14867 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
14868 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
14869 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
14870
14871
14872 @node Debug Session
14873 @subsection Putting it All Together
14874
14875 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
14876 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
14877 steps.
14878
14879 @enumerate
14880 @item
14881 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
14882 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
14883 @display
14884 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
14885 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
14886 @end display
14887
14888 @item
14889 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
14890
14891 @smallexample
14892 set_debug_traps();
14893 breakpoint();
14894 @end smallexample
14895
14896 @item
14897 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
14898 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
14899
14900 @smallexample
14901 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
14902 @end smallexample
14903
14904 @noindent
14905 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
14906 function in your program, that function is called when
14907 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
14908 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
14909 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
14910
14911 @item
14912 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
14913 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
14914
14915 @item
14916 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
14917 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
14918
14919 @item
14920 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
14921 @c document that. FIXME.
14922 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
14923 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
14924
14925 @item
14926 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
14927 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
14928
14929 @end enumerate
14930
14931 @node Configurations
14932 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
14933
14934 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
14935 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
14936 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
14937
14938 There are three major categories of configurations: native
14939 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
14940 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
14941 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
14942 are quite different from each other.
14943
14944 @menu
14945 * Native::
14946 * Embedded OS::
14947 * Embedded Processors::
14948 * Architectures::
14949 @end menu
14950
14951 @node Native
14952 @section Native
14953
14954 This section describes details specific to particular native
14955 configurations.
14956
14957 @menu
14958 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
14959 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
14960 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
14961 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
14962 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
14963 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
14964 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
14965 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
14966 @end menu
14967
14968 @node HP-UX
14969 @subsection HP-UX
14970
14971 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
14972 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
14973 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
14974
14975
14976 @node BSD libkvm Interface
14977 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
14978
14979 @cindex libkvm
14980 @cindex kernel memory image
14981 @cindex kernel crash dump
14982
14983 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
14984 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
14985 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
14986 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
14987 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
14988 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
14989 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
14990 @code{kvm} target:
14991
14992 @smallexample
14993 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
14994 @end smallexample
14995
14996 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
14997 argument:
14998
14999 @smallexample
15000 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
15001 @end smallexample
15002
15003 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
15004 available:
15005
15006 @table @code
15007 @kindex kvm
15008 @item kvm pcb
15009 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
15010
15011 @item kvm proc
15012 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
15013 modern FreeBSD systems.
15014 @end table
15015
15016 @node SVR4 Process Information
15017 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
15018 @cindex /proc
15019 @cindex examine process image
15020 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
15021
15022 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
15023 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
15024 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
15025 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
15026 proc} is available to report information about the process running
15027 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
15028 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
15029 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
15030 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
15031
15032 @table @code
15033 @kindex info proc
15034 @cindex process ID
15035 @item info proc
15036 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
15037 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
15038 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
15039 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
15040 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
15041 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
15042 executable file's absolute file name.
15043
15044 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
15045 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
15046 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
15047 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
15048 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
15049 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
15050
15051 @item info proc mappings
15052 @cindex memory address space mappings
15053 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
15054 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
15055 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
15056 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
15057 memory access rights to that range.
15058
15059 @item info proc stat
15060 @itemx info proc status
15061 @cindex process detailed status information
15062 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
15063 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
15064 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
15065 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
15066 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
15067 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
15068 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
15069
15070 @item info proc all
15071 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
15072 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
15073
15074 @ignore
15075 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
15076 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
15077 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
15078 @kindex info proc times
15079 @item info proc times
15080 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
15081 its children.
15082
15083 @kindex info proc id
15084 @item info proc id
15085 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
15086 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
15087 @end ignore
15088
15089 @item set procfs-trace
15090 @kindex set procfs-trace
15091 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
15092 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
15093
15094 @item show procfs-trace
15095 @kindex show procfs-trace
15096 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
15097
15098 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
15099 @kindex set procfs-file
15100 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
15101 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
15102 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
15103 standard output.
15104
15105 @item show procfs-file
15106 @kindex show procfs-file
15107 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
15108
15109 @item proc-trace-entry
15110 @itemx proc-trace-exit
15111 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
15112 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
15113 @kindex proc-trace-entry
15114 @kindex proc-trace-exit
15115 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
15116 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
15117 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
15118 from the @code{syscall} interface.
15119
15120 @item info pidlist
15121 @kindex info pidlist
15122 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
15123 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
15124 processes and all the threads within each process.
15125
15126 @item info meminfo
15127 @kindex info meminfo
15128 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
15129 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
15130 @end table
15131
15132 @node DJGPP Native
15133 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
15134 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
15135 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
15136 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
15137
15138 @cindex DPMI
15139 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
15140 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
15141 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
15142 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
15143
15144 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
15145 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
15146 subsection describes those commands.
15147
15148 @table @code
15149 @kindex info dos
15150 @item info dos
15151 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
15152 information about the target system and important OS structures.
15153
15154 @kindex sysinfo
15155 @cindex MS-DOS system info
15156 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
15157 @item info dos sysinfo
15158 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
15159 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
15160 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
15161
15162 @cindex GDT
15163 @cindex LDT
15164 @cindex IDT
15165 @cindex segment descriptor tables
15166 @cindex descriptor tables display
15167 @item info dos gdt
15168 @itemx info dos ldt
15169 @itemx info dos idt
15170 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
15171 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
15172 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
15173 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
15174 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
15175 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
15176 rights.
15177
15178 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
15179 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
15180 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
15181 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
15182 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
15183
15184 @cindex garbled pointers
15185 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
15186 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
15187 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
15188 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
15189 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
15190 debugged program's data segment:
15191
15192 @smallexample
15193 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
15194 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
15195 @end smallexample
15196
15197 @noindent
15198 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
15199 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
15200
15201 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
15202 @item info dos pde
15203 @itemx info dos pte
15204 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
15205 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
15206 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
15207 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
15208 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
15209 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
15210 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
15211 that is currently in use.
15212
15213 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
15214 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
15215 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
15216 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
15217 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
15218 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
15219 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
15220
15221 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
15222 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
15223 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
15224 controller.
15225
15226 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
15227
15228 @cindex physical address from linear address
15229 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
15230 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
15231 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
15232 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
15233 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
15234 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
15235 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
15236
15237 @smallexample
15238 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
15239 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
15240 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
15241 @end smallexample
15242
15243 @noindent
15244 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
15245 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
15246 attributes of that page.
15247
15248 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
15249 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
15250 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
15251 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
15252 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
15253 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
15254
15255 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
15256 transfer buffer:
15257
15258 @smallexample
15259 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
15260 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
15261 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
15262 @end smallexample
15263
15264 @noindent
15265 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
15266 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
15267 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
15268 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
15269 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
15270
15271 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
15272 @end table
15273
15274 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
15275 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
15276 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
15277 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
15278
15279 @table @code
15280 @kindex set com1base
15281 @kindex set com1irq
15282 @kindex set com2base
15283 @kindex set com2irq
15284 @kindex set com3base
15285 @kindex set com3irq
15286 @kindex set com4base
15287 @kindex set com4irq
15288 @item set com1base @var{addr}
15289 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
15290 port.
15291
15292 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
15293 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
15294 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
15295
15296 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
15297 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
15298 other 3 COM ports.
15299
15300 @kindex show com1base
15301 @kindex show com1irq
15302 @kindex show com2base
15303 @kindex show com2irq
15304 @kindex show com3base
15305 @kindex show com3irq
15306 @kindex show com4base
15307 @kindex show com4irq
15308 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
15309 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
15310 lines used by the COM ports.
15311
15312 @item info serial
15313 @kindex info serial
15314 @cindex DOS serial port status
15315 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
15316 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
15317 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
15318 counts of various errors encountered so far.
15319 @end table
15320
15321
15322 @node Cygwin Native
15323 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
15324 @cindex MS Windows debugging
15325 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
15326 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
15327
15328 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
15329 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information. There are various
15330 additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in this section.
15331 Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is described in
15332 @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
15333
15334 @table @code
15335 @kindex info w32
15336 @item info w32
15337 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
15338 information about the target system and important OS structures.
15339
15340 @item info w32 selector
15341 This command displays information returned by
15342 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
15343 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
15344 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
15345 Without argument, this command displays information
15346 about the six segment registers.
15347
15348 @kindex info dll
15349 @item info dll
15350 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
15351
15352 @kindex dll-symbols
15353 @item dll-symbols
15354 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
15355 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
15356
15357 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
15358 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
15359 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
15360 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
15361 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
15362 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
15363 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
15364 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
15365 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
15366 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
15367 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
15368
15369 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
15370 @item show cygwin-exceptions
15371 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
15372 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
15373
15374 @kindex set new-console
15375 @item set new-console @var{mode}
15376 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
15377 be started in a new console on next start.
15378 If @var{mode} is @code{off}i, the debuggee will
15379 be started in the same console as the debugger.
15380
15381 @kindex show new-console
15382 @item show new-console
15383 Displays whether a new console is used
15384 when the debuggee is started.
15385
15386 @kindex set new-group
15387 @item set new-group @var{mode}
15388 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
15389 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
15390 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
15391 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
15392
15393 @kindex show new-group
15394 @item show new-group
15395 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
15396
15397 @kindex set debugevents
15398 @item set debugevents
15399 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
15400 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
15401 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
15402 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
15403 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
15404
15405 @kindex set debugexec
15406 @item set debugexec
15407 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
15408 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
15409
15410 @kindex set debugexceptions
15411 @item set debugexceptions
15412 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
15413 debuggee seen by the debugger.
15414
15415 @kindex set debugmemory
15416 @item set debugmemory
15417 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
15418 and writes by the debugger.
15419
15420 @kindex set shell
15421 @item set shell
15422 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
15423 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
15424
15425 @kindex show shell
15426 @item show shell
15427 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
15428
15429 @end table
15430
15431 @menu
15432 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
15433 @end menu
15434
15435 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
15436 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
15437 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
15438 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
15439
15440 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
15441 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
15442 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
15443 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
15444 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
15445 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
15446 ``minimal symbols''.
15447
15448 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
15449 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
15450 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
15451 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
15452 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
15453 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
15454 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
15455 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
15456 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
15457 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
15458
15459 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
15460
15461 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
15462 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
15463 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
15464 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
15465 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
15466 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
15467 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
15468 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
15469 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
15470
15471 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
15472 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
15473 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
15474 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
15475 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
15476 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
15477
15478 @smallexample
15479 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
15480 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
15481
15482 Non-debugging symbols:
15483 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
15484 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
15485 @end smallexample
15486
15487 @smallexample
15488 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
15489 All functions matching regular expression "!":
15490
15491 Non-debugging symbols:
15492 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
15493 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
15494 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
15495 [etc...]
15496 @end smallexample
15497
15498 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
15499
15500 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
15501 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
15502 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
15503 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
15504 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
15505 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
15506 a function within a DLL without a running program.
15507
15508 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
15509 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
15510 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
15511 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
15512 problem:
15513
15514 @smallexample
15515 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
15516 $1 = 268572168
15517 @end smallexample
15518
15519 @smallexample
15520 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
15521 0x10021610: "\230y\""
15522 @end smallexample
15523
15524 And two possible solutions:
15525
15526 @smallexample
15527 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
15528 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
15529 @end smallexample
15530
15531 @smallexample
15532 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
15533 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
15534 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
15535 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
15536 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
15537 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
15538 @end smallexample
15539
15540 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
15541 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
15542 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
15543 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
15544 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
15545
15546 @smallexample
15547 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
15548 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
15549 @end smallexample
15550
15551 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
15552 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
15553 safe.
15554
15555 @node Hurd Native
15556 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
15557 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
15558
15559 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
15560 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
15561
15562 @table @code
15563 @item set signals
15564 @itemx set sigs
15565 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
15566 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
15567 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
15568 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
15569 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
15570 @code{signals}.
15571
15572 @item show signals
15573 @itemx show sigs
15574 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
15575 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
15576 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
15577
15578 @item set signal-thread
15579 @itemx set sigthread
15580 @kindex set signal-thread
15581 @kindex set sigthread
15582 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
15583 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
15584 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
15585 signal-thread}.
15586
15587 @item show signal-thread
15588 @itemx show sigthread
15589 @kindex show signal-thread
15590 @kindex show sigthread
15591 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
15592 delivered a signal.
15593
15594 @item set stopped
15595 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
15596 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
15597 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
15598 continued by delivering a signal to it.
15599
15600 @item show stopped
15601 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
15602 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
15603 stopped.
15604
15605 @item set exceptions
15606 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
15607 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
15608 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
15609 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
15610 trapping on.
15611
15612 @item show exceptions
15613 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
15614 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
15615
15616 @item set task pause
15617 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
15618 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
15619 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
15620 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
15621 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
15622 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
15623 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
15624 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
15625 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
15626
15627 @item show task pause
15628 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
15629 Show the current state of task suspension.
15630
15631 @item set task detach-suspend-count
15632 @cindex task suspend count
15633 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15634 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
15635 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
15636
15637 @item show task detach-suspend-count
15638 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
15639
15640 @item set task exception-port
15641 @itemx set task excp
15642 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15643 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
15644 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
15645 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
15646
15647 @item set noninvasive
15648 @cindex noninvasive task options
15649 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
15650 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
15651 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
15652 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
15653
15654 @item info send-rights
15655 @itemx info receive-rights
15656 @itemx info port-rights
15657 @itemx info port-sets
15658 @itemx info dead-names
15659 @itemx info ports
15660 @itemx info psets
15661 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15662 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15663 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15664 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15665 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15666 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
15667 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
15668 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
15669 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
15670
15671 @item set thread pause
15672 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
15673 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15674 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
15675 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
15676 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
15677 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
15678 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
15679 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
15680 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
15681 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
15682 only the current thread.
15683
15684 @item show thread pause
15685 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
15686 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
15687
15688 @item set thread run
15689 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
15690
15691 @item show thread run
15692 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
15693
15694 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
15695 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15696 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15697 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
15698 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
15699 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
15700 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
15701
15702 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
15703 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
15704 detaching.
15705
15706 @item set thread exception-port
15707 @itemx set thread excp
15708 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
15709 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
15710 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
15711
15712 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
15713 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
15714 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
15715 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
15716
15717 @item set thread default
15718 @itemx show thread default
15719 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
15720 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
15721 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
15722 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
15723 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
15724 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
15725 the non-default commands.
15726 @end table
15727
15728
15729 @node Neutrino
15730 @subsection QNX Neutrino
15731 @cindex QNX Neutrino
15732
15733 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
15734 Neutrino target:
15735
15736 @table @code
15737 @item set debug nto-debug
15738 @kindex set debug nto-debug
15739 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
15740 Neutrino support.
15741
15742 @item show debug nto-debug
15743 @kindex show debug nto-debug
15744 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
15745 @end table
15746
15747 @node Darwin
15748 @subsection Darwin
15749 @cindex Darwin
15750
15751 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
15752
15753 @table @code
15754 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
15755 @kindex set debug darwin
15756 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
15757 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
15758
15759 @item show debug darwin
15760 @kindex show debug darwin
15761 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
15762
15763 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
15764 @kindex set debug mach-o
15765 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
15766 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
15767 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
15768 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
15769 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
15770 usage.
15771
15772 @item show debug mach-o
15773 @kindex show debug mach-o
15774 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
15775
15776 @item set mach-exceptions on
15777 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
15778 @kindex set mach-exceptions
15779 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
15780 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
15781 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
15782 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
15783
15784 @item show mach-exceptions
15785 @kindex show mach-exceptions
15786 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
15787 @end table
15788
15789
15790 @node Embedded OS
15791 @section Embedded Operating Systems
15792
15793 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
15794 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
15795 architectures.
15796
15797 @menu
15798 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
15799 @end menu
15800
15801 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
15802 various real-time operating systems.
15803
15804 @node VxWorks
15805 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
15806
15807 @cindex VxWorks
15808
15809 @table @code
15810
15811 @kindex target vxworks
15812 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
15813 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
15814 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
15815
15816 @end table
15817
15818 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
15819 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
15820
15821 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
15822 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
15823 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
15824 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
15825 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
15826 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
15827 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
15828
15829 @table @code
15830 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
15831 @kindex vxworks-timeout
15832 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
15833 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
15834 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
15835 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
15836 of a thin network line.
15837 @end table
15838
15839 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
15840 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
15841 procedures.
15842
15843 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
15844 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
15845 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
15846 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
15847 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
15848 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
15849 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
15850 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
15851 manual.
15852 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
15853
15854 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
15855 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
15856 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
15857 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
15858
15859 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
15860
15861 @smallexample
15862 (vxgdb)
15863 @end smallexample
15864
15865 @menu
15866 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
15867 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
15868 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
15869 @end menu
15870
15871 @node VxWorks Connection
15872 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
15873
15874 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
15875 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
15876
15877 @smallexample
15878 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
15879 @end smallexample
15880
15881 @need 750
15882 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
15883
15884 @smallexample
15885 Attaching remote machine across net...
15886 Connected to tt.
15887 @end smallexample
15888
15889 @need 1000
15890 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
15891 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
15892 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
15893 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
15894 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
15895
15896 @smallexample
15897 prog.o: No such file or directory.
15898 @end smallexample
15899
15900 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
15901 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
15902 command again.
15903
15904 @node VxWorks Download
15905 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
15906
15907 @cindex download to VxWorks
15908 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
15909 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
15910 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
15911 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
15912 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
15913 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
15914 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
15915 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
15916 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
15917 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
15918 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
15919 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
15920 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
15921 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
15922 program, type this on VxWorks:
15923
15924 @smallexample
15925 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
15926 @end smallexample
15927
15928 @noindent
15929 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
15930
15931 @smallexample
15932 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
15933 (vxgdb) load prog.o
15934 @end smallexample
15935
15936 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
15937
15938 @smallexample
15939 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
15940 @end smallexample
15941
15942 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
15943 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
15944 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
15945 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
15946 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
15947 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
15948 table.)
15949
15950 @node VxWorks Attach
15951 @subsubsection Running Tasks
15952
15953 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
15954 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
15955 follows:
15956
15957 @smallexample
15958 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
15959 @end smallexample
15960
15961 @noindent
15962 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
15963 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
15964 the time of attachment.
15965
15966 @node Embedded Processors
15967 @section Embedded Processors
15968
15969 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
15970 configurations.
15971
15972 @cindex send command to simulator
15973 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
15974 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
15975
15976 @table @code
15977 @item sim @var{command}
15978 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
15979 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
15980 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
15981 acceptable commands.
15982 @end table
15983
15984
15985 @menu
15986 * ARM:: ARM RDI
15987 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
15988 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
15989 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
15990 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
15991 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
15992 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
15993 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
15994 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
15995 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
15996 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
15997 * CRIS:: CRIS
15998 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
15999 @end menu
16000
16001 @node ARM
16002 @subsection ARM
16003 @cindex ARM RDI
16004
16005 @table @code
16006 @kindex target rdi
16007 @item target rdi @var{dev}
16008 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
16009 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
16010 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
16011
16012 @kindex target rdp
16013 @item target rdp @var{dev}
16014 ARM Demon monitor.
16015
16016 @end table
16017
16018 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
16019
16020 @table @code
16021 @item set arm disassembler
16022 @kindex set arm
16023 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
16024 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
16025
16026 @item show arm disassembler
16027 @kindex show arm
16028 Show the current disassembly style.
16029
16030 @item set arm apcs32
16031 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
16032 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
16033
16034 @item show arm apcs32
16035 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
16036
16037 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
16038 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
16039 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
16040
16041 @table @code
16042 @item auto
16043 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
16044 @item softfpa
16045 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
16046 processors.
16047 @item fpa
16048 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
16049 @item softvfp
16050 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
16051 @item vfp
16052 VFP co-processor.
16053 @end table
16054
16055 @item show arm fpu
16056 Show the current type of the FPU.
16057
16058 @item set arm abi
16059 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
16060
16061 @item show arm abi
16062 Show the currently used ABI.
16063
16064 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
16065 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
16066 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
16067 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
16068 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
16069 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
16070 register).
16071
16072 @item show arm fallback-mode
16073 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
16074
16075 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
16076 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
16077 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
16078 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
16079 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
16080
16081 @item show arm force-mode
16082 Show the current forced instruction mode.
16083
16084 @item set debug arm
16085 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
16086 target support subsystem.
16087
16088 @item show debug arm
16089 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
16090 @end table
16091
16092 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
16093 using the RDI interface:
16094
16095 @table @code
16096 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
16097 @kindex rdilogfile
16098 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
16099 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
16100 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
16101 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
16102 @file{rdi.log}.
16103
16104 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
16105 @kindex rdilogenable
16106 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
16107 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
16108 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
16109 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
16110 are logged to a file.
16111
16112 @item set rdiromatzero
16113 @kindex set rdiromatzero
16114 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
16115 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
16116 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
16117 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
16118 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
16119
16120 @item show rdiromatzero
16121 @kindex show rdiromatzero
16122 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
16123
16124 @item set rdiheartbeat
16125 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
16126 @cindex RDI heartbeat
16127 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
16128 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
16129 well as the Angel monitor.
16130
16131 @item show rdiheartbeat
16132 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
16133 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
16134 @end table
16135
16136
16137 @node M32R/D
16138 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
16139
16140 @table @code
16141 @kindex target m32r
16142 @item target m32r @var{dev}
16143 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
16144
16145 @kindex target m32rsdi
16146 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
16147 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
16148 @end table
16149
16150 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
16151
16152 @table @code
16153 @item set download-path @var{path}
16154 @kindex set download-path
16155 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
16156 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
16157
16158 @item show download-path
16159 @kindex show download-path
16160 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
16161
16162 @item set board-address @var{addr}
16163 @kindex set board-address
16164 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
16165 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
16166
16167 @item show board-address
16168 @kindex show board-address
16169 Show the current IP address of the target board.
16170
16171 @item set server-address @var{addr}
16172 @kindex set server-address
16173 @cindex download server address (M32R)
16174 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
16175 host machine.
16176
16177 @item show server-address
16178 @kindex show server-address
16179 Display the IP address of the download server.
16180
16181 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
16182 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
16183 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
16184 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
16185 executable file is uploaded.
16186
16187 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
16188 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
16189 Test the @code{upload} command.
16190 @end table
16191
16192 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
16193
16194 @table @code
16195 @item sdireset
16196 @kindex sdireset
16197 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
16198 This command resets the SDI connection.
16199
16200 @item sdistatus
16201 @kindex sdistatus
16202 This command shows the SDI connection status.
16203
16204 @item debug_chaos
16205 @kindex debug_chaos
16206 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
16207 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
16208
16209 @item use_debug_dma
16210 @kindex use_debug_dma
16211 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
16212
16213 @item use_mon_code
16214 @kindex use_mon_code
16215 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
16216
16217 @item use_ib_break
16218 @kindex use_ib_break
16219 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
16220
16221 @item use_dbt_break
16222 @kindex use_dbt_break
16223 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
16224 @end table
16225
16226 @node M68K
16227 @subsection M68k
16228
16229 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
16230 target command for the following ROM monitor.
16231
16232 @table @code
16233
16234 @kindex target dbug
16235 @item target dbug @var{dev}
16236 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
16237
16238 @end table
16239
16240 @node MIPS Embedded
16241 @subsection MIPS Embedded
16242
16243 @cindex MIPS boards
16244 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
16245 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
16246 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
16247
16248 @need 1000
16249 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
16250
16251 @table @code
16252 @item target mips @var{port}
16253 @kindex target mips @var{port}
16254 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
16255 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
16256 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
16257 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
16258 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
16259 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
16260
16261 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
16262 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
16263 debugger:
16264
16265 @smallexample
16266 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
16267 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
16268 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
16269 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
16270 (@value{GDBP}) run
16271 @end smallexample
16272
16273 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
16274 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
16275 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
16276 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
16277 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
16278
16279 @item target pmon @var{port}
16280 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
16281 PMON ROM monitor.
16282
16283 @item target ddb @var{port}
16284 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
16285 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
16286
16287 @item target lsi @var{port}
16288 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
16289 LSI variant of PMON.
16290
16291 @kindex target r3900
16292 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
16293 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
16294
16295 @kindex target array
16296 @item target array @var{dev}
16297 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
16298
16299 @end table
16300
16301
16302 @noindent
16303 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
16304
16305 @table @code
16306 @item set mipsfpu double
16307 @itemx set mipsfpu single
16308 @itemx set mipsfpu none
16309 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
16310 @itemx show mipsfpu
16311 @kindex set mipsfpu
16312 @kindex show mipsfpu
16313 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
16314 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
16315 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
16316 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
16317 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
16318 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
16319 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
16320 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
16321 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
16322 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
16323 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
16324 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
16325 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
16326
16327 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
16328 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
16329 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
16330
16331 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
16332 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
16333
16334 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
16335 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
16336 @itemx show timeout
16337 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
16338 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
16339 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
16340 @kindex set timeout
16341 @kindex show timeout
16342 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
16343 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
16344 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
16345 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
16346 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
16347 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
16348 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
16349 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
16350 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
16351 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
16352
16353 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
16354 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
16355 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
16356 to run before stopping.
16357
16358 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
16359 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
16360 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
16361 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
16362 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
16363 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
16364
16365 @item show syn-garbage-limit
16366 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
16367 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
16368 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
16369
16370 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
16371 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
16372 @cindex remote monitor prompt
16373 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
16374 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
16375 @table @asis
16376 @item pmon target
16377 @samp{PMON}
16378 @item ddb target
16379 @samp{NEC010}
16380 @item lsi target
16381 @samp{PMON>}
16382 @end table
16383
16384 @item show monitor-prompt
16385 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
16386 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
16387 remote monitor.
16388
16389 @item set monitor-warnings
16390 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
16391 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
16392 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
16393 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
16394 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
16395
16396 @item show monitor-warnings
16397 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
16398 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
16399
16400 @item pmon @var{command}
16401 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
16402 @cindex send PMON command
16403 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
16404 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
16405 @end table
16406
16407 @node OpenRISC 1000
16408 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
16409 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
16410
16411 @cindex or1k boards
16412 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
16413 about platform and commands.
16414
16415 @table @code
16416
16417 @kindex target jtag
16418 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
16419
16420 Connects to remote JTAG server.
16421 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
16422 connected via parallel port to the board.
16423
16424 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
16425
16426 @kindex or1ksim
16427 @item or1ksim @var{command}
16428 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
16429 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
16430
16431 @kindex info or1k spr
16432 @item info or1k spr
16433 Displays spr groups.
16434
16435 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
16436 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
16437 Displays register names in selected group.
16438
16439 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
16440 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
16441 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
16442 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
16443 Shows information about specified spr register.
16444
16445 @kindex spr
16446 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
16447 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
16448 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
16449 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
16450 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
16451 @end table
16452
16453 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
16454 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
16455 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
16456 triggers can be set using:
16457 @table @code
16458 @item $LEA/$LDATA
16459 Load effective address/data
16460 @item $SEA/$SDATA
16461 Store effective address/data
16462 @item $AEA/$ADATA
16463 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
16464 @item $FETCH
16465 Fetch data
16466 @end table
16467
16468 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
16469 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
16470
16471 @code{htrace} commands:
16472 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
16473 @table @code
16474 @kindex hwatch
16475 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
16476 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
16477 or Data. For example:
16478
16479 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
16480
16481 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
16482
16483 @kindex htrace
16484 @item htrace info
16485 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
16486
16487 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
16488 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
16489
16490 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
16491 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
16492
16493 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
16494 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
16495
16496 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
16497 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
16498 triggered.
16499
16500 @item htrace enable
16501 @itemx htrace disable
16502 Enables/disables the HW trace.
16503
16504 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
16505 Clears currently recorded trace data.
16506
16507 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
16508 will be written there.
16509
16510 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
16511 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
16512
16513 @item htrace mode continuous
16514 Set continuous trace mode.
16515
16516 @item htrace mode suspend
16517 Set suspend trace mode.
16518
16519 @end table
16520
16521 @node PowerPC Embedded
16522 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
16523
16524 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
16525
16526 @table @code
16527 @kindex set powerpc
16528 @item set powerpc soft-float
16529 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
16530 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
16531 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
16532 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
16533
16534 @item set powerpc vector-abi
16535 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
16536 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
16537 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
16538 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
16539 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
16540 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
16541 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
16542
16543 @kindex target dink32
16544 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
16545 DINK32 ROM monitor.
16546
16547 @kindex target ppcbug
16548 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
16549 @kindex target ppcbug1
16550 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
16551 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
16552
16553 @kindex target sds
16554 @item target sds @var{dev}
16555 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
16556 @end table
16557
16558 @cindex SDS protocol
16559 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
16560 by @value{GDBN}:
16561
16562 @table @code
16563 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
16564 @kindex set sdstimeout
16565 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
16566 default is 2 seconds.
16567
16568 @item show sdstimeout
16569 @kindex show sdstimeout
16570 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
16571
16572 @item sds @var{command}
16573 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
16574 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
16575 @end table
16576
16577
16578 @node PA
16579 @subsection HP PA Embedded
16580
16581 @table @code
16582
16583 @kindex target op50n
16584 @item target op50n @var{dev}
16585 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
16586
16587 @kindex target w89k
16588 @item target w89k @var{dev}
16589 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
16590
16591 @end table
16592
16593 @node Sparclet
16594 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
16595
16596 @cindex Sparclet
16597
16598 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
16599 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
16600 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
16601 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
16602 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
16603
16604 @table @code
16605 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
16606 @kindex remotetimeout
16607 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
16608 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
16609 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
16610 @end table
16611
16612 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
16613 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
16614 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
16615 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
16616 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
16617
16618 @smallexample
16619 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
16620 @end smallexample
16621
16622 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
16623
16624 @smallexample
16625 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
16626 @end smallexample
16627
16628 @cindex running, on Sparclet
16629 Once you have set
16630 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
16631 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
16632 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
16633
16634 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
16635
16636 @smallexample
16637 (gdbslet)
16638 @end smallexample
16639
16640 @menu
16641 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
16642 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
16643 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
16644 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
16645 @end menu
16646
16647 @node Sparclet File
16648 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
16649
16650 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
16651
16652 @smallexample
16653 (gdbslet) file prog
16654 @end smallexample
16655
16656 @need 1000
16657 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
16658 @value{GDBN} locates
16659 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
16660 path.
16661 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
16662 files will be searched as well.
16663 @value{GDBN} locates
16664 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
16665 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
16666 If it fails
16667 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
16668
16669 @smallexample
16670 prog: No such file or directory.
16671 @end smallexample
16672
16673 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
16674 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
16675 @code{target} command again.
16676
16677 @node Sparclet Connection
16678 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
16679
16680 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
16681 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
16682
16683 @smallexample
16684 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
16685 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
16686 main () at ../prog.c:3
16687 @end smallexample
16688
16689 @need 750
16690 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
16691
16692 @smallexample
16693 Connected to ttya.
16694 @end smallexample
16695
16696 @node Sparclet Download
16697 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
16698
16699 @cindex download to Sparclet
16700 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
16701 you can use the @value{GDBN}
16702 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
16703 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
16704 command.
16705 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
16706 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
16707 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
16708 of each of the file's sections.
16709 For instance, if the program
16710 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
16711 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
16712
16713 @smallexample
16714 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
16715 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
16716 @end smallexample
16717
16718 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
16719 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
16720 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
16721
16722 @node Sparclet Execution
16723 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
16724
16725 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
16726 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
16727 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
16728 manual for the list of commands.
16729
16730 @smallexample
16731 (gdbslet) b main
16732 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
16733 (gdbslet) run
16734 Starting program: prog
16735 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
16736 3 char *symarg = 0;
16737 (gdbslet) step
16738 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
16739 (gdbslet)
16740 @end smallexample
16741
16742 @node Sparclite
16743 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
16744
16745 @table @code
16746
16747 @kindex target sparclite
16748 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
16749 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
16750 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
16751 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
16752 remote protocol.
16753
16754 @end table
16755
16756 @node Z8000
16757 @subsection Zilog Z8000
16758
16759 @cindex Z8000
16760 @cindex simulator, Z8000
16761 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
16762
16763 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
16764 a Z8000 simulator.
16765
16766 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
16767 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
16768 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
16769 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
16770
16771 @table @code
16772 @item target sim @var{args}
16773 @kindex sim
16774 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
16775 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
16776 options, specify them via @var{args}.
16777 @end table
16778
16779 @noindent
16780 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
16781 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
16782 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
16783 to run your program, and so on.
16784
16785 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
16786 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
16787 additional items of information as specially named registers:
16788
16789 @table @code
16790
16791 @item cycles
16792 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
16793
16794 @item insts
16795 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
16796
16797 @item time
16798 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
16799
16800 @end table
16801
16802 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
16803 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
16804 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
16805 simulated clock ticks.
16806
16807 @node AVR
16808 @subsection Atmel AVR
16809 @cindex AVR
16810
16811 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
16812 following AVR-specific commands:
16813
16814 @table @code
16815 @item info io_registers
16816 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
16817 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
16818 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
16819 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
16820 @end table
16821
16822 @node CRIS
16823 @subsection CRIS
16824 @cindex CRIS
16825
16826 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
16827 following CRIS-specific commands:
16828
16829 @table @code
16830 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
16831 @cindex CRIS version
16832 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
16833 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
16834 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
16835
16836 @item show cris-version
16837 Show the current CRIS version.
16838
16839 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
16840 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
16841 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
16842 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
16843 @code{R59}.
16844
16845 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
16846 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
16847
16848 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
16849 @cindex CRIS mode
16850 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
16851 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
16852 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
16853
16854 @item show cris-mode
16855 Show the current CRIS mode.
16856 @end table
16857
16858 @node Super-H
16859 @subsection Renesas Super-H
16860 @cindex Super-H
16861
16862 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
16863 commands:
16864
16865 @table @code
16866 @item regs
16867 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
16868 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
16869
16870 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
16871 @kindex set sh calling-convention
16872 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
16873 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
16874 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
16875 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
16876 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
16877 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
16878 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
16879 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
16880 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
16881 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
16882
16883 @item show sh calling-convention
16884 @kindex show sh calling-convention
16885 Show the current calling convention setting.
16886
16887 @end table
16888
16889
16890 @node Architectures
16891 @section Architectures
16892
16893 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
16894 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
16895
16896 @menu
16897 * i386::
16898 * A29K::
16899 * Alpha::
16900 * MIPS::
16901 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
16902 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
16903 * PowerPC::
16904 @end menu
16905
16906 @node i386
16907 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
16908
16909 @table @code
16910 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
16911 @kindex set struct-convention
16912 @cindex struct return convention
16913 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
16914 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
16915 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
16916 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
16917 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
16918 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
16919 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
16920 be returned in a register.
16921
16922 @item show struct-convention
16923 @kindex show struct-convention
16924 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
16925 from functions.
16926 @end table
16927
16928 @node A29K
16929 @subsection A29K
16930
16931 @table @code
16932
16933 @kindex set rstack_high_address
16934 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
16935 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
16936 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
16937 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
16938 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
16939 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
16940 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
16941 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
16942 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
16943 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
16944 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
16945 hexadecimal.
16946
16947 @kindex show rstack_high_address
16948 @item show rstack_high_address
16949 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
16950 processors.
16951
16952 @end table
16953
16954 @node Alpha
16955 @subsection Alpha
16956
16957 See the following section.
16958
16959 @node MIPS
16960 @subsection MIPS
16961
16962 @cindex stack on Alpha
16963 @cindex stack on MIPS
16964 @cindex Alpha stack
16965 @cindex MIPS stack
16966 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
16967 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
16968 find the beginning of a function.
16969
16970 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
16971 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
16972 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
16973 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
16974 commands:
16975
16976 @table @code
16977 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
16978 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
16979 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
16980 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
16981 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
16982 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
16983 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
16984 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
16985
16986 @item show heuristic-fence-post
16987 Display the current limit.
16988 @end table
16989
16990 @noindent
16991 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
16992 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
16993
16994 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
16995 programs:
16996
16997 @table @code
16998 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
16999 @kindex set mips abi
17000 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
17001 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
17002 values of @var{arg} are:
17003
17004 @table @samp
17005 @item auto
17006 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
17007 default).
17008 @item o32
17009 @item o64
17010 @item n32
17011 @item n64
17012 @item eabi32
17013 @item eabi64
17014 @item auto
17015 @end table
17016
17017 @item show mips abi
17018 @kindex show mips abi
17019 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
17020
17021 @item set mipsfpu
17022 @itemx show mipsfpu
17023 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
17024
17025 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
17026 @kindex set mips mask-address
17027 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
17028 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
17029 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
17030 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
17031 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
17032
17033 @item show mips mask-address
17034 @kindex show mips mask-address
17035 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
17036 not.
17037
17038 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17039 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17040 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
17041 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
17042 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
17043 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
17044
17045 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17046 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
17047 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
17048
17049 @item set debug mips
17050 @kindex set debug mips
17051 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
17052 target code in @value{GDBN}.
17053
17054 @item show debug mips
17055 @kindex show debug mips
17056 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
17057 @end table
17058
17059
17060 @node HPPA
17061 @subsection HPPA
17062 @cindex HPPA support
17063
17064 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
17065 following special commands:
17066
17067 @table @code
17068 @item set debug hppa
17069 @kindex set debug hppa
17070 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
17071 messages are to be displayed.
17072
17073 @item show debug hppa
17074 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
17075
17076 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
17077 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
17078 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
17079 given @var{address}.
17080
17081 @end table
17082
17083
17084 @node SPU
17085 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
17086 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
17087 @cindex SPU
17088
17089 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
17090 it provides the following special commands:
17091
17092 @table @code
17093 @item info spu event
17094 @kindex info spu
17095 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
17096 and pending event status.
17097
17098 @item info spu signal
17099 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
17100 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
17101 notification channels.
17102
17103 @item info spu mailbox
17104 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
17105 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
17106 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
17107
17108 @item info spu dma
17109 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
17110 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
17111 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
17112
17113 @item info spu proxydma
17114 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
17115 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
17116 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
17117
17118 @end table
17119
17120 @node PowerPC
17121 @subsection PowerPC
17122 @cindex PowerPC architecture
17123
17124 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
17125 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
17126 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
17127 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
17128 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
17129
17130 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
17131 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
17132 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
17133
17134 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
17135 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
17136
17137
17138 @node Controlling GDB
17139 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
17140
17141 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
17142 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
17143 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
17144 described here.
17145
17146 @menu
17147 * Prompt:: Prompt
17148 * Editing:: Command editing
17149 * Command History:: Command history
17150 * Screen Size:: Screen size
17151 * Numbers:: Numbers
17152 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
17153 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
17154 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
17155 @end menu
17156
17157 @node Prompt
17158 @section Prompt
17159
17160 @cindex prompt
17161
17162 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
17163 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
17164 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
17165 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
17166 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
17167 which one you are talking to.
17168
17169 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
17170 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
17171 or a prompt that does not.
17172
17173 @table @code
17174 @kindex set prompt
17175 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
17176 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
17177
17178 @kindex show prompt
17179 @item show prompt
17180 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
17181 @end table
17182
17183 @node Editing
17184 @section Command Editing
17185 @cindex readline
17186 @cindex command line editing
17187
17188 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
17189 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
17190 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
17191 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
17192 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
17193 debugging sessions.
17194
17195 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
17196 command @code{set}.
17197
17198 @table @code
17199 @kindex set editing
17200 @cindex editing
17201 @item set editing
17202 @itemx set editing on
17203 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
17204
17205 @item set editing off
17206 Disable command line editing.
17207
17208 @kindex show editing
17209 @item show editing
17210 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
17211 @end table
17212
17213 @xref{Command Line Editing}, for more details about the Readline
17214 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
17215 encouraged to read that chapter.
17216
17217 @node Command History
17218 @section Command History
17219 @cindex command history
17220
17221 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
17222 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
17223 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
17224 history facility.
17225
17226 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
17227 package, to provide the history facility. @xref{Using History
17228 Interactively}, for the detailed description of the History library.
17229
17230 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
17231 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
17232 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
17233 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
17234 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
17235 pressed on a line by itself.
17236
17237 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
17238 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
17239 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
17240 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
17241
17242 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
17243 history.
17244
17245 @table @code
17246 @cindex history substitution
17247 @cindex history file
17248 @kindex set history filename
17249 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
17250 @item set history filename @var{fname}
17251 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
17252 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
17253 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
17254 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
17255 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
17256 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
17257 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
17258 is not set.
17259
17260 @cindex save command history
17261 @kindex set history save
17262 @item set history save
17263 @itemx set history save on
17264 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
17265 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
17266
17267 @item set history save off
17268 Stop recording command history in a file.
17269
17270 @cindex history size
17271 @kindex set history size
17272 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
17273 @item set history size @var{size}
17274 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
17275 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
17276 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
17277 @end table
17278
17279 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
17280 @xref{Event Designators}, for more details.
17281
17282 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
17283 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
17284 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
17285 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
17286 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
17287 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
17288 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
17289 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
17290
17291 The commands to control history expansion are:
17292
17293 @table @code
17294 @item set history expansion on
17295 @itemx set history expansion
17296 @kindex set history expansion
17297 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
17298
17299 @item set history expansion off
17300 Disable history expansion.
17301
17302 @c @group
17303 @kindex show history
17304 @item show history
17305 @itemx show history filename
17306 @itemx show history save
17307 @itemx show history size
17308 @itemx show history expansion
17309 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
17310 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
17311 @c @end group
17312 @end table
17313
17314 @table @code
17315 @kindex show commands
17316 @cindex show last commands
17317 @cindex display command history
17318 @item show commands
17319 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
17320
17321 @item show commands @var{n}
17322 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
17323
17324 @item show commands +
17325 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
17326 @end table
17327
17328 @node Screen Size
17329 @section Screen Size
17330 @cindex size of screen
17331 @cindex pauses in output
17332
17333 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
17334 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
17335 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
17336 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
17337 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
17338 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
17339 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
17340 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
17341
17342 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
17343 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
17344 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
17345 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
17346 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
17347 width} commands:
17348
17349 @table @code
17350 @kindex set height
17351 @kindex set width
17352 @kindex show width
17353 @kindex show height
17354 @item set height @var{lpp}
17355 @itemx show height
17356 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
17357 @itemx show width
17358 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
17359 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
17360 commands display the current settings.
17361
17362 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
17363 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
17364 file or to an editor buffer.
17365
17366 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
17367 from wrapping its output.
17368
17369 @item set pagination on
17370 @itemx set pagination off
17371 @kindex set pagination
17372 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
17373 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}.
17374
17375 @item show pagination
17376 @kindex show pagination
17377 Show the current pagination mode.
17378 @end table
17379
17380 @node Numbers
17381 @section Numbers
17382 @cindex number representation
17383 @cindex entering numbers
17384
17385 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
17386 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
17387 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
17388 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
17389 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
17390 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
17391 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
17392 both input and output with the commands described below.
17393
17394 @table @code
17395 @kindex set input-radix
17396 @item set input-radix @var{base}
17397 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
17398 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
17399 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
17400 example, any of
17401
17402 @smallexample
17403 set input-radix 012
17404 set input-radix 10.
17405 set input-radix 0xa
17406 @end smallexample
17407
17408 @noindent
17409 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
17410 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
17411 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
17412 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
17413 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
17414 change the radix.
17415
17416 @kindex set output-radix
17417 @item set output-radix @var{base}
17418 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
17419 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
17420 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
17421
17422 @kindex show input-radix
17423 @item show input-radix
17424 Display the current default base for numeric input.
17425
17426 @kindex show output-radix
17427 @item show output-radix
17428 Display the current default base for numeric display.
17429
17430 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
17431 @itemx show radix
17432 @kindex set radix
17433 @kindex show radix
17434 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
17435 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
17436 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
17437 default value of 10.
17438
17439 @end table
17440
17441 @node ABI
17442 @section Configuring the Current ABI
17443
17444 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
17445 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
17446 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
17447 current ABI.
17448
17449 @cindex OS ABI
17450 @kindex set osabi
17451 @kindex show osabi
17452
17453 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
17454 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
17455 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
17456 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
17457 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
17458 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
17459 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
17460 platform provides.
17461
17462 @table @code
17463 @item show osabi
17464 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
17465
17466 @item set osabi
17467 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
17468
17469 @item set osabi @var{abi}
17470 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
17471 @end table
17472
17473 @cindex float promotion
17474
17475 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
17476 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
17477 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
17478 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
17479 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
17480 @code{double} and then passed.
17481
17482 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
17483 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
17484 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
17485
17486 @table @code
17487 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
17488 @item set coerce-float-to-double
17489 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
17490 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
17491 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
17492
17493 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
17494 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
17495 functions.
17496
17497 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
17498 @item show coerce-float-to-double
17499 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
17500 @end table
17501
17502 @kindex set cp-abi
17503 @kindex show cp-abi
17504 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
17505 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
17506 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
17507 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
17508 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
17509 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
17510 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
17511 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
17512 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
17513 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
17514 ``auto''.
17515
17516 @table @code
17517 @item show cp-abi
17518 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
17519
17520 @item set cp-abi
17521 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
17522
17523 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
17524 @itemx set cp-abi auto
17525 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
17526 @end table
17527
17528 @node Messages/Warnings
17529 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
17530
17531 @cindex verbose operation
17532 @cindex optional warnings
17533 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
17534 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
17535 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
17536 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
17537
17538 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
17539 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
17540 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
17541
17542 @table @code
17543 @kindex set verbose
17544 @item set verbose on
17545 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
17546
17547 @item set verbose off
17548 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
17549
17550 @kindex show verbose
17551 @item show verbose
17552 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
17553 @end table
17554
17555 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
17556 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
17557 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
17558 Symbol Files}).
17559
17560 @table @code
17561
17562 @kindex set complaints
17563 @item set complaints @var{limit}
17564 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
17565 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
17566 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
17567 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
17568
17569 @kindex show complaints
17570 @item show complaints
17571 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
17572
17573 @end table
17574
17575 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
17576 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
17577 you try to run a program which is already running:
17578
17579 @smallexample
17580 (@value{GDBP}) run
17581 The program being debugged has been started already.
17582 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
17583 @end smallexample
17584
17585 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
17586 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
17587
17588 @table @code
17589
17590 @kindex set confirm
17591 @cindex flinching
17592 @cindex confirmation
17593 @cindex stupid questions
17594 @item set confirm off
17595 Disables confirmation requests.
17596
17597 @item set confirm on
17598 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
17599
17600 @kindex show confirm
17601 @item show confirm
17602 Displays state of confirmation requests.
17603
17604 @end table
17605
17606 @cindex command tracing
17607 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
17608 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
17609 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
17610 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
17611
17612 @table @code
17613 @kindex set trace-commands
17614 @cindex command scripts, debugging
17615 @item set trace-commands on
17616 Enable command tracing.
17617 @item set trace-commands off
17618 Disable command tracing.
17619 @item show trace-commands
17620 Display the current state of command tracing.
17621 @end table
17622
17623 @node Debugging Output
17624 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
17625 @cindex optional debugging messages
17626
17627 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
17628 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
17629 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
17630 section documents those commands.
17631
17632 @table @code
17633 @kindex set exec-done-display
17634 @item set exec-done-display
17635 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
17636 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
17637 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
17638 @kindex show exec-done-display
17639 @item show exec-done-display
17640 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
17641 notification.
17642 @kindex set debug
17643 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
17644 @cindex architecture debugging info
17645 @item set debug arch
17646 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
17647 @kindex show debug
17648 @item show debug arch
17649 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
17650 @item set debug aix-thread
17651 @cindex AIX threads
17652 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
17653 module.
17654 @item show debug aix-thread
17655 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
17656 @item set debug dwarf2-die
17657 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
17658 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
17659 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
17660 A value of zero turns off the display.
17661 @item show debug dwarf2-die
17662 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
17663 @item set debug displaced
17664 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
17665 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
17666 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
17667 @item show debug displaced
17668 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
17669 related to displaced stepping.
17670 @item set debug event
17671 @cindex event debugging info
17672 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
17673 default is off.
17674 @item show debug event
17675 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
17676 info.
17677 @item set debug expression
17678 @cindex expression debugging info
17679 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
17680 expression parsing. The default is off.
17681 @item show debug expression
17682 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
17683 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
17684 @item set debug frame
17685 @cindex frame debugging info
17686 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
17687 default is off.
17688 @item show debug frame
17689 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
17690 info.
17691 @item set debug infrun
17692 @cindex inferior debugging info
17693 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
17694 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
17695 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
17696 @item show debug infrun
17697 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
17698 @item set debug lin-lwp
17699 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
17700 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
17701 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
17702 @item show debug lin-lwp
17703 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
17704 @item set debug lin-lwp-async
17705 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP async debug messages
17706 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
17707 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP async debug support.
17708 @item show debug lin-lwp-async
17709 Show the current state of Linux LWP async debugging messages.
17710 @item set debug observer
17711 @cindex observer debugging info
17712 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
17713 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
17714 @item show debug observer
17715 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
17716 @item set debug overload
17717 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
17718 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
17719 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
17720 is off.
17721 @item show debug overload
17722 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
17723 debugging info.
17724 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
17725 @cindex serial connections, debugging
17726 @cindex debug remote protocol
17727 @cindex remote protocol debugging
17728 @cindex display remote packets
17729 @item set debug remote
17730 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
17731 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
17732 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
17733 @item show debug remote
17734 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
17735 @item set debug serial
17736 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
17737 default is off.
17738 @item show debug serial
17739 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
17740 info.
17741 @item set debug solib-frv
17742 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
17743 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
17744 @item show debug solib-frv
17745 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
17746 messages.
17747 @item set debug target
17748 @cindex target debugging info
17749 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
17750 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
17751 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
17752 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
17753 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
17754 @item show debug target
17755 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
17756 info.
17757 @item set debug timestamp
17758 @cindex timestampping debugging info
17759 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
17760 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
17761 message.
17762 @item show debug timestamp
17763 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
17764 debugging info.
17765 @item set debugvarobj
17766 @cindex variable object debugging info
17767 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
17768 info. The default is off.
17769 @item show debugvarobj
17770 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
17771 debugging info.
17772 @item set debug xml
17773 @cindex XML parser debugging
17774 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
17775 @item show debug xml
17776 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
17777 @end table
17778
17779 @node Extending GDB
17780 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
17781 @cindex extending GDB
17782
17783 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
17784 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
17785 Python scripting language.
17786
17787 @menu
17788 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
17789 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
17790 @end menu
17791
17792 @node Sequences
17793 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
17794
17795 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
17796 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
17797 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
17798 files.
17799
17800 @menu
17801 * Define:: How to define your own commands
17802 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
17803 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
17804 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
17805 @end menu
17806
17807 @node Define
17808 @subsection User-defined Commands
17809
17810 @cindex user-defined command
17811 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
17812 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
17813 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
17814 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
17815 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
17816 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
17817
17818 @smallexample
17819 define adder
17820 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
17821 end
17822 @end smallexample
17823
17824 @noindent
17825 To execute the command use:
17826
17827 @smallexample
17828 adder 1 2 3
17829 @end smallexample
17830
17831 @noindent
17832 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
17833 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
17834 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
17835 functions calls.
17836
17837 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
17838 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
17839 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
17840 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
17841
17842 @smallexample
17843 define adder
17844 if $argc == 2
17845 print $arg0 + $arg1
17846 end
17847 if $argc == 3
17848 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
17849 end
17850 end
17851 @end smallexample
17852
17853 @table @code
17854
17855 @kindex define
17856 @item define @var{commandname}
17857 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
17858 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
17859 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
17860 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
17861 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
17862 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
17863
17864 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
17865 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
17866 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
17867
17868 @kindex document
17869 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
17870 @item document @var{commandname}
17871 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
17872 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
17873 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
17874 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
17875 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
17876 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
17877
17878 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
17879 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
17880 does not change the documentation.
17881
17882 @kindex dont-repeat
17883 @cindex don't repeat command
17884 @item dont-repeat
17885 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
17886 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
17887 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
17888
17889 @kindex help user-defined
17890 @item help user-defined
17891 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
17892 (if any) for each.
17893
17894 @kindex show user
17895 @item show user
17896 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
17897 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
17898 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
17899 definitions for all user-defined commands.
17900
17901 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
17902 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
17903 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
17904 @item show max-user-call-depth
17905 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
17906 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
17907 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
17908 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
17909 @end table
17910
17911 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
17912 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
17913
17914 When user-defined commands are executed, the
17915 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
17916 stops execution of the user-defined command.
17917
17918 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
17919 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
17920 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
17921 messages when used in a user-defined command.
17922
17923 @node Hooks
17924 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
17925 @cindex command hooks
17926 @cindex hooks, for commands
17927 @cindex hooks, pre-command
17928
17929 @kindex hook
17930 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
17931 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
17932 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
17933 before that command.
17934
17935 @cindex hooks, post-command
17936 @kindex hookpost
17937 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
17938 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
17939 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
17940 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
17941 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
17942
17943 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
17944 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
17945
17946 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
17947 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
17948
17949 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
17950 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
17951 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
17952 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
17953 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
17954
17955 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
17956 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
17957 you could define:
17958
17959 @smallexample
17960 define hook-stop
17961 handle SIGALRM nopass
17962 end
17963
17964 define hook-run
17965 handle SIGALRM pass
17966 end
17967
17968 define hook-continue
17969 handle SIGALRM pass
17970 end
17971 @end smallexample
17972
17973 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
17974 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
17975 you could define:
17976
17977 @smallexample
17978 define hook-echo
17979 echo <<<---
17980 end
17981
17982 define hookpost-echo
17983 echo --->>>\n
17984 end
17985
17986 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
17987 <<<---Hello World--->>>
17988 (@value{GDBP})
17989
17990 @end smallexample
17991
17992 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
17993 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
17994 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
17995 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
17996 @c or not?
17997 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
17998 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
17999 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
18000
18001 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
18002 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
18003 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
18004
18005 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
18006 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
18007
18008 @node Command Files
18009 @subsection Command Files
18010
18011 @cindex command files
18012 @cindex scripting commands
18013 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
18014 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
18015 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
18016 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
18017 terminal.
18018
18019 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
18020 command:
18021
18022 @table @code
18023 @kindex source
18024 @cindex execute commands from a file
18025 @item source [@code{-v}] @var{filename}
18026 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
18027 @end table
18028
18029 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
18030 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
18031 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
18032 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
18033 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
18034
18035 @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename} in the current directory and then
18036 on the search path (specified with the @samp{directory} command).
18037
18038 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
18039 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
18040 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
18041
18042 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
18043 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
18044 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
18045 when called from command files.
18046
18047 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
18048 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
18049 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
18050 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
18051 the next command.
18052
18053 @smallexample
18054 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
18055 @end smallexample
18056
18057 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
18058 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
18059 would be directed to @file{log}.
18060
18061 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
18062 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
18063 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
18064 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
18065 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
18066 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
18067 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
18068 conditionally, etc.
18069
18070 @table @code
18071 @kindex if
18072 @kindex else
18073 @item if
18074 @itemx else
18075 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
18076 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
18077 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
18078 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
18079 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
18080 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
18081 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
18082
18083 @kindex while
18084 @item while
18085 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
18086 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
18087 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
18088 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
18089 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
18090 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
18091
18092 @kindex loop_break
18093 @item loop_break
18094 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
18095 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
18096 line.
18097
18098 @kindex loop_continue
18099 @item loop_continue
18100 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
18101 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
18102 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
18103 the controlling expression.
18104
18105 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
18106 @item end
18107 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
18108 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
18109 @end table
18110
18111
18112 @node Output
18113 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
18114
18115 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
18116 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
18117 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
18118 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
18119 want.
18120
18121 @table @code
18122 @kindex echo
18123 @item echo @var{text}
18124 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
18125 @c because it is not in ANSI.
18126 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
18127 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
18128 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
18129 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
18130 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
18131 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
18132 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
18133 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
18134 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
18135
18136 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
18137 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
18138
18139 @smallexample
18140 echo This is some text\n\
18141 which is continued\n\
18142 onto several lines.\n
18143 @end smallexample
18144
18145 produces the same output as
18146
18147 @smallexample
18148 echo This is some text\n
18149 echo which is continued\n
18150 echo onto several lines.\n
18151 @end smallexample
18152
18153 @kindex output
18154 @item output @var{expression}
18155 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
18156 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
18157 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
18158 on expressions.
18159
18160 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
18161 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
18162 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
18163 Formats}, for more information.
18164
18165 @kindex printf
18166 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
18167 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
18168 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
18169 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
18170 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
18171 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
18172 executing the code below:
18173
18174 @smallexample
18175 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
18176 @end smallexample
18177
18178 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
18179 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
18180 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
18181 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
18182 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
18183 printed.
18184
18185 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
18186
18187 @smallexample
18188 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
18189 @end smallexample
18190
18191 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
18192 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
18193 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
18194
18195 @itemize @bullet
18196 @item
18197 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
18198
18199 @item
18200 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
18201 width.
18202
18203 @item
18204 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
18205 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
18206
18207 @item
18208 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
18209 supported.
18210
18211 @item
18212 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
18213
18214 @item
18215 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
18216 @end itemize
18217
18218 @noindent
18219 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
18220 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
18221 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
18222 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
18223
18224 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
18225 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
18226 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
18227 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
18228 supported.
18229
18230 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
18231 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
18232 together with a floating point specifier.
18233 letters:
18234
18235 @itemize @bullet
18236 @item
18237 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
18238
18239 @item
18240 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
18241
18242 @item
18243 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
18244 @end itemize
18245
18246 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
18247 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
18248 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
18249
18250 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
18251 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
18252
18253 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
18254 @smallexample
18255 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
18256 @end smallexample
18257
18258 @end table
18259
18260 @node Python
18261 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
18262 @cindex python scripting
18263 @cindex scripting with python
18264
18265 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
18266 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
18267 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
18268
18269 @menu
18270 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
18271 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
18272 @end menu
18273
18274 @node Python Commands
18275 @subsection Python Commands
18276 @cindex python commands
18277 @cindex commands to access python
18278
18279 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
18280 and one related setting:
18281
18282 @table @code
18283 @kindex python
18284 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
18285 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
18286
18287 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
18288 argument as a Python command. For example:
18289
18290 @smallexample
18291 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
18292 23
18293 @end smallexample
18294
18295 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
18296 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
18297 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
18298 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
18299 containing @code{end}. For example:
18300
18301 @smallexample
18302 (@value{GDBP}) python
18303 Type python script
18304 End with a line saying just "end".
18305 >print 23
18306 >end
18307 23
18308 @end smallexample
18309
18310 @kindex maint set python print-stack
18311 @item maint set python print-stack
18312 By default, @value{GDBN} will print a stack trace when an error occurs
18313 in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{maint set
18314 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, the default, then Python stack
18315 printing is enabled; if @code{off}, then Python stack printing is
18316 disabled.
18317 @end table
18318
18319 @node Python API
18320 @subsection Python API
18321 @cindex python api
18322 @cindex programming in python
18323
18324 @cindex python stdout
18325 @cindex python pagination
18326 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
18327 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
18328 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
18329 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
18330 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
18331
18332 @menu
18333 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
18334 * Exception Handling::
18335 * Values From Inferior::
18336 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
18337 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
18338 * Frames In Python:: Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
18339 @end menu
18340
18341 @node Basic Python
18342 @subsubsection Basic Python
18343
18344 @cindex python functions
18345 @cindex python module
18346 @cindex gdb module
18347 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
18348 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
18349 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
18350 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
18351
18352 @findex gdb.execute
18353 @defun execute command [from_tty]
18354 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
18355 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
18356 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
18357 If no exceptions occur, this function returns @code{None}.
18358
18359 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
18360 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
18361 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
18362 @end defun
18363
18364 @findex gdb.get_parameter
18365 @defun get_parameter parameter
18366 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
18367 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
18368 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
18369 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
18370
18371 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
18372 @code{RuntimeError}. Otherwise, the parameter's value is converted to
18373 a Python value of the appropriate type, and returned.
18374 @end defun
18375
18376 @findex gdb.history
18377 @defun history number
18378 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
18379 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
18380 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
18381 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
18382 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
18383 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
18384 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{RuntimeError} exception will be
18385 raised.
18386
18387 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
18388 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
18389 @end defun
18390
18391 @findex gdb.write
18392 @defun write string
18393 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream.
18394 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
18395 call this function.
18396 @end defun
18397
18398 @findex gdb.flush
18399 @defun flush
18400 Flush @value{GDBN}'s paginated standard output stream. Flushing
18401 @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically call this
18402 function.
18403 @end defun
18404
18405 @node Exception Handling
18406 @subsubsection Exception Handling
18407 @cindex python exceptions
18408 @cindex exceptions, python
18409
18410 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
18411 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
18412 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
18413 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
18414 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
18415 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
18416 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
18417
18418 @smallexample
18419 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
18420 Traceback (most recent call last):
18421 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
18422 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
18423 @end smallexample
18424
18425 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by Python
18426 code are converted to Python @code{RuntimeError} exceptions. User
18427 interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
18428 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt}
18429 exception. If you catch these exceptions in your Python code, your
18430 exception handler will see @code{RuntimeError} or
18431 @code{KeyboardInterrupt} as the exception type, the @value{GDBN} error
18432 message as its value, and the Python call stack backtrace at the
18433 Python statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
18434 traceback.
18435
18436 @node Values From Inferior
18437 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
18438 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
18439 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
18440
18441 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
18442 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
18443 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
18444 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
18445 fetching values when necessary.
18446
18447 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
18448 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
18449 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
18450
18451 @smallexample
18452 bar = some_val + 2
18453 @end smallexample
18454
18455 @noindent
18456 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
18457 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
18458
18459 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
18460 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
18461 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
18462 can access its @code{foo} element with:
18463
18464 @smallexample
18465 bar = some_val['foo']
18466 @end smallexample
18467
18468 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
18469
18470 The following attributes are provided:
18471
18472 @table @code
18473 @defmethod Value address
18474 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
18475 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
18476 this attribute holds @code{None}.
18477 @end defmethod
18478
18479 @cindex optimized out value in Python
18480 @defmethod Value is_optimized_out
18481 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
18482 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
18483 @end defmethod
18484 @end table
18485
18486 The following methods are provided:
18487
18488 @table @code
18489 @defmethod Value dereference
18490 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
18491 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
18492 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
18493
18494 @smallexample
18495 int *foo;
18496 @end smallexample
18497
18498 @noindent
18499 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
18500 @code{foo} points to like this:
18501
18502 @smallexample
18503 bar = foo.dereference ()
18504 @end smallexample
18505
18506 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
18507 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
18508 @end defmethod
18509
18510 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]}
18511 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
18512 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
18513 throw an exception.
18514
18515 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
18516 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
18517 language.
18518
18519 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
18520 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
18521 by a zero of the appropriate width.
18522
18523 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
18524 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
18525 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
18526 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
18527 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
18528 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
18529 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
18530 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
18531 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
18532
18533 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
18534 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
18535 @end defmethod
18536 @end table
18537
18538 @node Commands In Python
18539 @subsubsection Commands In Python
18540
18541 @cindex commands in python
18542 @cindex python commands
18543 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
18544 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
18545 class, most commonly using a subclass.
18546
18547 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
18548 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
18549 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
18550 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
18551
18552 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
18553 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
18554 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
18555 an exception is raised.
18556
18557 There is no support for multi-line commands.
18558
18559 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
18560 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
18561 new command in the help system.
18562
18563 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
18564 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
18565 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
18566 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
18567 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
18568 error will occur when completion is attempted.
18569
18570 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
18571 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
18572 registered.
18573
18574 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
18575 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
18576 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
18577 not documented.'' is used.
18578 @end defmethod
18579
18580 @cindex don't repeat Python command
18581 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
18582 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
18583 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
18584 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
18585 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
18586 @end defmethod
18587
18588 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
18589 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
18590
18591 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
18592 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
18593
18594 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
18595 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
18596 that the command came from elsewhere.
18597
18598 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
18599 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
18600 @end defmethod
18601
18602 @cindex completion of Python commands
18603 @defmethod Command complete text word
18604 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
18605 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
18606 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
18607 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
18608 complete}).
18609
18610 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
18611 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
18612 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
18613 using a word-breaking heuristic.
18614
18615 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
18616 @itemize @bullet
18617 @item
18618 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
18619 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
18620 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
18621 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
18622 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
18623 sequence are ignored.
18624
18625 @item
18626 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
18627 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
18628 function is invoked, and its result is used.
18629
18630 @item
18631 All other results are treated as though there were no available
18632 completions.
18633 @end itemize
18634 @end defmethod
18635
18636 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
18637 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
18638 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
18639 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
18640 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
18641 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
18642
18643 @table @code
18644 @findex COMMAND_NONE
18645 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
18646 @item COMMAND_NONE
18647 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
18648 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
18649
18650 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
18651 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
18652 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
18653 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
18654 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
18655 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
18656 commands in this category.
18657
18658 @findex COMMAND_DATA
18659 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
18660 @item COMMAND_DATA
18661 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
18662 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
18663 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
18664 in this category.
18665
18666 @findex COMMAND_STACK
18667 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
18668 @item COMMAND_STACK
18669 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
18670 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
18671 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
18672 list of commands in this category.
18673
18674 @findex COMMAND_FILES
18675 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
18676 @item COMMAND_FILES
18677 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
18678 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
18679 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
18680 commands in this category.
18681
18682 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
18683 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
18684 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
18685 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
18686 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
18687 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
18688 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
18689 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
18690 commands in this category.
18691
18692 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
18693 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
18694 @item COMMAND_STATUS
18695 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
18696 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
18697 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
18698 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
18699
18700 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
18701 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
18702 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
18703 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
18704 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
18705 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
18706 this category.
18707
18708 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
18709 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
18710 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
18711 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
18712 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
18713 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
18714 commands in this category.
18715
18716 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
18717 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
18718 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
18719 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
18720 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
18721 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
18722 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
18723 category.
18724
18725 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
18726 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
18727 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
18728 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
18729 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
18730 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
18731 commands in this category.
18732 @end table
18733
18734 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
18735 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
18736 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
18737 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
18738
18739 @table @code
18740 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
18741 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
18742 @item COMPLETE_NONE
18743 This constant means that no completion should be done.
18744
18745 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
18746 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
18747 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
18748 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
18749
18750 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
18751 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
18752 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
18753 This constant means that location completion should be done.
18754 @xref{Specify Location}.
18755
18756 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
18757 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
18758 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
18759 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
18760 command names.
18761
18762 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
18763 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
18764 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
18765 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
18766 as the source.
18767 @end table
18768
18769 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
18770 implemented in Python:
18771
18772 @smallexample
18773 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
18774 """Greet the whole world."""
18775
18776 def __init__ (self):
18777 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
18778
18779 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
18780 print "Hello, World!"
18781
18782 HelloWorld ()
18783 @end smallexample
18784
18785 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
18786 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
18787 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
18788 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
18789
18790 @node Functions In Python
18791 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
18792
18793 @cindex writing convenience functions
18794 @cindex convenience functions in python
18795 @cindex python convenience functions
18796 @tindex gdb.Function
18797 @tindex Function
18798 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
18799 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
18800 class @code{gdb.Function}.
18801
18802 @defmethod Function __init__ name
18803 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
18804 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
18805 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
18806 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
18807 the given @var{name}.
18808
18809 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
18810 string for the new class.
18811 @end defmethod
18812
18813 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
18814 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
18815 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
18816 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
18817 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
18818 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
18819 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
18820 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
18821
18822 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
18823 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
18824 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
18825 @end defmethod
18826
18827 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
18828 be implemented in Python:
18829
18830 @smallexample
18831 class Greet (gdb.Function):
18832 """Return string to greet someone.
18833 Takes a name as argument."""
18834
18835 def __init__ (self):
18836 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
18837
18838 def invoke (self, name):
18839 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
18840
18841 Greet ()
18842 @end smallexample
18843
18844 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
18845 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
18846 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
18847 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
18848
18849 @node Frames In Python
18850 @subsubsection Acessing inferior stack frames from Python.
18851
18852 @cindex frames in python
18853 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
18854 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
18855 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
18856 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
18857 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{RuntimeError}
18858 exception.
18859
18860 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
18861 operator, like:
18862
18863 @smallexample
18864 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
18865 True
18866 @end smallexample
18867
18868 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
18869
18870 @findex gdb.selected_frame
18871 @defun selected_frame
18872 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
18873 @end defun
18874
18875 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
18876 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
18877 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
18878 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
18879 @end defun
18880
18881 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
18882
18883 @table @code
18884 @defmethod Frame is_valid
18885 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
18886 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
18887 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
18888 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
18889 @end defmethod
18890
18891 @defmethod Frame name
18892 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
18893 obtained.
18894 @end defmethod
18895
18896 @defmethod Frame type
18897 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of
18898 @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, @code{gdb.DUMMY_FRAME}, @code{gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME}
18899 or @code{gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME}.
18900 @end defmethod
18901
18902 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
18903 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
18904 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
18905 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
18906 function to a string.
18907 @end defmethod
18908
18909 @defmethod Frame pc
18910 Returns the frame's resume address.
18911 @end defmethod
18912
18913 @defmethod Frame older
18914 Return the frame that called this frame.
18915 @end defmethod
18916
18917 @defmethod Frame newer
18918 Return the frame called by this frame.
18919 @end defmethod
18920
18921 @defmethod Frame read_var variable
18922 Return the value of the given variable in this frame. @var{variable} must
18923 be a string.
18924 @end defmethod
18925 @end table
18926
18927 @node Interpreters
18928 @chapter Command Interpreters
18929 @cindex command interpreters
18930
18931 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
18932 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
18933 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
18934
18935 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
18936 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
18937 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
18938 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
18939
18940 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
18941 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
18942 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
18943 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
18944
18945 @table @code
18946 @item console
18947 @cindex console interpreter
18948 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
18949 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
18950 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
18951
18952 @item mi
18953 @cindex mi interpreter
18954 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
18955 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
18956 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
18957 Interface}.
18958
18959 @item mi2
18960 @cindex mi2 interpreter
18961 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
18962
18963 @item mi1
18964 @cindex mi1 interpreter
18965 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
18966
18967 @end table
18968
18969 @cindex invoke another interpreter
18970 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
18971 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
18972 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
18973 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
18974 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
18975 the IDE inoperable!
18976
18977 @kindex interpreter-exec
18978 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
18979 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
18980 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
18981 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
18982
18983 @smallexample
18984 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
18985 @end smallexample
18986
18987 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
18988 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
18989
18990 @node TUI
18991 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
18992 @cindex TUI
18993 @cindex Text User Interface
18994
18995 @menu
18996 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
18997 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
18998 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
18999 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
19000 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
19001 @end menu
19002
19003 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
19004 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
19005 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
19006 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
19007 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
19008 is available.
19009
19010 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
19011 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
19012 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
19013 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
19014 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
19015 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
19016
19017 @node TUI Overview
19018 @section TUI Overview
19019
19020 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
19021
19022 @table @emph
19023 @item command
19024 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
19025 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
19026 managed using readline.
19027
19028 @item source
19029 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
19030 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
19031
19032 @item assembly
19033 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
19034
19035 @item register
19036 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
19037 when their values change.
19038 @end table
19039
19040 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
19041 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
19042 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
19043 indicates the breakpoint type:
19044
19045 @table @code
19046 @item B
19047 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
19048
19049 @item b
19050 Breakpoint which was never hit.
19051
19052 @item H
19053 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
19054
19055 @item h
19056 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
19057 @end table
19058
19059 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
19060
19061 @table @code
19062 @item +
19063 Breakpoint is enabled.
19064
19065 @item -
19066 Breakpoint is disabled.
19067 @end table
19068
19069 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
19070 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
19071 changes.
19072
19073 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
19074 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
19075 layouts:
19076
19077 @itemize @bullet
19078 @item
19079 source only,
19080
19081 @item
19082 assembly only,
19083
19084 @item
19085 source and assembly,
19086
19087 @item
19088 source and registers, or
19089
19090 @item
19091 assembly and registers.
19092 @end itemize
19093
19094 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
19095
19096 @table @emph
19097 @item target
19098 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
19099 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
19100
19101 @item process
19102 Gives the current process or thread number.
19103 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
19104
19105 @item function
19106 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
19107 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
19108 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
19109 the string @code{??} is displayed.
19110
19111 @item line
19112 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
19113 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
19114
19115 @item pc
19116 Indicates the current program counter address.
19117 @end table
19118
19119 @node TUI Keys
19120 @section TUI Key Bindings
19121 @cindex TUI key bindings
19122
19123 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
19124 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}). The following key bindings
19125 are installed for both TUI mode and the @value{GDBN} standard mode.
19126
19127 @table @kbd
19128 @kindex C-x C-a
19129 @item C-x C-a
19130 @kindex C-x a
19131 @itemx C-x a
19132 @kindex C-x A
19133 @itemx C-x A
19134 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
19135 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
19136 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
19137 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
19138 The screen is then refreshed.
19139
19140 @kindex C-x 1
19141 @item C-x 1
19142 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
19143 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
19144 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
19145
19146 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
19147
19148 @kindex C-x 2
19149 @item C-x 2
19150 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
19151 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
19152 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
19153 previous layout and the new one.
19154
19155 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
19156
19157 @kindex C-x o
19158 @item C-x o
19159 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
19160 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
19161 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
19162
19163 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
19164
19165 @kindex C-x s
19166 @item C-x s
19167 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
19168 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
19169 @end table
19170
19171 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
19172
19173 @table @asis
19174 @kindex PgUp
19175 @item @key{PgUp}
19176 Scroll the active window one page up.
19177
19178 @kindex PgDn
19179 @item @key{PgDn}
19180 Scroll the active window one page down.
19181
19182 @kindex Up
19183 @item @key{Up}
19184 Scroll the active window one line up.
19185
19186 @kindex Down
19187 @item @key{Down}
19188 Scroll the active window one line down.
19189
19190 @kindex Left
19191 @item @key{Left}
19192 Scroll the active window one column left.
19193
19194 @kindex Right
19195 @item @key{Right}
19196 Scroll the active window one column right.
19197
19198 @kindex C-L
19199 @item @kbd{C-L}
19200 Refresh the screen.
19201 @end table
19202
19203 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
19204 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
19205 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
19206 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
19207 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
19208
19209 @node TUI Single Key Mode
19210 @section TUI Single Key Mode
19211 @cindex TUI single key mode
19212
19213 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
19214 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
19215 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
19216
19217 @table @kbd
19218 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19219 @item c
19220 continue
19221
19222 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19223 @item d
19224 down
19225
19226 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19227 @item f
19228 finish
19229
19230 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19231 @item n
19232 next
19233
19234 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19235 @item q
19236 exit the SingleKey mode.
19237
19238 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19239 @item r
19240 run
19241
19242 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19243 @item s
19244 step
19245
19246 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19247 @item u
19248 up
19249
19250 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19251 @item v
19252 info locals
19253
19254 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
19255 @item w
19256 where
19257 @end table
19258
19259 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
19260 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
19261 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
19262 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
19263 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
19264 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
19265
19266
19267 @node TUI Commands
19268 @section TUI-specific Commands
19269 @cindex TUI commands
19270
19271 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
19272 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
19273 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
19274 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
19275
19276 @table @code
19277 @item info win
19278 @kindex info win
19279 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
19280
19281 @item layout next
19282 @kindex layout
19283 Display the next layout.
19284
19285 @item layout prev
19286 Display the previous layout.
19287
19288 @item layout src
19289 Display the source window only.
19290
19291 @item layout asm
19292 Display the assembly window only.
19293
19294 @item layout split
19295 Display the source and assembly window.
19296
19297 @item layout regs
19298 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
19299
19300 @item focus next
19301 @kindex focus
19302 Make the next window active for scrolling.
19303
19304 @item focus prev
19305 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
19306
19307 @item focus src
19308 Make the source window active for scrolling.
19309
19310 @item focus asm
19311 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
19312
19313 @item focus regs
19314 Make the register window active for scrolling.
19315
19316 @item focus cmd
19317 Make the command window active for scrolling.
19318
19319 @item refresh
19320 @kindex refresh
19321 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
19322
19323 @item tui reg float
19324 @kindex tui reg
19325 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
19326
19327 @item tui reg general
19328 Show the general registers in the register window.
19329
19330 @item tui reg next
19331 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
19332 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
19333 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
19334 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
19335
19336 @item tui reg system
19337 Show the system registers in the register window.
19338
19339 @item update
19340 @kindex update
19341 Update the source window and the current execution point.
19342
19343 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
19344 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
19345 @kindex winheight
19346 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
19347 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
19348 decrease it.
19349
19350 @item tabset @var{nchars}
19351 @kindex tabset
19352 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
19353 @end table
19354
19355 @node TUI Configuration
19356 @section TUI Configuration Variables
19357 @cindex TUI configuration variables
19358
19359 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
19360
19361 @table @code
19362 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
19363 @kindex set tui border-kind
19364 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
19365 The possible values are the following:
19366 @table @code
19367 @item space
19368 Use a space character to draw the border.
19369
19370 @item ascii
19371 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
19372
19373 @item acs
19374 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
19375 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
19376 @end table
19377
19378 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
19379 @kindex set tui border-mode
19380 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
19381 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
19382 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
19383 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
19384 @table @code
19385 @item normal
19386 Use normal attributes to display the border.
19387
19388 @item standout
19389 Use standout mode.
19390
19391 @item reverse
19392 Use reverse video mode.
19393
19394 @item half
19395 Use half bright mode.
19396
19397 @item half-standout
19398 Use half bright and standout mode.
19399
19400 @item bold
19401 Use extra bright or bold mode.
19402
19403 @item bold-standout
19404 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
19405 @end table
19406 @end table
19407
19408 @node Emacs
19409 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
19410
19411 @cindex Emacs
19412 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
19413 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
19414 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
19415 @value{GDBN}.
19416
19417 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
19418 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
19419 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
19420 created Emacs buffer.
19421 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
19422
19423 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
19424 things:
19425
19426 @itemize @bullet
19427 @item
19428 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
19429 the GUD buffer.
19430
19431 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
19432 and output done by the program you are debugging.
19433
19434 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
19435 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
19436 in this way.
19437
19438 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
19439 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
19440 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
19441 stop.
19442
19443 @item
19444 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
19445
19446 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
19447 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
19448 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
19449 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
19450 and the source.
19451
19452 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
19453 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
19454 @end itemize
19455
19456 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
19457 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
19458 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
19459 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
19460
19461 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
19462 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
19463 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
19464 sets your current working directory to to the directory associated
19465 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
19466 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
19467 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
19468 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
19469 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
19470
19471 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
19472 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
19473 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
19474 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
19475
19476 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
19477 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
19478 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
19479 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
19480 one you want.
19481
19482 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
19483 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
19484
19485 @table @kbd
19486 @item C-h m
19487 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
19488
19489 @item C-c C-s
19490 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
19491 update the display window to show the current file and location.
19492
19493 @item C-c C-n
19494 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
19495 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
19496 to show the current file and location.
19497
19498 @item C-c C-i
19499 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
19500 display window accordingly.
19501
19502 @item C-c C-f
19503 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
19504 @code{finish} command.
19505
19506 @item C-c C-r
19507 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
19508 command.
19509
19510 @item C-c <
19511 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
19512 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
19513 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
19514
19515 @item C-c >
19516 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
19517 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
19518 @end table
19519
19520 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
19521 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
19522
19523 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
19524 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
19525 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
19526 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
19527 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
19528 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
19529 speedbar displays watch expressions.
19530
19531 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
19532 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
19533 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
19534 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
19535 frame.
19536
19537 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
19538 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
19539 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
19540 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
19541 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
19542 to correspond properly with the code.
19543
19544 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
19545 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
19546 Emacs Manual}).
19547
19548 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
19549 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
19550 @ignore
19551 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
19552 @kindex Epoch
19553 @kindex inspect
19554
19555 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
19556 called the @code{epoch}
19557 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
19558 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
19559 each value is printed in its own window.
19560 @end ignore
19561
19562
19563 @node GDB/MI
19564 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
19565
19566 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
19567
19568 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
19569 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
19570 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
19571 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
19572 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
19573 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
19574
19575 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
19576 in the form of a reference manual.
19577
19578 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
19579 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
19580 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
19581
19582 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
19583
19584 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
19585 This chapter uses the following notation:
19586
19587 @itemize @bullet
19588 @item
19589 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
19590
19591 @item
19592 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
19593 it may or may not be given.
19594
19595 @item
19596 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
19597 may repeat zero or more times.
19598
19599 @item
19600 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
19601 may repeat one or more times.
19602
19603 @item
19604 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
19605 @end itemize
19606
19607 @ignore
19608 @heading Dependencies
19609 @end ignore
19610
19611 @menu
19612 * GDB/MI General Design::
19613 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
19614 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
19615 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
19616 * GDB/MI Output Records::
19617 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
19618 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
19619 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
19620 * GDB/MI Program Context::
19621 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
19622 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
19623 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
19624 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
19625 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
19626 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
19627 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
19628 * GDB/MI File Commands::
19629 @ignore
19630 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
19631 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
19632 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
19633 @end ignore
19634 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
19635 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
19636 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
19637 @end menu
19638
19639 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19640 @node GDB/MI General Design
19641 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
19642 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
19643
19644 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
19645 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
19646 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
19647 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
19648 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
19649 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
19650 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
19651 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
19652 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
19653 a command and reported as part of that command response.
19654
19655 The important examples of notifications are:
19656 @itemize @bullet
19657
19658 @item
19659 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
19660 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
19661 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
19662 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
19663 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
19664 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
19665 command itself was successfully executed.
19666
19667 @item
19668 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
19669 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
19670 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
19671 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
19672 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
19673 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
19674
19675 @item
19676 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
19677 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
19678 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
19679 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
19680 orthogonal frontend design.
19681
19682 @end itemize
19683
19684 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
19685 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
19686 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
19687 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
19688 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
19689 the user interface.
19690
19691 @subsection Context management
19692
19693 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
19694 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
19695 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
19696 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
19697 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
19698 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
19699 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
19700 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
19701 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
19702
19703 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
19704 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
19705 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
19706 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
19707 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
19708 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
19709 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
19710 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
19711 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
19712 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
19713 for thread and frame to operate on.
19714
19715 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
19716 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
19717 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
19718 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
19719 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
19720 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
19721 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
19722 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
19723 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
19724 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
19725
19726 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
19727 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
19728 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
19729 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
19730 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
19731 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
19732 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
19733 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
19734 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
19735 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
19736 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
19737 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
19738 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
19739 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
19740 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
19741 @samp{--frame} options.
19742
19743 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
19744
19745 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
19746 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
19747 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
19748 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
19749 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
19750 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
19751 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
19752 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
19753 @code{-list-target-features} command.
19754
19755 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
19756 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
19757 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
19758 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
19759 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
19760 are running.
19761
19762 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
19763 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
19764 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
19765 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
19766 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
19767 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
19768 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
19769 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
19770 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
19771 @samp{--thread} option).
19772
19773 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
19774 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
19775 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
19776 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
19777
19778 @subsection Thread groups
19779 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
19780 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
19781 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
19782 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
19783 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
19784
19785 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
19786 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
19787 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
19788 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
19789 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
19790 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
19791 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
19792 into processes.
19793
19794 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
19795 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
19796 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
19797 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
19798 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
19799 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
19800 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
19801 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
19802 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
19803 the members of specific thread group.
19804
19805 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
19806 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
19807 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
19808 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
19809 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
19810 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
19811 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
19812 after attaching to that thread group.
19813
19814 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
19815 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
19816 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
19817
19818 @menu
19819 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
19820 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
19821 @end menu
19822
19823 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
19824 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
19825
19826 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
19827 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
19828 @table @code
19829 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
19830 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
19831
19832 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
19833 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
19834 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
19835
19836 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
19837 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
19838 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
19839
19840 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
19841 "any sequence of digits"
19842
19843 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
19844 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
19845
19846 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
19847 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
19848
19849 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
19850 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
19851
19852 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
19853 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
19854 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
19855
19856 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
19857 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
19858
19859 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
19860 @code{CR | CR-LF}
19861 @end table
19862
19863 @noindent
19864 Notes:
19865
19866 @itemize @bullet
19867 @item
19868 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
19869 output is described below.
19870
19871 @item
19872 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
19873 finishes.
19874
19875 @item
19876 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
19877 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
19878 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
19879 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
19880 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
19881 @end itemize
19882
19883 Pragmatics:
19884
19885 @itemize @bullet
19886 @item
19887 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
19888
19889 @item
19890 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
19891 @end itemize
19892
19893 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
19894 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
19895
19896 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
19897 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
19898 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
19899 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
19900 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
19901 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
19902
19903 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
19904 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
19905 @var{token}.
19906
19907 @table @code
19908 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
19909 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
19910
19911 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
19912 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
19913
19914 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
19915 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
19916
19917 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
19918 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
19919
19920 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
19921 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
19922
19923 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
19924 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
19925
19926 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
19927 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
19928
19929 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
19930 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
19931
19932 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
19933 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
19934
19935 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
19936 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
19937 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
19938
19939 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
19940 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
19941
19942 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
19943 @code{ @var{string} }
19944
19945 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
19946 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
19947
19948 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
19949 @code{@var{c-string}}
19950
19951 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
19952 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
19953
19954 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
19955 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
19956 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
19957
19958 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
19959 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
19960
19961 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
19962 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
19963
19964 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
19965 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
19966
19967 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
19968 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
19969
19970 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
19971 @code{CR | CR-LF}
19972
19973 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
19974 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
19975 @end table
19976
19977 @noindent
19978 Notes:
19979
19980 @itemize @bullet
19981 @item
19982 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
19983
19984 @item
19985 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
19986 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
19987 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
19988 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
19989 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
19990 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
19991 prior command.
19992
19993 @item
19994 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
19995 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
19996 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
19997 prefixed by @samp{+}.
19998
19999 @item
20000 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20001 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
20002 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
20003 @samp{*}.
20004
20005 @item
20006 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20007 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
20008 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
20009 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
20010
20011 @item
20012 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20013 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
20014 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
20015 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
20016
20017 @item
20018 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20019 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
20020 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
20021
20022 @item
20023 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20024 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
20025 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
20026 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
20027
20028 @item
20029 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
20030 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
20031 @var{values}.
20032
20033
20034 @end itemize
20035
20036 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
20037 details about the various output records.
20038
20039 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20040 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
20041 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
20042
20043 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
20044 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
20045
20046 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
20047 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
20048 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
20049 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
20050 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
20051 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
20052
20053 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
20054 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
20055 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
20056
20057 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20058 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
20059 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
20060 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
20061
20062 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
20063 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
20064
20065 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
20066 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
20067 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
20068 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
20069 might change.
20070
20071 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
20072 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
20073 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
20074 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
20075
20076 @itemize @bullet
20077 @item
20078 New MI commands may be added.
20079
20080 @item
20081 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
20082
20083 @item
20084 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
20085 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
20086
20087 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
20088 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
20089
20090 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
20091 @c resolve inconsistencies.
20092 @end itemize
20093
20094 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
20095 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
20096 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
20097 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
20098 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
20099
20100 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
20101 @c version?
20102
20103 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
20104 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
20105 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
20106 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
20107 @cindex mailing lists
20108
20109 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20110 @node GDB/MI Output Records
20111 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
20112
20113 @menu
20114 * GDB/MI Result Records::
20115 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
20116 * GDB/MI Async Records::
20117 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
20118 @end menu
20119
20120 @node GDB/MI Result Records
20121 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
20122
20123 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
20124 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
20125 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
20126 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
20127
20128 @table @code
20129 @findex ^done
20130 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
20131 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
20132 values.
20133
20134 @item "^running"
20135 @findex ^running
20136 @c Is this one correct? Should it be an out-of-band notification?
20137 The asynchronous operation was successfully started. The target is
20138 running.
20139
20140 @item "^connected"
20141 @findex ^connected
20142 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
20143
20144 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
20145 @findex ^error
20146 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
20147 error message.
20148
20149 @item "^exit"
20150 @findex ^exit
20151 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
20152
20153 @end table
20154
20155 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
20156 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
20157
20158 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
20159 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
20160 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
20161 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
20162 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
20163
20164 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
20165 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
20166 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
20167 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
20168 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
20169
20170 @table @code
20171 @item "~" @var{string-output}
20172 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
20173 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
20174
20175 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
20176 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
20177 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
20178 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
20179
20180 @item "&" @var{string-output}
20181 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
20182 internals.
20183 @end table
20184
20185 @node GDB/MI Async Records
20186 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
20187
20188 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
20189 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
20190 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
20191 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
20192 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
20193 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
20194
20195 The following is the list of possible async records:
20196
20197 @table @code
20198
20199 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
20200 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
20201 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
20202 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
20203 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
20204 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
20205 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
20206 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
20207 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
20208 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
20209
20210 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}"
20211 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
20212 following values:
20213
20214 @table @code
20215 @item breakpoint-hit
20216 A breakpoint was reached.
20217 @item watchpoint-trigger
20218 A watchpoint was triggered.
20219 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
20220 A read watchpoint was triggered.
20221 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
20222 An access watchpoint was triggered.
20223 @item function-finished
20224 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
20225 @item location-reached
20226 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
20227 @item watchpoint-scope
20228 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
20229 @item end-stepping-range
20230 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
20231 similar CLI command was accomplished.
20232 @item exited-signalled
20233 The inferior exited because of a signal.
20234 @item exited
20235 The inferior exited.
20236 @item exited-normally
20237 The inferior exited normally.
20238 @item signal-received
20239 A signal was received by the inferior.
20240 @end table
20241
20242 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
20243 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
20244 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
20245 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
20246 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
20247 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
20248 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
20249 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
20250 several threads in the list.
20251
20252 @item =thread-group-created,id="@var{id}"
20253 @itemx =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"
20254 A thread thread group either was attached to, or has exited/detached
20255 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
20256 thread group.
20257
20258 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
20259 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
20260 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
20261 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
20262 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
20263
20264 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
20265 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
20266 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
20267 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
20268 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
20269 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
20270 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
20271
20272 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
20273 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
20274 that thread.
20275
20276 @item =library-loaded,...
20277 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
20278 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
20279 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
20280 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
20281 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
20282 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
20283 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
20284 @var{symbols-loaded} field reports if the debug symbols for this
20285 library are loaded.
20286
20287 @item =library-unloaded,...
20288 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
20289 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
20290 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification
20291
20292 @end table
20293
20294 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
20295 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
20296
20297 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
20298 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
20299 fields:
20300
20301 @table @code
20302 @item level
20303 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
20304 zero. This field is always present.
20305
20306 @item func
20307 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
20308 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
20309
20310 @item addr
20311 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
20312
20313 @item file
20314 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
20315 address. This field may be absent.
20316
20317 @item line
20318 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
20319 may be absent.
20320
20321 @item from
20322 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
20323 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
20324
20325 @end table
20326
20327
20328 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20329 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
20330 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
20331 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
20332
20333 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
20334 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
20335 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
20336 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
20337
20338 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
20339 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
20340
20341 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
20342
20343 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
20344 information of the breakpoint.
20345
20346 @smallexample
20347 -> -break-insert main
20348 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
20349 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
20350 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
20351 <- (gdb)
20352 @end smallexample
20353
20354 @subheading Program Execution
20355
20356 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
20357 reason that execution stopped.
20358
20359 @smallexample
20360 -> -exec-run
20361 <- ^running
20362 <- (gdb)
20363 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
20364 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
20365 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
20366 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
20367 <- (gdb)
20368 -> -exec-continue
20369 <- ^running
20370 <- (gdb)
20371 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
20372 <- (gdb)
20373 @end smallexample
20374
20375 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
20376
20377 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
20378
20379 @smallexample
20380 -> (gdb)
20381 <- -gdb-exit
20382 <- ^exit
20383 @end smallexample
20384
20385 @subheading A Bad Command
20386
20387 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
20388
20389 @smallexample
20390 -> -rubbish
20391 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
20392 <- (gdb)
20393 @end smallexample
20394
20395
20396 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20397 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
20398 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
20399
20400 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
20401 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
20402
20403 @subheading Motivation
20404
20405 The motivation for this collection of commands.
20406
20407 @subheading Introduction
20408
20409 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
20410
20411 @subheading Commands
20412
20413 For each command in the block, the following is described:
20414
20415 @subsubheading Synopsis
20416
20417 @smallexample
20418 -command @var{args}@dots{}
20419 @end smallexample
20420
20421 @subsubheading Result
20422
20423 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20424
20425 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
20426
20427 @subsubheading Example
20428
20429 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
20430 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
20431
20432
20433 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20434 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
20435 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
20436
20437 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
20438 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
20439 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
20440 breakpoints.
20441
20442 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
20443 @findex -break-after
20444
20445 @subsubheading Synopsis
20446
20447 @smallexample
20448 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
20449 @end smallexample
20450
20451 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
20452 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
20453 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
20454 @samp{-break-list} command below.
20455
20456 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20457
20458 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
20459
20460 @subsubheading Example
20461
20462 @smallexample
20463 (gdb)
20464 -break-insert main
20465 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
20466 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
20467 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
20468 (gdb)
20469 -break-after 1 3
20470 ~
20471 ^done
20472 (gdb)
20473 -break-list
20474 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
20475 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
20476 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
20477 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
20478 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
20479 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
20480 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
20481 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
20482 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
20483 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
20484 (gdb)
20485 @end smallexample
20486
20487 @ignore
20488 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
20489 @findex -break-catch
20490
20491 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
20492 @findex -break-commands
20493 @end ignore
20494
20495
20496 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
20497 @findex -break-condition
20498
20499 @subsubheading Synopsis
20500
20501 @smallexample
20502 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
20503 @end smallexample
20504
20505 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
20506 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
20507 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
20508 command below).
20509
20510 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20511
20512 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
20513
20514 @subsubheading Example
20515
20516 @smallexample
20517 (gdb)
20518 -break-condition 1 1
20519 ^done
20520 (gdb)
20521 -break-list
20522 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
20523 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
20524 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
20525 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
20526 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
20527 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
20528 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
20529 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
20530 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
20531 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
20532 (gdb)
20533 @end smallexample
20534
20535 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
20536 @findex -break-delete
20537
20538 @subsubheading Synopsis
20539
20540 @smallexample
20541 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
20542 @end smallexample
20543
20544 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
20545 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
20546
20547 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20548
20549 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
20550
20551 @subsubheading Example
20552
20553 @smallexample
20554 (gdb)
20555 -break-delete 1
20556 ^done
20557 (gdb)
20558 -break-list
20559 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
20560 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
20561 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
20562 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
20563 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
20564 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
20565 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
20566 body=[]@}
20567 (gdb)
20568 @end smallexample
20569
20570 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
20571 @findex -break-disable
20572
20573 @subsubheading Synopsis
20574
20575 @smallexample
20576 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
20577 @end smallexample
20578
20579 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
20580 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
20581
20582 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20583
20584 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
20585
20586 @subsubheading Example
20587
20588 @smallexample
20589 (gdb)
20590 -break-disable 2
20591 ^done
20592 (gdb)
20593 -break-list
20594 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
20595 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
20596 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
20597 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
20598 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
20599 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
20600 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
20601 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
20602 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
20603 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
20604 (gdb)
20605 @end smallexample
20606
20607 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
20608 @findex -break-enable
20609
20610 @subsubheading Synopsis
20611
20612 @smallexample
20613 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
20614 @end smallexample
20615
20616 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
20617
20618 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20619
20620 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
20621
20622 @subsubheading Example
20623
20624 @smallexample
20625 (gdb)
20626 -break-enable 2
20627 ^done
20628 (gdb)
20629 -break-list
20630 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
20631 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
20632 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
20633 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
20634 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
20635 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
20636 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
20637 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
20638 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
20639 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
20640 (gdb)
20641 @end smallexample
20642
20643 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
20644 @findex -break-info
20645
20646 @subsubheading Synopsis
20647
20648 @smallexample
20649 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
20650 @end smallexample
20651
20652 @c REDUNDANT???
20653 Get information about a single breakpoint.
20654
20655 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20656
20657 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
20658
20659 @subsubheading Example
20660 N.A.
20661
20662 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
20663 @findex -break-insert
20664
20665 @subsubheading Synopsis
20666
20667 @smallexample
20668 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ]
20669 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
20670 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
20671 @end smallexample
20672
20673 @noindent
20674 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
20675
20676 @itemize @bullet
20677 @item function
20678 @c @item +offset
20679 @c @item -offset
20680 @c @item linenum
20681 @item filename:linenum
20682 @item filename:function
20683 @item *address
20684 @end itemize
20685
20686 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
20687
20688 @table @samp
20689 @item -t
20690 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
20691 @item -h
20692 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
20693 @item -c @var{condition}
20694 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
20695 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
20696 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
20697 @item -f
20698 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
20699 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
20700 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
20701 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
20702 cannot be parsed.
20703 @item -d
20704 Create a disabled breakpoint.
20705 @end table
20706
20707 @subsubheading Result
20708
20709 The result is in the form:
20710
20711 @smallexample
20712 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
20713 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
20714 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
20715 times="@var{times}"@}
20716 @end smallexample
20717
20718 @noindent
20719 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
20720 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
20721 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
20722 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
20723 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
20724 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
20725 which use the same output).
20726
20727 Note: this format is open to change.
20728 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
20729
20730 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20731
20732 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
20733 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
20734
20735 @subsubheading Example
20736
20737 @smallexample
20738 (gdb)
20739 -break-insert main
20740 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
20741 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
20742 (gdb)
20743 -break-insert -t foo
20744 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
20745 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
20746 (gdb)
20747 -break-list
20748 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
20749 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
20750 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
20751 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
20752 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
20753 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
20754 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
20755 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
20756 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
20757 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
20758 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
20759 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
20760 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
20761 (gdb)
20762 -break-insert -r foo.*
20763 ~int foo(int, int);
20764 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
20765 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
20766 (gdb)
20767 @end smallexample
20768
20769 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
20770 @findex -break-list
20771
20772 @subsubheading Synopsis
20773
20774 @smallexample
20775 -break-list
20776 @end smallexample
20777
20778 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
20779
20780 @table @samp
20781 @item Number
20782 number of the breakpoint
20783 @item Type
20784 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
20785 @item Disposition
20786 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
20787 or @samp{nokeep}
20788 @item Enabled
20789 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
20790 @item Address
20791 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
20792 @item What
20793 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
20794 name, line number
20795 @item Times
20796 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
20797 @end table
20798
20799 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
20800 @code{body} field is an empty list.
20801
20802 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20803
20804 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
20805
20806 @subsubheading Example
20807
20808 @smallexample
20809 (gdb)
20810 -break-list
20811 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
20812 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
20813 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
20814 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
20815 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
20816 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
20817 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
20818 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
20819 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
20820 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
20821 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
20822 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
20823 (gdb)
20824 @end smallexample
20825
20826 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
20827
20828 @smallexample
20829 (gdb)
20830 -break-list
20831 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
20832 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
20833 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
20834 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
20835 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
20836 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
20837 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
20838 body=[]@}
20839 (gdb)
20840 @end smallexample
20841
20842 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
20843 @findex -break-watch
20844
20845 @subsubheading Synopsis
20846
20847 @smallexample
20848 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
20849 @end smallexample
20850
20851 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
20852 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
20853 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
20854 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
20855 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
20856 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
20857 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
20858 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
20859
20860 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
20861 breakpoints inserted.
20862
20863 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
20864
20865 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
20866 @samp{rwatch}.
20867
20868 @subsubheading Example
20869
20870 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
20871
20872 @smallexample
20873 (gdb)
20874 -break-watch x
20875 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
20876 (gdb)
20877 -exec-continue
20878 ^running
20879 (gdb)
20880 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
20881 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
20882 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
20883 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
20884 (gdb)
20885 @end smallexample
20886
20887 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
20888 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
20889 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
20890
20891 @smallexample
20892 (gdb)
20893 -break-watch C
20894 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
20895 (gdb)
20896 -exec-continue
20897 ^running
20898 (gdb)
20899 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
20900 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
20901 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
20902 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
20903 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
20904 (gdb)
20905 -exec-continue
20906 ^running
20907 (gdb)
20908 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
20909 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
20910 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
20911 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
20912 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
20913 (gdb)
20914 @end smallexample
20915
20916 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
20917 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
20918 deleted.
20919
20920 @smallexample
20921 (gdb)
20922 -break-watch C
20923 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
20924 (gdb)
20925 -break-list
20926 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
20927 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
20928 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
20929 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
20930 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
20931 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
20932 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
20933 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
20934 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
20935 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
20936 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
20937 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
20938 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
20939 (gdb)
20940 -exec-continue
20941 ^running
20942 (gdb)
20943 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
20944 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
20945 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
20946 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
20947 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
20948 (gdb)
20949 -break-list
20950 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
20951 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
20952 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
20953 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
20954 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
20955 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
20956 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
20957 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
20958 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
20959 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
20960 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
20961 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
20962 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
20963 (gdb)
20964 -exec-continue
20965 ^running
20966 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
20967 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
20968 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
20969 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
20970 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
20971 (gdb)
20972 -break-list
20973 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
20974 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
20975 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
20976 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
20977 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
20978 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
20979 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
20980 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
20981 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
20982 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
20983 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
20984 times="1"@}]@}
20985 (gdb)
20986 @end smallexample
20987
20988 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
20989 @node GDB/MI Program Context
20990 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
20991
20992 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
20993 @findex -exec-arguments
20994
20995
20996 @subsubheading Synopsis
20997
20998 @smallexample
20999 -exec-arguments @var{args}
21000 @end smallexample
21001
21002 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
21003 @samp{-exec-run}.
21004
21005 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21006
21007 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
21008
21009 @subsubheading Example
21010
21011 @smallexample
21012 (gdb)
21013 -exec-arguments -v word
21014 ^done
21015 (gdb)
21016 @end smallexample
21017
21018
21019 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
21020 @findex -exec-show-arguments
21021
21022 @subsubheading Synopsis
21023
21024 @smallexample
21025 -exec-show-arguments
21026 @end smallexample
21027
21028 Print the arguments of the program.
21029
21030 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21031
21032 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
21033
21034 @subsubheading Example
21035 N.A.
21036
21037
21038 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
21039 @findex -environment-cd
21040
21041 @subsubheading Synopsis
21042
21043 @smallexample
21044 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
21045 @end smallexample
21046
21047 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
21048
21049 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21050
21051 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
21052
21053 @subsubheading Example
21054
21055 @smallexample
21056 (gdb)
21057 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
21058 ^done
21059 (gdb)
21060 @end smallexample
21061
21062
21063 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
21064 @findex -environment-directory
21065
21066 @subsubheading Synopsis
21067
21068 @smallexample
21069 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
21070 @end smallexample
21071
21072 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
21073 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
21074 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
21075 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
21076 occurs as normal.
21077 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
21078 multiple directories in a single command
21079 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
21080 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
21081 If blanks are needed as
21082 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
21083 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
21084 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
21085 character must not be used
21086 in any directory name.
21087 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
21088
21089 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21090
21091 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
21092
21093 @subsubheading Example
21094
21095 @smallexample
21096 (gdb)
21097 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
21098 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
21099 (gdb)
21100 -environment-directory ""
21101 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
21102 (gdb)
21103 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
21104 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
21105 (gdb)
21106 -environment-directory -r
21107 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
21108 (gdb)
21109 @end smallexample
21110
21111
21112 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
21113 @findex -environment-path
21114
21115 @subsubheading Synopsis
21116
21117 @smallexample
21118 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
21119 @end smallexample
21120
21121 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
21122 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
21123 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
21124 supplied in addition to the
21125 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
21126 occurs as normal.
21127 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
21128 multiple directories in a single command
21129 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
21130 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
21131 If blanks are needed as
21132 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
21133 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
21134 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
21135 character must not be used
21136 in any directory name.
21137 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
21138
21139
21140 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21141
21142 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
21143
21144 @subsubheading Example
21145
21146 @smallexample
21147 (gdb)
21148 -environment-path
21149 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
21150 (gdb)
21151 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
21152 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
21153 (gdb)
21154 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
21155 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
21156 (gdb)
21157 @end smallexample
21158
21159
21160 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
21161 @findex -environment-pwd
21162
21163 @subsubheading Synopsis
21164
21165 @smallexample
21166 -environment-pwd
21167 @end smallexample
21168
21169 Show the current working directory.
21170
21171 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21172
21173 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
21174
21175 @subsubheading Example
21176
21177 @smallexample
21178 (gdb)
21179 -environment-pwd
21180 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
21181 (gdb)
21182 @end smallexample
21183
21184 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21185 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
21186 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
21187
21188
21189 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
21190 @findex -thread-info
21191
21192 @subsubheading Synopsis
21193
21194 @smallexample
21195 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
21196 @end smallexample
21197
21198 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
21199 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
21200 threads. When printing information about all threads,
21201 also reports the current thread.
21202
21203 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21204
21205 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
21206 about all threads.
21207
21208 @subsubheading Example
21209
21210 @smallexample
21211 -thread-info
21212 ^done,threads=[
21213 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
21214 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
21215 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
21216 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
21217 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}],
21218 current-thread-id="1"
21219 (gdb)
21220 @end smallexample
21221
21222 The @samp{state} field may have the following values:
21223
21224 @table @code
21225 @item stopped
21226 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
21227 threads.
21228
21229 @item running
21230 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
21231 threads.
21232
21233 @end table
21234
21235 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
21236 @findex -thread-list-ids
21237
21238 @subsubheading Synopsis
21239
21240 @smallexample
21241 -thread-list-ids
21242 @end smallexample
21243
21244 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
21245 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
21246
21247 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
21248 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
21249
21250 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21251
21252 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
21253
21254 @subsubheading Example
21255
21256 @smallexample
21257 (gdb)
21258 -thread-list-ids
21259 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
21260 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
21261 (gdb)
21262 @end smallexample
21263
21264
21265 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
21266 @findex -thread-select
21267
21268 @subsubheading Synopsis
21269
21270 @smallexample
21271 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
21272 @end smallexample
21273
21274 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
21275 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
21276
21277 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
21278 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
21279
21280 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21281
21282 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
21283
21284 @subsubheading Example
21285
21286 @smallexample
21287 (gdb)
21288 -exec-next
21289 ^running
21290 (gdb)
21291 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
21292 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
21293 (gdb)
21294 -thread-list-ids
21295 ^done,
21296 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
21297 number-of-threads="3"
21298 (gdb)
21299 -thread-select 3
21300 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
21301 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
21302 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
21303 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
21304 (gdb)
21305 @end smallexample
21306
21307 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21308 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
21309 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
21310
21311 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
21312 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
21313 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
21314 other cases.
21315
21316 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
21317 @findex -exec-continue
21318
21319 @subsubheading Synopsis
21320
21321 @smallexample
21322 -exec-continue [--all|--thread-group N]
21323 @end smallexample
21324
21325 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until a breakpoint is
21326 encountered, or until the inferior exits. In all-stop mode
21327 (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads,
21328 depending on the value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. In
21329 non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), if the @samp{--all} is not
21330 specified, only the thread specified with the @samp{--thread} option
21331 (or current thread, if no @samp{--thread} is provided) is resumed. If
21332 @samp{--all} is specified, all threads will be resumed. The
21333 @samp{--all} option is ignored in all-stop mode. If the
21334 @samp{--thread-group} options is specified, then all threads in that
21335 thread group are resumed.
21336
21337 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21338
21339 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
21340
21341 @subsubheading Example
21342
21343 @smallexample
21344 -exec-continue
21345 ^running
21346 (gdb)
21347 @@Hello world
21348 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
21349 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
21350 line="13"@}
21351 (gdb)
21352 @end smallexample
21353
21354
21355 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
21356 @findex -exec-finish
21357
21358 @subsubheading Synopsis
21359
21360 @smallexample
21361 -exec-finish
21362 @end smallexample
21363
21364 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
21365 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
21366
21367 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21368
21369 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
21370
21371 @subsubheading Example
21372
21373 Function returning @code{void}.
21374
21375 @smallexample
21376 -exec-finish
21377 ^running
21378 (gdb)
21379 @@hello from foo
21380 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
21381 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
21382 (gdb)
21383 @end smallexample
21384
21385 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
21386 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
21387 value itself.
21388
21389 @smallexample
21390 -exec-finish
21391 ^running
21392 (gdb)
21393 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
21394 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
21395 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
21396 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
21397 (gdb)
21398 @end smallexample
21399
21400
21401 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
21402 @findex -exec-interrupt
21403
21404 @subsubheading Synopsis
21405
21406 @smallexample
21407 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
21408 @end smallexample
21409
21410 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
21411 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
21412 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
21413 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
21414 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
21415
21416 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
21417 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
21418 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
21419 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
21420
21421 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
21422 All threads will be interrupted if the @samp{--all} option is
21423 specified. If the @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, all
21424 threads in that group will be interrupted.
21425
21426 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21427
21428 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
21429
21430 @subsubheading Example
21431
21432 @smallexample
21433 (gdb)
21434 111-exec-continue
21435 111^running
21436
21437 (gdb)
21438 222-exec-interrupt
21439 222^done
21440 (gdb)
21441 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
21442 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
21443 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
21444 (gdb)
21445
21446 (gdb)
21447 -exec-interrupt
21448 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
21449 (gdb)
21450 @end smallexample
21451
21452 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
21453 @findex -exec-jump
21454
21455 @subsubheading Synopsis
21456
21457 @smallexample
21458 -exec-jump @var{location}
21459 @end smallexample
21460
21461 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
21462 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
21463 different forms of @var{location}.
21464
21465 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21466
21467 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
21468
21469 @subsubheading Example
21470
21471 @smallexample
21472 -exec-jump foo.c:10
21473 *running,thread-id="all"
21474 ^running
21475 @end smallexample
21476
21477
21478 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
21479 @findex -exec-next
21480
21481 @subsubheading Synopsis
21482
21483 @smallexample
21484 -exec-next
21485 @end smallexample
21486
21487 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
21488 of the next source line is reached.
21489
21490 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21491
21492 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
21493
21494 @subsubheading Example
21495
21496 @smallexample
21497 -exec-next
21498 ^running
21499 (gdb)
21500 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
21501 (gdb)
21502 @end smallexample
21503
21504
21505 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
21506 @findex -exec-next-instruction
21507
21508 @subsubheading Synopsis
21509
21510 @smallexample
21511 -exec-next-instruction
21512 @end smallexample
21513
21514 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
21515 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
21516 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
21517 printed as well.
21518
21519 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21520
21521 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
21522
21523 @subsubheading Example
21524
21525 @smallexample
21526 (gdb)
21527 -exec-next-instruction
21528 ^running
21529
21530 (gdb)
21531 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
21532 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
21533 (gdb)
21534 @end smallexample
21535
21536
21537 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
21538 @findex -exec-return
21539
21540 @subsubheading Synopsis
21541
21542 @smallexample
21543 -exec-return
21544 @end smallexample
21545
21546 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
21547 Displays the new current frame.
21548
21549 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21550
21551 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
21552
21553 @subsubheading Example
21554
21555 @smallexample
21556 (gdb)
21557 200-break-insert callee4
21558 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
21559 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
21560 (gdb)
21561 000-exec-run
21562 000^running
21563 (gdb)
21564 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
21565 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
21566 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21567 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
21568 (gdb)
21569 205-break-delete
21570 205^done
21571 (gdb)
21572 111-exec-return
21573 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
21574 args=[@{name="strarg",
21575 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
21576 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21577 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
21578 (gdb)
21579 @end smallexample
21580
21581
21582 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
21583 @findex -exec-run
21584
21585 @subsubheading Synopsis
21586
21587 @smallexample
21588 -exec-run
21589 @end smallexample
21590
21591 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
21592 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
21593 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
21594 the program has exited exceptionally.
21595
21596 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21597
21598 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
21599
21600 @subsubheading Examples
21601
21602 @smallexample
21603 (gdb)
21604 -break-insert main
21605 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
21606 (gdb)
21607 -exec-run
21608 ^running
21609 (gdb)
21610 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
21611 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
21612 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
21613 (gdb)
21614 @end smallexample
21615
21616 @noindent
21617 Program exited normally:
21618
21619 @smallexample
21620 (gdb)
21621 -exec-run
21622 ^running
21623 (gdb)
21624 x = 55
21625 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
21626 (gdb)
21627 @end smallexample
21628
21629 @noindent
21630 Program exited exceptionally:
21631
21632 @smallexample
21633 (gdb)
21634 -exec-run
21635 ^running
21636 (gdb)
21637 x = 55
21638 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
21639 (gdb)
21640 @end smallexample
21641
21642 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
21643 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
21644
21645 @smallexample
21646 (gdb)
21647 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
21648 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
21649 @end smallexample
21650
21651
21652 @c @subheading -exec-signal
21653
21654
21655 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
21656 @findex -exec-step
21657
21658 @subsubheading Synopsis
21659
21660 @smallexample
21661 -exec-step
21662 @end smallexample
21663
21664 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
21665 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
21666 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
21667 function.
21668
21669 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21670
21671 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
21672
21673 @subsubheading Example
21674
21675 Stepping into a function:
21676
21677 @smallexample
21678 -exec-step
21679 ^running
21680 (gdb)
21681 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
21682 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
21683 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
21684 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
21685 (gdb)
21686 @end smallexample
21687
21688 Regular stepping:
21689
21690 @smallexample
21691 -exec-step
21692 ^running
21693 (gdb)
21694 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
21695 (gdb)
21696 @end smallexample
21697
21698
21699 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
21700 @findex -exec-step-instruction
21701
21702 @subsubheading Synopsis
21703
21704 @smallexample
21705 -exec-step-instruction
21706 @end smallexample
21707
21708 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. The
21709 output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on whether
21710 we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the former
21711 case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed as
21712 well.
21713
21714 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21715
21716 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
21717
21718 @subsubheading Example
21719
21720 @smallexample
21721 (gdb)
21722 -exec-step-instruction
21723 ^running
21724
21725 (gdb)
21726 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
21727 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
21728 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
21729 (gdb)
21730 -exec-step-instruction
21731 ^running
21732
21733 (gdb)
21734 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
21735 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
21736 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
21737 (gdb)
21738 @end smallexample
21739
21740
21741 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
21742 @findex -exec-until
21743
21744 @subsubheading Synopsis
21745
21746 @smallexample
21747 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
21748 @end smallexample
21749
21750 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
21751 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
21752 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
21753 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
21754
21755 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21756
21757 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
21758
21759 @subsubheading Example
21760
21761 @smallexample
21762 (gdb)
21763 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
21764 ^running
21765 (gdb)
21766 x = 55
21767 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
21768 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
21769 (gdb)
21770 @end smallexample
21771
21772 @ignore
21773 @subheading -file-clear
21774 Is this going away????
21775 @end ignore
21776
21777 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
21778 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
21779 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
21780
21781
21782 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
21783 @findex -stack-info-frame
21784
21785 @subsubheading Synopsis
21786
21787 @smallexample
21788 -stack-info-frame
21789 @end smallexample
21790
21791 Get info on the selected frame.
21792
21793 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21794
21795 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
21796 (without arguments).
21797
21798 @subsubheading Example
21799
21800 @smallexample
21801 (gdb)
21802 -stack-info-frame
21803 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
21804 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21805 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
21806 (gdb)
21807 @end smallexample
21808
21809 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
21810 @findex -stack-info-depth
21811
21812 @subsubheading Synopsis
21813
21814 @smallexample
21815 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
21816 @end smallexample
21817
21818 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
21819 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
21820
21821 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21822
21823 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
21824
21825 @subsubheading Example
21826
21827 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
21828
21829 @smallexample
21830 (gdb)
21831 -stack-info-depth
21832 ^done,depth="12"
21833 (gdb)
21834 -stack-info-depth 4
21835 ^done,depth="4"
21836 (gdb)
21837 -stack-info-depth 12
21838 ^done,depth="12"
21839 (gdb)
21840 -stack-info-depth 11
21841 ^done,depth="11"
21842 (gdb)
21843 -stack-info-depth 13
21844 ^done,depth="12"
21845 (gdb)
21846 @end smallexample
21847
21848 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
21849 @findex -stack-list-arguments
21850
21851 @subsubheading Synopsis
21852
21853 @smallexample
21854 -stack-list-arguments @var{show-values}
21855 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
21856 @end smallexample
21857
21858 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
21859 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
21860 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
21861 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
21862 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
21863 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
21864 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
21865 which case only existing frames will be returned.
21866
21867 The @var{show-values} argument must have a value of 0 or 1. A value of
21868 0 means that only the names of the arguments are listed, a value of 1
21869 means that both names and values of the arguments are printed.
21870
21871 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21872
21873 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
21874 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
21875 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
21876
21877 @subsubheading Example
21878
21879 @smallexample
21880 (gdb)
21881 -stack-list-frames
21882 ^done,
21883 stack=[
21884 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
21885 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21886 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
21887 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
21888 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21889 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
21890 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
21891 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21892 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
21893 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
21894 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21895 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
21896 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
21897 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
21898 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
21899 (gdb)
21900 -stack-list-arguments 0
21901 ^done,
21902 stack-args=[
21903 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
21904 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
21905 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
21906 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
21907 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
21908 (gdb)
21909 -stack-list-arguments 1
21910 ^done,
21911 stack-args=[
21912 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
21913 frame=@{level="1",
21914 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
21915 frame=@{level="2",args=[
21916 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
21917 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
21918 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
21919 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
21920 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
21921 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
21922 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
21923 (gdb)
21924 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
21925 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
21926 (gdb)
21927 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
21928 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
21929 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
21930 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
21931 (gdb)
21932 @end smallexample
21933
21934 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
21935
21936
21937 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
21938 @findex -stack-list-frames
21939
21940 @subsubheading Synopsis
21941
21942 @smallexample
21943 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
21944 @end smallexample
21945
21946 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
21947 following info:
21948
21949 @table @samp
21950 @item @var{level}
21951 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
21952 @item @var{addr}
21953 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
21954 @item @var{func}
21955 Function name.
21956 @item @var{file}
21957 File name of the source file where the function lives.
21958 @item @var{line}
21959 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
21960 @end table
21961
21962 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
21963 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
21964 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
21965 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
21966 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
21967 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
21968 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
21969
21970 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
21971
21972 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
21973
21974 @subsubheading Example
21975
21976 Full stack backtrace:
21977
21978 @smallexample
21979 (gdb)
21980 -stack-list-frames
21981 ^done,stack=
21982 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
21983 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
21984 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
21985 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
21986 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
21987 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
21988 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
21989 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
21990 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
21991 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
21992 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
21993 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
21994 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
21995 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
21996 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
21997 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
21998 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
21999 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22000 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22001 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22002 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22003 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22004 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
22005 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
22006 (gdb)
22007 @end smallexample
22008
22009 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
22010
22011 @smallexample
22012 (gdb)
22013 -stack-list-frames 3 5
22014 ^done,stack=
22015 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22016 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22017 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22018 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
22019 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22020 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
22021 (gdb)
22022 @end smallexample
22023
22024 Show a single frame:
22025
22026 @smallexample
22027 (gdb)
22028 -stack-list-frames 3 3
22029 ^done,stack=
22030 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
22031 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
22032 (gdb)
22033 @end smallexample
22034
22035
22036 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
22037 @findex -stack-list-locals
22038
22039 @subsubheading Synopsis
22040
22041 @smallexample
22042 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
22043 @end smallexample
22044
22045 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
22046 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
22047 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
22048 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
22049 type and value for simple data types and the name and type for arrays,
22050 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
22051 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
22052 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
22053 more detail.
22054
22055 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22056
22057 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
22058
22059 @subsubheading Example
22060
22061 @smallexample
22062 (gdb)
22063 -stack-list-locals 0
22064 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
22065 (gdb)
22066 -stack-list-locals --all-values
22067 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
22068 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
22069 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
22070 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
22071 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
22072 (gdb)
22073 @end smallexample
22074
22075
22076 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
22077 @findex -stack-select-frame
22078
22079 @subsubheading Synopsis
22080
22081 @smallexample
22082 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
22083 @end smallexample
22084
22085 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
22086 the stack.
22087
22088 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
22089 option to every command.
22090
22091 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22092
22093 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
22094 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
22095
22096 @subsubheading Example
22097
22098 @smallexample
22099 (gdb)
22100 -stack-select-frame 2
22101 ^done
22102 (gdb)
22103 @end smallexample
22104
22105 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22106 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
22107 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
22108
22109 @ignore
22110
22111 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
22112
22113 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
22114 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
22115 used by @code{Insight}.
22116
22117 The two main reasons for that are:
22118
22119 @enumerate 1
22120 @item
22121 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
22122
22123 @item
22124 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
22125 now).
22126 @end enumerate
22127
22128 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
22129 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
22130 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
22131 hints about their use.
22132
22133 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
22134 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
22135 least, the following operations:
22136
22137 @itemize @bullet
22138 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
22139 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
22140 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
22141 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
22142 @end itemize
22143
22144 @end ignore
22145
22146 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
22147
22148 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
22149
22150 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
22151 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
22152 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
22153 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
22154 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
22155 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
22156 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
22157 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
22158 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
22159 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
22160 object, or to change display format.
22161
22162 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
22163 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
22164 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
22165 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
22166 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
22167 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
22168 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
22169 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
22170 child will be created.
22171
22172 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
22173 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
22174 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
22175 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
22176 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
22177
22178 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
22179 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
22180 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
22181 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
22182 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
22183 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
22184 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
22185 variables that frontend has created.
22186
22187 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
22188 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
22189 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
22190 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
22191 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
22192 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
22193 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
22194 implicitly updated.
22195
22196 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
22197 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
22198 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
22199 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
22200 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
22201 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
22202 frame. Consider this example:
22203
22204 @smallexample
22205 void do_work(...)
22206 @{
22207 struct work_state state;
22208
22209 if (...)
22210 do_work(...);
22211 @}
22212 @end smallexample
22213
22214 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
22215 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the the variable
22216 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
22217 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
22218 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
22219
22220 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
22221 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
22222 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
22223 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
22224 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
22225 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
22226
22227 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
22228 access this functionality:
22229
22230 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
22231 @item @strong{Operation}
22232 @tab @strong{Description}
22233
22234 @item @code{-var-create}
22235 @tab create a variable object
22236 @item @code{-var-delete}
22237 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
22238 @item @code{-var-set-format}
22239 @tab set the display format of this variable
22240 @item @code{-var-show-format}
22241 @tab show the display format of this variable
22242 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
22243 @tab tells how many children this object has
22244 @item @code{-var-list-children}
22245 @tab return a list of the object's children
22246 @item @code{-var-info-type}
22247 @tab show the type of this variable object
22248 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
22249 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
22250 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
22251 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
22252 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
22253 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
22254 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
22255 @tab get the value of this variable
22256 @item @code{-var-assign}
22257 @tab set the value of this variable
22258 @item @code{-var-update}
22259 @tab update the variable and its children
22260 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
22261 @tab set frozeness attribute
22262 @end multitable
22263
22264 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
22265 how it can be used.
22266
22267 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
22268
22269 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
22270 @findex -var-create
22271
22272 @subsubheading Synopsis
22273
22274 @smallexample
22275 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
22276 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
22277 @end smallexample
22278
22279 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
22280 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
22281 register.
22282
22283 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
22284 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
22285 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
22286 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
22287 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
22288
22289 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
22290 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
22291 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
22292 object must be created.
22293
22294 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
22295 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
22296
22297 @itemize @bullet
22298 @item
22299 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
22300
22301 @item
22302 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
22303
22304 @item
22305 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
22306 @end itemize
22307
22308 @subsubheading Result
22309
22310 This operation returns the name, number of children and the type of the
22311 object created. Type is returned as a string as the ones generated by
22312 the @value{GDBN} CLI. If a fixed variable object is bound to a
22313 specific thread, the thread is is also printed:
22314
22315 @smallexample
22316 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}"
22317 @end smallexample
22318
22319
22320 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
22321 @findex -var-delete
22322
22323 @subsubheading Synopsis
22324
22325 @smallexample
22326 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
22327 @end smallexample
22328
22329 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
22330 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
22331
22332 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
22333
22334
22335 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
22336 @findex -var-set-format
22337
22338 @subsubheading Synopsis
22339
22340 @smallexample
22341 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
22342 @end smallexample
22343
22344 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
22345 @var{format-spec}.
22346
22347 @anchor{-var-set-format}
22348 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
22349
22350 @smallexample
22351 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
22352 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
22353 @end smallexample
22354
22355 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
22356 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
22357 for pointers, etc.).
22358
22359 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
22360 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
22361
22362 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
22363 @findex -var-show-format
22364
22365 @subsubheading Synopsis
22366
22367 @smallexample
22368 -var-show-format @var{name}
22369 @end smallexample
22370
22371 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
22372
22373 @smallexample
22374 @var{format} @expansion{}
22375 @var{format-spec}
22376 @end smallexample
22377
22378
22379 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
22380 @findex -var-info-num-children
22381
22382 @subsubheading Synopsis
22383
22384 @smallexample
22385 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
22386 @end smallexample
22387
22388 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
22389
22390 @smallexample
22391 numchild=@var{n}
22392 @end smallexample
22393
22394
22395 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
22396 @findex -var-list-children
22397
22398 @subsubheading Synopsis
22399
22400 @smallexample
22401 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name}
22402 @end smallexample
22403 @anchor{-var-list-children}
22404
22405 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
22406 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
22407 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value for of 0 or
22408 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
22409 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
22410 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
22411 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
22412 and unions.
22413
22414 @subsubheading Example
22415
22416 @smallexample
22417 (gdb)
22418 -var-list-children n
22419 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[@{name=@var{name},
22420 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
22421 (gdb)
22422 -var-list-children --all-values n
22423 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[@{name=@var{name},
22424 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
22425 @end smallexample
22426
22427
22428 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
22429 @findex -var-info-type
22430
22431 @subsubheading Synopsis
22432
22433 @smallexample
22434 -var-info-type @var{name}
22435 @end smallexample
22436
22437 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
22438 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
22439 @value{GDBN} CLI:
22440
22441 @smallexample
22442 type=@var{typename}
22443 @end smallexample
22444
22445
22446 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
22447 @findex -var-info-expression
22448
22449 @subsubheading Synopsis
22450
22451 @smallexample
22452 -var-info-expression @var{name}
22453 @end smallexample
22454
22455 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
22456 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
22457 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
22458
22459 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
22460 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
22461
22462 @smallexample
22463 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
22464 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
22465 @end smallexample
22466
22467 @noindent
22468 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
22469
22470 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
22471 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
22472 is of limited use.
22473
22474 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
22475 @findex -var-info-path-expression
22476
22477 @subsubheading Synopsis
22478
22479 @smallexample
22480 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
22481 @end smallexample
22482
22483 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
22484 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
22485 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
22486 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
22487 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
22488 watchpoint from a variable object.
22489
22490 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
22491 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
22492 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
22493 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
22494 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
22495 @smallexample
22496 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
22497 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
22498 @end smallexample
22499
22500 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
22501 @findex -var-show-attributes
22502
22503 @subsubheading Synopsis
22504
22505 @smallexample
22506 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
22507 @end smallexample
22508
22509 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
22510
22511 @smallexample
22512 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
22513 @end smallexample
22514
22515 @noindent
22516 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
22517
22518 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
22519 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
22520
22521 @subsubheading Synopsis
22522
22523 @smallexample
22524 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
22525 @end smallexample
22526
22527 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
22528 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
22529 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
22530 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
22531 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
22532 the current display format will be used. The current display format
22533 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
22534
22535 @smallexample
22536 value=@var{value}
22537 @end smallexample
22538
22539 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
22540 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
22541
22542 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
22543 @findex -var-assign
22544
22545 @subsubheading Synopsis
22546
22547 @smallexample
22548 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
22549 @end smallexample
22550
22551 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
22552 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
22553 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
22554 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
22555
22556 @subsubheading Example
22557
22558 @smallexample
22559 (gdb)
22560 -var-assign var1 3
22561 ^done,value="3"
22562 (gdb)
22563 -var-update *
22564 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
22565 (gdb)
22566 @end smallexample
22567
22568 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
22569 @findex -var-update
22570
22571 @subsubheading Synopsis
22572
22573 @smallexample
22574 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
22575 @end smallexample
22576
22577 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
22578 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
22579 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
22580 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
22581 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
22582 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
22583 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
22584 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
22585 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
22586 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
22587 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
22588 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
22589 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
22590
22591 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
22592 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
22593 diagnostic.
22594
22595 @subsubheading Example
22596
22597 @smallexample
22598 (gdb)
22599 -var-assign var1 3
22600 ^done,value="3"
22601 (gdb)
22602 -var-update --all-values var1
22603 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
22604 type_changed="false"@}]
22605 (gdb)
22606 @end smallexample
22607
22608 @anchor{-var-update}
22609 The field in_scope may take three values:
22610
22611 @table @code
22612 @item "true"
22613 The variable object's current value is valid.
22614
22615 @item "false"
22616 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
22617 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
22618 scope.
22619
22620 @item "invalid"
22621 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
22622 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
22623 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
22624 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
22625 objects.
22626 @end table
22627
22628 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
22629 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
22630
22631 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
22632 @findex -var-set-frozen
22633 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
22634
22635 @subsubheading Synopsis
22636
22637 @smallexample
22638 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
22639 @end smallexample
22640
22641 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
22642 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
22643 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
22644 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
22645 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
22646 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
22647 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
22648 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
22649 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
22650 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
22651 @code{-var-update} does.
22652
22653 @subsubheading Example
22654
22655 @smallexample
22656 (gdb)
22657 -var-set-frozen V 1
22658 ^done
22659 (gdb)
22660 @end smallexample
22661
22662
22663 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
22664 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
22665 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
22666
22667 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
22668 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
22669 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
22670 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
22671
22672 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
22673 @c @subheading -data-assign
22674 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
22675 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
22676 @c set variable
22677 @c @subsubheading Example
22678 @c N.A.
22679
22680 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
22681 @findex -data-disassemble
22682
22683 @subsubheading Synopsis
22684
22685 @smallexample
22686 -data-disassemble
22687 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
22688 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
22689 -- @var{mode}
22690 @end smallexample
22691
22692 @noindent
22693 Where:
22694
22695 @table @samp
22696 @item @var{start-addr}
22697 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
22698 @item @var{end-addr}
22699 is the end address
22700 @item @var{filename}
22701 is the name of the file to disassemble
22702 @item @var{linenum}
22703 is the line number to disassemble around
22704 @item @var{lines}
22705 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
22706 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
22707 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
22708 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
22709 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
22710 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
22711 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
22712 are displayed.
22713 @item @var{mode}
22714 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly) or 1 (meaning mixed source and
22715 disassembly).
22716 @end table
22717
22718 @subsubheading Result
22719
22720 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
22721
22722 @itemize @bullet
22723 @item Address
22724 @item Func-name
22725 @item Offset
22726 @item Instruction
22727 @end itemize
22728
22729 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
22730 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
22731
22732 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22733
22734 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
22735
22736 @subsubheading Example
22737
22738 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
22739
22740 @smallexample
22741 (gdb)
22742 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
22743 ^done,
22744 asm_insns=[
22745 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
22746 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
22747 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
22748 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
22749 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
22750 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
22751 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
22752 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
22753 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
22754 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
22755 (gdb)
22756 @end smallexample
22757
22758 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
22759 @code{main}.
22760
22761 @smallexample
22762 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
22763 ^done,asm_insns=[
22764 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
22765 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
22766 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
22767 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
22768 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
22769 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
22770 [@dots{}]
22771 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
22772 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
22773 (gdb)
22774 @end smallexample
22775
22776 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
22777
22778 @smallexample
22779 (gdb)
22780 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
22781 ^done,asm_insns=[
22782 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
22783 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
22784 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
22785 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
22786 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
22787 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
22788 (gdb)
22789 @end smallexample
22790
22791 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
22792
22793 @smallexample
22794 (gdb)
22795 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
22796 ^done,asm_insns=[
22797 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
22798 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
22799 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
22800 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
22801 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
22802 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
22803 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
22804 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
22805 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
22806 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
22807 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
22808 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
22809 (gdb)
22810 @end smallexample
22811
22812
22813 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
22814 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
22815
22816 @subsubheading Synopsis
22817
22818 @smallexample
22819 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
22820 @end smallexample
22821
22822 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
22823 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
22824 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
22825
22826 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22827
22828 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
22829 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
22830 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
22831
22832 @subsubheading Example
22833
22834 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
22835 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
22836 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
22837 output.
22838
22839 @smallexample
22840 211-data-evaluate-expression A
22841 211^done,value="1"
22842 (gdb)
22843 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
22844 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
22845 (gdb)
22846 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
22847 411^done,value="4"
22848 (gdb)
22849 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
22850 511^done,value="4"
22851 (gdb)
22852 @end smallexample
22853
22854
22855 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
22856 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
22857
22858 @subsubheading Synopsis
22859
22860 @smallexample
22861 -data-list-changed-registers
22862 @end smallexample
22863
22864 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
22865
22866 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22867
22868 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
22869 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
22870
22871 @subsubheading Example
22872
22873 On a PPC MBX board:
22874
22875 @smallexample
22876 (gdb)
22877 -exec-continue
22878 ^running
22879
22880 (gdb)
22881 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
22882 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
22883 line="5"@}
22884 (gdb)
22885 -data-list-changed-registers
22886 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
22887 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
22888 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
22889 (gdb)
22890 @end smallexample
22891
22892
22893 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
22894 @findex -data-list-register-names
22895
22896 @subsubheading Synopsis
22897
22898 @smallexample
22899 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
22900 @end smallexample
22901
22902 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
22903 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
22904 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
22905 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
22906 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
22907 include empty register names.
22908
22909 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22910
22911 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
22912 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
22913 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
22914
22915 @subsubheading Example
22916
22917 For the PPC MBX board:
22918 @smallexample
22919 (gdb)
22920 -data-list-register-names
22921 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
22922 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
22923 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
22924 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
22925 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
22926 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
22927 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
22928 (gdb)
22929 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
22930 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
22931 (gdb)
22932 @end smallexample
22933
22934 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
22935 @findex -data-list-register-values
22936
22937 @subsubheading Synopsis
22938
22939 @smallexample
22940 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
22941 @end smallexample
22942
22943 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
22944 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
22945 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
22946 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
22947
22948 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
22949
22950 @table @code
22951 @item x
22952 Hexadecimal
22953 @item o
22954 Octal
22955 @item t
22956 Binary
22957 @item d
22958 Decimal
22959 @item r
22960 Raw
22961 @item N
22962 Natural
22963 @end table
22964
22965 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
22966
22967 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
22968 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
22969
22970 @subsubheading Example
22971
22972 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
22973 don't appear in the actual output):
22974
22975 @smallexample
22976 (gdb)
22977 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
22978 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
22979 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
22980 (gdb)
22981 -data-list-register-values x
22982 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
22983 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
22984 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
22985 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
22986 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
22987 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
22988 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
22989 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
22990 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
22991 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
22992 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
22993 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
22994 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
22995 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
22996 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
22997 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
22998 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
22999 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
23000 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
23001 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
23002 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
23003 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
23004 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
23005 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
23006 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
23007 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
23008 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
23009 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
23010 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
23011 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
23012 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
23013 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
23014 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
23015 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
23016 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
23017 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
23018 (gdb)
23019 @end smallexample
23020
23021
23022 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
23023 @findex -data-read-memory
23024
23025 @subsubheading Synopsis
23026
23027 @smallexample
23028 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
23029 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
23030 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
23031 @end smallexample
23032
23033 @noindent
23034 where:
23035
23036 @table @samp
23037 @item @var{address}
23038 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
23039 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
23040 quoted using the C convention.
23041
23042 @item @var{word-format}
23043 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
23044 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
23045 ,Output Formats}).
23046
23047 @item @var{word-size}
23048 The size of each memory word in bytes.
23049
23050 @item @var{nr-rows}
23051 The number of rows in the output table.
23052
23053 @item @var{nr-cols}
23054 The number of columns in the output table.
23055
23056 @item @var{aschar}
23057 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
23058 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
23059 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
23060 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
23061
23062 @item @var{byte-offset}
23063 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
23064 @end table
23065
23066 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
23067 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
23068 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
23069 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
23070 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
23071 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
23072 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
23073 @samp{addr}.
23074
23075 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
23076 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
23077 @samp{prev-page}.
23078
23079 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23080
23081 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
23082 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
23083
23084 @subsubheading Example
23085
23086 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
23087 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
23088 word. Display each word in hex.
23089
23090 @smallexample
23091 (gdb)
23092 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
23093 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
23094 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
23095 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
23096 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
23097 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
23098 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
23099 (gdb)
23100 @end smallexample
23101
23102 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
23103 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
23104
23105 @smallexample
23106 (gdb)
23107 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
23108 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
23109 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
23110 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
23111 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
23112 (gdb)
23113 @end smallexample
23114
23115 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
23116 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
23117 used as the non-printable character.
23118
23119 @smallexample
23120 (gdb)
23121 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
23122 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
23123 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
23124 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
23125 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
23126 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
23127 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
23128 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
23129 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
23130 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
23131 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
23132 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
23133 (gdb)
23134 @end smallexample
23135
23136 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23137 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
23138 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
23139
23140 The tracepoint commands are not yet implemented.
23141
23142 @c @subheading -trace-actions
23143
23144 @c @subheading -trace-delete
23145
23146 @c @subheading -trace-disable
23147
23148 @c @subheading -trace-dump
23149
23150 @c @subheading -trace-enable
23151
23152 @c @subheading -trace-exists
23153
23154 @c @subheading -trace-find
23155
23156 @c @subheading -trace-frame-number
23157
23158 @c @subheading -trace-info
23159
23160 @c @subheading -trace-insert
23161
23162 @c @subheading -trace-list
23163
23164 @c @subheading -trace-pass-count
23165
23166 @c @subheading -trace-save
23167
23168 @c @subheading -trace-start
23169
23170 @c @subheading -trace-stop
23171
23172
23173 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23174 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
23175 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
23176
23177
23178 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
23179 @findex -symbol-info-address
23180
23181 @subsubheading Synopsis
23182
23183 @smallexample
23184 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
23185 @end smallexample
23186
23187 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
23188
23189 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23190
23191 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
23192
23193 @subsubheading Example
23194 N.A.
23195
23196
23197 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
23198 @findex -symbol-info-file
23199
23200 @subsubheading Synopsis
23201
23202 @smallexample
23203 -symbol-info-file
23204 @end smallexample
23205
23206 Show the file for the symbol.
23207
23208 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23209
23210 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
23211 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
23212
23213 @subsubheading Example
23214 N.A.
23215
23216
23217 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
23218 @findex -symbol-info-function
23219
23220 @subsubheading Synopsis
23221
23222 @smallexample
23223 -symbol-info-function
23224 @end smallexample
23225
23226 Show which function the symbol lives in.
23227
23228 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23229
23230 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
23231
23232 @subsubheading Example
23233 N.A.
23234
23235
23236 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
23237 @findex -symbol-info-line
23238
23239 @subsubheading Synopsis
23240
23241 @smallexample
23242 -symbol-info-line
23243 @end smallexample
23244
23245 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
23246
23247 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23248
23249 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
23250 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
23251
23252 @subsubheading Example
23253 N.A.
23254
23255
23256 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
23257 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
23258
23259 @subsubheading Synopsis
23260
23261 @smallexample
23262 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
23263 @end smallexample
23264
23265 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
23266
23267 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23268
23269 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
23270
23271 @subsubheading Example
23272 N.A.
23273
23274
23275 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
23276 @findex -symbol-list-functions
23277
23278 @subsubheading Synopsis
23279
23280 @smallexample
23281 -symbol-list-functions
23282 @end smallexample
23283
23284 List the functions in the executable.
23285
23286 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23287
23288 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
23289 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
23290
23291 @subsubheading Example
23292 N.A.
23293
23294
23295 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
23296 @findex -symbol-list-lines
23297
23298 @subsubheading Synopsis
23299
23300 @smallexample
23301 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
23302 @end smallexample
23303
23304 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
23305 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
23306 ascending PC order.
23307
23308 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23309
23310 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
23311
23312 @subsubheading Example
23313 @smallexample
23314 (gdb)
23315 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
23316 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
23317 (gdb)
23318 @end smallexample
23319
23320
23321 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
23322 @findex -symbol-list-types
23323
23324 @subsubheading Synopsis
23325
23326 @smallexample
23327 -symbol-list-types
23328 @end smallexample
23329
23330 List all the type names.
23331
23332 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23333
23334 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
23335 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
23336
23337 @subsubheading Example
23338 N.A.
23339
23340
23341 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
23342 @findex -symbol-list-variables
23343
23344 @subsubheading Synopsis
23345
23346 @smallexample
23347 -symbol-list-variables
23348 @end smallexample
23349
23350 List all the global and static variable names.
23351
23352 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23353
23354 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
23355
23356 @subsubheading Example
23357 N.A.
23358
23359
23360 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
23361 @findex -symbol-locate
23362
23363 @subsubheading Synopsis
23364
23365 @smallexample
23366 -symbol-locate
23367 @end smallexample
23368
23369 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23370
23371 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
23372
23373 @subsubheading Example
23374 N.A.
23375
23376
23377 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
23378 @findex -symbol-type
23379
23380 @subsubheading Synopsis
23381
23382 @smallexample
23383 -symbol-type @var{variable}
23384 @end smallexample
23385
23386 Show type of @var{variable}.
23387
23388 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23389
23390 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
23391 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
23392
23393 @subsubheading Example
23394 N.A.
23395
23396
23397 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23398 @node GDB/MI File Commands
23399 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
23400
23401 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
23402 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
23403
23404 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
23405 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
23406
23407 @subsubheading Synopsis
23408
23409 @smallexample
23410 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
23411 @end smallexample
23412
23413 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
23414 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
23415 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
23416 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
23417 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
23418 notification.
23419
23420 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23421
23422 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
23423
23424 @subsubheading Example
23425
23426 @smallexample
23427 (gdb)
23428 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
23429 ^done
23430 (gdb)
23431 @end smallexample
23432
23433
23434 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
23435 @findex -file-exec-file
23436
23437 @subsubheading Synopsis
23438
23439 @smallexample
23440 -file-exec-file @var{file}
23441 @end smallexample
23442
23443 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
23444 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
23445 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
23446 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
23447 notification.
23448
23449 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23450
23451 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
23452
23453 @subsubheading Example
23454
23455 @smallexample
23456 (gdb)
23457 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
23458 ^done
23459 (gdb)
23460 @end smallexample
23461
23462
23463 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
23464 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
23465
23466 @subsubheading Synopsis
23467
23468 @smallexample
23469 -file-list-exec-sections
23470 @end smallexample
23471
23472 List the sections of the current executable file.
23473
23474 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23475
23476 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
23477 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
23478 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
23479
23480 @subsubheading Example
23481 N.A.
23482
23483
23484 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
23485 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
23486
23487 @subsubheading Synopsis
23488
23489 @smallexample
23490 -file-list-exec-source-file
23491 @end smallexample
23492
23493 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
23494 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
23495 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
23496 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
23497
23498 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23499
23500 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
23501
23502 @subsubheading Example
23503
23504 @smallexample
23505 (gdb)
23506 123-file-list-exec-source-file
23507 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
23508 (gdb)
23509 @end smallexample
23510
23511
23512 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
23513 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
23514
23515 @subsubheading Synopsis
23516
23517 @smallexample
23518 -file-list-exec-source-files
23519 @end smallexample
23520
23521 List the source files for the current executable.
23522
23523 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
23524 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
23525
23526 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23527
23528 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
23529 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
23530
23531 @subsubheading Example
23532 @smallexample
23533 (gdb)
23534 -file-list-exec-source-files
23535 ^done,files=[
23536 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
23537 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
23538 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
23539 (gdb)
23540 @end smallexample
23541
23542 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
23543 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
23544
23545 @subsubheading Synopsis
23546
23547 @smallexample
23548 -file-list-shared-libraries
23549 @end smallexample
23550
23551 List the shared libraries in the program.
23552
23553 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23554
23555 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
23556
23557 @subsubheading Example
23558 N.A.
23559
23560
23561 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
23562 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
23563
23564 @subsubheading Synopsis
23565
23566 @smallexample
23567 -file-list-symbol-files
23568 @end smallexample
23569
23570 List symbol files.
23571
23572 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23573
23574 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
23575
23576 @subsubheading Example
23577 N.A.
23578
23579
23580 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
23581 @findex -file-symbol-file
23582
23583 @subsubheading Synopsis
23584
23585 @smallexample
23586 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
23587 @end smallexample
23588
23589 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
23590 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
23591 produced, except for a completion notification.
23592
23593 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23594
23595 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
23596
23597 @subsubheading Example
23598
23599 @smallexample
23600 (gdb)
23601 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
23602 ^done
23603 (gdb)
23604 @end smallexample
23605
23606 @ignore
23607 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23608 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
23609 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
23610
23611 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
23612
23613 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
23614
23615 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
23616
23617 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
23618
23619 @c @subheading -overlay-map
23620
23621 @c @subheading -overlay-off
23622
23623 @c @subheading -overlay-on
23624
23625 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
23626
23627 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23628 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
23629 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
23630
23631 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
23632
23633 @c @subheading -signal-handle
23634
23635 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
23636
23637 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
23638 @end ignore
23639
23640
23641 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23642 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
23643 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
23644
23645
23646 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
23647 @findex -target-attach
23648
23649 @subsubheading Synopsis
23650
23651 @smallexample
23652 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
23653 @end smallexample
23654
23655 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
23656 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
23657 group, the id previously returned by
23658 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
23659
23660 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23661
23662 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
23663
23664 @subsubheading Example
23665 @smallexample
23666 (gdb)
23667 -target-attach 34
23668 =thread-created,id="1"
23669 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
23670 ^done
23671 (gdb)
23672 @end smallexample
23673
23674 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
23675 @findex -target-compare-sections
23676
23677 @subsubheading Synopsis
23678
23679 @smallexample
23680 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
23681 @end smallexample
23682
23683 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
23684 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
23685
23686 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23687
23688 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
23689
23690 @subsubheading Example
23691 N.A.
23692
23693
23694 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
23695 @findex -target-detach
23696
23697 @subsubheading Synopsis
23698
23699 @smallexample
23700 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
23701 @end smallexample
23702
23703 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
23704 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
23705 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
23706
23707 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23708
23709 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
23710
23711 @subsubheading Example
23712
23713 @smallexample
23714 (gdb)
23715 -target-detach
23716 ^done
23717 (gdb)
23718 @end smallexample
23719
23720
23721 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
23722 @findex -target-disconnect
23723
23724 @subsubheading Synopsis
23725
23726 @smallexample
23727 -target-disconnect
23728 @end smallexample
23729
23730 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
23731 generally not resumed.
23732
23733 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23734
23735 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
23736
23737 @subsubheading Example
23738
23739 @smallexample
23740 (gdb)
23741 -target-disconnect
23742 ^done
23743 (gdb)
23744 @end smallexample
23745
23746
23747 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
23748 @findex -target-download
23749
23750 @subsubheading Synopsis
23751
23752 @smallexample
23753 -target-download
23754 @end smallexample
23755
23756 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
23757 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
23758
23759 @table @samp
23760 @item section
23761 The name of the section.
23762 @item section-sent
23763 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
23764 @item section-size
23765 The size of the section.
23766 @item total-sent
23767 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
23768 @item total-size
23769 The size of the overall executable to download.
23770 @end table
23771
23772 @noindent
23773 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
23774 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
23775
23776 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
23777 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
23778
23779 @table @samp
23780 @item section
23781 The name of the section.
23782 @item section-size
23783 The size of the section.
23784 @item total-size
23785 The size of the overall executable to download.
23786 @end table
23787
23788 @noindent
23789 At the end, a summary is printed.
23790
23791 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23792
23793 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
23794
23795 @subsubheading Example
23796
23797 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
23798 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
23799
23800 @smallexample
23801 (gdb)
23802 -target-download
23803 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
23804 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
23805 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
23806 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
23807 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
23808 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
23809 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
23810 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
23811 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
23812 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
23813 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
23814 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
23815 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
23816 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
23817 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
23818 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
23819 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
23820 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
23821 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
23822 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
23823 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
23824 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
23825 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
23826 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
23827 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
23828 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
23829 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
23830 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
23831 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
23832 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
23833 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
23834 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
23835 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
23836 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
23837 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
23838 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
23839 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
23840 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
23841 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
23842 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
23843 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
23844 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
23845 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
23846 write-rate="429"
23847 (gdb)
23848 @end smallexample
23849
23850
23851 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
23852 @findex -target-exec-status
23853
23854 @subsubheading Synopsis
23855
23856 @smallexample
23857 -target-exec-status
23858 @end smallexample
23859
23860 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
23861 not, for instance).
23862
23863 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23864
23865 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
23866
23867 @subsubheading Example
23868 N.A.
23869
23870
23871 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
23872 @findex -target-list-available-targets
23873
23874 @subsubheading Synopsis
23875
23876 @smallexample
23877 -target-list-available-targets
23878 @end smallexample
23879
23880 List the possible targets to connect to.
23881
23882 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23883
23884 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
23885
23886 @subsubheading Example
23887 N.A.
23888
23889
23890 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
23891 @findex -target-list-current-targets
23892
23893 @subsubheading Synopsis
23894
23895 @smallexample
23896 -target-list-current-targets
23897 @end smallexample
23898
23899 Describe the current target.
23900
23901 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23902
23903 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
23904 other things).
23905
23906 @subsubheading Example
23907 N.A.
23908
23909
23910 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
23911 @findex -target-list-parameters
23912
23913 @subsubheading Synopsis
23914
23915 @smallexample
23916 -target-list-parameters
23917 @end smallexample
23918
23919 @c ????
23920
23921 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23922
23923 No equivalent.
23924
23925 @subsubheading Example
23926 N.A.
23927
23928
23929 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
23930 @findex -target-select
23931
23932 @subsubheading Synopsis
23933
23934 @smallexample
23935 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
23936 @end smallexample
23937
23938 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
23939
23940 @table @samp
23941 @item @var{type}
23942 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
23943 @item @var{parameters}
23944 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
23945 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
23946 @end table
23947
23948 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
23949 which the target program is, in the following form:
23950
23951 @smallexample
23952 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
23953 args=[@var{arg list}]
23954 @end smallexample
23955
23956 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23957
23958 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
23959
23960 @subsubheading Example
23961
23962 @smallexample
23963 (gdb)
23964 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
23965 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
23966 (gdb)
23967 @end smallexample
23968
23969 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
23970 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
23971 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
23972
23973
23974 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
23975 @findex -target-file-put
23976
23977 @subsubheading Synopsis
23978
23979 @smallexample
23980 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
23981 @end smallexample
23982
23983 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
23984 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
23985
23986 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
23987
23988 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
23989
23990 @subsubheading Example
23991
23992 @smallexample
23993 (gdb)
23994 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
23995 ^done
23996 (gdb)
23997 @end smallexample
23998
23999
24000 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
24001 @findex -target-file-get
24002
24003 @subsubheading Synopsis
24004
24005 @smallexample
24006 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
24007 @end smallexample
24008
24009 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
24010 on the host system.
24011
24012 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24013
24014 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
24015
24016 @subsubheading Example
24017
24018 @smallexample
24019 (gdb)
24020 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
24021 ^done
24022 (gdb)
24023 @end smallexample
24024
24025
24026 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
24027 @findex -target-file-delete
24028
24029 @subsubheading Synopsis
24030
24031 @smallexample
24032 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
24033 @end smallexample
24034
24035 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
24036
24037 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24038
24039 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
24040
24041 @subsubheading Example
24042
24043 @smallexample
24044 (gdb)
24045 -target-file-delete remotefile
24046 ^done
24047 (gdb)
24048 @end smallexample
24049
24050
24051 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24052 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
24053 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
24054
24055 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
24056
24057 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
24058 @findex -gdb-exit
24059
24060 @subsubheading Synopsis
24061
24062 @smallexample
24063 -gdb-exit
24064 @end smallexample
24065
24066 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
24067
24068 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24069
24070 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
24071
24072 @subsubheading Example
24073
24074 @smallexample
24075 (gdb)
24076 -gdb-exit
24077 ^exit
24078 @end smallexample
24079
24080
24081 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
24082 @findex -exec-abort
24083
24084 @subsubheading Synopsis
24085
24086 @smallexample
24087 -exec-abort
24088 @end smallexample
24089
24090 Kill the inferior running program.
24091
24092 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24093
24094 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
24095
24096 @subsubheading Example
24097 N.A.
24098
24099
24100 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
24101 @findex -gdb-set
24102
24103 @subsubheading Synopsis
24104
24105 @smallexample
24106 -gdb-set
24107 @end smallexample
24108
24109 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
24110 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
24111
24112 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24113
24114 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
24115
24116 @subsubheading Example
24117
24118 @smallexample
24119 (gdb)
24120 -gdb-set $foo=3
24121 ^done
24122 (gdb)
24123 @end smallexample
24124
24125
24126 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
24127 @findex -gdb-show
24128
24129 @subsubheading Synopsis
24130
24131 @smallexample
24132 -gdb-show
24133 @end smallexample
24134
24135 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
24136
24137 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24138
24139 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
24140
24141 @subsubheading Example
24142
24143 @smallexample
24144 (gdb)
24145 -gdb-show annotate
24146 ^done,value="0"
24147 (gdb)
24148 @end smallexample
24149
24150 @c @subheading -gdb-source
24151
24152
24153 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
24154 @findex -gdb-version
24155
24156 @subsubheading Synopsis
24157
24158 @smallexample
24159 -gdb-version
24160 @end smallexample
24161
24162 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
24163
24164 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
24165
24166 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
24167 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
24168
24169 @subsubheading Example
24170
24171 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
24172 @c box in TeX.
24173 @smallexample
24174 (gdb)
24175 -gdb-version
24176 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
24177 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
24178 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
24179 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
24180 ~ certain conditions.
24181 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
24182 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
24183 ~ details.
24184 ~This GDB was configured as
24185 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
24186 ^done
24187 (gdb)
24188 @end smallexample
24189
24190 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
24191 @findex -list-features
24192
24193 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
24194 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
24195 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
24196 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
24197 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
24198 startup.
24199
24200 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
24201 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
24202 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
24203 is given below.
24204
24205 Example output:
24206
24207 @smallexample
24208 (gdb) -list-features
24209 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
24210 @end smallexample
24211
24212 The current list of features is:
24213
24214 @table @samp
24215 @item frozen-varobjs
24216 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
24217 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
24218 of @code{-varobj-create}.
24219 @item pending-breakpoints
24220 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
24221 @item thread-info
24222 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
24223
24224 @end table
24225
24226 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
24227 @findex -list-target-features
24228
24229 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
24230 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
24231 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
24232 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
24233 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
24234 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
24235 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
24236 Example output:
24237
24238 @smallexample
24239 (gdb) -list-features
24240 ^done,result=["async"]
24241 @end smallexample
24242
24243 The current list of features is:
24244
24245 @table @samp
24246 @item async
24247 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
24248 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
24249 while the target is running.
24250
24251 @end table
24252
24253 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
24254 @findex -list-thread-groups
24255
24256 @subheading Synopsis
24257
24258 @smallexample
24259 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ @var{group} ]
24260 @end smallexample
24261
24262 When used without the @var{group} parameter, lists top-level thread
24263 groups that are being debugged. When used with the @var{group}
24264 parameter, the children of the specified group are listed. The
24265 children can be either threads, or other groups. At present,
24266 @value{GDBN} will not report both threads and groups as children at
24267 the same time, but it may change in future.
24268
24269 With the @samp{--available} option, instead of reporting groups that
24270 are been debugged, GDB will report all thread groups available on the
24271 target. Using the @samp{--available} option together with @var{group}
24272 is not allowed.
24273
24274 @subheading Example
24275
24276 @smallexample
24277 @value{GDBP}
24278 -list-thread-groups
24279 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
24280 -list-thread-groups 17
24281 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
24282 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
24283 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
24284 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
24285 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
24286 @end smallexample
24287
24288 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
24289 @findex -interpreter-exec
24290
24291 @subheading Synopsis
24292
24293 @smallexample
24294 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
24295 @end smallexample
24296 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
24297
24298 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
24299
24300 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
24301
24302 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
24303
24304 @subheading Example
24305
24306 @smallexample
24307 (gdb)
24308 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
24309 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
24310 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
24311 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
24312 ^done
24313 (gdb)
24314 @end smallexample
24315
24316 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
24317 @findex -inferior-tty-set
24318
24319 @subheading Synopsis
24320
24321 @smallexample
24322 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
24323 @end smallexample
24324
24325 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
24326
24327 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
24328
24329 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
24330
24331 @subheading Example
24332
24333 @smallexample
24334 (gdb)
24335 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
24336 ^done
24337 (gdb)
24338 @end smallexample
24339
24340 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
24341 @findex -inferior-tty-show
24342
24343 @subheading Synopsis
24344
24345 @smallexample
24346 -inferior-tty-show
24347 @end smallexample
24348
24349 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
24350
24351 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
24352
24353 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
24354
24355 @subheading Example
24356
24357 @smallexample
24358 (gdb)
24359 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
24360 ^done
24361 (gdb)
24362 -inferior-tty-show
24363 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
24364 (gdb)
24365 @end smallexample
24366
24367 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
24368 @findex -enable-timings
24369
24370 @subheading Synopsis
24371
24372 @smallexample
24373 -enable-timings [yes | no]
24374 @end smallexample
24375
24376 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
24377 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
24378 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
24379 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
24380
24381 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
24382
24383 No equivalent.
24384
24385 @subheading Example
24386
24387 @smallexample
24388 (gdb)
24389 -enable-timings
24390 ^done
24391 (gdb)
24392 -break-insert main
24393 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
24394 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
24395 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
24396 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
24397 (gdb)
24398 -enable-timings no
24399 ^done
24400 (gdb)
24401 -exec-run
24402 ^running
24403 (gdb)
24404 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
24405 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
24406 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
24407 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
24408 (gdb)
24409 @end smallexample
24410
24411 @node Annotations
24412 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
24413
24414 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
24415 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
24416 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
24417 relatively high level.
24418
24419 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
24420 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
24421
24422 @ignore
24423 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
24424 @end ignore
24425
24426 @menu
24427 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
24428 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
24429 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
24430 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
24431 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
24432 * Annotations for Running::
24433 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
24434 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
24435 @end menu
24436
24437 @node Annotations Overview
24438 @section What is an Annotation?
24439 @cindex annotations
24440
24441 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
24442 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
24443 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
24444 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
24445 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
24446 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
24447 cannot contain newline characters.
24448
24449 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
24450 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
24451 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
24452 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
24453 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
24454 means those three characters as output.
24455
24456 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
24457 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
24458 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
24459 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
24460 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
24461 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
24462 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
24463 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
24464 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
24465
24466 @table @code
24467 @kindex set annotate
24468 @item set annotate @var{level}
24469 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
24470 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
24471
24472 @item show annotate
24473 @kindex show annotate
24474 Show the current annotation level.
24475 @end table
24476
24477 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
24478
24479 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
24480
24481 @smallexample
24482 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
24483 GNU gdb 6.0
24484 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
24485 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
24486 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
24487 under certain conditions.
24488 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
24489 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
24490 for details.
24491 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
24492
24493 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
24494 (@value{GDBP})
24495 ^Z^Zprompt
24496 @kbd{quit}
24497
24498 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
24499 $
24500 @end smallexample
24501
24502 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
24503 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
24504 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
24505 output from @value{GDBN}.
24506
24507 @node Server Prefix
24508 @section The Server Prefix
24509 @cindex server prefix
24510
24511 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
24512 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
24513 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
24514 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
24515 a transparent manner.
24516
24517 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
24518 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
24519 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
24520
24521 @node Prompting
24522 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
24523
24524 @cindex annotations for prompts
24525 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
24526 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
24527 over, etc.
24528
24529 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
24530 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
24531 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
24532 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
24533 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
24534 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
24535 features the following annotations:
24536
24537 @smallexample
24538 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
24539 ^Z^Zprompt
24540 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
24541 @end smallexample
24542
24543 The input types are
24544
24545 @table @code
24546 @findex pre-prompt annotation
24547 @findex prompt annotation
24548 @findex post-prompt annotation
24549 @item prompt
24550 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
24551
24552 @findex pre-commands annotation
24553 @findex commands annotation
24554 @findex post-commands annotation
24555 @item commands
24556 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
24557 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
24558
24559 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
24560 @findex overload-choice annotation
24561 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
24562 @item overload-choice
24563 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
24564
24565 @findex pre-query annotation
24566 @findex query annotation
24567 @findex post-query annotation
24568 @item query
24569 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
24570
24571 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
24572 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
24573 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
24574 @item prompt-for-continue
24575 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
24576 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
24577 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
24578 presence of annotations.
24579 @end table
24580
24581 @node Errors
24582 @section Errors
24583 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
24584
24585 @findex quit annotation
24586 @smallexample
24587 ^Z^Zquit
24588 @end smallexample
24589
24590 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
24591
24592 @findex error annotation
24593 @smallexample
24594 ^Z^Zerror
24595 @end smallexample
24596
24597 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
24598
24599 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
24600 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
24601 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
24602 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
24603 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
24604 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
24605 to the top level.
24606
24607 @findex error-begin annotation
24608 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
24609
24610 @smallexample
24611 ^Z^Zerror-begin
24612 @end smallexample
24613
24614 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
24615 message.
24616
24617 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
24618 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
24619 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
24620
24621 @node Invalidation
24622 @section Invalidation Notices
24623
24624 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
24625 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
24626 changed.
24627
24628 @table @code
24629 @findex frames-invalid annotation
24630 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
24631
24632 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
24633 have changed.
24634
24635 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
24636 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
24637
24638 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
24639 deleted a breakpoint.
24640 @end table
24641
24642 @node Annotations for Running
24643 @section Running the Program
24644 @cindex annotations for running programs
24645
24646 @findex starting annotation
24647 @findex stopping annotation
24648 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
24649 @code{step} or @code{continue},
24650
24651 @smallexample
24652 ^Z^Zstarting
24653 @end smallexample
24654
24655 is output. When the program stops,
24656
24657 @smallexample
24658 ^Z^Zstopped
24659 @end smallexample
24660
24661 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
24662 annotations describe how the program stopped.
24663
24664 @table @code
24665 @findex exited annotation
24666 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
24667 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
24668 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
24669
24670 @findex signalled annotation
24671 @findex signal-name annotation
24672 @findex signal-name-end annotation
24673 @findex signal-string annotation
24674 @findex signal-string-end annotation
24675 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
24676 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
24677 annotation continues:
24678
24679 @smallexample
24680 @var{intro-text}
24681 ^Z^Zsignal-name
24682 @var{name}
24683 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
24684 @var{middle-text}
24685 ^Z^Zsignal-string
24686 @var{string}
24687 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
24688 @var{end-text}
24689 @end smallexample
24690
24691 @noindent
24692 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
24693 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
24694 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
24695 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
24696 user's benefit and have no particular format.
24697
24698 @findex signal annotation
24699 @item ^Z^Zsignal
24700 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
24701 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
24702 terminated with it.
24703
24704 @findex breakpoint annotation
24705 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
24706 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
24707
24708 @findex watchpoint annotation
24709 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
24710 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
24711 @end table
24712
24713 @node Source Annotations
24714 @section Displaying Source
24715 @cindex annotations for source display
24716
24717 @findex source annotation
24718 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
24719
24720 @smallexample
24721 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
24722 @end smallexample
24723
24724 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
24725 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
24726 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
24727 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
24728 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
24729 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
24730 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
24731 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
24732 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
24733 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
24734 depend on the language).
24735
24736 @node GDB Bugs
24737 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
24738 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
24739 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
24740
24741 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
24742
24743 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
24744 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
24745 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
24746 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
24747
24748 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
24749 information that enables us to fix the bug.
24750
24751 @menu
24752 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
24753 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
24754 @end menu
24755
24756 @node Bug Criteria
24757 @section Have You Found a Bug?
24758 @cindex bug criteria
24759
24760 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
24761
24762 @itemize @bullet
24763 @cindex fatal signal
24764 @cindex debugger crash
24765 @cindex crash of debugger
24766 @item
24767 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
24768 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
24769
24770 @cindex error on valid input
24771 @item
24772 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
24773 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
24774 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
24775
24776 @cindex invalid input
24777 @item
24778 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
24779 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
24780 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
24781 for traditional practice''.
24782
24783 @item
24784 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
24785 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
24786 @end itemize
24787
24788 @node Bug Reporting
24789 @section How to Report Bugs
24790 @cindex bug reports
24791 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
24792
24793 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
24794 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
24795 contact that organization first.
24796
24797 You can find contact information for many support companies and
24798 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
24799 distribution.
24800 @c should add a web page ref...
24801
24802 @ifset BUGURL
24803 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
24804 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
24805 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
24806 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
24807 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
24808 be used.
24809
24810 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
24811 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
24812 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
24813 @samp{bug-gdb}.
24814
24815 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
24816 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
24817 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
24818 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
24819 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
24820 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
24821 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
24822 bug reports to the mailing list.
24823 @end ifset
24824 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
24825 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
24826 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
24827 @end ifclear
24828 @end ifset
24829
24830 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
24831 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
24832 fact or leave it out, state it!
24833
24834 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
24835 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
24836 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
24837 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
24838 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
24839 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
24840 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
24841 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
24842 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
24843
24844 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
24845 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
24846 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
24847 self-contained.
24848
24849 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
24850 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
24851 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
24852 bugs properly.
24853
24854 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
24855
24856 @itemize @bullet
24857 @item
24858 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
24859 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
24860 version}.
24861
24862 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
24863 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
24864
24865 @item
24866 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
24867 version number.
24868
24869 @item
24870 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
24871 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
24872
24873 @item
24874 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
24875 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
24876 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
24877 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
24878 those compilers.
24879
24880 @item
24881 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
24882 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
24883 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
24884 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
24885
24886 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
24887 and then we might not encounter the bug.
24888
24889 @item
24890 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
24891 reproduce the bug.
24892
24893 @item
24894 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
24895 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
24896
24897 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
24898 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
24899 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
24900 a chance to make a mistake.
24901
24902 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
24903 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
24904 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
24905 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
24906 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
24907 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
24908 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
24909 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
24910
24911 @pindex script
24912 @cindex recording a session script
24913 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
24914 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
24915 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
24916 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
24917
24918 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
24919 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
24920
24921 @item
24922 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
24923 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
24924 it by context, not by line number.
24925
24926 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
24927 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
24928
24929 @end itemize
24930
24931 Here are some things that are not necessary:
24932
24933 @itemize @bullet
24934 @item
24935 A description of the envelope of the bug.
24936
24937 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
24938 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
24939 changes will not affect it.
24940
24941 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
24942 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
24943 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
24944 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
24945
24946 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
24947 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
24948 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
24949 less time, and so on.
24950
24951 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
24952 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
24953
24954 @item
24955 A patch for the bug.
24956
24957 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
24958 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
24959 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
24960 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
24961
24962 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
24963 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
24964 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
24965 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
24966
24967 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
24968 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
24969 help us to understand.
24970
24971 @item
24972 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
24973
24974 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
24975 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
24976 @end itemize
24977
24978 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
24979 @c and consists of the two following files:
24980 @c rluser.texinfo
24981 @c inc-hist.texinfo
24982 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
24983 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
24984 @include rluser.texi
24985 @include inc-hist.texinfo
24986
24987
24988 @node Formatting Documentation
24989 @appendix Formatting Documentation
24990
24991 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
24992 @cindex reference card
24993 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
24994 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
24995 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
24996 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
24997 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
24998 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
24999
25000 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
25001 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
25002
25003 @smallexample
25004 make refcard.dvi
25005 @end smallexample
25006
25007 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
25008 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
25009 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
25010 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
25011 your @sc{dvi} output program.
25012
25013 @cindex documentation
25014
25015 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
25016 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
25017 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
25018 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
25019 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
25020 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
25021
25022 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
25023 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
25024 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
25025 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
25026 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
25027 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
25028 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
25029 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
25030
25031 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
25032 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
25033 @code{makeinfo}.
25034
25035 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
25036 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
25037 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
25038
25039 @smallexample
25040 cd gdb
25041 make gdb.info
25042 @end smallexample
25043
25044 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
25045 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
25046 Texinfo definitions file.
25047
25048 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
25049 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
25050 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
25051 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
25052 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
25053 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
25054 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
25055
25056 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
25057 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
25058 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
25059 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
25060 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
25061 directory.
25062
25063 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
25064 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
25065 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
25066 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
25067
25068 @smallexample
25069 make gdb.dvi
25070 @end smallexample
25071
25072 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
25073
25074 @node Installing GDB
25075 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
25076 @cindex installation
25077
25078 @menu
25079 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
25080 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
25081 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
25082 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
25083 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
25084 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
25085 @end menu
25086
25087 @node Requirements
25088 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
25089 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
25090
25091 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
25092 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
25093
25094 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
25095 @table @asis
25096 @item ISO C90 compiler
25097 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
25098 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
25099
25100 @end table
25101
25102 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
25103 @table @asis
25104 @item Expat
25105 @anchor{Expat}
25106 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
25107 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
25108 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
25109 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
25110 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
25111 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
25112
25113 Expat is used for:
25114
25115 @itemize @bullet
25116 @item
25117 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
25118 @item
25119 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
25120 @item
25121 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
25122 @item
25123 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
25124 @end itemize
25125
25126 @item zlib
25127 @cindex compressed debug sections
25128 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
25129 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
25130 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
25131 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
25132 information in such binaries.
25133
25134 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
25135 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
25136 @url{http://zlib.net}.
25137
25138 @item iconv
25139 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
25140 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
25141 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
25142 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
25143
25144 On systems with @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
25145 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
25146 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
25147
25148 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
25149 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
25150 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
25151 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
25152 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
25153 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
25154 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
25155 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
25156 @end table
25157
25158 @node Running Configure
25159 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
25160 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
25161 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
25162 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
25163 build the @code{gdb} program.
25164 @iftex
25165 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
25166 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
25167 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
25168 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
25169 @end iftex
25170
25171 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
25172 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
25173 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
25174
25175 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
25176 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
25177
25178 @table @code
25179 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
25180 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
25181
25182 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
25183 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
25184
25185 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
25186 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
25187
25188 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
25189 @sc{gnu} include files
25190
25191 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
25192 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
25193
25194 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
25195 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
25196
25197 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
25198 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
25199
25200 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
25201 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
25202
25203 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
25204 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
25205 @end table
25206
25207 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
25208 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
25209 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
25210
25211 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
25212 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
25213 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
25214 argument.
25215
25216 For example:
25217
25218 @smallexample
25219 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
25220 ./configure @var{host}
25221 make
25222 @end smallexample
25223
25224 @noindent
25225 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
25226 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
25227 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
25228 correct value by examining your system.)
25229
25230 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
25231 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
25232 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
25233 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
25234
25235 @need 750
25236 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
25237 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
25238 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
25239
25240 @smallexample
25241 sh configure @var{host}
25242 @end smallexample
25243
25244 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
25245 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
25246 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
25247 @file{configure}
25248 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
25249 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
25250
25251 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
25252 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
25253 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
25254 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
25255 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
25256 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
25257 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
25258 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
25259 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
25260
25261 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
25262 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
25263 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
25264 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
25265 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
25266
25267 @node Separate Objdir
25268 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
25269
25270 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
25271 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
25272 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
25273 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
25274 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
25275 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
25276 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
25277 program specified there.
25278
25279 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
25280 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
25281 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
25282 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
25283 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
25284 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
25285
25286 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
25287 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
25288
25289 @smallexample
25290 @group
25291 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
25292 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
25293 cd ../gdb-sun4
25294 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
25295 make
25296 @end group
25297 @end smallexample
25298
25299 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
25300 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
25301 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
25302 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
25303 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
25304 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
25305
25306 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
25307 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
25308 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
25309 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
25310 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
25311
25312 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
25313 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
25314 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
25315 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
25316 You specify a cross-debugging target by
25317 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
25318
25319 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
25320 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
25321 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
25322
25323 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
25324 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
25325 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
25326 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
25327 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
25328
25329 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
25330 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
25331 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
25332 with each other.
25333
25334 @node Config Names
25335 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
25336
25337 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
25338 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
25339 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
25340 of information in the following pattern:
25341
25342 @smallexample
25343 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
25344 @end smallexample
25345
25346 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
25347 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
25348 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
25349
25350 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
25351 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
25352 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
25353 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
25354 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
25355 abbreviations---for example:
25356
25357 @smallexample
25358 % sh config.sub i386-linux
25359 i386-pc-linux-gnu
25360 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
25361 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
25362 % sh config.sub hp9k700
25363 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
25364 % sh config.sub sun4
25365 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
25366 % sh config.sub sun3
25367 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
25368 % sh config.sub i986v
25369 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
25370 @end smallexample
25371
25372 @noindent
25373 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
25374 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
25375
25376 @node Configure Options
25377 @section @file{configure} Options
25378
25379 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
25380 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
25381 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
25382 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
25383
25384 @smallexample
25385 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
25386 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
25387 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
25388 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
25389 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
25390 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
25391 @var{host}
25392 @end smallexample
25393
25394 @noindent
25395 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
25396 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
25397 @samp{--}.
25398
25399 @table @code
25400 @item --help
25401 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
25402
25403 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
25404 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
25405 @file{@var{dir}}.
25406
25407 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
25408 Configure the source to install programs under directory
25409 @file{@var{dir}}.
25410
25411 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
25412 @need 2000
25413 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
25414 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
25415 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
25416 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
25417 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
25418 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
25419 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
25420 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
25421 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
25422 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
25423 @var{dirname}.
25424
25425 @item --norecursion
25426 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
25427 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
25428
25429 @item --target=@var{target}
25430 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
25431 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
25432 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
25433
25434 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
25435
25436 @item @var{host} @dots{}
25437 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
25438
25439 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
25440 @end table
25441
25442 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
25443 needed for special purposes only.
25444
25445 @node System-wide configuration
25446 @section System-wide configuration and settings
25447 @cindex system-wide init file
25448
25449 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
25450 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
25451 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
25452
25453 Here is the corresponding configure option:
25454
25455 @table @code
25456 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
25457 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
25458 @var{file}.
25459 @end table
25460
25461 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
25462 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
25463
25464 @itemize @bullet
25465 @item
25466 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
25467 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
25468 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
25469 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
25470 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
25471 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
25472
25473 @item
25474 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
25475 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
25476 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
25477 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
25478 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
25479 @end itemize
25480
25481 @node Maintenance Commands
25482 @appendix Maintenance Commands
25483 @cindex maintenance commands
25484 @cindex internal commands
25485
25486 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
25487 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
25488 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
25489 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
25490 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
25491
25492 @table @code
25493 @kindex maint agent
25494 @item maint agent @var{expression}
25495 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
25496 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
25497 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}).
25498
25499 @kindex maint info breakpoints
25500 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
25501 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
25502 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
25503 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
25504 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
25505 is shown:
25506
25507 @table @code
25508 @item breakpoint
25509 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
25510
25511 @item watchpoint
25512 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
25513
25514 @item longjmp
25515 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
25516 @code{longjmp} calls.
25517
25518 @item longjmp resume
25519 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
25520
25521 @item until
25522 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
25523
25524 @item finish
25525 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
25526
25527 @item shlib events
25528 Shared library events.
25529
25530 @end table
25531
25532 @kindex set displaced-stepping
25533 @kindex show displaced-stepping
25534 @cindex displaced stepping support
25535 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
25536 @item set displaced-stepping
25537 @itemx show displaced-stepping
25538 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
25539 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
25540 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
25541 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
25542 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
25543
25544 @table @code
25545 @item set displaced-stepping on
25546 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
25547 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
25548
25549 @item set displaced-stepping off
25550 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
25551 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
25552
25553 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
25554 @item set displaced-stepping auto
25555 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
25556 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
25557 architecture supports displaced stepping.
25558 @end table
25559
25560 @kindex maint check-symtabs
25561 @item maint check-symtabs
25562 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
25563
25564 @kindex maint cplus first_component
25565 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
25566 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
25567
25568 @kindex maint cplus namespace
25569 @item maint cplus namespace
25570 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
25571
25572 @kindex maint demangle
25573 @item maint demangle @var{name}
25574 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
25575
25576 @kindex maint deprecate
25577 @kindex maint undeprecate
25578 @cindex deprecated commands
25579 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
25580 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
25581 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
25582 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
25583 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
25584 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
25585 the replacement as part of the warning.
25586
25587 @kindex maint dump-me
25588 @item maint dump-me
25589 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
25590 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
25591 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
25592 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
25593
25594 @kindex maint internal-error
25595 @kindex maint internal-warning
25596 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
25597 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
25598 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
25599 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
25600 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
25601 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
25602 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
25603 @value{GDBN} session.
25604
25605 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
25606 used as the text of the error or warning message.
25607
25608 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
25609
25610 @smallexample
25611 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
25612 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
25613 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
25614 debugging may prove unreliable.
25615 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
25616 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
25617 (@value{GDBP})
25618 @end smallexample
25619
25620 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
25621 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
25622
25623 @kindex maint set internal-error
25624 @kindex maint show internal-error
25625 @kindex maint set internal-warning
25626 @kindex maint show internal-warning
25627 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
25628 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
25629 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
25630 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
25631 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
25632 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
25633 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
25634 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
25635 described in the table below.
25636
25637 @table @samp
25638 @item quit
25639 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
25640 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
25641
25642 @item corefile
25643 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
25644 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
25645 @end table
25646
25647 @kindex maint packet
25648 @item maint packet @var{text}
25649 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
25650 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
25651 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
25652 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
25653 checksum.
25654
25655 @kindex maint print architecture
25656 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
25657 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
25658 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
25659
25660 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
25661 @item maint print c-tdesc
25662 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
25663 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
25664 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
25665
25666 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
25667 @item maint print dummy-frames
25668 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
25669
25670 @smallexample
25671 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
25672 @dots{}
25673 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
25674 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
25675 58 return (a + b);
25676 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
25677 @dots{}
25678 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
25679 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
25680 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
25681 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
25682 (@value{GDBP})
25683 @end smallexample
25684
25685 Takes an optional file parameter.
25686
25687 @kindex maint print registers
25688 @kindex maint print raw-registers
25689 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
25690 @kindex maint print register-groups
25691 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
25692 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
25693 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
25694 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
25695 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
25696
25697 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
25698 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print cooked-registers}
25699 includes the (cooked) value of all registers; and the command
25700 @code{maint print register-groups} includes the groups that each
25701 register is a member of. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
25702 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
25703
25704 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
25705 write the information.
25706
25707 @kindex maint print reggroups
25708 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
25709 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
25710 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
25711 information.
25712
25713 The register groups info looks like this:
25714
25715 @smallexample
25716 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
25717 Group Type
25718 general user
25719 float user
25720 all user
25721 vector user
25722 system user
25723 save internal
25724 restore internal
25725 @end smallexample
25726
25727 @kindex flushregs
25728 @item flushregs
25729 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
25730
25731 @kindex maint print objfiles
25732 @cindex info for known object files
25733 @item maint print objfiles
25734 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
25735 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
25736 and symtabs.
25737
25738 @kindex maint print statistics
25739 @cindex bcache statistics
25740 @item maint print statistics
25741 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
25742 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
25743 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
25744 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
25745 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
25746 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
25747 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
25748 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
25749 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
25750 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
25751 lengths.
25752
25753 @kindex maint print target-stack
25754 @cindex target stack description
25755 @item maint print target-stack
25756 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
25757 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
25758 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
25759 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
25760 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
25761 address.
25762
25763 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
25764 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
25765
25766 @kindex maint print type
25767 @cindex type chain of a data type
25768 @item maint print type @var{expr}
25769 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
25770 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
25771 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
25772 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
25773 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
25774
25775 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
25776 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
25777 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
25778 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
25779 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
25780
25781 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
25782 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
25783 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
25784 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
25785 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
25786 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
25787 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
25788 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
25789 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
25790
25791 @kindex maint set profile
25792 @kindex maint show profile
25793 @cindex profiling GDB
25794 @item maint set profile
25795 @itemx maint show profile
25796 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
25797
25798 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
25799 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
25800 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
25801 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
25802 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
25803 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
25804 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
25805
25806 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
25807 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
25808
25809 @kindex maint show-debug-regs
25810 @cindex hardware debug registers
25811 @item maint show-debug-regs
25812 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
25813 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
25814 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
25815 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
25816 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
25817
25818 @kindex maint space
25819 @cindex memory used by commands
25820 @item maint space
25821 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
25822 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
25823 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
25824 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
25825 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
25826
25827 @kindex maint time
25828 @cindex time of command execution
25829 @item maint time
25830 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
25831 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
25832 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
25833 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
25834 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
25835 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
25836 it's not possibly currently
25837 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
25838 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
25839
25840 @kindex maint translate-address
25841 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
25842 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
25843 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
25844 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
25845 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
25846 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
25847 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
25848
25849 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
25850 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
25851 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
25852
25853 @end table
25854
25855 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
25856 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
25857
25858 @table @code
25859 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
25860 @kindex set watchdog
25861 @cindex watchdog timer
25862 @cindex timeout for commands
25863 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
25864 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
25865 reports and error and the command is aborted.
25866
25867 @item show watchdog
25868 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
25869 @end table
25870
25871 @node Remote Protocol
25872 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
25873
25874 @menu
25875 * Overview::
25876 * Packets::
25877 * Stop Reply Packets::
25878 * General Query Packets::
25879 * Register Packet Format::
25880 * Tracepoint Packets::
25881 * Host I/O Packets::
25882 * Interrupts::
25883 * Notification Packets::
25884 * Remote Non-Stop::
25885 * Packet Acknowledgment::
25886 * Examples::
25887 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
25888 * Library List Format::
25889 * Memory Map Format::
25890 @end menu
25891
25892 @node Overview
25893 @section Overview
25894
25895 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
25896 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
25897 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
25898 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
25899
25900 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
25901 transmitted and received data, respectively.
25902
25903 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
25904 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
25905 @cindex remote serial protocol
25906 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
25907 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
25908 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
25909 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
25910 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
25911
25912 @smallexample
25913 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
25914 @end smallexample
25915 @noindent
25916
25917 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
25918 @noindent
25919 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
25920 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
25921 eight bit unsigned checksum).
25922
25923 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
25924 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
25925
25926 @smallexample
25927 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
25928 @end smallexample
25929
25930 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
25931 @noindent
25932 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
25933 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
25934 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
25935
25936 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
25937 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
25938 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
25939 retransmission):
25940
25941 @smallexample
25942 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
25943 <- @code{+}
25944 @end smallexample
25945 @noindent
25946
25947 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
25948 once a connection is established.
25949 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
25950
25951 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
25952 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
25953 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
25954 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
25955 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
25956 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
25957 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
25958
25959 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
25960 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
25961 exceptions).
25962
25963 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
25964 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
25965 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
25966 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
25967
25968 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
25969 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
25970 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
25971
25972 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
25973 @anchor{Binary Data}
25974 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
25975 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
25976 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
25977 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
25978 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
25979 binary data.
25980
25981 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
25982 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
25983 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
25984 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
25985 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
25986 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
25987 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
25988 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
25989 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
25990 (described next).
25991
25992 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
25993 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
25994 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
25995 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
25996 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
25997 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
25998 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
25999 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
26000 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
26001 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
26002 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
26003 3}} more times.
26004
26005 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
26006 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
26007 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
26008 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
26009 @samp{0*"00}.
26010
26011 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
26012 error number. That number is not well defined.
26013
26014 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
26015 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
26016 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
26017 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
26018 on that response.
26019
26020 A stub is required to support the @samp{g}, @samp{G}, @samp{m}, @samp{M},
26021 @samp{c}, and @samp{s} @var{command}s. All other @var{command}s are
26022 optional.
26023
26024 @node Packets
26025 @section Packets
26026
26027 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
26028 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
26029 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
26030 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
26031
26032 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
26033 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
26034 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
26035 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
26036 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
26037 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
26038 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
26039 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
26040 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
26041 @var{baz}.
26042
26043 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
26044 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
26045 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
26046 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
26047 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
26048 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
26049 pick any thread.
26050
26051 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
26052 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
26053 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
26054 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
26055 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
26056 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
26057 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
26058 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
26059 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
26060 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
26061 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
26062 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
26063 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
26064
26065 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
26066 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
26067 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
26068 more information.
26069
26070 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
26071 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
26072
26073 Here are the packet descriptions.
26074
26075 @table @samp
26076
26077 @item !
26078 @cindex @samp{!} packet
26079 @anchor{extended mode}
26080 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
26081 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
26082 debugged.
26083
26084 Reply:
26085 @table @samp
26086 @item OK
26087 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
26088 @end table
26089
26090 @item ?
26091 @cindex @samp{?} packet
26092 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
26093 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
26094 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
26095
26096 Reply:
26097 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26098
26099 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
26100 @cindex @samp{A} packet
26101 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
26102 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
26103 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
26104
26105 Reply:
26106 @table @samp
26107 @item OK
26108 The arguments were set.
26109 @item E @var{NN}
26110 An error occurred.
26111 @end table
26112
26113 @item b @var{baud}
26114 @cindex @samp{b} packet
26115 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
26116 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
26117
26118 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
26119 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
26120 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
26121
26122 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
26123 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
26124 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
26125 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
26126 of view, nothing actually happened.}
26127
26128 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
26129 @cindex @samp{B} packet
26130 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
26131 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
26132
26133 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
26134 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
26135
26136 @item bc
26137 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
26138 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
26139 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
26140
26141 Reply:
26142 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26143
26144 @item bs
26145 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
26146 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
26147 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
26148
26149 Reply:
26150 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26151
26152 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
26153 @cindex @samp{c} packet
26154 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
26155 resume at current address.
26156
26157 Reply:
26158 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26159
26160 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
26161 @cindex @samp{C} packet
26162 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
26163 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
26164
26165 Reply:
26166 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26167
26168 @item d
26169 @cindex @samp{d} packet
26170 Toggle debug flag.
26171
26172 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
26173 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
26174
26175 @item D
26176 @itemx D;@var{pid}
26177 @cindex @samp{D} packet
26178 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
26179 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
26180 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
26181
26182 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
26183 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
26184 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
26185 big-endian hex string.
26186
26187 Reply:
26188 @table @samp
26189 @item OK
26190 for success
26191 @item E @var{NN}
26192 for an error
26193 @end table
26194
26195 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
26196 @cindex @samp{F} packet
26197 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
26198 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
26199 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
26200
26201 @item g
26202 @anchor{read registers packet}
26203 @cindex @samp{g} packet
26204 Read general registers.
26205
26206 Reply:
26207 @table @samp
26208 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
26209 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
26210 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
26211 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
26212 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
26213 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
26214 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
26215 @item E @var{NN}
26216 for an error.
26217 @end table
26218
26219 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
26220 @cindex @samp{G} packet
26221 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
26222 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
26223
26224 Reply:
26225 @table @samp
26226 @item OK
26227 for success
26228 @item E @var{NN}
26229 for an error
26230 @end table
26231
26232 @item H @var{c} @var{thread-id}
26233 @cindex @samp{H} packet
26234 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
26235 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{c} depends on the operation to be performed: it
26236 should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations, @samp{g} for other
26237 operations. The thread designator @var{thread-id} has the format and
26238 interpretation described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
26239
26240 Reply:
26241 @table @samp
26242 @item OK
26243 for success
26244 @item E @var{NN}
26245 for an error
26246 @end table
26247
26248 @c FIXME: JTC:
26249 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
26250 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
26251 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
26252 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
26253 @c described. For example:
26254 @c
26255 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
26256 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
26257 @c otherwise returns current registers.
26258 @c
26259 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
26260 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
26261 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
26262
26263 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
26264 @anchor{cycle step packet}
26265 @cindex @samp{i} packet
26266 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
26267 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
26268 step starting at that address.
26269
26270 @item I
26271 @cindex @samp{I} packet
26272 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
26273 step packet}.
26274
26275 @item k
26276 @cindex @samp{k} packet
26277 Kill request.
26278
26279 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
26280 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
26281 thread?)}.
26282
26283 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
26284 @cindex @samp{m} packet
26285 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
26286 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
26287
26288 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
26289 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
26290 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
26291 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
26292 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
26293 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
26294 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
26295 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
26296
26297 Reply:
26298 @table @samp
26299 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
26300 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
26301 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
26302 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
26303 @item E @var{NN}
26304 @var{NN} is errno
26305 @end table
26306
26307 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
26308 @cindex @samp{M} packet
26309 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
26310 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
26311 hexadecimal number.
26312
26313 Reply:
26314 @table @samp
26315 @item OK
26316 for success
26317 @item E @var{NN}
26318 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
26319 written).
26320 @end table
26321
26322 @item p @var{n}
26323 @cindex @samp{p} packet
26324 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
26325 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
26326 register value is encoded.
26327
26328 Reply:
26329 @table @samp
26330 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
26331 the register's value
26332 @item E @var{NN}
26333 for an error
26334 @item
26335 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
26336 @end table
26337
26338 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
26339 @anchor{write register packet}
26340 @cindex @samp{P} packet
26341 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
26342 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
26343 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
26344
26345 Reply:
26346 @table @samp
26347 @item OK
26348 for success
26349 @item E @var{NN}
26350 for an error
26351 @end table
26352
26353 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
26354 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
26355 @cindex @samp{q} packet
26356 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
26357 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
26358 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
26359
26360 @item r
26361 @cindex @samp{r} packet
26362 Reset the entire system.
26363
26364 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
26365
26366 @item R @var{XX}
26367 @cindex @samp{R} packet
26368 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
26369 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
26370
26371 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
26372
26373 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
26374 @cindex @samp{s} packet
26375 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
26376 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
26377
26378 Reply:
26379 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26380
26381 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
26382 @anchor{step with signal packet}
26383 @cindex @samp{S} packet
26384 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
26385 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
26386
26387 Reply:
26388 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26389
26390 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
26391 @cindex @samp{t} packet
26392 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
26393 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
26394 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
26395
26396 @item T @var{thread-id}
26397 @cindex @samp{T} packet
26398 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
26399
26400 Reply:
26401 @table @samp
26402 @item OK
26403 thread is still alive
26404 @item E @var{NN}
26405 thread is dead
26406 @end table
26407
26408 @item v
26409 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
26410 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
26411
26412 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
26413 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
26414 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
26415 The process ID is a
26416 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
26417 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
26418 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
26419
26420 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
26421 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
26422 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
26423 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
26424 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
26425 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
26426 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
26427 @c stopping or restarting threads.
26428
26429 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
26430
26431 Reply:
26432 @table @samp
26433 @item E @var{nn}
26434 for an error
26435 @item @r{Any stop packet}
26436 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
26437 @item OK
26438 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
26439 @end table
26440
26441 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
26442 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
26443 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
26444 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
26445 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
26446 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
26447 in their current state in non-stop mode.
26448 Specifying multiple
26449 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
26450 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
26451
26452 Currently supported actions are:
26453
26454 @table @samp
26455 @item c
26456 Continue.
26457 @item C @var{sig}
26458 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
26459 @item s
26460 Step.
26461 @item S @var{sig}
26462 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
26463 @item t
26464 Stop.
26465 @item T @var{sig}
26466 Stop with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
26467 @end table
26468
26469 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
26470 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
26471 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
26472
26473 The @samp{t} and @samp{T} actions are only relevant in non-stop mode
26474 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
26475 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
26476 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
26477 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
26478 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
26479 as an implementation detail.
26480
26481 Reply:
26482 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
26483
26484 @item vCont?
26485 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
26486 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
26487
26488 Reply:
26489 @table @samp
26490 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
26491 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
26492 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
26493 @item
26494 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
26495 @end table
26496
26497 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
26498 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
26499 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
26500 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
26501
26502 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
26503 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
26504 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
26505 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
26506 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
26507 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
26508 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
26509 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
26510 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
26511 packet is received.
26512
26513 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
26514 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
26515 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
26516 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
26517 @var{thread-id}.
26518
26519 Reply:
26520 @table @samp
26521 @item OK
26522 for success
26523 @item E @var{NN}
26524 for an error
26525 @end table
26526
26527 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
26528 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
26529 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
26530 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
26531 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
26532 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
26533 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
26534 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
26535 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
26536 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
26537 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
26538 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
26539
26540
26541 Reply:
26542 @table @samp
26543 @item OK
26544 for success
26545 @item E.memtype
26546 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
26547 @item E @var{NN}
26548 for an error
26549 @end table
26550
26551 @item vFlashDone
26552 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
26553 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
26554 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
26555 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
26556 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
26557 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
26558 request is completed.
26559
26560 @item vKill;@var{pid}
26561 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
26562 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
26563 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
26564 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
26565 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
26566
26567 Reply:
26568 @table @samp
26569 @item E @var{nn}
26570 for an error
26571 @item OK
26572 for success
26573 @end table
26574
26575 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
26576 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
26577 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
26578 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
26579 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
26580 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
26581 state.
26582
26583 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
26584
26585 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
26586
26587 Reply:
26588 @table @samp
26589 @item E @var{nn}
26590 for an error
26591 @item @r{Any stop packet}
26592 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
26593 @end table
26594
26595 @item vStopped
26596 @anchor{vStopped packet}
26597 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
26598
26599 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
26600 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
26601
26602 Reply:
26603 @table @samp
26604 @item @r{Any stop packet}
26605 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
26606 @item OK
26607 if there are no unreported stop events
26608 @end table
26609
26610 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
26611 @anchor{X packet}
26612 @cindex @samp{X} packet
26613 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
26614 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
26615 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
26616
26617 Reply:
26618 @table @samp
26619 @item OK
26620 for success
26621 @item E @var{NN}
26622 for an error
26623 @end table
26624
26625 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
26626 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{length}
26627 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
26628 @cindex @samp{z} packet
26629 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
26630 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
26631 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} and covering the next
26632 @var{length} bytes.
26633
26634 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
26635 separately.
26636
26637 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
26638 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
26639 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
26640 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
26641 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
26642 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
26643
26644 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
26645 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{length}
26646 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
26647 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
26648 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
26649 @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
26650
26651 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
26652 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
26653 @var{length} is used by targets that indicates the size of the
26654 breakpoint (in bytes) that should be inserted (e.g., the @sc{arm} and
26655 @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint).
26656
26657 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
26658 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
26659 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
26660 target, is not defined.}
26661
26662 Reply:
26663 @table @samp
26664 @item OK
26665 success
26666 @item
26667 not supported
26668 @item E @var{NN}
26669 for an error
26670 @end table
26671
26672 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
26673 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{length}
26674 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
26675 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
26676 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
26677 address @var{addr} of size @var{length}.
26678
26679 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
26680 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory.
26681
26682 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
26683 movement.}
26684
26685 Reply:
26686 @table @samp
26687 @item OK
26688 success
26689 @item
26690 not supported
26691 @item E @var{NN}
26692 for an error
26693 @end table
26694
26695 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
26696 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{length}
26697 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
26698 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
26699 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint.
26700
26701 Reply:
26702 @table @samp
26703 @item OK
26704 success
26705 @item
26706 not supported
26707 @item E @var{NN}
26708 for an error
26709 @end table
26710
26711 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
26712 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{length}
26713 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
26714 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
26715 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint.
26716
26717 Reply:
26718 @table @samp
26719 @item OK
26720 success
26721 @item
26722 not supported
26723 @item E @var{NN}
26724 for an error
26725 @end table
26726
26727 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
26728 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{length}
26729 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
26730 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
26731 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint.
26732
26733 Reply:
26734 @table @samp
26735 @item OK
26736 success
26737 @item
26738 not supported
26739 @item E @var{NN}
26740 for an error
26741 @end table
26742
26743 @end table
26744
26745 @node Stop Reply Packets
26746 @section Stop Reply Packets
26747 @cindex stop reply packets
26748
26749 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
26750 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
26751 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
26752 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
26753 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
26754 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
26755 @value{GDBN} source code.
26756
26757 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
26758 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
26759 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
26760 components.
26761
26762 @table @samp
26763
26764 @item S @var{AA}
26765 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
26766 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
26767 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
26768
26769 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
26770 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
26771 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
26772 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
26773 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
26774 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
26775 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
26776 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
26777
26778 @itemize @bullet
26779 @item
26780 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
26781 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
26782 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
26783 two-digit hex number.
26784
26785 @item
26786 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
26787 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
26788
26789 @item
26790 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
26791 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
26792 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
26793 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
26794
26795 @item
26796 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
26797 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
26798 future.
26799 @end itemize
26800
26801 The currently defined stop reasons are:
26802
26803 @table @samp
26804 @item watch
26805 @itemx rwatch
26806 @itemx awatch
26807 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
26808 hex.
26809
26810 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
26811 @item library
26812 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
26813 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
26814 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
26815
26816 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
26817 @item replaylog
26818 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
26819 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
26820 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
26821 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
26822 for more information.
26823
26824
26825 @end table
26826
26827 @item W @var{AA}
26828 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
26829 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
26830 applicable to certain targets.
26831
26832 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
26833 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
26834 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
26835 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
26836
26837 @item X @var{AA}
26838 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
26839 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
26840
26841 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
26842 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
26843 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
26844 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
26845
26846 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
26847 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
26848 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
26849 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
26850 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
26851
26852 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
26853 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
26854 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
26855 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
26856 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
26857 system calls.
26858
26859 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
26860 this very system call.
26861
26862 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
26863 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
26864 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
26865 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
26866 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
26867 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
26868
26869 @end table
26870
26871 @node General Query Packets
26872 @section General Query Packets
26873 @cindex remote query requests
26874
26875 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
26876 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
26877 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
26878 sending information to and from the stub.
26879
26880 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
26881 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
26882 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
26883 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
26884 conventions:
26885
26886 @itemize @bullet
26887 @item
26888 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
26889 @item
26890 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
26891 letter.
26892 @item
26893 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
26894 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
26895 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
26896 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
26897 @end itemize
26898
26899 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
26900 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
26901 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
26902 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
26903 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
26904 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
26905 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
26906 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
26907 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
26908 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
26909 packet.}.
26910
26911 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
26912 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
26913 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
26914 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
26915 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
26916
26917 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
26918
26919 @table @samp
26920
26921 @item qC
26922 @cindex current thread, remote request
26923 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
26924 Return the current thread ID.
26925
26926 Reply:
26927 @table @samp
26928 @item QC @var{thread-id}
26929 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
26930 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
26931 @item @r{(anything else)}
26932 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
26933 @end table
26934
26935 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
26936 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
26937 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
26938 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory.
26939 Reply:
26940 @table @samp
26941 @item E @var{NN}
26942 An error (such as memory fault)
26943 @item C @var{crc32}
26944 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
26945 @end table
26946
26947 @item qfThreadInfo
26948 @itemx qsThreadInfo
26949 @cindex list active threads, remote request
26950 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
26951 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
26952 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
26953 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
26954 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
26955 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
26956 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
26957 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
26958
26959 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
26960
26961 Reply:
26962 @table @samp
26963 @item m @var{thread-id}
26964 A single thread ID
26965 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
26966 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
26967 @item l
26968 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
26969 @end table
26970
26971 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
26972 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
26973 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
26974 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
26975 with @samp{l} (lower-case el, for @dfn{last}).
26976 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
26977 fields.
26978
26979 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
26980 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
26981 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
26982 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
26983 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
26984
26985 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
26986 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
26987
26988 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
26989 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
26990 information associated with the variable.)
26991
26992 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
26993 the load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
26994 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
26995 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
26996 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
26997 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
26998
26999 Reply:
27000 @table @samp
27001 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
27002 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
27003 local storage requested.
27004
27005 @item E @var{nn}
27006 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
27007
27008 @item
27009 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
27010 @end table
27011
27012 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
27013 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
27014 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
27015 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
27016 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
27017 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
27018 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
27019
27020 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
27021
27022 Reply:
27023 @table @samp
27024 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
27025 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
27026 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
27027 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
27028 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
27029 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
27030 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
27031 @end table
27032
27033 @item qOffsets
27034 @cindex section offsets, remote request
27035 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
27036 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
27037 image.
27038
27039 Reply:
27040 @table @samp
27041 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
27042 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
27043 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
27044 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
27045 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
27046 segments by the supplied offsets.
27047
27048 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
27049 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
27050 to the @code{Bss} section.}
27051
27052 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
27053 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
27054 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
27055 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
27056 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
27057 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
27058 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
27059 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
27060 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
27061 @end table
27062
27063 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
27064 @cindex thread information, remote request
27065 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
27066 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
27067 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
27068 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
27069
27070 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
27071 (see below).
27072
27073 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
27074
27075 @item QNonStop:1
27076 @item QNonStop:0
27077 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
27078 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
27079 @anchor{QNonStop}
27080 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
27081 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
27082
27083 Reply:
27084 @table @samp
27085 @item OK
27086 The request succeeded.
27087
27088 @item E @var{nn}
27089 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
27090
27091 @item
27092 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
27093 the stub.
27094 @end table
27095
27096 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27097 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
27098 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
27099 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
27100
27101 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
27102 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
27103 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
27104 @anchor{QPassSignals}
27105 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
27106 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
27107 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
27108 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
27109 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
27110 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
27111 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
27112 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
27113 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
27114
27115 Reply:
27116 @table @samp
27117 @item OK
27118 The request succeeded.
27119
27120 @item E @var{nn}
27121 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
27122
27123 @item
27124 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
27125 the stub.
27126 @end table
27127
27128 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
27129 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
27130 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27131 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
27132
27133 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
27134 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
27135 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
27136 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
27137 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
27138 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
27139 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
27140 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
27141 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
27142
27143 Reply:
27144 @table @samp
27145 @item OK
27146 A command response with no output.
27147 @item @var{OUTPUT}
27148 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
27149 @item E @var{NN}
27150 Indicate a badly formed request.
27151 @item
27152 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
27153 @end table
27154
27155 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
27156 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
27157 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
27158 packets.)
27159
27160 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
27161 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
27162 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
27163 @anchor{qSearch memory}
27164 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
27165 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
27166 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
27167
27168 Reply:
27169 @table @samp
27170 @item 0
27171 The pattern was not found.
27172 @item 1,address
27173 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
27174 @item E @var{NN}
27175 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
27176 @item
27177 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
27178 @end table
27179
27180 @item QStartNoAckMode
27181 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
27182 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
27183 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
27184 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
27185
27186 Reply:
27187 @table @samp
27188 @item OK
27189 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
27190 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
27191 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
27192 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
27193 @item
27194 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
27195 @end table
27196
27197 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
27198 @cindex supported packets, remote query
27199 @cindex features of the remote protocol
27200 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
27201 @anchor{qSupported}
27202 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
27203 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
27204 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
27205 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
27206 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
27207 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
27208 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
27209 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
27210 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
27211 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
27212 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
27213 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
27214 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
27215 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
27216
27217 Reply:
27218 @table @samp
27219 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
27220 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
27221 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
27222 possible forms).
27223 @item
27224 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
27225 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
27226 @end table
27227
27228 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
27229 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
27230 are:
27231
27232 @table @samp
27233 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
27234 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
27235 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
27236 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
27237 @item @var{name}+
27238 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
27239 need an associated value.
27240 @item @var{name}-
27241 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
27242 @item @var{name}?
27243 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
27244 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
27245 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
27246 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
27247 @end table
27248
27249 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
27250 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
27251 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
27252 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
27253 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
27254
27255 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
27256 are defined:
27257
27258 @table @samp
27259 @item multiprocess
27260 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
27261 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
27262 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
27263 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
27264 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
27265 @end table
27266
27267 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
27268 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
27269 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
27270 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
27271 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
27272 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
27273 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
27274 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
27275 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
27276 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
27277 all the features it supports.
27278
27279 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
27280 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
27281
27282 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
27283 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
27284 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
27285 form response.
27286
27287 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
27288 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
27289 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
27290 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
27291
27292 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
27293 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
27294 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
27295 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
27296 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
27297
27298 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
27299
27300 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
27301 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
27302 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
27303 @item Feature Name
27304 @tab Value Required
27305 @tab Default
27306 @tab Probe Allowed
27307
27308 @item @samp{PacketSize}
27309 @tab Yes
27310 @tab @samp{-}
27311 @tab No
27312
27313 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
27314 @tab No
27315 @tab @samp{-}
27316 @tab Yes
27317
27318 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
27319 @tab No
27320 @tab @samp{-}
27321 @tab Yes
27322
27323 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
27324 @tab No
27325 @tab @samp{-}
27326 @tab Yes
27327
27328 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
27329 @tab No
27330 @tab @samp{-}
27331 @tab Yes
27332
27333 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
27334 @tab No
27335 @tab @samp{-}
27336 @tab Yes
27337
27338 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
27339 @tab No
27340 @tab @samp{-}
27341 @tab Yes
27342
27343 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
27344 @tab No
27345 @tab @samp{-}
27346 @tab Yes
27347
27348 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
27349 @tab No
27350 @tab @samp{-}
27351 @tab Yes
27352
27353 @item @samp{QNonStop}
27354 @tab No
27355 @tab @samp{-}
27356 @tab Yes
27357
27358 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
27359 @tab No
27360 @tab @samp{-}
27361 @tab Yes
27362
27363 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
27364 @tab No
27365 @tab @samp{-}
27366 @tab Yes
27367
27368 @item @samp{multiprocess}
27369 @tab No
27370 @tab @samp{-}
27371 @tab No
27372
27373 @end multitable
27374
27375 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
27376
27377 @table @samp
27378 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
27379 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
27380 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
27381 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
27382 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
27383 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
27384 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
27385 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
27386 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
27387 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
27388
27389 @item qXfer:auxv:read
27390 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
27391 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
27392
27393 @item qXfer:features:read
27394 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
27395 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
27396
27397 @item qXfer:libraries:read
27398 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
27399 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
27400
27401 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
27402 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
27403 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
27404
27405 @item qXfer:spu:read
27406 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
27407 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
27408
27409 @item qXfer:spu:write
27410 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
27411 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
27412
27413 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
27414 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
27415 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
27416
27417 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
27418 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
27419 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
27420
27421 @item QNonStop
27422 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
27423 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
27424
27425 @item QPassSignals
27426 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
27427 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
27428
27429 @item QStartNoAckMode
27430 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
27431 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
27432
27433 @item multiprocess
27434 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
27435 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
27436 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
27437 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
27438 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
27439 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
27440 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
27441 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
27442 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
27443 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
27444 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
27445
27446 @item qXfer:osdata:read
27447 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
27448 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
27449
27450 @end table
27451
27452 @item qSymbol::
27453 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
27454 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
27455 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
27456 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
27457
27458 Reply:
27459 @table @samp
27460 @item OK
27461 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
27462 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
27463 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
27464 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
27465 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
27466 below.
27467 @end table
27468
27469 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
27470 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
27471
27472 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
27473 target has previously requested.
27474
27475 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
27476 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
27477 will be empty.
27478
27479 Reply:
27480 @table @samp
27481 @item OK
27482 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
27483 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
27484 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
27485 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
27486 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
27487 @end table
27488
27489 @item QTDP
27490 @itemx QTFrame
27491 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
27492
27493 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
27494 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
27495 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
27496 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
27497 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
27498 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
27499 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
27500 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
27501 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
27502 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
27503 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
27504
27505 Reply:
27506 @table @samp
27507 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
27508 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
27509 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
27510 the thread's attributes.
27511 @end table
27512
27513 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
27514 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
27515 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
27516 packets.)
27517
27518 @item QTStart
27519 @itemx QTStop
27520 @itemx QTinit
27521 @itemx QTro
27522 @itemx qTStatus
27523 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
27524
27525 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
27526 @cindex read special object, remote request
27527 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
27528 @anchor{qXfer read}
27529 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
27530 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
27531 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
27532 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
27533 additional details about what data to access.
27534
27535 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
27536 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
27537 formats, listed below.
27538
27539 @table @samp
27540 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
27541 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
27542 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
27543 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
27544
27545 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27546 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
27547
27548 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
27549 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
27550 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
27551 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
27552 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
27553
27554 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27555 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
27556
27557 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
27558 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
27559 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
27560 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
27561 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
27562
27563 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
27564 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
27565 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
27566
27567 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27568 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
27569
27570 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
27571 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
27572 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
27573 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
27574 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
27575
27576 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27577 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
27578
27579 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
27580 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
27581 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
27582 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
27583 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
27584
27585 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27586 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
27587 (@pxref{qSupported}).
27588
27589 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
27590 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
27591 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
27592 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
27593 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
27594 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
27595 in that context to be accessed.
27596
27597 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27598 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
27599 (@pxref{qSupported}).
27600
27601 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
27602 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
27603 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
27604 @xref{Operating System Information}.
27605
27606 @end table
27607
27608 Reply:
27609 @table @samp
27610 @item m @var{data}
27611 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
27612 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
27613 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
27614 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
27615 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
27616 request.
27617
27618 @item l @var{data}
27619 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
27620 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
27621 than the @var{length} in the request.
27622
27623 @item l
27624 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
27625 There is no more data to be read.
27626
27627 @item E00
27628 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
27629
27630 @item E @var{nn}
27631 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
27632 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
27633
27634 @item
27635 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
27636 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
27637 @end table
27638
27639 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
27640 @cindex write data into object, remote request
27641 @anchor{qXfer write}
27642 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
27643 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
27644 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
27645 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
27646 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
27647 to access.
27648
27649 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
27650 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
27651 formats, listed below.
27652
27653 @table @samp
27654 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
27655 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
27656 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
27657 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
27658 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
27659
27660 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27661 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
27662 (@pxref{qSupported}).
27663
27664 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
27665 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
27666 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
27667 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
27668 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
27669 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
27670 in that context to be accessed.
27671
27672 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
27673 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
27674 @end table
27675
27676 Reply:
27677 @table @samp
27678 @item @var{nn}
27679 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
27680 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
27681
27682 @item E00
27683 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
27684
27685 @item E @var{nn}
27686 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
27687 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
27688
27689 @item
27690 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
27691 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
27692 @end table
27693
27694 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
27695 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
27696 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
27697 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
27698 must respond with an empty packet.
27699
27700 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
27701 @cindex query attached, remote request
27702 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
27703 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
27704 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
27705 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
27706 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
27707 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
27708 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
27709
27710 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
27711 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
27712 the @code{quit} command.
27713
27714 Reply:
27715 @table @samp
27716 @item 1
27717 The remote server attached to an existing process.
27718 @item 0
27719 The remote server created a new process.
27720 @item E @var{NN}
27721 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
27722 @end table
27723
27724 @end table
27725
27726 @node Register Packet Format
27727 @section Register Packet Format
27728
27729 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
27730 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
27731 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
27732 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
27733 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
27734 most-significant - least-significant.
27735
27736 @table @r
27737
27738 @item MIPS32
27739
27740 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
27741 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
27742 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
27743
27744 @item MIPS64
27745
27746 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
27747 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
27748 as @code{MIPS32}.
27749
27750 @end table
27751
27752 @node Tracepoint Packets
27753 @section Tracepoint Packets
27754 @cindex tracepoint packets
27755 @cindex packets, tracepoint
27756
27757 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
27758 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
27759
27760 @table @samp
27761
27762 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}@r{[}-@r{]}
27763 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
27764 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
27765 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
27766 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If the trailing @samp{-} is
27767 present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this
27768 tracepoint's actions.
27769
27770 Replies:
27771 @table @samp
27772 @item OK
27773 The packet was understood and carried out.
27774 @item
27775 The packet was not recognized.
27776 @end table
27777
27778 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
27779 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
27780 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
27781 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
27782 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
27783 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
27784 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
27785
27786 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
27787 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
27788 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
27789 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
27790 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
27791 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
27792 tracepoint actions.
27793
27794 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
27795 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
27796 following forms:
27797
27798 @table @samp
27799
27800 @item R @var{mask}
27801 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
27802 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
27803 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
27804 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
27805 not fit in a 32-bit word.
27806
27807 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
27808 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
27809 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
27810 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
27811 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
27812 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
27813 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
27814
27815 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
27816 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
27817 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
27818 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
27819 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
27820 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
27821 packet).
27822
27823 @end table
27824
27825 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
27826 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
27827 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
27828 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
27829 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
27830 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
27831 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
27832 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
27833
27834 Replies:
27835 @table @samp
27836 @item OK
27837 The packet was understood and carried out.
27838 @item
27839 The packet was not recognized.
27840 @end table
27841
27842 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
27843 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
27844 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
27845 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
27846
27847 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
27848 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
27849 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
27850 one of the following forms:
27851
27852 @table @samp
27853 @item F @var{f}
27854 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
27855 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
27856 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
27857
27858 @item T @var{t}
27859 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
27860 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
27861
27862 @end table
27863
27864 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
27865 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
27866 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
27867 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
27868
27869 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
27870 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
27871 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
27872 is a hexadecimal number.
27873
27874 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
27875 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
27876 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
27877 and @var{end} (exclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
27878 numbers.
27879
27880 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
27881 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
27882 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses.
27883
27884 @item QTStart
27885 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from tracepoint
27886 hits in the trace frame buffer.
27887
27888 @item QTStop
27889 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
27890
27891 @item QTinit
27892 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
27893
27894 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
27895 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
27896 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
27897 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
27898
27899 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
27900 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
27901 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
27902 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
27903
27904 @item qTStatus
27905 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
27906
27907 Replies:
27908 @table @samp
27909 @item T0
27910 There is no trace experiment running.
27911 @item T1
27912 There is a trace experiment running.
27913 @end table
27914
27915 @end table
27916
27917
27918 @node Host I/O Packets
27919 @section Host I/O Packets
27920 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
27921 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
27922
27923 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
27924 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
27925 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
27926 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
27927 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
27928 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
27929 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
27930 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
27931 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
27932 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
27933
27934 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
27935 its arguments. They have this format:
27936
27937 @table @samp
27938
27939 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
27940 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
27941 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
27942 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
27943 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
27944 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
27945 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
27946 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
27947 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
27948
27949 @end table
27950
27951 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
27952
27953 @table @samp
27954
27955 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
27956 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
27957 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
27958 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
27959 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
27960 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
27961 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
27962 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
27963 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
27964 @var{attachment}.
27965
27966 @item
27967 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
27968
27969 @end table
27970
27971 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
27972
27973 @table @samp
27974 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
27975 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
27976 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
27977 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
27978 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
27979 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
27980 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
27981
27982 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
27983 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
27984 -1 if an error occurs.
27985
27986 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
27987 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
27988 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
27989 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
27990 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
27991 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
27992 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
27993 @var{count} was zero.
27994
27995 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
27996 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
27997 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
27998 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
27999 some characters were escaped.
28000
28001 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
28002 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
28003 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
28004 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
28005 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
28006 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
28007 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
28008 error occurred.
28009
28010 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
28011 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
28012 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
28013
28014 @end table
28015
28016 @node Interrupts
28017 @section Interrupts
28018 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
28019
28020 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
28021 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C} or a @code{BREAK},
28022 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{remotebreak}
28023 setting (@pxref{set remotebreak}).
28024
28025 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
28026 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
28027 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
28028 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
28029 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
28030
28031 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
28032 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
28033 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
28034 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
28035 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
28036 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
28037 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
28038 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
28039
28040 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
28041 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
28042 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
28043 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
28044 currently-executing threads and processes.
28045 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
28046 running program, it should send one of the stop
28047 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
28048 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
28049 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
28050 Interrupts received while the
28051 program is stopped are discarded.
28052
28053 @node Notification Packets
28054 @section Notification Packets
28055 @cindex notification packets
28056 @cindex packets, notification
28057
28058 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
28059 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
28060 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
28061 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
28062 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
28063 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
28064 is not a problem.
28065
28066 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
28067 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
28068 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
28069 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
28070 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
28071 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
28072 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
28073
28074 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
28075 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
28076
28077 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
28078 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
28079 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
28080 not they understand it.
28081
28082 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
28083 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
28084 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
28085 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
28086 recipients.
28087
28088 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
28089 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
28090 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
28091 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
28092 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
28093
28094 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
28095 defined:
28096
28097 @table @samp
28098 @item Stop: @var{reply}
28099 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
28100 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
28101 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
28102 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
28103 @value{GDBN}.
28104 @end table
28105
28106 @node Remote Non-Stop
28107 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
28108
28109 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
28110 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
28111 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
28112 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
28113
28114 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
28115 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
28116 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
28117 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
28118 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
28119 probe the target state after a mode change.
28120
28121 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
28122 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
28123 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
28124 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
28125 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
28126 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
28127 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
28128 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
28129 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
28130 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
28131 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
28132
28133 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
28134 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
28135 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
28136 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
28137 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
28138 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
28139 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
28140 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
28141 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
28142 sending any queued stop events.
28143
28144 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
28145 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
28146 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
28147 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
28148 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
28149 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
28150 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
28151
28152 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
28153 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
28154 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
28155 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
28156 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
28157 process normally.
28158
28159 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
28160 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
28161 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
28162 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
28163 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
28164 should process normally.
28165
28166 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
28167 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
28168 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
28169 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
28170 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
28171
28172 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
28173 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
28174 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
28175 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
28176 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
28177 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
28178 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
28179 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
28180 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
28181 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
28182 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
28183 @samp{OK}.
28184
28185 @node Packet Acknowledgment
28186 @section Packet Acknowledgment
28187
28188 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
28189 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
28190 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
28191 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
28192 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
28193 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
28194 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
28195
28196 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
28197 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
28198 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
28199 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
28200 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
28201
28202 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
28203 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
28204 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
28205 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
28206
28207 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
28208 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
28209 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
28210 @pxref{qSupported}.
28211 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
28212 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
28213 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
28214 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
28215 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
28216 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
28217 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
28218
28219 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
28220 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
28221 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
28222 connection.
28223 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
28224 new connection is established,
28225 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
28226 for the current connection, once disabled.
28227
28228 @node Examples
28229 @section Examples
28230
28231 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
28232 does not get any direct output:
28233
28234 @smallexample
28235 -> @code{R00}
28236 <- @code{+}
28237 @emph{target restarts}
28238 -> @code{?}
28239 <- @code{+}
28240 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
28241 -> @code{+}
28242 @end smallexample
28243
28244 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
28245
28246 @smallexample
28247 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
28248 <- @code{+}
28249 -> @code{s}
28250 <- @code{+}
28251 @emph{time passes}
28252 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
28253 -> @code{+}
28254 -> @code{g}
28255 <- @code{+}
28256 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
28257 -> @code{+}
28258 @end smallexample
28259
28260 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
28261 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
28262 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
28263
28264 @menu
28265 * File-I/O Overview::
28266 * Protocol Basics::
28267 * The F Request Packet::
28268 * The F Reply Packet::
28269 * The Ctrl-C Message::
28270 * Console I/O::
28271 * List of Supported Calls::
28272 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
28273 * Constants::
28274 * File-I/O Examples::
28275 @end menu
28276
28277 @node File-I/O Overview
28278 @subsection File-I/O Overview
28279 @cindex file-i/o overview
28280
28281 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
28282 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
28283 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
28284 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
28285 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
28286 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
28287
28288 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
28289 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
28290 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
28291 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
28292 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
28293
28294 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
28295 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
28296 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
28297 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
28298 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
28299 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
28300 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
28301
28302 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
28303 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
28304 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
28305 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
28306 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
28307
28308 @smallexample
28309 (@value{GDBP}) continue
28310 <- target requests 'system call X'
28311 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
28312 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
28313 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
28314 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
28315 @end smallexample
28316
28317 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
28318 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
28319 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
28320 system are not supported by this protocol.
28321
28322 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
28323
28324 @node Protocol Basics
28325 @subsection Protocol Basics
28326 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
28327
28328 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
28329 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
28330 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
28331 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
28332 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
28333 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
28334 to call the appropriate host system call:
28335
28336 @itemize @bullet
28337 @item
28338 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
28339
28340 @item
28341 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
28342 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
28343 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
28344 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
28345
28346 @end itemize
28347
28348 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
28349
28350 @itemize @bullet
28351 @item
28352 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
28353 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
28354 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
28355 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
28356 packet.
28357
28358 @item
28359 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
28360 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
28361
28362 @item
28363 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
28364
28365 @item
28366 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
28367
28368 @item
28369 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
28370 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
28371 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
28372 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
28373 packet.
28374
28375 @end itemize
28376
28377 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
28378 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
28379
28380 @itemize @bullet
28381 @item
28382 Return value.
28383
28384 @item
28385 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
28386
28387 @item
28388 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
28389
28390 @end itemize
28391
28392 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
28393 the latest continue or step action.
28394
28395 @node The F Request Packet
28396 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
28397 @cindex file-i/o request packet
28398 @cindex @code{F} request packet
28399
28400 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
28401
28402 @table @samp
28403 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
28404
28405 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
28406 This is just the name of the function.
28407
28408 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
28409 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
28410 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
28411 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
28412 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
28413 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
28414 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
28415
28416 @end table
28417
28418
28419
28420 @node The F Reply Packet
28421 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
28422 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
28423 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
28424
28425 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
28426
28427 @table @samp
28428
28429 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
28430
28431 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
28432
28433 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
28434 representation.
28435 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
28436
28437 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
28438 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
28439 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
28440
28441 @smallexample
28442 F0,0,C
28443 @end smallexample
28444
28445 @noindent
28446 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
28447
28448 @smallexample
28449 F-1,4,C
28450 @end smallexample
28451
28452 @noindent
28453 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
28454
28455 @end table
28456
28457
28458 @node The Ctrl-C Message
28459 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
28460 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
28461
28462 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
28463 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
28464 the target should behave as if it had
28465 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
28466 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
28467 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
28468 packet.
28469
28470 It's important for the target to know in which
28471 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
28472
28473 @itemize @bullet
28474 @item
28475 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
28476
28477 @item
28478 The system call on the host has been finished.
28479
28480 @end itemize
28481
28482 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
28483 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
28484 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
28485 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
28486 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
28487 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
28488
28489 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
28490 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
28491 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
28492 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
28493 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
28494 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
28495 or the full action has been completed.
28496
28497 @node Console I/O
28498 @subsection Console I/O
28499 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
28500
28501 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
28502 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
28503 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
28504 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
28505 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
28506 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
28507 conditions is met:
28508
28509 @itemize @bullet
28510 @item
28511 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
28512 @code{read}
28513 system call is treated as finished.
28514
28515 @item
28516 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
28517 newline.
28518
28519 @item
28520 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
28521 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
28522
28523 @end itemize
28524
28525 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
28526 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
28527 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
28528 is stopped at the user's request.
28529
28530
28531 @node List of Supported Calls
28532 @subsection List of Supported Calls
28533 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
28534
28535 @menu
28536 * open::
28537 * close::
28538 * read::
28539 * write::
28540 * lseek::
28541 * rename::
28542 * unlink::
28543 * stat/fstat::
28544 * gettimeofday::
28545 * isatty::
28546 * system::
28547 @end menu
28548
28549 @node open
28550 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
28551 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
28552
28553 @table @asis
28554 @item Synopsis:
28555 @smallexample
28556 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
28557 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
28558 @end smallexample
28559
28560 @item Request:
28561 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
28562
28563 @noindent
28564 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
28565
28566 @table @code
28567 @item O_CREAT
28568 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
28569 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
28570 are concerned.
28571
28572 @item O_EXCL
28573 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
28574 an error and open() fails.
28575
28576 @item O_TRUNC
28577 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
28578 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
28579 truncated to zero length.
28580
28581 @item O_APPEND
28582 The file is opened in append mode.
28583
28584 @item O_RDONLY
28585 The file is opened for reading only.
28586
28587 @item O_WRONLY
28588 The file is opened for writing only.
28589
28590 @item O_RDWR
28591 The file is opened for reading and writing.
28592 @end table
28593
28594 @noindent
28595 Other bits are silently ignored.
28596
28597
28598 @noindent
28599 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
28600
28601 @table @code
28602 @item S_IRUSR
28603 User has read permission.
28604
28605 @item S_IWUSR
28606 User has write permission.
28607
28608 @item S_IRGRP
28609 Group has read permission.
28610
28611 @item S_IWGRP
28612 Group has write permission.
28613
28614 @item S_IROTH
28615 Others have read permission.
28616
28617 @item S_IWOTH
28618 Others have write permission.
28619 @end table
28620
28621 @noindent
28622 Other bits are silently ignored.
28623
28624
28625 @item Return value:
28626 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
28627 occurred.
28628
28629 @item Errors:
28630
28631 @table @code
28632 @item EEXIST
28633 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
28634
28635 @item EISDIR
28636 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
28637
28638 @item EACCES
28639 The requested access is not allowed.
28640
28641 @item ENAMETOOLONG
28642 @var{pathname} was too long.
28643
28644 @item ENOENT
28645 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
28646
28647 @item ENODEV
28648 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
28649
28650 @item EROFS
28651 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
28652 write access was requested.
28653
28654 @item EFAULT
28655 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
28656
28657 @item ENOSPC
28658 No space on device to create the file.
28659
28660 @item EMFILE
28661 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
28662
28663 @item ENFILE
28664 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
28665 has been reached.
28666
28667 @item EINTR
28668 The call was interrupted by the user.
28669 @end table
28670
28671 @end table
28672
28673 @node close
28674 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
28675 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
28676
28677 @table @asis
28678 @item Synopsis:
28679 @smallexample
28680 int close(int fd);
28681 @end smallexample
28682
28683 @item Request:
28684 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
28685
28686 @item Return value:
28687 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
28688
28689 @item Errors:
28690
28691 @table @code
28692 @item EBADF
28693 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
28694
28695 @item EINTR
28696 The call was interrupted by the user.
28697 @end table
28698
28699 @end table
28700
28701 @node read
28702 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
28703 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
28704
28705 @table @asis
28706 @item Synopsis:
28707 @smallexample
28708 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
28709 @end smallexample
28710
28711 @item Request:
28712 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
28713
28714 @item Return value:
28715 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
28716 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
28717 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
28718
28719 @item Errors:
28720
28721 @table @code
28722 @item EBADF
28723 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
28724 reading.
28725
28726 @item EFAULT
28727 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
28728
28729 @item EINTR
28730 The call was interrupted by the user.
28731 @end table
28732
28733 @end table
28734
28735 @node write
28736 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
28737 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
28738
28739 @table @asis
28740 @item Synopsis:
28741 @smallexample
28742 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
28743 @end smallexample
28744
28745 @item Request:
28746 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
28747
28748 @item Return value:
28749 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
28750 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
28751 is returned.
28752
28753 @item Errors:
28754
28755 @table @code
28756 @item EBADF
28757 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
28758 writing.
28759
28760 @item EFAULT
28761 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
28762
28763 @item EFBIG
28764 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
28765 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
28766
28767 @item ENOSPC
28768 No space on device to write the data.
28769
28770 @item EINTR
28771 The call was interrupted by the user.
28772 @end table
28773
28774 @end table
28775
28776 @node lseek
28777 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
28778 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
28779
28780 @table @asis
28781 @item Synopsis:
28782 @smallexample
28783 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
28784 @end smallexample
28785
28786 @item Request:
28787 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
28788
28789 @var{flag} is one of:
28790
28791 @table @code
28792 @item SEEK_SET
28793 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
28794
28795 @item SEEK_CUR
28796 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
28797 bytes.
28798
28799 @item SEEK_END
28800 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
28801 bytes.
28802 @end table
28803
28804 @item Return value:
28805 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
28806 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
28807 value of -1 is returned.
28808
28809 @item Errors:
28810
28811 @table @code
28812 @item EBADF
28813 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
28814
28815 @item ESPIPE
28816 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
28817
28818 @item EINVAL
28819 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
28820
28821 @item EINTR
28822 The call was interrupted by the user.
28823 @end table
28824
28825 @end table
28826
28827 @node rename
28828 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
28829 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
28830
28831 @table @asis
28832 @item Synopsis:
28833 @smallexample
28834 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
28835 @end smallexample
28836
28837 @item Request:
28838 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
28839
28840 @item Return value:
28841 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
28842
28843 @item Errors:
28844
28845 @table @code
28846 @item EISDIR
28847 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
28848 directory.
28849
28850 @item EEXIST
28851 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
28852
28853 @item EBUSY
28854 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
28855 process.
28856
28857 @item EINVAL
28858 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
28859 of itself.
28860
28861 @item ENOTDIR
28862 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
28863 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
28864 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
28865
28866 @item EFAULT
28867 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
28868
28869 @item EACCES
28870 No access to the file or the path of the file.
28871
28872 @item ENAMETOOLONG
28873
28874 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
28875
28876 @item ENOENT
28877 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
28878
28879 @item EROFS
28880 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
28881
28882 @item ENOSPC
28883 The device containing the file has no room for the new
28884 directory entry.
28885
28886 @item EINTR
28887 The call was interrupted by the user.
28888 @end table
28889
28890 @end table
28891
28892 @node unlink
28893 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
28894 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
28895
28896 @table @asis
28897 @item Synopsis:
28898 @smallexample
28899 int unlink(const char *pathname);
28900 @end smallexample
28901
28902 @item Request:
28903 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
28904
28905 @item Return value:
28906 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
28907
28908 @item Errors:
28909
28910 @table @code
28911 @item EACCES
28912 No access to the file or the path of the file.
28913
28914 @item EPERM
28915 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
28916
28917 @item EBUSY
28918 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
28919 being used by another process.
28920
28921 @item EFAULT
28922 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
28923
28924 @item ENAMETOOLONG
28925 @var{pathname} was too long.
28926
28927 @item ENOENT
28928 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
28929
28930 @item ENOTDIR
28931 A component of the path is not a directory.
28932
28933 @item EROFS
28934 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
28935
28936 @item EINTR
28937 The call was interrupted by the user.
28938 @end table
28939
28940 @end table
28941
28942 @node stat/fstat
28943 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
28944 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
28945 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
28946
28947 @table @asis
28948 @item Synopsis:
28949 @smallexample
28950 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
28951 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
28952 @end smallexample
28953
28954 @item Request:
28955 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
28956 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
28957
28958 @item Return value:
28959 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
28960
28961 @item Errors:
28962
28963 @table @code
28964 @item EBADF
28965 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
28966
28967 @item ENOENT
28968 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
28969 path is an empty string.
28970
28971 @item ENOTDIR
28972 A component of the path is not a directory.
28973
28974 @item EFAULT
28975 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
28976
28977 @item EACCES
28978 No access to the file or the path of the file.
28979
28980 @item ENAMETOOLONG
28981 @var{pathname} was too long.
28982
28983 @item EINTR
28984 The call was interrupted by the user.
28985 @end table
28986
28987 @end table
28988
28989 @node gettimeofday
28990 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
28991 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
28992
28993 @table @asis
28994 @item Synopsis:
28995 @smallexample
28996 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
28997 @end smallexample
28998
28999 @item Request:
29000 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
29001
29002 @item Return value:
29003 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
29004
29005 @item Errors:
29006
29007 @table @code
29008 @item EINVAL
29009 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
29010
29011 @item EFAULT
29012 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
29013 @end table
29014
29015 @end table
29016
29017 @node isatty
29018 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
29019 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
29020
29021 @table @asis
29022 @item Synopsis:
29023 @smallexample
29024 int isatty(int fd);
29025 @end smallexample
29026
29027 @item Request:
29028 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
29029
29030 @item Return value:
29031 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
29032
29033 @item Errors:
29034
29035 @table @code
29036 @item EINTR
29037 The call was interrupted by the user.
29038 @end table
29039
29040 @end table
29041
29042 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
29043 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
29044 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
29045 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
29046 needed.
29047
29048
29049 @node system
29050 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
29051 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
29052
29053 @table @asis
29054 @item Synopsis:
29055 @smallexample
29056 int system(const char *command);
29057 @end smallexample
29058
29059 @item Request:
29060 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
29061
29062 @item Return value:
29063 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
29064 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
29065 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
29066 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
29067 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
29068 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
29069 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
29070
29071 @item Errors:
29072
29073 @table @code
29074 @item EINTR
29075 The call was interrupted by the user.
29076 @end table
29077
29078 @end table
29079
29080 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
29081 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
29082 the host is simplified before it's returned
29083 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
29084 is discarded, and the return value consists
29085 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
29086
29087 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
29088 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
29089 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
29090
29091 @table @code
29092 @item set remote system-call-allowed
29093 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
29094 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
29095 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
29096
29097 @item show remote system-call-allowed
29098 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
29099 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
29100 protocol.
29101 @end table
29102
29103 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
29104 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
29105 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
29106
29107 @menu
29108 * Integral Datatypes::
29109 * Pointer Values::
29110 * Memory Transfer::
29111 * struct stat::
29112 * struct timeval::
29113 @end menu
29114
29115 @node Integral Datatypes
29116 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
29117 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
29118
29119 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
29120 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
29121 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
29122
29123 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
29124 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
29125
29126 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
29127
29128 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
29129 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
29130
29131 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
29132
29133 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
29134 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
29135 byte order.
29136
29137 @node Pointer Values
29138 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
29139 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
29140
29141 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
29142 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
29143 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
29144 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
29145
29146 @smallexample
29147 @code{1aaf/12}
29148 @end smallexample
29149
29150 @noindent
29151 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
29152 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
29153 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
29154 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
29155
29156 @smallexample
29157 @code{123456/d}
29158 @end smallexample
29159
29160 @node Memory Transfer
29161 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
29162 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
29163
29164 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
29165 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
29166 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
29167 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
29168 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
29169 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
29170 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
29171
29172
29173 @node struct stat
29174 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
29175 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
29176
29177 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
29178 is defined as follows:
29179
29180 @smallexample
29181 struct stat @{
29182 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
29183 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
29184 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
29185 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
29186 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
29187 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
29188 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
29189 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
29190 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
29191 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
29192 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
29193 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
29194 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
29195 @};
29196 @end smallexample
29197
29198 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
29199 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
29200 structure is of size 64 bytes.
29201
29202 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
29203 range of values.
29204
29205 @table @code
29206
29207 @item st_dev
29208 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
29209
29210 @item st_ino
29211 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
29212
29213 @item st_mode
29214 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
29215 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
29216
29217 @item st_uid
29218 @itemx st_gid
29219 @itemx st_rdev
29220 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
29221
29222 @item st_atime
29223 @itemx st_mtime
29224 @itemx st_ctime
29225 These values have a host and file system dependent
29226 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
29227 support exact timing values.
29228 @end table
29229
29230 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
29231 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
29232 continuing.
29233
29234 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
29235 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
29236 get truncated on the target.
29237
29238 @node struct timeval
29239 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
29240 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
29241
29242 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
29243 is defined as follows:
29244
29245 @smallexample
29246 struct timeval @{
29247 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
29248 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
29249 @};
29250 @end smallexample
29251
29252 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
29253 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
29254 structure is of size 8 bytes.
29255
29256 @node Constants
29257 @subsection Constants
29258 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
29259
29260 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
29261 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
29262 values before and after the call as needed.
29263
29264 @menu
29265 * Open Flags::
29266 * mode_t Values::
29267 * Errno Values::
29268 * Lseek Flags::
29269 * Limits::
29270 @end menu
29271
29272 @node Open Flags
29273 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
29274 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
29275
29276 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
29277
29278 @smallexample
29279 O_RDONLY 0x0
29280 O_WRONLY 0x1
29281 O_RDWR 0x2
29282 O_APPEND 0x8
29283 O_CREAT 0x200
29284 O_TRUNC 0x400
29285 O_EXCL 0x800
29286 @end smallexample
29287
29288 @node mode_t Values
29289 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
29290 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
29291
29292 All values are given in octal representation.
29293
29294 @smallexample
29295 S_IFREG 0100000
29296 S_IFDIR 040000
29297 S_IRUSR 0400
29298 S_IWUSR 0200
29299 S_IXUSR 0100
29300 S_IRGRP 040
29301 S_IWGRP 020
29302 S_IXGRP 010
29303 S_IROTH 04
29304 S_IWOTH 02
29305 S_IXOTH 01
29306 @end smallexample
29307
29308 @node Errno Values
29309 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
29310 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
29311
29312 All values are given in decimal representation.
29313
29314 @smallexample
29315 EPERM 1
29316 ENOENT 2
29317 EINTR 4
29318 EBADF 9
29319 EACCES 13
29320 EFAULT 14
29321 EBUSY 16
29322 EEXIST 17
29323 ENODEV 19
29324 ENOTDIR 20
29325 EISDIR 21
29326 EINVAL 22
29327 ENFILE 23
29328 EMFILE 24
29329 EFBIG 27
29330 ENOSPC 28
29331 ESPIPE 29
29332 EROFS 30
29333 ENAMETOOLONG 91
29334 EUNKNOWN 9999
29335 @end smallexample
29336
29337 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
29338 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
29339
29340 @node Lseek Flags
29341 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
29342 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
29343
29344 @smallexample
29345 SEEK_SET 0
29346 SEEK_CUR 1
29347 SEEK_END 2
29348 @end smallexample
29349
29350 @node Limits
29351 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
29352 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
29353
29354 All values are given in decimal representation.
29355
29356 @smallexample
29357 INT_MIN -2147483648
29358 INT_MAX 2147483647
29359 UINT_MAX 4294967295
29360 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
29361 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
29362 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
29363 @end smallexample
29364
29365 @node File-I/O Examples
29366 @subsection File-I/O Examples
29367 @cindex file-i/o examples
29368
29369 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
29370 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
29371
29372 @smallexample
29373 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
29374 @emph{request memory read from target}
29375 -> @code{m1234,6}
29376 <- XXXXXX
29377 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
29378 -> @code{F6}
29379 @end smallexample
29380
29381 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
29382 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
29383
29384 @smallexample
29385 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
29386 @emph{request memory write to target}
29387 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
29388 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
29389 -> @code{F6}
29390 @end smallexample
29391
29392 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
29393 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
29394
29395 @smallexample
29396 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
29397 -> @code{F-1,9}
29398 @end smallexample
29399
29400 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
29401 host is called:
29402
29403 @smallexample
29404 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
29405 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
29406 <- @code{T02}
29407 @end smallexample
29408
29409 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
29410 host is called:
29411
29412 @smallexample
29413 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
29414 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
29415 <- @code{T02}
29416 @end smallexample
29417
29418 @node Library List Format
29419 @section Library List Format
29420 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
29421
29422 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
29423 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
29424 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
29425 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
29426 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
29427 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
29428 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
29429 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
29430 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
29431 are loaded.
29432
29433 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
29434 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
29435 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
29436 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
29437
29438 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
29439 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
29440 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
29441 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
29442 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
29443 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
29444
29445 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
29446 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
29447
29448 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
29449 offset, looks like this:
29450
29451 @smallexample
29452 <library-list>
29453 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
29454 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
29455 </library>
29456 </library-list>
29457 @end smallexample
29458
29459 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
29460 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
29461
29462 @smallexample
29463 <library-list>
29464 <library name="sharedlib.o">
29465 <section address="0x10000000"/>
29466 <section address="0x20000000"/>
29467 <section address="0x30000000"/>
29468 </library>
29469 </library-list>
29470 @end smallexample
29471
29472 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
29473
29474 @smallexample
29475 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
29476 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
29477 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
29478 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
29479 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
29480 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
29481 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
29482 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
29483 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
29484 @end smallexample
29485
29486 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
29487 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
29488 section for each library.
29489
29490 @node Memory Map Format
29491 @section Memory Map Format
29492 @cindex memory map format
29493
29494 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
29495 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
29496 memory map.
29497
29498 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
29499 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
29500 lists memory regions.
29501
29502 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
29503 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
29504
29505 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
29506
29507 @smallexample
29508 <?xml version="1.0"?>
29509 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
29510 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
29511 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
29512 <memory-map>
29513 region...
29514 </memory-map>
29515 @end smallexample
29516
29517 Each region can be either:
29518
29519 @itemize
29520
29521 @item
29522 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
29523 bytes from there:
29524
29525 @smallexample
29526 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
29527 @end smallexample
29528
29529
29530 @item
29531 A region of read-only memory:
29532
29533 @smallexample
29534 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
29535 @end smallexample
29536
29537
29538 @item
29539 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
29540 bytes in length:
29541
29542 @smallexample
29543 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
29544 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
29545 </memory>
29546 @end smallexample
29547
29548 @end itemize
29549
29550 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
29551 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
29552 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
29553
29554 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
29555
29556 @smallexample
29557 <!-- ................................................... -->
29558 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
29559 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
29560 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
29561 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
29562 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
29563 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
29564 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
29565 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
29566 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
29567 and its type, or device. -->
29568 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
29569 start CDATA #REQUIRED
29570 length CDATA #REQUIRED
29571 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
29572 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
29573 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
29574 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
29575 @end smallexample
29576
29577 @include agentexpr.texi
29578
29579 @node Target Descriptions
29580 @appendix Target Descriptions
29581 @cindex target descriptions
29582
29583 @strong{Warning:} target descriptions are still under active development,
29584 and the contents and format may change between @value{GDBN} releases.
29585 The format is expected to stabilize in the future.
29586
29587 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
29588 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
29589 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
29590 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
29591 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
29592 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
29593 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
29594
29595 @itemize @bullet
29596 @item
29597 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
29598 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
29599 @item
29600 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
29601 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
29602 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
29603 @item
29604 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
29605 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
29606 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
29607 @end itemize
29608
29609 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
29610 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
29611 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
29612 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
29613 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
29614
29615 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
29616 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
29617
29618 @menu
29619 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
29620 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
29621 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
29622 descriptions.
29623 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
29624 @end menu
29625
29626 @node Retrieving Descriptions
29627 @section Retrieving Descriptions
29628
29629 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
29630 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
29631 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
29632 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
29633 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
29634 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
29635 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
29636 Format}.
29637
29638 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
29639 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
29640 specify a file are:
29641
29642 @table @code
29643 @cindex set tdesc filename
29644 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
29645 Read the target description from @var{path}.
29646
29647 @cindex unset tdesc filename
29648 @item unset tdesc filename
29649 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
29650 will use the description supplied by the current target.
29651
29652 @cindex show tdesc filename
29653 @item show tdesc filename
29654 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
29655 @end table
29656
29657
29658 @node Target Description Format
29659 @section Target Description Format
29660 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
29661
29662 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
29663 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
29664 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
29665 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
29666 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
29667 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
29668 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
29669
29670 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
29671 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
29672 sets. @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
29673 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
29674
29675 Here is a simple target description:
29676
29677 @smallexample
29678 <target version="1.0">
29679 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
29680 </target>
29681 @end smallexample
29682
29683 @noindent
29684 This minimal description only says that the target uses
29685 the x86-64 architecture.
29686
29687 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
29688 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
29689 are explained further below.
29690
29691 @smallexample
29692 <?xml version="1.0"?>
29693 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
29694 <target version="1.0">
29695 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
29696 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
29697 </target>
29698 @end smallexample
29699
29700 @noindent
29701 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
29702 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
29703 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
29704 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
29705 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
29706 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
29707 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
29708 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
29709 the version mismatch.
29710
29711 @subsection Inclusion
29712 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
29713 @cindex XInclude
29714 @ifnotinfo
29715 @cindex <xi:include>
29716 @end ifnotinfo
29717
29718 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
29719 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
29720 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
29721 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
29722 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
29723
29724 @smallexample
29725 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
29726 @end smallexample
29727
29728 @noindent
29729 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
29730 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
29731 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
29732 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
29733 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
29734 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
29735 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
29736 original description.
29737
29738 @subsection Architecture
29739 @cindex <architecture>
29740
29741 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
29742
29743 @smallexample
29744 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
29745 @end smallexample
29746
29747 @var{arch} is an architecture name from the same selection
29748 accepted by @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a
29749 Debugging Target}).
29750
29751 @subsection Features
29752 @cindex <feature>
29753
29754 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
29755 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
29756 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
29757 has this form:
29758
29759 @smallexample
29760 <feature name="@var{name}">
29761 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
29762 @var{reg}@dots{}
29763 </feature>
29764 @end smallexample
29765
29766 @noindent
29767 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
29768 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
29769 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
29770 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
29771
29772 @subsection Types
29773
29774 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
29775 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
29776 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
29777 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
29778 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
29779
29780 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
29781 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
29782 Types must be defined before they are used.
29783
29784 @cindex <vector>
29785 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
29786 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
29787 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
29788 @var{count}:
29789
29790 @smallexample
29791 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
29792 @end smallexample
29793
29794 @cindex <union>
29795 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
29796 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
29797 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
29798 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
29799
29800 @smallexample
29801 <union id="@var{id}">
29802 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
29803 @dots{}
29804 </union>
29805 @end smallexample
29806
29807 @subsection Registers
29808 @cindex <reg>
29809
29810 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
29811
29812 @smallexample
29813 <reg name="@var{name}"
29814 bitsize="@var{size}"
29815 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
29816 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
29817 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
29818 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
29819 @end smallexample
29820
29821 @noindent
29822 The components are as follows:
29823
29824 @table @var
29825
29826 @item name
29827 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
29828
29829 @item bitsize
29830 The register's size, in bits.
29831
29832 @item regnum
29833 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
29834 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
29835 a preceeding feature); the first register in the target description
29836 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
29837 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
29838 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
29839 in order of increasing register number.
29840
29841 @item save-restore
29842 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
29843 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
29844 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
29845 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
29846 ABI.
29847
29848 @item type
29849 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
29850 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
29851 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
29852 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
29853 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
29854 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
29855
29856 @item group
29857 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
29858 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
29859 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
29860 in @code{info registers}.
29861
29862 @end table
29863
29864 @node Predefined Target Types
29865 @section Predefined Target Types
29866 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
29867
29868 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
29869 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
29870 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
29871 types. The currently supported types are:
29872
29873 @table @code
29874
29875 @item int8
29876 @itemx int16
29877 @itemx int32
29878 @itemx int64
29879 @itemx int128
29880 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
29881
29882 @item uint8
29883 @itemx uint16
29884 @itemx uint32
29885 @itemx uint64
29886 @itemx uint128
29887 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
29888
29889 @item code_ptr
29890 @itemx data_ptr
29891 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
29892 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
29893 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
29894 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
29895 may be marked as data pointers.
29896
29897 @item ieee_single
29898 Single precision IEEE floating point.
29899
29900 @item ieee_double
29901 Double precision IEEE floating point.
29902
29903 @item arm_fpa_ext
29904 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
29905
29906 @end table
29907
29908 @node Standard Target Features
29909 @section Standard Target Features
29910 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
29911
29912 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
29913 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
29914 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
29915 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
29916 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
29917 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
29918 can recognize them.
29919
29920 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
29921 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
29922 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
29923 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
29924 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
29925 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
29926 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
29927 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
29928
29929 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
29930 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
29931 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
29932
29933 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
29934 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
29935 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
29936 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
29937
29938 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
29939 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
29940 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
29941
29942 @menu
29943 * ARM Features::
29944 * MIPS Features::
29945 * M68K Features::
29946 * PowerPC Features::
29947 @end menu
29948
29949
29950 @node ARM Features
29951 @subsection ARM Features
29952 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
29953
29954 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for ARM targets.
29955 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
29956 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
29957
29958 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
29959 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
29960
29961 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
29962 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
29963 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
29964 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
29965
29966 @node MIPS Features
29967 @subsection MIPS Features
29968 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
29969
29970 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
29971 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
29972 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
29973 on the target.
29974
29975 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
29976 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
29977 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
29978
29979 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
29980 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
29981 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
29982 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
29983
29984 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
29985 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
29986 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
29987
29988 @node M68K Features
29989 @subsection M68K Features
29990 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
29991
29992 @table @code
29993 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
29994 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
29995 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
29996 One of those features must be always present.
29997 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
29998 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
29999 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
30000 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
30001
30002 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
30003 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
30004 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
30005 @samp{fpiaddr}.
30006 @end table
30007
30008 @node PowerPC Features
30009 @subsection PowerPC Features
30010 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
30011
30012 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
30013 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
30014 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
30015 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
30016
30017 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
30018 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
30019
30020 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
30021 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
30022 and @samp{vrsave}.
30023
30024 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
30025 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
30026 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
30027 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
30028 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
30029 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
30030
30031 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
30032 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
30033 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
30034 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
30035 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
30036 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
30037 user.
30038
30039 @node Operating System Information
30040 @appendix Operating System Information
30041 @cindex operating system information
30042
30043 @menu
30044 * Process list::
30045 @end menu
30046
30047 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
30048 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
30049 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
30050 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
30051 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
30052 on a different aspect of target.
30053
30054 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
30055 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
30056 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
30057 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
30058
30059 @node Process list
30060 @appendixsection Process list
30061 @cindex operating system information, process list
30062
30063 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
30064 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
30065 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
30066 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
30067
30068 An example document is:
30069
30070 @smallexample
30071 <?xml version="1.0"?>
30072 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
30073 <osdata type="processes">
30074 <item>
30075 <column name="pid">1</column>
30076 <column name="user">root</column>
30077 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
30078 </item>
30079 </osdata>
30080 @end smallexample
30081
30082 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
30083 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
30084 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
30085 displayed by @value{GDBN}. Target may provide additional columns,
30086 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
30087
30088 @include gpl.texi
30089
30090 @raisesections
30091 @include fdl.texi
30092 @lowersections
30093
30094 @node Index
30095 @unnumbered Index
30096
30097 @printindex cp
30098
30099 @tex
30100 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
30101 % meantime:
30102 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
30103 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
30104 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
30105 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
30106 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
30107 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
30108 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
30109 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
30110 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
30111 \page\colophon
30112 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
30113 @end tex
30114
30115 @bye
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