2011-08-09 Phil Muldoon <pmuldoon@redhat.com>
[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,
3 @c 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
4 @c 2010, 2011 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
5 @c
6 @c %**start of header
7 @c makeinfo ignores cmds prev to setfilename, so its arg cannot make use
8 @c of @set vars. However, you can override filename with makeinfo -o.
9 @setfilename gdb.info
10 @c
11 @include gdb-cfg.texi
12 @c
13 @settitle Debugging with @value{GDBN}
14 @setchapternewpage odd
15 @c %**end of header
16
17 @iftex
18 @c @smallbook
19 @c @cropmarks
20 @end iftex
21
22 @finalout
23 @syncodeindex ky cp
24 @syncodeindex tp cp
25
26 @c readline appendices use @vindex, @findex and @ftable,
27 @c annotate.texi and gdbmi use @findex.
28 @syncodeindex vr cp
29 @syncodeindex fn cp
30
31 @c !!set GDB manual's edition---not the same as GDB version!
32 @c This is updated by GNU Press.
33 @set EDITION Ninth
34
35 @c !!set GDB edit command default editor
36 @set EDITOR /bin/ex
37
38 @c THIS MANUAL REQUIRES TEXINFO 4.0 OR LATER.
39
40 @c This is a dir.info fragment to support semi-automated addition of
41 @c manuals to an info tree.
42 @dircategory Software development
43 @direntry
44 * Gdb: (gdb). The GNU debugger.
45 @end direntry
46
47 @copying
48 Copyright @copyright{} 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996,
49 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
50 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
51
52 Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
53 under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
54 any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the
55 Invariant Sections being ``Free Software'' and ``Free Software Needs
56 Free Documentation'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
57 and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below.
58
59 (a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You are free to copy and modify
60 this GNU Manual. Buying copies from GNU Press supports the FSF in
61 developing GNU and promoting software freedom.''
62 @end copying
63
64 @ifnottex
65 This file documents the @sc{gnu} debugger @value{GDBN}.
66
67 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, of @cite{Debugging with
68 @value{GDBN}: the @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger} for @value{GDBN}
69 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
70 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
71 @end ifset
72 Version @value{GDBVN}.
73
74 @insertcopying
75 @end ifnottex
76
77 @titlepage
78 @title Debugging with @value{GDBN}
79 @subtitle The @sc{gnu} Source-Level Debugger
80 @sp 1
81 @subtitle @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN}
82 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
83 @sp 1
84 @subtitle @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
85 @end ifset
86 @author Richard Stallman, Roland Pesch, Stan Shebs, et al.
87 @page
88 @tex
89 {\parskip=0pt
90 \hfill (Send bugs and comments on @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.)\par
91 \hfill {\it Debugging with @value{GDBN}}\par
92 \hfill \TeX{}info \texinfoversion\par
93 }
94 @end tex
95
96 @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
97 Published by the Free Software Foundation @*
98 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor,
99 Boston, MA 02110-1301, USA@*
100 ISBN 1-882114-77-9 @*
101
102 @insertcopying
103 @end titlepage
104 @page
105
106 @ifnottex
107 @node Top, Summary, (dir), (dir)
108
109 @top Debugging with @value{GDBN}
110
111 This file describes @value{GDBN}, the @sc{gnu} symbolic debugger.
112
113 This is the @value{EDITION} Edition, for @value{GDBN}
114 @ifset VERSION_PACKAGE
115 @value{VERSION_PACKAGE}
116 @end ifset
117 Version @value{GDBVN}.
118
119 Copyright (C) 1988-2010 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
120
121 This edition of the GDB manual is dedicated to the memory of Fred
122 Fish. Fred was a long-standing contributor to GDB and to Free
123 software in general. We will miss him.
124
125 @menu
126 * Summary:: Summary of @value{GDBN}
127 * Sample Session:: A sample @value{GDBN} session
128
129 * Invocation:: Getting in and out of @value{GDBN}
130 * Commands:: @value{GDBN} commands
131 * Running:: Running programs under @value{GDBN}
132 * Stopping:: Stopping and continuing
133 * Reverse Execution:: Running programs backward
134 * Process Record and Replay:: Recording inferior's execution and replaying it
135 * Stack:: Examining the stack
136 * Source:: Examining source files
137 * Data:: Examining data
138 * Optimized Code:: Debugging optimized code
139 * Macros:: Preprocessor Macros
140 * Tracepoints:: Debugging remote targets non-intrusively
141 * Overlays:: Debugging programs that use overlays
142
143 * Languages:: Using @value{GDBN} with different languages
144
145 * Symbols:: Examining the symbol table
146 * Altering:: Altering execution
147 * GDB Files:: @value{GDBN} files
148 * Targets:: Specifying a debugging target
149 * Remote Debugging:: Debugging remote programs
150 * Configurations:: Configuration-specific information
151 * Controlling GDB:: Controlling @value{GDBN}
152 * Extending GDB:: Extending @value{GDBN}
153 * Interpreters:: Command Interpreters
154 * TUI:: @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
155 * Emacs:: Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
156 * GDB/MI:: @value{GDBN}'s Machine Interface.
157 * Annotations:: @value{GDBN}'s annotation interface.
158 * JIT Interface:: Using the JIT debugging interface.
159
160 * GDB Bugs:: Reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
161
162 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
163 * Command Line Editing: (rluserman). Command Line Editing
164 * Using History Interactively: (history). Using History Interactively
165 @end ifset
166 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
167 * Command Line Editing:: Command Line Editing
168 * Using History Interactively:: Using History Interactively
169 @end ifclear
170 * In Memoriam:: In Memoriam
171 * Formatting Documentation:: How to format and print @value{GDBN} documentation
172 * Installing GDB:: Installing GDB
173 * Maintenance Commands:: Maintenance Commands
174 * Remote Protocol:: GDB Remote Serial Protocol
175 * Agent Expressions:: The GDB Agent Expression Mechanism
176 * Target Descriptions:: How targets can describe themselves to
177 @value{GDBN}
178 * Operating System Information:: Getting additional information from
179 the operating system
180 * Trace File Format:: GDB trace file format
181 * Index Section Format:: .gdb_index section format
182 * Copying:: GNU General Public License says
183 how you can copy and share GDB
184 * GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation
185 * Index:: Index
186 @end menu
187
188 @end ifnottex
189
190 @contents
191
192 @node Summary
193 @unnumbered Summary of @value{GDBN}
194
195 The purpose of a debugger such as @value{GDBN} is to allow you to see what is
196 going on ``inside'' another program while it executes---or what another
197 program was doing at the moment it crashed.
198
199 @value{GDBN} can do four main kinds of things (plus other things in support of
200 these) to help you catch bugs in the act:
201
202 @itemize @bullet
203 @item
204 Start your program, specifying anything that might affect its behavior.
205
206 @item
207 Make your program stop on specified conditions.
208
209 @item
210 Examine what has happened, when your program has stopped.
211
212 @item
213 Change things in your program, so you can experiment with correcting the
214 effects of one bug and go on to learn about another.
215 @end itemize
216
217 You can use @value{GDBN} to debug programs written in C and C@t{++}.
218 For more information, see @ref{Supported Languages,,Supported Languages}.
219 For more information, see @ref{C,,C and C++}.
220
221 Support for D is partial. For information on D, see
222 @ref{D,,D}.
223
224 @cindex Modula-2
225 Support for Modula-2 is partial. For information on Modula-2, see
226 @ref{Modula-2,,Modula-2}.
227
228 Support for OpenCL C is partial. For information on OpenCL C, see
229 @ref{OpenCL C,,OpenCL C}.
230
231 @cindex Pascal
232 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
233 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
234 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
235 syntax.
236
237 @cindex Fortran
238 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, although
239 it may be necessary to refer to some variables with a trailing
240 underscore.
241
242 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Objective-C,
243 using either the Apple/NeXT or the GNU Objective-C runtime.
244
245 @menu
246 * Free Software:: Freely redistributable software
247 * Contributors:: Contributors to GDB
248 @end menu
249
250 @node Free Software
251 @unnumberedsec Free Software
252
253 @value{GDBN} is @dfn{free software}, protected by the @sc{gnu}
254 General Public License
255 (GPL). The GPL gives you the freedom to copy or adapt a licensed
256 program---but every person getting a copy also gets with it the
257 freedom to modify that copy (which means that they must get access to
258 the source code), and the freedom to distribute further copies.
259 Typical software companies use copyrights to limit your freedoms; the
260 Free Software Foundation uses the GPL to preserve these freedoms.
261
262 Fundamentally, the General Public License is a license which says that
263 you have these freedoms and that you cannot take these freedoms away
264 from anyone else.
265
266 @unnumberedsec Free Software Needs Free Documentation
267
268 The biggest deficiency in the free software community today is not in
269 the software---it is the lack of good free documentation that we can
270 include with the free software. Many of our most important
271 programs do not come with free reference manuals and free introductory
272 texts. Documentation is an essential part of any software package;
273 when an important free software package does not come with a free
274 manual and a free tutorial, that is a major gap. We have many such
275 gaps today.
276
277 Consider Perl, for instance. The tutorial manuals that people
278 normally use are non-free. How did this come about? Because the
279 authors of those manuals published them with restrictive terms---no
280 copying, no modification, source files not available---which exclude
281 them from the free software world.
282
283 That wasn't the first time this sort of thing happened, and it was far
284 from the last. Many times we have heard a GNU user eagerly describe a
285 manual that he is writing, his intended contribution to the community,
286 only to learn that he had ruined everything by signing a publication
287 contract to make it non-free.
288
289 Free documentation, like free software, is a matter of freedom, not
290 price. The problem with the non-free manual is not that publishers
291 charge a price for printed copies---that in itself is fine. (The Free
292 Software Foundation sells printed copies of manuals, too.) The
293 problem is the restrictions on the use of the manual. Free manuals
294 are available in source code form, and give you permission to copy and
295 modify. Non-free manuals do not allow this.
296
297 The criteria of freedom for a free manual are roughly the same as for
298 free software. Redistribution (including the normal kinds of
299 commercial redistribution) must be permitted, so that the manual can
300 accompany every copy of the program, both on-line and on paper.
301
302 Permission for modification of the technical content is crucial too.
303 When people modify the software, adding or changing features, if they
304 are conscientious they will change the manual too---so they can
305 provide accurate and clear documentation for the modified program. A
306 manual that leaves you no choice but to write a new manual to document
307 a changed version of the program is not really available to our
308 community.
309
310 Some kinds of limits on the way modification is handled are
311 acceptable. For example, requirements to preserve the original
312 author's copyright notice, the distribution terms, or the list of
313 authors, are ok. It is also no problem to require modified versions
314 to include notice that they were modified. Even entire sections that
315 may not be deleted or changed are acceptable, as long as they deal
316 with nontechnical topics (like this one). These kinds of restrictions
317 are acceptable because they don't obstruct the community's normal use
318 of the manual.
319
320 However, it must be possible to modify all the @emph{technical}
321 content of the manual, and then distribute the result in all the usual
322 media, through all the usual channels. Otherwise, the restrictions
323 obstruct the use of the manual, it is not free, and we need another
324 manual to replace it.
325
326 Please spread the word about this issue. Our community continues to
327 lose manuals to proprietary publishing. If we spread the word that
328 free software needs free reference manuals and free tutorials, perhaps
329 the next person who wants to contribute by writing documentation will
330 realize, before it is too late, that only free manuals contribute to
331 the free software community.
332
333 If you are writing documentation, please insist on publishing it under
334 the GNU Free Documentation License or another free documentation
335 license. Remember that this decision requires your approval---you
336 don't have to let the publisher decide. Some commercial publishers
337 will use a free license if you insist, but they will not propose the
338 option; it is up to you to raise the issue and say firmly that this is
339 what you want. If the publisher you are dealing with refuses, please
340 try other publishers. If you're not sure whether a proposed license
341 is free, write to @email{licensing@@gnu.org}.
342
343 You can encourage commercial publishers to sell more free, copylefted
344 manuals and tutorials by buying them, and particularly by buying
345 copies from the publishers that paid for their writing or for major
346 improvements. Meanwhile, try to avoid buying non-free documentation
347 at all. Check the distribution terms of a manual before you buy it,
348 and insist that whoever seeks your business must respect your freedom.
349 Check the history of the book, and try to reward the publishers that
350 have paid or pay the authors to work on it.
351
352 The Free Software Foundation maintains a list of free documentation
353 published by other publishers, at
354 @url{http://www.fsf.org/doc/other-free-books.html}.
355
356 @node Contributors
357 @unnumberedsec Contributors to @value{GDBN}
358
359 Richard Stallman was the original author of @value{GDBN}, and of many
360 other @sc{gnu} programs. Many others have contributed to its
361 development. This section attempts to credit major contributors. One
362 of the virtues of free software is that everyone is free to contribute
363 to it; with regret, we cannot actually acknowledge everyone here. The
364 file @file{ChangeLog} in the @value{GDBN} distribution approximates a
365 blow-by-blow account.
366
367 Changes much prior to version 2.0 are lost in the mists of time.
368
369 @quotation
370 @emph{Plea:} Additions to this section are particularly welcome. If you
371 or your friends (or enemies, to be evenhanded) have been unfairly
372 omitted from this list, we would like to add your names!
373 @end quotation
374
375 So that they may not regard their many labors as thankless, we
376 particularly thank those who shepherded @value{GDBN} through major
377 releases:
378 Andrew Cagney (releases 6.3, 6.2, 6.1, 6.0, 5.3, 5.2, 5.1 and 5.0);
379 Jim Blandy (release 4.18);
380 Jason Molenda (release 4.17);
381 Stan Shebs (release 4.14);
382 Fred Fish (releases 4.16, 4.15, 4.13, 4.12, 4.11, 4.10, and 4.9);
383 Stu Grossman and John Gilmore (releases 4.8, 4.7, 4.6, 4.5, and 4.4);
384 John Gilmore (releases 4.3, 4.2, 4.1, 4.0, and 3.9);
385 Jim Kingdon (releases 3.5, 3.4, and 3.3);
386 and Randy Smith (releases 3.2, 3.1, and 3.0).
387
388 Richard Stallman, assisted at various times by Peter TerMaat, Chris
389 Hanson, and Richard Mlynarik, handled releases through 2.8.
390
391 Michael Tiemann is the author of most of the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} support
392 in @value{GDBN}, with significant additional contributions from Per
393 Bothner and Daniel Berlin. James Clark wrote the @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
394 demangler. Early work on C@t{++} was by Peter TerMaat (who also did
395 much general update work leading to release 3.0).
396
397 @value{GDBN} uses the BFD subroutine library to examine multiple
398 object-file formats; BFD was a joint project of David V.
399 Henkel-Wallace, Rich Pixley, Steve Chamberlain, and John Gilmore.
400
401 David Johnson wrote the original COFF support; Pace Willison did
402 the original support for encapsulated COFF.
403
404 Brent Benson of Harris Computer Systems contributed DWARF 2 support.
405
406 Adam de Boor and Bradley Davis contributed the ISI Optimum V support.
407 Per Bothner, Noboyuki Hikichi, and Alessandro Forin contributed MIPS
408 support.
409 Jean-Daniel Fekete contributed Sun 386i support.
410 Chris Hanson improved the HP9000 support.
411 Noboyuki Hikichi and Tomoyuki Hasei contributed Sony/News OS 3 support.
412 David Johnson contributed Encore Umax support.
413 Jyrki Kuoppala contributed Altos 3068 support.
414 Jeff Law contributed HP PA and SOM support.
415 Keith Packard contributed NS32K support.
416 Doug Rabson contributed Acorn Risc Machine support.
417 Bob Rusk contributed Harris Nighthawk CX-UX support.
418 Chris Smith contributed Convex support (and Fortran debugging).
419 Jonathan Stone contributed Pyramid support.
420 Michael Tiemann contributed SPARC support.
421 Tim Tucker contributed support for the Gould NP1 and Gould Powernode.
422 Pace Willison contributed Intel 386 support.
423 Jay Vosburgh contributed Symmetry support.
424 Marko Mlinar contributed OpenRISC 1000 support.
425
426 Andreas Schwab contributed M68K @sc{gnu}/Linux support.
427
428 Rich Schaefer and Peter Schauer helped with support of SunOS shared
429 libraries.
430
431 Jay Fenlason and Roland McGrath ensured that @value{GDBN} and GAS agree
432 about several machine instruction sets.
433
434 Patrick Duval, Ted Goldstein, Vikram Koka and Glenn Engel helped develop
435 remote debugging. Intel Corporation, Wind River Systems, AMD, and ARM
436 contributed remote debugging modules for the i960, VxWorks, A29K UDI,
437 and RDI targets, respectively.
438
439 Brian Fox is the author of the readline libraries providing
440 command-line editing and command history.
441
442 Andrew Beers of SUNY Buffalo wrote the language-switching code, the
443 Modula-2 support, and contributed the Languages chapter of this manual.
444
445 Fred Fish wrote most of the support for Unix System Vr4.
446 He also enhanced the command-completion support to cover C@t{++} overloaded
447 symbols.
448
449 Hitachi America (now Renesas America), Ltd. sponsored the support for
450 H8/300, H8/500, and Super-H processors.
451
452 NEC sponsored the support for the v850, Vr4xxx, and Vr5xxx processors.
453
454 Mitsubishi (now Renesas) sponsored the support for D10V, D30V, and M32R/D
455 processors.
456
457 Toshiba sponsored the support for the TX39 Mips processor.
458
459 Matsushita sponsored the support for the MN10200 and MN10300 processors.
460
461 Fujitsu sponsored the support for SPARClite and FR30 processors.
462
463 Kung Hsu, Jeff Law, and Rick Sladkey added support for hardware
464 watchpoints.
465
466 Michael Snyder added support for tracepoints.
467
468 Stu Grossman wrote gdbserver.
469
470 Jim Kingdon, Peter Schauer, Ian Taylor, and Stu Grossman made
471 nearly innumerable bug fixes and cleanups throughout @value{GDBN}.
472
473 The following people at the Hewlett-Packard Company contributed
474 support for the PA-RISC 2.0 architecture, HP-UX 10.20, 10.30, and 11.0
475 (narrow mode), HP's implementation of kernel threads, HP's aC@t{++}
476 compiler, and the Text User Interface (nee Terminal User Interface):
477 Ben Krepp, Richard Title, John Bishop, Susan Macchia, Kathy Mann,
478 Satish Pai, India Paul, Steve Rehrauer, and Elena Zannoni. Kim Haase
479 provided HP-specific information in this manual.
480
481 DJ Delorie ported @value{GDBN} to MS-DOS, for the DJGPP project.
482 Robert Hoehne made significant contributions to the DJGPP port.
483
484 Cygnus Solutions has sponsored @value{GDBN} maintenance and much of its
485 development since 1991. Cygnus engineers who have worked on @value{GDBN}
486 fulltime include Mark Alexander, Jim Blandy, Per Bothner, Kevin
487 Buettner, Edith Epstein, Chris Faylor, Fred Fish, Martin Hunt, Jim
488 Ingham, John Gilmore, Stu Grossman, Kung Hsu, Jim Kingdon, John Metzler,
489 Fernando Nasser, Geoffrey Noer, Dawn Perchik, Rich Pixley, Zdenek
490 Radouch, Keith Seitz, Stan Shebs, David Taylor, and Elena Zannoni. In
491 addition, Dave Brolley, Ian Carmichael, Steve Chamberlain, Nick Clifton,
492 JT Conklin, Stan Cox, DJ Delorie, Ulrich Drepper, Frank Eigler, Doug
493 Evans, Sean Fagan, David Henkel-Wallace, Richard Henderson, Jeff
494 Holcomb, Jeff Law, Jim Lemke, Tom Lord, Bob Manson, Michael Meissner,
495 Jason Merrill, Catherine Moore, Drew Moseley, Ken Raeburn, Gavin
496 Romig-Koch, Rob Savoye, Jamie Smith, Mike Stump, Ian Taylor, Angela
497 Thomas, Michael Tiemann, Tom Tromey, Ron Unrau, Jim Wilson, and David
498 Zuhn have made contributions both large and small.
499
500 Andrew Cagney, Fernando Nasser, and Elena Zannoni, while working for
501 Cygnus Solutions, implemented the original @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
502
503 Jim Blandy added support for preprocessor macros, while working for Red
504 Hat.
505
506 Andrew Cagney designed @value{GDBN}'s architecture vector. Many
507 people including Andrew Cagney, Stephane Carrez, Randolph Chung, Nick
508 Duffek, Richard Henderson, Mark Kettenis, Grace Sainsbury, Kei
509 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Andreas Schwab, Jason
510 Thorpe, Corinna Vinschen, Ulrich Weigand, and Elena Zannoni, helped
511 with the migration of old architectures to this new framework.
512
513 Andrew Cagney completely re-designed and re-implemented @value{GDBN}'s
514 unwinder framework, this consisting of a fresh new design featuring
515 frame IDs, independent frame sniffers, and the sentinel frame. Mark
516 Kettenis implemented the @sc{dwarf 2} unwinder, Jeff Johnston the
517 libunwind unwinder, and Andrew Cagney the dummy, sentinel, tramp, and
518 trad unwinders. The architecture-specific changes, each involving a
519 complete rewrite of the architecture's frame code, were carried out by
520 Jim Blandy, Joel Brobecker, Kevin Buettner, Andrew Cagney, Stephane
521 Carrez, Randolph Chung, Orjan Friberg, Richard Henderson, Daniel
522 Jacobowitz, Jeff Johnston, Mark Kettenis, Theodore A. Roth, Kei
523 Sakamoto, Yoshinori Sato, Michael Snyder, Corinna Vinschen, and Ulrich
524 Weigand.
525
526 Christian Zankel, Ross Morley, Bob Wilson, and Maxim Grigoriev from
527 Tensilica, Inc.@: contributed support for Xtensa processors. Others
528 who have worked on the Xtensa port of @value{GDBN} in the past include
529 Steve Tjiang, John Newlin, and Scott Foehner.
530
531 Michael Eager and staff of Xilinx, Inc., contributed support for the
532 Xilinx MicroBlaze architecture.
533
534 @node Sample Session
535 @chapter A Sample @value{GDBN} Session
536
537 You can use this manual at your leisure to read all about @value{GDBN}.
538 However, a handful of commands are enough to get started using the
539 debugger. This chapter illustrates those commands.
540
541 @iftex
542 In this sample session, we emphasize user input like this: @b{input},
543 to make it easier to pick out from the surrounding output.
544 @end iftex
545
546 @c FIXME: this example may not be appropriate for some configs, where
547 @c FIXME...primary interest is in remote use.
548
549 One of the preliminary versions of @sc{gnu} @code{m4} (a generic macro
550 processor) exhibits the following bug: sometimes, when we change its
551 quote strings from the default, the commands used to capture one macro
552 definition within another stop working. In the following short @code{m4}
553 session, we define a macro @code{foo} which expands to @code{0000}; we
554 then use the @code{m4} built-in @code{defn} to define @code{bar} as the
555 same thing. However, when we change the open quote string to
556 @code{<QUOTE>} and the close quote string to @code{<UNQUOTE>}, the same
557 procedure fails to define a new synonym @code{baz}:
558
559 @smallexample
560 $ @b{cd gnu/m4}
561 $ @b{./m4}
562 @b{define(foo,0000)}
563
564 @b{foo}
565 0000
566 @b{define(bar,defn(`foo'))}
567
568 @b{bar}
569 0000
570 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
571
572 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
573 @b{baz}
574 @b{Ctrl-d}
575 m4: End of input: 0: fatal error: EOF in string
576 @end smallexample
577
578 @noindent
579 Let us use @value{GDBN} to try to see what is going on.
580
581 @smallexample
582 $ @b{@value{GDBP} m4}
583 @c FIXME: this falsifies the exact text played out, to permit smallbook
584 @c FIXME... format to come out better.
585 @value{GDBN} is free software and you are welcome to distribute copies
586 of it under certain conditions; type "show copying" to see
587 the conditions.
588 There is absolutely no warranty for @value{GDBN}; type "show warranty"
589 for details.
590
591 @value{GDBN} @value{GDBVN}, Copyright 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc...
592 (@value{GDBP})
593 @end smallexample
594
595 @noindent
596 @value{GDBN} reads only enough symbol data to know where to find the
597 rest when needed; as a result, the first prompt comes up very quickly.
598 We now tell @value{GDBN} to use a narrower display width than usual, so
599 that examples fit in this manual.
600
601 @smallexample
602 (@value{GDBP}) @b{set width 70}
603 @end smallexample
604
605 @noindent
606 We need to see how the @code{m4} built-in @code{changequote} works.
607 Having looked at the source, we know the relevant subroutine is
608 @code{m4_changequote}, so we set a breakpoint there with the @value{GDBN}
609 @code{break} command.
610
611 @smallexample
612 (@value{GDBP}) @b{break m4_changequote}
613 Breakpoint 1 at 0x62f4: file builtin.c, line 879.
614 @end smallexample
615
616 @noindent
617 Using the @code{run} command, we start @code{m4} running under @value{GDBN}
618 control; as long as control does not reach the @code{m4_changequote}
619 subroutine, the program runs as usual:
620
621 @smallexample
622 (@value{GDBP}) @b{run}
623 Starting program: /work/Editorial/gdb/gnu/m4/m4
624 @b{define(foo,0000)}
625
626 @b{foo}
627 0000
628 @end smallexample
629
630 @noindent
631 To trigger the breakpoint, we call @code{changequote}. @value{GDBN}
632 suspends execution of @code{m4}, displaying information about the
633 context where it stops.
634
635 @smallexample
636 @b{changequote(<QUOTE>,<UNQUOTE>)}
637
638 Breakpoint 1, m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
639 at builtin.c:879
640 879 if (bad_argc(TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[0]),argc,1,3))
641 @end smallexample
642
643 @noindent
644 Now we use the command @code{n} (@code{next}) to advance execution to
645 the next line of the current function.
646
647 @smallexample
648 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
649 882 set_quotes((argc >= 2) ? TOKEN_DATA_TEXT(argv[1])\
650 : nil,
651 @end smallexample
652
653 @noindent
654 @code{set_quotes} looks like a promising subroutine. We can go into it
655 by using the command @code{s} (@code{step}) instead of @code{next}.
656 @code{step} goes to the next line to be executed in @emph{any}
657 subroutine, so it steps into @code{set_quotes}.
658
659 @smallexample
660 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
661 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
662 at input.c:530
663 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
664 @end smallexample
665
666 @noindent
667 The display that shows the subroutine where @code{m4} is now
668 suspended (and its arguments) is called a stack frame display. It
669 shows a summary of the stack. We can use the @code{backtrace}
670 command (which can also be spelled @code{bt}), to see where we are
671 in the stack as a whole: the @code{backtrace} command displays a
672 stack frame for each active subroutine.
673
674 @smallexample
675 (@value{GDBP}) @b{bt}
676 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<QUOTE>", rq=0x34c88 "<UNQUOTE>")
677 at input.c:530
678 #1 0x6344 in m4_changequote (argc=3, argv=0x33c70)
679 at builtin.c:882
680 #2 0x8174 in expand_macro (sym=0x33320) at macro.c:242
681 #3 0x7a88 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=209696, td=0xf7fffa30)
682 at macro.c:71
683 #4 0x79dc in expand_input () at macro.c:40
684 #5 0x2930 in main (argc=0, argv=0xf7fffb20) at m4.c:195
685 @end smallexample
686
687 @noindent
688 We step through a few more lines to see what happens. The first two
689 times, we can use @samp{s}; the next two times we use @code{n} to avoid
690 falling into the @code{xstrdup} subroutine.
691
692 @smallexample
693 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
694 0x3b5c 532 if (rquote != def_rquote)
695 (@value{GDBP}) @b{s}
696 0x3b80 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? \
697 def_lquote : xstrdup(lq);
698 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
699 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
700 : xstrdup(rq);
701 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
702 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
703 @end smallexample
704
705 @noindent
706 The last line displayed looks a little odd; we can examine the variables
707 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} to see if they are in fact the new left
708 and right quotes we specified. We use the command @code{p}
709 (@code{print}) to see their values.
710
711 @smallexample
712 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p lquote}
713 $1 = 0x35d40 "<QUOTE>"
714 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p rquote}
715 $2 = 0x35d50 "<UNQUOTE>"
716 @end smallexample
717
718 @noindent
719 @code{lquote} and @code{rquote} are indeed the new left and right quotes.
720 To look at some context, we can display ten lines of source
721 surrounding the current line with the @code{l} (@code{list}) command.
722
723 @smallexample
724 (@value{GDBP}) @b{l}
725 533 xfree(rquote);
726 534
727 535 lquote = (lq == nil || *lq == '\0') ? def_lquote\
728 : xstrdup (lq);
729 536 rquote = (rq == nil || *rq == '\0') ? def_rquote\
730 : xstrdup (rq);
731 537
732 538 len_lquote = strlen(rquote);
733 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
734 540 @}
735 541
736 542 void
737 @end smallexample
738
739 @noindent
740 Let us step past the two lines that set @code{len_lquote} and
741 @code{len_rquote}, and then examine the values of those variables.
742
743 @smallexample
744 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
745 539 len_rquote = strlen(lquote);
746 (@value{GDBP}) @b{n}
747 540 @}
748 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote}
749 $3 = 9
750 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote}
751 $4 = 7
752 @end smallexample
753
754 @noindent
755 That certainly looks wrong, assuming @code{len_lquote} and
756 @code{len_rquote} are meant to be the lengths of @code{lquote} and
757 @code{rquote} respectively. We can set them to better values using
758 the @code{p} command, since it can print the value of
759 any expression---and that expression can include subroutine calls and
760 assignments.
761
762 @smallexample
763 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_lquote=strlen(lquote)}
764 $5 = 7
765 (@value{GDBP}) @b{p len_rquote=strlen(rquote)}
766 $6 = 9
767 @end smallexample
768
769 @noindent
770 Is that enough to fix the problem of using the new quotes with the
771 @code{m4} built-in @code{defn}? We can allow @code{m4} to continue
772 executing with the @code{c} (@code{continue}) command, and then try the
773 example that caused trouble initially:
774
775 @smallexample
776 (@value{GDBP}) @b{c}
777 Continuing.
778
779 @b{define(baz,defn(<QUOTE>foo<UNQUOTE>))}
780
781 baz
782 0000
783 @end smallexample
784
785 @noindent
786 Success! The new quotes now work just as well as the default ones. The
787 problem seems to have been just the two typos defining the wrong
788 lengths. We allow @code{m4} exit by giving it an EOF as input:
789
790 @smallexample
791 @b{Ctrl-d}
792 Program exited normally.
793 @end smallexample
794
795 @noindent
796 The message @samp{Program exited normally.} is from @value{GDBN}; it
797 indicates @code{m4} has finished executing. We can end our @value{GDBN}
798 session with the @value{GDBN} @code{quit} command.
799
800 @smallexample
801 (@value{GDBP}) @b{quit}
802 @end smallexample
803
804 @node Invocation
805 @chapter Getting In and Out of @value{GDBN}
806
807 This chapter discusses how to start @value{GDBN}, and how to get out of it.
808 The essentials are:
809 @itemize @bullet
810 @item
811 type @samp{@value{GDBP}} to start @value{GDBN}.
812 @item
813 type @kbd{quit} or @kbd{Ctrl-d} to exit.
814 @end itemize
815
816 @menu
817 * Invoking GDB:: How to start @value{GDBN}
818 * Quitting GDB:: How to quit @value{GDBN}
819 * Shell Commands:: How to use shell commands inside @value{GDBN}
820 * Logging Output:: How to log @value{GDBN}'s output to a file
821 @end menu
822
823 @node Invoking GDB
824 @section Invoking @value{GDBN}
825
826 Invoke @value{GDBN} by running the program @code{@value{GDBP}}. Once started,
827 @value{GDBN} reads commands from the terminal until you tell it to exit.
828
829 You can also run @code{@value{GDBP}} with a variety of arguments and options,
830 to specify more of your debugging environment at the outset.
831
832 The command-line options described here are designed
833 to cover a variety of situations; in some environments, some of these
834 options may effectively be unavailable.
835
836 The most usual way to start @value{GDBN} is with one argument,
837 specifying an executable program:
838
839 @smallexample
840 @value{GDBP} @var{program}
841 @end smallexample
842
843 @noindent
844 You can also start with both an executable program and a core file
845 specified:
846
847 @smallexample
848 @value{GDBP} @var{program} @var{core}
849 @end smallexample
850
851 You can, instead, specify a process ID as a second argument, if you want
852 to debug a running process:
853
854 @smallexample
855 @value{GDBP} @var{program} 1234
856 @end smallexample
857
858 @noindent
859 would attach @value{GDBN} to process @code{1234} (unless you also have a file
860 named @file{1234}; @value{GDBN} does check for a core file first).
861
862 Taking advantage of the second command-line argument requires a fairly
863 complete operating system; when you use @value{GDBN} as a remote
864 debugger attached to a bare board, there may not be any notion of
865 ``process'', and there is often no way to get a core dump. @value{GDBN}
866 will warn you if it is unable to attach or to read core dumps.
867
868 You can optionally have @code{@value{GDBP}} pass any arguments after the
869 executable file to the inferior using @code{--args}. This option stops
870 option processing.
871 @smallexample
872 @value{GDBP} --args gcc -O2 -c foo.c
873 @end smallexample
874 This will cause @code{@value{GDBP}} to debug @code{gcc}, and to set
875 @code{gcc}'s command-line arguments (@pxref{Arguments}) to @samp{-O2 -c foo.c}.
876
877 You can run @code{@value{GDBP}} without printing the front material, which describes
878 @value{GDBN}'s non-warranty, by specifying @code{-silent}:
879
880 @smallexample
881 @value{GDBP} -silent
882 @end smallexample
883
884 @noindent
885 You can further control how @value{GDBN} starts up by using command-line
886 options. @value{GDBN} itself can remind you of the options available.
887
888 @noindent
889 Type
890
891 @smallexample
892 @value{GDBP} -help
893 @end smallexample
894
895 @noindent
896 to display all available options and briefly describe their use
897 (@samp{@value{GDBP} -h} is a shorter equivalent).
898
899 All options and command line arguments you give are processed
900 in sequential order. The order makes a difference when the
901 @samp{-x} option is used.
902
903
904 @menu
905 * File Options:: Choosing files
906 * Mode Options:: Choosing modes
907 * Startup:: What @value{GDBN} does during startup
908 @end menu
909
910 @node File Options
911 @subsection Choosing Files
912
913 When @value{GDBN} starts, it reads any arguments other than options as
914 specifying an executable file and core file (or process ID). This is
915 the same as if the arguments were specified by the @samp{-se} and
916 @samp{-c} (or @samp{-p}) options respectively. (@value{GDBN} reads the
917 first argument that does not have an associated option flag as
918 equivalent to the @samp{-se} option followed by that argument; and the
919 second argument that does not have an associated option flag, if any, as
920 equivalent to the @samp{-c}/@samp{-p} option followed by that argument.)
921 If the second argument begins with a decimal digit, @value{GDBN} will
922 first attempt to attach to it as a process, and if that fails, attempt
923 to open it as a corefile. If you have a corefile whose name begins with
924 a digit, you can prevent @value{GDBN} from treating it as a pid by
925 prefixing it with @file{./}, e.g.@: @file{./12345}.
926
927 If @value{GDBN} has not been configured to included core file support,
928 such as for most embedded targets, then it will complain about a second
929 argument and ignore it.
930
931 Many options have both long and short forms; both are shown in the
932 following list. @value{GDBN} also recognizes the long forms if you truncate
933 them, so long as enough of the option is present to be unambiguous.
934 (If you prefer, you can flag option arguments with @samp{--} rather
935 than @samp{-}, though we illustrate the more usual convention.)
936
937 @c NOTE: the @cindex entries here use double dashes ON PURPOSE. This
938 @c way, both those who look for -foo and --foo in the index, will find
939 @c it.
940
941 @table @code
942 @item -symbols @var{file}
943 @itemx -s @var{file}
944 @cindex @code{--symbols}
945 @cindex @code{-s}
946 Read symbol table from file @var{file}.
947
948 @item -exec @var{file}
949 @itemx -e @var{file}
950 @cindex @code{--exec}
951 @cindex @code{-e}
952 Use file @var{file} as the executable file to execute when appropriate,
953 and for examining pure data in conjunction with a core dump.
954
955 @item -se @var{file}
956 @cindex @code{--se}
957 Read symbol table from file @var{file} and use it as the executable
958 file.
959
960 @item -core @var{file}
961 @itemx -c @var{file}
962 @cindex @code{--core}
963 @cindex @code{-c}
964 Use file @var{file} as a core dump to examine.
965
966 @item -pid @var{number}
967 @itemx -p @var{number}
968 @cindex @code{--pid}
969 @cindex @code{-p}
970 Connect to process ID @var{number}, as with the @code{attach} command.
971
972 @item -command @var{file}
973 @itemx -x @var{file}
974 @cindex @code{--command}
975 @cindex @code{-x}
976 Execute commands from file @var{file}. The contents of this file is
977 evaluated exactly as the @code{source} command would.
978 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
979
980 @item -eval-command @var{command}
981 @itemx -ex @var{command}
982 @cindex @code{--eval-command}
983 @cindex @code{-ex}
984 Execute a single @value{GDBN} command.
985
986 This option may be used multiple times to call multiple commands. It may
987 also be interleaved with @samp{-command} as required.
988
989 @smallexample
990 @value{GDBP} -ex 'target sim' -ex 'load' \
991 -x setbreakpoints -ex 'run' a.out
992 @end smallexample
993
994 @item -directory @var{directory}
995 @itemx -d @var{directory}
996 @cindex @code{--directory}
997 @cindex @code{-d}
998 Add @var{directory} to the path to search for source and script files.
999
1000 @item -r
1001 @itemx -readnow
1002 @cindex @code{--readnow}
1003 @cindex @code{-r}
1004 Read each symbol file's entire symbol table immediately, rather than
1005 the default, which is to read it incrementally as it is needed.
1006 This makes startup slower, but makes future operations faster.
1007
1008 @end table
1009
1010 @node Mode Options
1011 @subsection Choosing Modes
1012
1013 You can run @value{GDBN} in various alternative modes---for example, in
1014 batch mode or quiet mode.
1015
1016 @table @code
1017 @item -nx
1018 @itemx -n
1019 @cindex @code{--nx}
1020 @cindex @code{-n}
1021 Do not execute commands found in any initialization files. Normally,
1022 @value{GDBN} executes the commands in these files after all the command
1023 options and arguments have been processed. @xref{Command Files,,Command
1024 Files}.
1025
1026 @item -quiet
1027 @itemx -silent
1028 @itemx -q
1029 @cindex @code{--quiet}
1030 @cindex @code{--silent}
1031 @cindex @code{-q}
1032 ``Quiet''. Do not print the introductory and copyright messages. These
1033 messages are also suppressed in batch mode.
1034
1035 @item -batch
1036 @cindex @code{--batch}
1037 Run in batch mode. Exit with status @code{0} after processing all the
1038 command files specified with @samp{-x} (and all commands from
1039 initialization files, if not inhibited with @samp{-n}). Exit with
1040 nonzero status if an error occurs in executing the @value{GDBN} commands
1041 in the command files. Batch mode also disables pagination, sets unlimited
1042 terminal width and height @pxref{Screen Size}, and acts as if @kbd{set confirm
1043 off} were in effect (@pxref{Messages/Warnings}).
1044
1045 Batch mode may be useful for running @value{GDBN} as a filter, for
1046 example to download and run a program on another computer; in order to
1047 make this more useful, the message
1048
1049 @smallexample
1050 Program exited normally.
1051 @end smallexample
1052
1053 @noindent
1054 (which is ordinarily issued whenever a program running under
1055 @value{GDBN} control terminates) is not issued when running in batch
1056 mode.
1057
1058 @item -batch-silent
1059 @cindex @code{--batch-silent}
1060 Run in batch mode exactly like @samp{-batch}, but totally silently. All
1061 @value{GDBN} output to @code{stdout} is prevented (@code{stderr} is
1062 unaffected). This is much quieter than @samp{-silent} and would be useless
1063 for an interactive session.
1064
1065 This is particularly useful when using targets that give @samp{Loading section}
1066 messages, for example.
1067
1068 Note that targets that give their output via @value{GDBN}, as opposed to
1069 writing directly to @code{stdout}, will also be made silent.
1070
1071 @item -return-child-result
1072 @cindex @code{--return-child-result}
1073 The return code from @value{GDBN} will be the return code from the child
1074 process (the process being debugged), with the following exceptions:
1075
1076 @itemize @bullet
1077 @item
1078 @value{GDBN} exits abnormally. E.g., due to an incorrect argument or an
1079 internal error. In this case the exit code is the same as it would have been
1080 without @samp{-return-child-result}.
1081 @item
1082 The user quits with an explicit value. E.g., @samp{quit 1}.
1083 @item
1084 The child process never runs, or is not allowed to terminate, in which case
1085 the exit code will be -1.
1086 @end itemize
1087
1088 This option is useful in conjunction with @samp{-batch} or @samp{-batch-silent},
1089 when @value{GDBN} is being used as a remote program loader or simulator
1090 interface.
1091
1092 @item -nowindows
1093 @itemx -nw
1094 @cindex @code{--nowindows}
1095 @cindex @code{-nw}
1096 ``No windows''. If @value{GDBN} comes with a graphical user interface
1097 (GUI) built in, then this option tells @value{GDBN} to only use the command-line
1098 interface. If no GUI is available, this option has no effect.
1099
1100 @item -windows
1101 @itemx -w
1102 @cindex @code{--windows}
1103 @cindex @code{-w}
1104 If @value{GDBN} includes a GUI, then this option requires it to be
1105 used if possible.
1106
1107 @item -cd @var{directory}
1108 @cindex @code{--cd}
1109 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its working directory,
1110 instead of the current directory.
1111
1112 @item -data-directory @var{directory}
1113 @cindex @code{--data-directory}
1114 Run @value{GDBN} using @var{directory} as its data directory.
1115 The data directory is where @value{GDBN} searches for its
1116 auxiliary files. @xref{Data Files}.
1117
1118 @item -fullname
1119 @itemx -f
1120 @cindex @code{--fullname}
1121 @cindex @code{-f}
1122 @sc{gnu} Emacs sets this option when it runs @value{GDBN} as a
1123 subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to output the full file name and line
1124 number in a standard, recognizable fashion each time a stack frame is
1125 displayed (which includes each time your program stops). This
1126 recognizable format looks like two @samp{\032} characters, followed by
1127 the file name, line number and character position separated by colons,
1128 and a newline. The Emacs-to-@value{GDBN} interface program uses the two
1129 @samp{\032} characters as a signal to display the source code for the
1130 frame.
1131
1132 @item -epoch
1133 @cindex @code{--epoch}
1134 The Epoch Emacs-@value{GDBN} interface sets this option when it runs
1135 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess. It tells @value{GDBN} to modify its print
1136 routines so as to allow Epoch to display values of expressions in a
1137 separate window.
1138
1139 @item -annotate @var{level}
1140 @cindex @code{--annotate}
1141 This option sets the @dfn{annotation level} inside @value{GDBN}. Its
1142 effect is identical to using @samp{set annotate @var{level}}
1143 (@pxref{Annotations}). The annotation @var{level} controls how much
1144 information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt, values of
1145 expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0 is the
1146 normal, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a subprocess of
1147 @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable for programs
1148 that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 has been deprecated.
1149
1150 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
1151 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
1152
1153 @item --args
1154 @cindex @code{--args}
1155 Change interpretation of command line so that arguments following the
1156 executable file are passed as command line arguments to the inferior.
1157 This option stops option processing.
1158
1159 @item -baud @var{bps}
1160 @itemx -b @var{bps}
1161 @cindex @code{--baud}
1162 @cindex @code{-b}
1163 Set the line speed (baud rate or bits per second) of any serial
1164 interface used by @value{GDBN} for remote debugging.
1165
1166 @item -l @var{timeout}
1167 @cindex @code{-l}
1168 Set the timeout (in seconds) of any communication used by @value{GDBN}
1169 for remote debugging.
1170
1171 @item -tty @var{device}
1172 @itemx -t @var{device}
1173 @cindex @code{--tty}
1174 @cindex @code{-t}
1175 Run using @var{device} for your program's standard input and output.
1176 @c FIXME: kingdon thinks there is more to -tty. Investigate.
1177
1178 @c resolve the situation of these eventually
1179 @item -tui
1180 @cindex @code{--tui}
1181 Activate the @dfn{Text User Interface} when starting. The Text User
1182 Interface manages several text windows on the terminal, showing
1183 source, assembly, registers and @value{GDBN} command outputs
1184 (@pxref{TUI, ,@value{GDBN} Text User Interface}). Alternatively, the
1185 Text User Interface can be enabled by invoking the program
1186 @samp{@value{GDBTUI}}. Do not use this option if you run @value{GDBN} from
1187 Emacs (@pxref{Emacs, ,Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}).
1188
1189 @c @item -xdb
1190 @c @cindex @code{--xdb}
1191 @c Run in XDB compatibility mode, allowing the use of certain XDB commands.
1192 @c For information, see the file @file{xdb_trans.html}, which is usually
1193 @c installed in the directory @code{/opt/langtools/wdb/doc} on HP-UX
1194 @c systems.
1195
1196 @item -interpreter @var{interp}
1197 @cindex @code{--interpreter}
1198 Use the interpreter @var{interp} for interface with the controlling
1199 program or device. This option is meant to be set by programs which
1200 communicate with @value{GDBN} using it as a back end.
1201 @xref{Interpreters, , Command Interpreters}.
1202
1203 @samp{--interpreter=mi} (or @samp{--interpreter=mi2}) causes
1204 @value{GDBN} to use the @dfn{@sc{gdb/mi} interface} (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,
1205 The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}) included since @value{GDBN} version 6.0. The
1206 previous @sc{gdb/mi} interface, included in @value{GDBN} version 5.3 and
1207 selected with @samp{--interpreter=mi1}, is deprecated. Earlier
1208 @sc{gdb/mi} interfaces are no longer supported.
1209
1210 @item -write
1211 @cindex @code{--write}
1212 Open the executable and core files for both reading and writing. This
1213 is equivalent to the @samp{set write on} command inside @value{GDBN}
1214 (@pxref{Patching}).
1215
1216 @item -statistics
1217 @cindex @code{--statistics}
1218 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print statistics about time and
1219 memory usage after it completes each command and returns to the prompt.
1220
1221 @item -version
1222 @cindex @code{--version}
1223 This option causes @value{GDBN} to print its version number and
1224 no-warranty blurb, and exit.
1225
1226 @end table
1227
1228 @node Startup
1229 @subsection What @value{GDBN} Does During Startup
1230 @cindex @value{GDBN} startup
1231
1232 Here's the description of what @value{GDBN} does during session startup:
1233
1234 @enumerate
1235 @item
1236 Sets up the command interpreter as specified by the command line
1237 (@pxref{Mode Options, interpreter}).
1238
1239 @item
1240 @cindex init file
1241 Reads the system-wide @dfn{init file} (if @option{--with-system-gdbinit} was
1242 used when building @value{GDBN}; @pxref{System-wide configuration,
1243 ,System-wide configuration and settings}) and executes all the commands in
1244 that file.
1245
1246 @item
1247 Reads the init file (if any) in your home directory@footnote{On
1248 DOS/Windows systems, the home directory is the one pointed to by the
1249 @code{HOME} environment variable.} and executes all the commands in
1250 that file.
1251
1252 @item
1253 Processes command line options and operands.
1254
1255 @item
1256 Reads and executes the commands from init file (if any) in the current
1257 working directory. This is only done if the current directory is
1258 different from your home directory. Thus, you can have more than one
1259 init file, one generic in your home directory, and another, specific
1260 to the program you are debugging, in the directory where you invoke
1261 @value{GDBN}.
1262
1263 @item
1264 If the command line specified a program to debug, or a process to
1265 attach to, or a core file, @value{GDBN} loads any auto-loaded
1266 scripts provided for the program or for its loaded shared libraries.
1267 @xref{Auto-loading}.
1268
1269 If you wish to disable the auto-loading during startup,
1270 you must do something like the following:
1271
1272 @smallexample
1273 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" -ex "file myprogram"
1274 @end smallexample
1275
1276 The following does not work because the auto-loading is turned off too late:
1277
1278 @smallexample
1279 $ gdb -ex "set auto-load-scripts off" myprogram
1280 @end smallexample
1281
1282 @item
1283 Reads command files specified by the @samp{-x} option. @xref{Command
1284 Files}, for more details about @value{GDBN} command files.
1285
1286 @item
1287 Reads the command history recorded in the @dfn{history file}.
1288 @xref{Command History}, for more details about the command history and the
1289 files where @value{GDBN} records it.
1290 @end enumerate
1291
1292 Init files use the same syntax as @dfn{command files} (@pxref{Command
1293 Files}) and are processed by @value{GDBN} in the same way. The init
1294 file in your home directory can set options (such as @samp{set
1295 complaints}) that affect subsequent processing of command line options
1296 and operands. Init files are not executed if you use the @samp{-nx}
1297 option (@pxref{Mode Options, ,Choosing Modes}).
1298
1299 To display the list of init files loaded by gdb at startup, you
1300 can use @kbd{gdb --help}.
1301
1302 @cindex init file name
1303 @cindex @file{.gdbinit}
1304 @cindex @file{gdb.ini}
1305 The @value{GDBN} init files are normally called @file{.gdbinit}.
1306 The DJGPP port of @value{GDBN} uses the name @file{gdb.ini}, due to
1307 the limitations of file names imposed by DOS filesystems. The Windows
1308 ports of @value{GDBN} use the standard name, but if they find a
1309 @file{gdb.ini} file, they warn you about that and suggest to rename
1310 the file to the standard name.
1311
1312
1313 @node Quitting GDB
1314 @section Quitting @value{GDBN}
1315 @cindex exiting @value{GDBN}
1316 @cindex leaving @value{GDBN}
1317
1318 @table @code
1319 @kindex quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1320 @kindex q @r{(@code{quit})}
1321 @item quit @r{[}@var{expression}@r{]}
1322 @itemx q
1323 To exit @value{GDBN}, use the @code{quit} command (abbreviated
1324 @code{q}), or type an end-of-file character (usually @kbd{Ctrl-d}). If you
1325 do not supply @var{expression}, @value{GDBN} will terminate normally;
1326 otherwise it will terminate using the result of @var{expression} as the
1327 error code.
1328 @end table
1329
1330 @cindex interrupt
1331 An interrupt (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}) does not exit from @value{GDBN}, but rather
1332 terminates the action of any @value{GDBN} command that is in progress and
1333 returns to @value{GDBN} command level. It is safe to type the interrupt
1334 character at any time because @value{GDBN} does not allow it to take effect
1335 until a time when it is safe.
1336
1337 If you have been using @value{GDBN} to control an attached process or
1338 device, you can release it with the @code{detach} command
1339 (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
1340
1341 @node Shell Commands
1342 @section Shell Commands
1343
1344 If you need to execute occasional shell commands during your
1345 debugging session, there is no need to leave or suspend @value{GDBN}; you can
1346 just use the @code{shell} command.
1347
1348 @table @code
1349 @kindex shell
1350 @cindex shell escape
1351 @item shell @var{command string}
1352 Invoke a standard shell to execute @var{command string}.
1353 If it exists, the environment variable @code{SHELL} determines which
1354 shell to run. Otherwise @value{GDBN} uses the default shell
1355 (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix systems, @file{COMMAND.COM} on MS-DOS, etc.).
1356 @end table
1357
1358 The utility @code{make} is often needed in development environments.
1359 You do not have to use the @code{shell} command for this purpose in
1360 @value{GDBN}:
1361
1362 @table @code
1363 @kindex make
1364 @cindex calling make
1365 @item make @var{make-args}
1366 Execute the @code{make} program with the specified
1367 arguments. This is equivalent to @samp{shell make @var{make-args}}.
1368 @end table
1369
1370 @node Logging Output
1371 @section Logging Output
1372 @cindex logging @value{GDBN} output
1373 @cindex save @value{GDBN} output to a file
1374
1375 You may want to save the output of @value{GDBN} commands to a file.
1376 There are several commands to control @value{GDBN}'s logging.
1377
1378 @table @code
1379 @kindex set logging
1380 @item set logging on
1381 Enable logging.
1382 @item set logging off
1383 Disable logging.
1384 @cindex logging file name
1385 @item set logging file @var{file}
1386 Change the name of the current logfile. The default logfile is @file{gdb.txt}.
1387 @item set logging overwrite [on|off]
1388 By default, @value{GDBN} will append to the logfile. Set @code{overwrite} if
1389 you want @code{set logging on} to overwrite the logfile instead.
1390 @item set logging redirect [on|off]
1391 By default, @value{GDBN} output will go to both the terminal and the logfile.
1392 Set @code{redirect} if you want output to go only to the log file.
1393 @kindex show logging
1394 @item show logging
1395 Show the current values of the logging settings.
1396 @end table
1397
1398 @node Commands
1399 @chapter @value{GDBN} Commands
1400
1401 You can abbreviate a @value{GDBN} command to the first few letters of the command
1402 name, if that abbreviation is unambiguous; and you can repeat certain
1403 @value{GDBN} commands by typing just @key{RET}. You can also use the @key{TAB}
1404 key to get @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest of a word in a command (or to
1405 show you the alternatives available, if there is more than one possibility).
1406
1407 @menu
1408 * Command Syntax:: How to give commands to @value{GDBN}
1409 * Completion:: Command completion
1410 * Help:: How to ask @value{GDBN} for help
1411 @end menu
1412
1413 @node Command Syntax
1414 @section Command Syntax
1415
1416 A @value{GDBN} command is a single line of input. There is no limit on
1417 how long it can be. It starts with a command name, which is followed by
1418 arguments whose meaning depends on the command name. For example, the
1419 command @code{step} accepts an argument which is the number of times to
1420 step, as in @samp{step 5}. You can also use the @code{step} command
1421 with no arguments. Some commands do not allow any arguments.
1422
1423 @cindex abbreviation
1424 @value{GDBN} command names may always be truncated if that abbreviation is
1425 unambiguous. Other possible command abbreviations are listed in the
1426 documentation for individual commands. In some cases, even ambiguous
1427 abbreviations are allowed; for example, @code{s} is specially defined as
1428 equivalent to @code{step} even though there are other commands whose
1429 names start with @code{s}. You can test abbreviations by using them as
1430 arguments to the @code{help} command.
1431
1432 @cindex repeating commands
1433 @kindex RET @r{(repeat last command)}
1434 A blank line as input to @value{GDBN} (typing just @key{RET}) means to
1435 repeat the previous command. Certain commands (for example, @code{run})
1436 will not repeat this way; these are commands whose unintentional
1437 repetition might cause trouble and which you are unlikely to want to
1438 repeat. User-defined commands can disable this feature; see
1439 @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
1440
1441 The @code{list} and @code{x} commands, when you repeat them with
1442 @key{RET}, construct new arguments rather than repeating
1443 exactly as typed. This permits easy scanning of source or memory.
1444
1445 @value{GDBN} can also use @key{RET} in another way: to partition lengthy
1446 output, in a way similar to the common utility @code{more}
1447 (@pxref{Screen Size,,Screen Size}). Since it is easy to press one
1448 @key{RET} too many in this situation, @value{GDBN} disables command
1449 repetition after any command that generates this sort of display.
1450
1451 @kindex # @r{(a comment)}
1452 @cindex comment
1453 Any text from a @kbd{#} to the end of the line is a comment; it does
1454 nothing. This is useful mainly in command files (@pxref{Command
1455 Files,,Command Files}).
1456
1457 @cindex repeating command sequences
1458 @kindex Ctrl-o @r{(operate-and-get-next)}
1459 The @kbd{Ctrl-o} binding is useful for repeating a complex sequence of
1460 commands. This command accepts the current line, like @key{RET}, and
1461 then fetches the next line relative to the current line from the history
1462 for editing.
1463
1464 @node Completion
1465 @section Command Completion
1466
1467 @cindex completion
1468 @cindex word completion
1469 @value{GDBN} can fill in the rest of a word in a command for you, if there is
1470 only one possibility; it can also show you what the valid possibilities
1471 are for the next word in a command, at any time. This works for @value{GDBN}
1472 commands, @value{GDBN} subcommands, and the names of symbols in your program.
1473
1474 Press the @key{TAB} key whenever you want @value{GDBN} to fill out the rest
1475 of a word. If there is only one possibility, @value{GDBN} fills in the
1476 word, and waits for you to finish the command (or press @key{RET} to
1477 enter it). For example, if you type
1478
1479 @c FIXME "@key" does not distinguish its argument sufficiently to permit
1480 @c complete accuracy in these examples; space introduced for clarity.
1481 @c If texinfo enhancements make it unnecessary, it would be nice to
1482 @c replace " @key" by "@key" in the following...
1483 @smallexample
1484 (@value{GDBP}) info bre @key{TAB}
1485 @end smallexample
1486
1487 @noindent
1488 @value{GDBN} fills in the rest of the word @samp{breakpoints}, since that is
1489 the only @code{info} subcommand beginning with @samp{bre}:
1490
1491 @smallexample
1492 (@value{GDBP}) info breakpoints
1493 @end smallexample
1494
1495 @noindent
1496 You can either press @key{RET} at this point, to run the @code{info
1497 breakpoints} command, or backspace and enter something else, if
1498 @samp{breakpoints} does not look like the command you expected. (If you
1499 were sure you wanted @code{info breakpoints} in the first place, you
1500 might as well just type @key{RET} immediately after @samp{info bre},
1501 to exploit command abbreviations rather than command completion).
1502
1503 If there is more than one possibility for the next word when you press
1504 @key{TAB}, @value{GDBN} sounds a bell. You can either supply more
1505 characters and try again, or just press @key{TAB} a second time;
1506 @value{GDBN} displays all the possible completions for that word. For
1507 example, you might want to set a breakpoint on a subroutine whose name
1508 begins with @samp{make_}, but when you type @kbd{b make_@key{TAB}} @value{GDBN}
1509 just sounds the bell. Typing @key{TAB} again displays all the
1510 function names in your program that begin with those characters, for
1511 example:
1512
1513 @smallexample
1514 (@value{GDBP}) b make_ @key{TAB}
1515 @exdent @value{GDBN} sounds bell; press @key{TAB} again, to see:
1516 make_a_section_from_file make_environ
1517 make_abs_section make_function_type
1518 make_blockvector make_pointer_type
1519 make_cleanup make_reference_type
1520 make_command make_symbol_completion_list
1521 (@value{GDBP}) b make_
1522 @end smallexample
1523
1524 @noindent
1525 After displaying the available possibilities, @value{GDBN} copies your
1526 partial input (@samp{b make_} in the example) so you can finish the
1527 command.
1528
1529 If you just want to see the list of alternatives in the first place, you
1530 can press @kbd{M-?} rather than pressing @key{TAB} twice. @kbd{M-?}
1531 means @kbd{@key{META} ?}. You can type this either by holding down a
1532 key designated as the @key{META} shift on your keyboard (if there is
1533 one) while typing @kbd{?}, or as @key{ESC} followed by @kbd{?}.
1534
1535 @cindex quotes in commands
1536 @cindex completion of quoted strings
1537 Sometimes the string you need, while logically a ``word'', may contain
1538 parentheses or other characters that @value{GDBN} normally excludes from
1539 its notion of a word. To permit word completion to work in this
1540 situation, you may enclose words in @code{'} (single quote marks) in
1541 @value{GDBN} commands.
1542
1543 The most likely situation where you might need this is in typing the
1544 name of a C@t{++} function. This is because C@t{++} allows function
1545 overloading (multiple definitions of the same function, distinguished
1546 by argument type). For example, when you want to set a breakpoint you
1547 may need to distinguish whether you mean the version of @code{name}
1548 that takes an @code{int} parameter, @code{name(int)}, or the version
1549 that takes a @code{float} parameter, @code{name(float)}. To use the
1550 word-completion facilities in this situation, type a single quote
1551 @code{'} at the beginning of the function name. This alerts
1552 @value{GDBN} that it may need to consider more information than usual
1553 when you press @key{TAB} or @kbd{M-?} to request word completion:
1554
1555 @smallexample
1556 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble( @kbd{M-?}
1557 bubble(double,double) bubble(int,int)
1558 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1559 @end smallexample
1560
1561 In some cases, @value{GDBN} can tell that completing a name requires using
1562 quotes. When this happens, @value{GDBN} inserts the quote for you (while
1563 completing as much as it can) if you do not type the quote in the first
1564 place:
1565
1566 @smallexample
1567 (@value{GDBP}) b bub @key{TAB}
1568 @exdent @value{GDBN} alters your input line to the following, and rings a bell:
1569 (@value{GDBP}) b 'bubble(
1570 @end smallexample
1571
1572 @noindent
1573 In general, @value{GDBN} can tell that a quote is needed (and inserts it) if
1574 you have not yet started typing the argument list when you ask for
1575 completion on an overloaded symbol.
1576
1577 For more information about overloaded functions, see @ref{C Plus Plus
1578 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}. You can use the command @code{set
1579 overload-resolution off} to disable overload resolution;
1580 see @ref{Debugging C Plus Plus, ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
1581
1582 @cindex completion of structure field names
1583 @cindex structure field name completion
1584 @cindex completion of union field names
1585 @cindex union field name completion
1586 When completing in an expression which looks up a field in a
1587 structure, @value{GDBN} also tries@footnote{The completer can be
1588 confused by certain kinds of invalid expressions. Also, it only
1589 examines the static type of the expression, not the dynamic type.} to
1590 limit completions to the field names available in the type of the
1591 left-hand-side:
1592
1593 @smallexample
1594 (@value{GDBP}) p gdb_stdout.@kbd{M-?}
1595 magic to_fputs to_rewind
1596 to_data to_isatty to_write
1597 to_delete to_put to_write_async_safe
1598 to_flush to_read
1599 @end smallexample
1600
1601 @noindent
1602 This is because the @code{gdb_stdout} is a variable of the type
1603 @code{struct ui_file} that is defined in @value{GDBN} sources as
1604 follows:
1605
1606 @smallexample
1607 struct ui_file
1608 @{
1609 int *magic;
1610 ui_file_flush_ftype *to_flush;
1611 ui_file_write_ftype *to_write;
1612 ui_file_write_async_safe_ftype *to_write_async_safe;
1613 ui_file_fputs_ftype *to_fputs;
1614 ui_file_read_ftype *to_read;
1615 ui_file_delete_ftype *to_delete;
1616 ui_file_isatty_ftype *to_isatty;
1617 ui_file_rewind_ftype *to_rewind;
1618 ui_file_put_ftype *to_put;
1619 void *to_data;
1620 @}
1621 @end smallexample
1622
1623
1624 @node Help
1625 @section Getting Help
1626 @cindex online documentation
1627 @kindex help
1628
1629 You can always ask @value{GDBN} itself for information on its commands,
1630 using the command @code{help}.
1631
1632 @table @code
1633 @kindex h @r{(@code{help})}
1634 @item help
1635 @itemx h
1636 You can use @code{help} (abbreviated @code{h}) with no arguments to
1637 display a short list of named classes of commands:
1638
1639 @smallexample
1640 (@value{GDBP}) help
1641 List of classes of commands:
1642
1643 aliases -- Aliases of other commands
1644 breakpoints -- Making program stop at certain points
1645 data -- Examining data
1646 files -- Specifying and examining files
1647 internals -- Maintenance commands
1648 obscure -- Obscure features
1649 running -- Running the program
1650 stack -- Examining the stack
1651 status -- Status inquiries
1652 support -- Support facilities
1653 tracepoints -- Tracing of program execution without
1654 stopping the program
1655 user-defined -- User-defined commands
1656
1657 Type "help" followed by a class name for a list of
1658 commands in that class.
1659 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1660 documentation.
1661 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1662 (@value{GDBP})
1663 @end smallexample
1664 @c the above line break eliminates huge line overfull...
1665
1666 @item help @var{class}
1667 Using one of the general help classes as an argument, you can get a
1668 list of the individual commands in that class. For example, here is the
1669 help display for the class @code{status}:
1670
1671 @smallexample
1672 (@value{GDBP}) help status
1673 Status inquiries.
1674
1675 List of commands:
1676
1677 @c Line break in "show" line falsifies real output, but needed
1678 @c to fit in smallbook page size.
1679 info -- Generic command for showing things
1680 about the program being debugged
1681 show -- Generic command for showing things
1682 about the debugger
1683
1684 Type "help" followed by command name for full
1685 documentation.
1686 Command name abbreviations are allowed if unambiguous.
1687 (@value{GDBP})
1688 @end smallexample
1689
1690 @item help @var{command}
1691 With a command name as @code{help} argument, @value{GDBN} displays a
1692 short paragraph on how to use that command.
1693
1694 @kindex apropos
1695 @item apropos @var{args}
1696 The @code{apropos} command searches through all of the @value{GDBN}
1697 commands, and their documentation, for the regular expression specified in
1698 @var{args}. It prints out all matches found. For example:
1699
1700 @smallexample
1701 apropos reload
1702 @end smallexample
1703
1704 @noindent
1705 results in:
1706
1707 @smallexample
1708 @c @group
1709 set symbol-reloading -- Set dynamic symbol table reloading
1710 multiple times in one run
1711 show symbol-reloading -- Show dynamic symbol table reloading
1712 multiple times in one run
1713 @c @end group
1714 @end smallexample
1715
1716 @kindex complete
1717 @item complete @var{args}
1718 The @code{complete @var{args}} command lists all the possible completions
1719 for the beginning of a command. Use @var{args} to specify the beginning of the
1720 command you want completed. For example:
1721
1722 @smallexample
1723 complete i
1724 @end smallexample
1725
1726 @noindent results in:
1727
1728 @smallexample
1729 @group
1730 if
1731 ignore
1732 info
1733 inspect
1734 @end group
1735 @end smallexample
1736
1737 @noindent This is intended for use by @sc{gnu} Emacs.
1738 @end table
1739
1740 In addition to @code{help}, you can use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{info}
1741 and @code{show} to inquire about the state of your program, or the state
1742 of @value{GDBN} itself. Each command supports many topics of inquiry; this
1743 manual introduces each of them in the appropriate context. The listings
1744 under @code{info} and under @code{show} in the Index point to
1745 all the sub-commands. @xref{Index}.
1746
1747 @c @group
1748 @table @code
1749 @kindex info
1750 @kindex i @r{(@code{info})}
1751 @item info
1752 This command (abbreviated @code{i}) is for describing the state of your
1753 program. For example, you can show the arguments passed to a function
1754 with @code{info args}, list the registers currently in use with @code{info
1755 registers}, or list the breakpoints you have set with @code{info breakpoints}.
1756 You can get a complete list of the @code{info} sub-commands with
1757 @w{@code{help info}}.
1758
1759 @kindex set
1760 @item set
1761 You can assign the result of an expression to an environment variable with
1762 @code{set}. For example, you can set the @value{GDBN} prompt to a $-sign with
1763 @code{set prompt $}.
1764
1765 @kindex show
1766 @item show
1767 In contrast to @code{info}, @code{show} is for describing the state of
1768 @value{GDBN} itself.
1769 You can change most of the things you can @code{show}, by using the
1770 related command @code{set}; for example, you can control what number
1771 system is used for displays with @code{set radix}, or simply inquire
1772 which is currently in use with @code{show radix}.
1773
1774 @kindex info set
1775 To display all the settable parameters and their current
1776 values, you can use @code{show} with no arguments; you may also use
1777 @code{info set}. Both commands produce the same display.
1778 @c FIXME: "info set" violates the rule that "info" is for state of
1779 @c FIXME...program. Ck w/ GNU: "info set" to be called something else,
1780 @c FIXME...or change desc of rule---eg "state of prog and debugging session"?
1781 @end table
1782 @c @end group
1783
1784 Here are three miscellaneous @code{show} subcommands, all of which are
1785 exceptional in lacking corresponding @code{set} commands:
1786
1787 @table @code
1788 @kindex show version
1789 @cindex @value{GDBN} version number
1790 @item show version
1791 Show what version of @value{GDBN} is running. You should include this
1792 information in @value{GDBN} bug-reports. If multiple versions of
1793 @value{GDBN} are in use at your site, you may need to determine which
1794 version of @value{GDBN} you are running; as @value{GDBN} evolves, new
1795 commands are introduced, and old ones may wither away. Also, many
1796 system vendors ship variant versions of @value{GDBN}, and there are
1797 variant versions of @value{GDBN} in @sc{gnu}/Linux distributions as well.
1798 The version number is the same as the one announced when you start
1799 @value{GDBN}.
1800
1801 @kindex show copying
1802 @kindex info copying
1803 @cindex display @value{GDBN} copyright
1804 @item show copying
1805 @itemx info copying
1806 Display information about permission for copying @value{GDBN}.
1807
1808 @kindex show warranty
1809 @kindex info warranty
1810 @item show warranty
1811 @itemx info warranty
1812 Display the @sc{gnu} ``NO WARRANTY'' statement, or a warranty,
1813 if your version of @value{GDBN} comes with one.
1814
1815 @end table
1816
1817 @node Running
1818 @chapter Running Programs Under @value{GDBN}
1819
1820 When you run a program under @value{GDBN}, you must first generate
1821 debugging information when you compile it.
1822
1823 You may start @value{GDBN} with its arguments, if any, in an environment
1824 of your choice. If you are doing native debugging, you may redirect
1825 your program's input and output, debug an already running process, or
1826 kill a child process.
1827
1828 @menu
1829 * Compilation:: Compiling for debugging
1830 * Starting:: Starting your program
1831 * Arguments:: Your program's arguments
1832 * Environment:: Your program's environment
1833
1834 * Working Directory:: Your program's working directory
1835 * Input/Output:: Your program's input and output
1836 * Attach:: Debugging an already-running process
1837 * Kill Process:: Killing the child process
1838
1839 * Inferiors and Programs:: Debugging multiple inferiors and programs
1840 * Threads:: Debugging programs with multiple threads
1841 * Forks:: Debugging forks
1842 * Checkpoint/Restart:: Setting a @emph{bookmark} to return to later
1843 @end menu
1844
1845 @node Compilation
1846 @section Compiling for Debugging
1847
1848 In order to debug a program effectively, you need to generate
1849 debugging information when you compile it. This debugging information
1850 is stored in the object file; it describes the data type of each
1851 variable or function and the correspondence between source line numbers
1852 and addresses in the executable code.
1853
1854 To request debugging information, specify the @samp{-g} option when you run
1855 the compiler.
1856
1857 Programs that are to be shipped to your customers are compiled with
1858 optimizations, using the @samp{-O} compiler option. However, some
1859 compilers are unable to handle the @samp{-g} and @samp{-O} options
1860 together. Using those compilers, you cannot generate optimized
1861 executables containing debugging information.
1862
1863 @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler, supports @samp{-g} with or
1864 without @samp{-O}, making it possible to debug optimized code. We
1865 recommend that you @emph{always} use @samp{-g} whenever you compile a
1866 program. You may think your program is correct, but there is no sense
1867 in pushing your luck. For more information, see @ref{Optimized Code}.
1868
1869 Older versions of the @sc{gnu} C compiler permitted a variant option
1870 @w{@samp{-gg}} for debugging information. @value{GDBN} no longer supports this
1871 format; if your @sc{gnu} C compiler has this option, do not use it.
1872
1873 @value{GDBN} knows about preprocessor macros and can show you their
1874 expansion (@pxref{Macros}). Most compilers do not include information
1875 about preprocessor macros in the debugging information if you specify
1876 the @option{-g} flag alone, because this information is rather large.
1877 Version 3.1 and later of @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C compiler,
1878 provides macro information if you specify the options
1879 @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3}; the former option requests
1880 debugging information in the Dwarf 2 format, and the latter requests
1881 ``extra information''. In the future, we hope to find more compact
1882 ways to represent macro information, so that it can be included with
1883 @option{-g} alone.
1884
1885 @need 2000
1886 @node Starting
1887 @section Starting your Program
1888 @cindex starting
1889 @cindex running
1890
1891 @table @code
1892 @kindex run
1893 @kindex r @r{(@code{run})}
1894 @item run
1895 @itemx r
1896 Use the @code{run} command to start your program under @value{GDBN}.
1897 You must first specify the program name (except on VxWorks) with an
1898 argument to @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Invocation, ,Getting In and Out of
1899 @value{GDBN}}), or by using the @code{file} or @code{exec-file} command
1900 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
1901
1902 @end table
1903
1904 If you are running your program in an execution environment that
1905 supports processes, @code{run} creates an inferior process and makes
1906 that process run your program. In some environments without processes,
1907 @code{run} jumps to the start of your program. Other targets,
1908 like @samp{remote}, are always running. If you get an error
1909 message like this one:
1910
1911 @smallexample
1912 The "remote" target does not support "run".
1913 Try "help target" or "continue".
1914 @end smallexample
1915
1916 @noindent
1917 then use @code{continue} to run your program. You may need @code{load}
1918 first (@pxref{load}).
1919
1920 The execution of a program is affected by certain information it
1921 receives from its superior. @value{GDBN} provides ways to specify this
1922 information, which you must do @emph{before} starting your program. (You
1923 can change it after starting your program, but such changes only affect
1924 your program the next time you start it.) This information may be
1925 divided into four categories:
1926
1927 @table @asis
1928 @item The @emph{arguments.}
1929 Specify the arguments to give your program as the arguments of the
1930 @code{run} command. If a shell is available on your target, the shell
1931 is used to pass the arguments, so that you may use normal conventions
1932 (such as wildcard expansion or variable substitution) in describing
1933 the arguments.
1934 In Unix systems, you can control which shell is used with the
1935 @code{SHELL} environment variable.
1936 @xref{Arguments, ,Your Program's Arguments}.
1937
1938 @item The @emph{environment.}
1939 Your program normally inherits its environment from @value{GDBN}, but you can
1940 use the @value{GDBN} commands @code{set environment} and @code{unset
1941 environment} to change parts of the environment that affect
1942 your program. @xref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}.
1943
1944 @item The @emph{working directory.}
1945 Your program inherits its working directory from @value{GDBN}. You can set
1946 the @value{GDBN} working directory with the @code{cd} command in @value{GDBN}.
1947 @xref{Working Directory, ,Your Program's Working Directory}.
1948
1949 @item The @emph{standard input and output.}
1950 Your program normally uses the same device for standard input and
1951 standard output as @value{GDBN} is using. You can redirect input and output
1952 in the @code{run} command line, or you can use the @code{tty} command to
1953 set a different device for your program.
1954 @xref{Input/Output, ,Your Program's Input and Output}.
1955
1956 @cindex pipes
1957 @emph{Warning:} While input and output redirection work, you cannot use
1958 pipes to pass the output of the program you are debugging to another
1959 program; if you attempt this, @value{GDBN} is likely to wind up debugging the
1960 wrong program.
1961 @end table
1962
1963 When you issue the @code{run} command, your program begins to execute
1964 immediately. @xref{Stopping, ,Stopping and Continuing}, for discussion
1965 of how to arrange for your program to stop. Once your program has
1966 stopped, you may call functions in your program, using the @code{print}
1967 or @code{call} commands. @xref{Data, ,Examining Data}.
1968
1969 If the modification time of your symbol file has changed since the last
1970 time @value{GDBN} read its symbols, @value{GDBN} discards its symbol
1971 table, and reads it again. When it does this, @value{GDBN} tries to retain
1972 your current breakpoints.
1973
1974 @table @code
1975 @kindex start
1976 @item start
1977 @cindex run to main procedure
1978 The name of the main procedure can vary from language to language.
1979 With C or C@t{++}, the main procedure name is always @code{main}, but
1980 other languages such as Ada do not require a specific name for their
1981 main procedure. The debugger provides a convenient way to start the
1982 execution of the program and to stop at the beginning of the main
1983 procedure, depending on the language used.
1984
1985 The @samp{start} command does the equivalent of setting a temporary
1986 breakpoint at the beginning of the main procedure and then invoking
1987 the @samp{run} command.
1988
1989 @cindex elaboration phase
1990 Some programs contain an @dfn{elaboration} phase where some startup code is
1991 executed before the main procedure is called. This depends on the
1992 languages used to write your program. In C@t{++}, for instance,
1993 constructors for static and global objects are executed before
1994 @code{main} is called. It is therefore possible that the debugger stops
1995 before reaching the main procedure. However, the temporary breakpoint
1996 will remain to halt execution.
1997
1998 Specify the arguments to give to your program as arguments to the
1999 @samp{start} command. These arguments will be given verbatim to the
2000 underlying @samp{run} command. Note that the same arguments will be
2001 reused if no argument is provided during subsequent calls to
2002 @samp{start} or @samp{run}.
2003
2004 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration. In
2005 these cases, using the @code{start} command would stop the execution of
2006 your program too late, as the program would have already completed the
2007 elaboration phase. Under these circumstances, insert breakpoints in your
2008 elaboration code before running your program.
2009
2010 @kindex set exec-wrapper
2011 @item set exec-wrapper @var{wrapper}
2012 @itemx show exec-wrapper
2013 @itemx unset exec-wrapper
2014 When @samp{exec-wrapper} is set, the specified wrapper is used to
2015 launch programs for debugging. @value{GDBN} starts your program
2016 with a shell command of the form @kbd{exec @var{wrapper}
2017 @var{program}}. Quoting is added to @var{program} and its
2018 arguments, but not to @var{wrapper}, so you should add quotes if
2019 appropriate for your shell. The wrapper runs until it executes
2020 your program, and then @value{GDBN} takes control.
2021
2022 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
2023 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
2024 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
2025 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
2026
2027 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
2028 the debugged program, without setting the variable in your shell's
2029 environment:
2030
2031 @smallexample
2032 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper env 'LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so'
2033 (@value{GDBP}) run
2034 @end smallexample
2035
2036 This command is available when debugging locally on most targets, excluding
2037 @sc{djgpp}, Cygwin, MS Windows, and QNX Neutrino.
2038
2039 @kindex set disable-randomization
2040 @item set disable-randomization
2041 @itemx set disable-randomization on
2042 This option (enabled by default in @value{GDBN}) will turn off the native
2043 randomization of the virtual address space of the started program. This option
2044 is useful for multiple debugging sessions to make the execution better
2045 reproducible and memory addresses reusable across debugging sessions.
2046
2047 This feature is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux. You can get the same
2048 behavior using
2049
2050 @smallexample
2051 (@value{GDBP}) set exec-wrapper setarch `uname -m` -R
2052 @end smallexample
2053
2054 @item set disable-randomization off
2055 Leave the behavior of the started executable unchanged. Some bugs rear their
2056 ugly heads only when the program is loaded at certain addresses. If your bug
2057 disappears when you run the program under @value{GDBN}, that might be because
2058 @value{GDBN} by default disables the address randomization on platforms, such
2059 as @sc{gnu}/Linux, which do that for stand-alone programs. Use @kbd{set
2060 disable-randomization off} to try to reproduce such elusive bugs.
2061
2062 The virtual address space randomization is implemented only on @sc{gnu}/Linux.
2063 It protects the programs against some kinds of security attacks. In these
2064 cases the attacker needs to know the exact location of a concrete executable
2065 code. Randomizing its location makes it impossible to inject jumps misusing
2066 a code at its expected addresses.
2067
2068 Prelinking shared libraries provides a startup performance advantage but it
2069 makes addresses in these libraries predictable for privileged processes by
2070 having just unprivileged access at the target system. Reading the shared
2071 library binary gives enough information for assembling the malicious code
2072 misusing it. Still even a prelinked shared library can get loaded at a new
2073 random address just requiring the regular relocation process during the
2074 startup. Shared libraries not already prelinked are always loaded at
2075 a randomly chosen address.
2076
2077 Position independent executables (PIE) contain position independent code
2078 similar to the shared libraries and therefore such executables get loaded at
2079 a randomly chosen address upon startup. PIE executables always load even
2080 already prelinked shared libraries at a random address. You can build such
2081 executable using @command{gcc -fPIE -pie}.
2082
2083 Heap (malloc storage), stack and custom mmap areas are always placed randomly
2084 (as long as the randomization is enabled).
2085
2086 @item show disable-randomization
2087 Show the current setting of the explicit disable of the native randomization of
2088 the virtual address space of the started program.
2089
2090 @end table
2091
2092 @node Arguments
2093 @section Your Program's Arguments
2094
2095 @cindex arguments (to your program)
2096 The arguments to your program can be specified by the arguments of the
2097 @code{run} command.
2098 They are passed to a shell, which expands wildcard characters and
2099 performs redirection of I/O, and thence to your program. Your
2100 @code{SHELL} environment variable (if it exists) specifies what shell
2101 @value{GDBN} uses. If you do not define @code{SHELL}, @value{GDBN} uses
2102 the default shell (@file{/bin/sh} on Unix).
2103
2104 On non-Unix systems, the program is usually invoked directly by
2105 @value{GDBN}, which emulates I/O redirection via the appropriate system
2106 calls, and the wildcard characters are expanded by the startup code of
2107 the program, not by the shell.
2108
2109 @code{run} with no arguments uses the same arguments used by the previous
2110 @code{run}, or those set by the @code{set args} command.
2111
2112 @table @code
2113 @kindex set args
2114 @item set args
2115 Specify the arguments to be used the next time your program is run. If
2116 @code{set args} has no arguments, @code{run} executes your program
2117 with no arguments. Once you have run your program with arguments,
2118 using @code{set args} before the next @code{run} is the only way to run
2119 it again without arguments.
2120
2121 @kindex show args
2122 @item show args
2123 Show the arguments to give your program when it is started.
2124 @end table
2125
2126 @node Environment
2127 @section Your Program's Environment
2128
2129 @cindex environment (of your program)
2130 The @dfn{environment} consists of a set of environment variables and
2131 their values. Environment variables conventionally record such things as
2132 your user name, your home directory, your terminal type, and your search
2133 path for programs to run. Usually you set up environment variables with
2134 the shell and they are inherited by all the other programs you run. When
2135 debugging, it can be useful to try running your program with a modified
2136 environment without having to start @value{GDBN} over again.
2137
2138 @table @code
2139 @kindex path
2140 @item path @var{directory}
2141 Add @var{directory} to the front of the @code{PATH} environment variable
2142 (the search path for executables) that will be passed to your program.
2143 The value of @code{PATH} used by @value{GDBN} does not change.
2144 You may specify several directory names, separated by whitespace or by a
2145 system-dependent separator character (@samp{:} on Unix, @samp{;} on
2146 MS-DOS and MS-Windows). If @var{directory} is already in the path, it
2147 is moved to the front, so it is searched sooner.
2148
2149 You can use the string @samp{$cwd} to refer to whatever is the current
2150 working directory at the time @value{GDBN} searches the path. If you
2151 use @samp{.} instead, it refers to the directory where you executed the
2152 @code{path} command. @value{GDBN} replaces @samp{.} in the
2153 @var{directory} argument (with the current path) before adding
2154 @var{directory} to the search path.
2155 @c 'path' is explicitly nonrepeatable, but RMS points out it is silly to
2156 @c document that, since repeating it would be a no-op.
2157
2158 @kindex show paths
2159 @item show paths
2160 Display the list of search paths for executables (the @code{PATH}
2161 environment variable).
2162
2163 @kindex show environment
2164 @item show environment @r{[}@var{varname}@r{]}
2165 Print the value of environment variable @var{varname} to be given to
2166 your program when it starts. If you do not supply @var{varname},
2167 print the names and values of all environment variables to be given to
2168 your program. You can abbreviate @code{environment} as @code{env}.
2169
2170 @kindex set environment
2171 @item set environment @var{varname} @r{[}=@var{value}@r{]}
2172 Set environment variable @var{varname} to @var{value}. The value
2173 changes for your program only, not for @value{GDBN} itself. @var{value} may
2174 be any string; the values of environment variables are just strings, and
2175 any interpretation is supplied by your program itself. The @var{value}
2176 parameter is optional; if it is eliminated, the variable is set to a
2177 null value.
2178 @c "any string" here does not include leading, trailing
2179 @c blanks. Gnu asks: does anyone care?
2180
2181 For example, this command:
2182
2183 @smallexample
2184 set env USER = foo
2185 @end smallexample
2186
2187 @noindent
2188 tells the debugged program, when subsequently run, that its user is named
2189 @samp{foo}. (The spaces around @samp{=} are used for clarity here; they
2190 are not actually required.)
2191
2192 @kindex unset environment
2193 @item unset environment @var{varname}
2194 Remove variable @var{varname} from the environment to be passed to your
2195 program. This is different from @samp{set env @var{varname} =};
2196 @code{unset environment} removes the variable from the environment,
2197 rather than assigning it an empty value.
2198 @end table
2199
2200 @emph{Warning:} On Unix systems, @value{GDBN} runs your program using
2201 the shell indicated
2202 by your @code{SHELL} environment variable if it exists (or
2203 @code{/bin/sh} if not). If your @code{SHELL} variable names a shell
2204 that runs an initialization file---such as @file{.cshrc} for C-shell, or
2205 @file{.bashrc} for BASH---any variables you set in that file affect
2206 your program. You may wish to move setting of environment variables to
2207 files that are only run when you sign on, such as @file{.login} or
2208 @file{.profile}.
2209
2210 @node Working Directory
2211 @section Your Program's Working Directory
2212
2213 @cindex working directory (of your program)
2214 Each time you start your program with @code{run}, it inherits its
2215 working directory from the current working directory of @value{GDBN}.
2216 The @value{GDBN} working directory is initially whatever it inherited
2217 from its parent process (typically the shell), but you can specify a new
2218 working directory in @value{GDBN} with the @code{cd} command.
2219
2220 The @value{GDBN} working directory also serves as a default for the commands
2221 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2222 Specify Files}.
2223
2224 @table @code
2225 @kindex cd
2226 @cindex change working directory
2227 @item cd @var{directory}
2228 Set the @value{GDBN} working directory to @var{directory}.
2229
2230 @kindex pwd
2231 @item pwd
2232 Print the @value{GDBN} working directory.
2233 @end table
2234
2235 It is generally impossible to find the current working directory of
2236 the process being debugged (since a program can change its directory
2237 during its run). If you work on a system where @value{GDBN} is
2238 configured with the @file{/proc} support, you can use the @code{info
2239 proc} command (@pxref{SVR4 Process Information}) to find out the
2240 current working directory of the debuggee.
2241
2242 @node Input/Output
2243 @section Your Program's Input and Output
2244
2245 @cindex redirection
2246 @cindex i/o
2247 @cindex terminal
2248 By default, the program you run under @value{GDBN} does input and output to
2249 the same terminal that @value{GDBN} uses. @value{GDBN} switches the terminal
2250 to its own terminal modes to interact with you, but it records the terminal
2251 modes your program was using and switches back to them when you continue
2252 running your program.
2253
2254 @table @code
2255 @kindex info terminal
2256 @item info terminal
2257 Displays information recorded by @value{GDBN} about the terminal modes your
2258 program is using.
2259 @end table
2260
2261 You can redirect your program's input and/or output using shell
2262 redirection with the @code{run} command. For example,
2263
2264 @smallexample
2265 run > outfile
2266 @end smallexample
2267
2268 @noindent
2269 starts your program, diverting its output to the file @file{outfile}.
2270
2271 @kindex tty
2272 @cindex controlling terminal
2273 Another way to specify where your program should do input and output is
2274 with the @code{tty} command. This command accepts a file name as
2275 argument, and causes this file to be the default for future @code{run}
2276 commands. It also resets the controlling terminal for the child
2277 process, for future @code{run} commands. For example,
2278
2279 @smallexample
2280 tty /dev/ttyb
2281 @end smallexample
2282
2283 @noindent
2284 directs that processes started with subsequent @code{run} commands
2285 default to do input and output on the terminal @file{/dev/ttyb} and have
2286 that as their controlling terminal.
2287
2288 An explicit redirection in @code{run} overrides the @code{tty} command's
2289 effect on the input/output device, but not its effect on the controlling
2290 terminal.
2291
2292 When you use the @code{tty} command or redirect input in the @code{run}
2293 command, only the input @emph{for your program} is affected. The input
2294 for @value{GDBN} still comes from your terminal. @code{tty} is an alias
2295 for @code{set inferior-tty}.
2296
2297 @cindex inferior tty
2298 @cindex set inferior controlling terminal
2299 You can use the @code{show inferior-tty} command to tell @value{GDBN} to
2300 display the name of the terminal that will be used for future runs of your
2301 program.
2302
2303 @table @code
2304 @item set inferior-tty /dev/ttyb
2305 @kindex set inferior-tty
2306 Set the tty for the program being debugged to /dev/ttyb.
2307
2308 @item show inferior-tty
2309 @kindex show inferior-tty
2310 Show the current tty for the program being debugged.
2311 @end table
2312
2313 @node Attach
2314 @section Debugging an Already-running Process
2315 @kindex attach
2316 @cindex attach
2317
2318 @table @code
2319 @item attach @var{process-id}
2320 This command attaches to a running process---one that was started
2321 outside @value{GDBN}. (@code{info files} shows your active
2322 targets.) The command takes as argument a process ID. The usual way to
2323 find out the @var{process-id} of a Unix process is with the @code{ps} utility,
2324 or with the @samp{jobs -l} shell command.
2325
2326 @code{attach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} a second time after
2327 executing the command.
2328 @end table
2329
2330 To use @code{attach}, your program must be running in an environment
2331 which supports processes; for example, @code{attach} does not work for
2332 programs on bare-board targets that lack an operating system. You must
2333 also have permission to send the process a signal.
2334
2335 When you use @code{attach}, the debugger finds the program running in
2336 the process first by looking in the current working directory, then (if
2337 the program is not found) by using the source file search path
2338 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}). You can also use
2339 the @code{file} command to load the program. @xref{Files, ,Commands to
2340 Specify Files}.
2341
2342 The first thing @value{GDBN} does after arranging to debug the specified
2343 process is to stop it. You can examine and modify an attached process
2344 with all the @value{GDBN} commands that are ordinarily available when
2345 you start processes with @code{run}. You can insert breakpoints; you
2346 can step and continue; you can modify storage. If you would rather the
2347 process continue running, you may use the @code{continue} command after
2348 attaching @value{GDBN} to the process.
2349
2350 @table @code
2351 @kindex detach
2352 @item detach
2353 When you have finished debugging the attached process, you can use the
2354 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control. Detaching
2355 the process continues its execution. After the @code{detach} command,
2356 that process and @value{GDBN} become completely independent once more, and you
2357 are ready to @code{attach} another process or start one with @code{run}.
2358 @code{detach} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
2359 executing the command.
2360 @end table
2361
2362 If you exit @value{GDBN} while you have an attached process, you detach
2363 that process. If you use the @code{run} command, you kill that process.
2364 By default, @value{GDBN} asks for confirmation if you try to do either of these
2365 things; you can control whether or not you need to confirm by using the
2366 @code{set confirm} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
2367 Messages}).
2368
2369 @node Kill Process
2370 @section Killing the Child Process
2371
2372 @table @code
2373 @kindex kill
2374 @item kill
2375 Kill the child process in which your program is running under @value{GDBN}.
2376 @end table
2377
2378 This command is useful if you wish to debug a core dump instead of a
2379 running process. @value{GDBN} ignores any core dump file while your program
2380 is running.
2381
2382 On some operating systems, a program cannot be executed outside @value{GDBN}
2383 while you have breakpoints set on it inside @value{GDBN}. You can use the
2384 @code{kill} command in this situation to permit running your program
2385 outside the debugger.
2386
2387 The @code{kill} command is also useful if you wish to recompile and
2388 relink your program, since on many systems it is impossible to modify an
2389 executable file while it is running in a process. In this case, when you
2390 next type @code{run}, @value{GDBN} notices that the file has changed, and
2391 reads the symbol table again (while trying to preserve your current
2392 breakpoint settings).
2393
2394 @node Inferiors and Programs
2395 @section Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs
2396
2397 @value{GDBN} lets you run and debug multiple programs in a single
2398 session. In addition, @value{GDBN} on some systems may let you run
2399 several programs simultaneously (otherwise you have to exit from one
2400 before starting another). In the most general case, you can have
2401 multiple threads of execution in each of multiple processes, launched
2402 from multiple executables.
2403
2404 @cindex inferior
2405 @value{GDBN} represents the state of each program execution with an
2406 object called an @dfn{inferior}. An inferior typically corresponds to
2407 a process, but is more general and applies also to targets that do not
2408 have processes. Inferiors may be created before a process runs, and
2409 may be retained after a process exits. Inferiors have unique
2410 identifiers that are different from process ids. Usually each
2411 inferior will also have its own distinct address space, although some
2412 embedded targets may have several inferiors running in different parts
2413 of a single address space. Each inferior may in turn have multiple
2414 threads running in it.
2415
2416 To find out what inferiors exist at any moment, use @w{@code{info
2417 inferiors}}:
2418
2419 @table @code
2420 @kindex info inferiors
2421 @item info inferiors
2422 Print a list of all inferiors currently being managed by @value{GDBN}.
2423
2424 @value{GDBN} displays for each inferior (in this order):
2425
2426 @enumerate
2427 @item
2428 the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2429
2430 @item
2431 the target system's inferior identifier
2432
2433 @item
2434 the name of the executable the inferior is running.
2435
2436 @end enumerate
2437
2438 @noindent
2439 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} inferior number
2440 indicates the current inferior.
2441
2442 For example,
2443 @end table
2444 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2445
2446 @smallexample
2447 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2448 Num Description Executable
2449 2 process 2307 hello
2450 * 1 process 3401 goodbye
2451 @end smallexample
2452
2453 To switch focus between inferiors, use the @code{inferior} command:
2454
2455 @table @code
2456 @kindex inferior @var{infno}
2457 @item inferior @var{infno}
2458 Make inferior number @var{infno} the current inferior. The argument
2459 @var{infno} is the inferior number assigned by @value{GDBN}, as shown
2460 in the first field of the @samp{info inferiors} display.
2461 @end table
2462
2463
2464 You can get multiple executables into a debugging session via the
2465 @code{add-inferior} and @w{@code{clone-inferior}} commands. On some
2466 systems @value{GDBN} can add inferiors to the debug session
2467 automatically by following calls to @code{fork} and @code{exec}. To
2468 remove inferiors from the debugging session use the
2469 @w{@code{remove-inferiors}} command.
2470
2471 @table @code
2472 @kindex add-inferior
2473 @item add-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ -exec @var{executable} ]
2474 Adds @var{n} inferiors to be run using @var{executable} as the
2475 executable. @var{n} defaults to 1. If no executable is specified,
2476 the inferiors begins empty, with no program. You can still assign or
2477 change the program assigned to the inferior at any time by using the
2478 @code{file} command with the executable name as its argument.
2479
2480 @kindex clone-inferior
2481 @item clone-inferior [ -copies @var{n} ] [ @var{infno} ]
2482 Adds @var{n} inferiors ready to execute the same program as inferior
2483 @var{infno}. @var{n} defaults to 1. @var{infno} defaults to the
2484 number of the current inferior. This is a convenient command when you
2485 want to run another instance of the inferior you are debugging.
2486
2487 @smallexample
2488 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2489 Num Description Executable
2490 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2491 (@value{GDBP}) clone-inferior
2492 Added inferior 2.
2493 1 inferiors added.
2494 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
2495 Num Description Executable
2496 2 <null> helloworld
2497 * 1 process 29964 helloworld
2498 @end smallexample
2499
2500 You can now simply switch focus to inferior 2 and run it.
2501
2502 @kindex remove-inferiors
2503 @item remove-inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2504 Removes the inferior or inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}. It is not
2505 possible to remove an inferior that is running with this command. For
2506 those, use the @code{kill} or @code{detach} command first.
2507
2508 @end table
2509
2510 To quit debugging one of the running inferiors that is not the current
2511 inferior, you can either detach from it by using the @w{@code{detach
2512 inferior}} command (allowing it to run independently), or kill it
2513 using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}} command:
2514
2515 @table @code
2516 @kindex detach inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2517 @item detach inferior @var{infno}@dots{}
2518 Detach from the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN}
2519 inferior number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry
2520 still stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors},
2521 but its Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2522
2523 @kindex kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2524 @item kill inferiors @var{infno}@dots{}
2525 Kill the inferior or inferiors identified by @value{GDBN} inferior
2526 number(s) @var{infno}@dots{}. Note that the inferior's entry still
2527 stays on the list of inferiors shown by @code{info inferiors}, but its
2528 Description will show @samp{<null>}.
2529 @end table
2530
2531 After the successful completion of a command such as @code{detach},
2532 @code{detach inferiors}, @code{kill} or @code{kill inferiors}, or after
2533 a normal process exit, the inferior is still valid and listed with
2534 @code{info inferiors}, ready to be restarted.
2535
2536
2537 To be notified when inferiors are started or exit under @value{GDBN}'s
2538 control use @w{@code{set print inferior-events}}:
2539
2540 @table @code
2541 @kindex set print inferior-events
2542 @cindex print messages on inferior start and exit
2543 @item set print inferior-events
2544 @itemx set print inferior-events on
2545 @itemx set print inferior-events off
2546 The @code{set print inferior-events} command allows you to enable or
2547 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new
2548 inferiors have started or that inferiors have exited or have been
2549 detached. By default, these messages will not be printed.
2550
2551 @kindex show print inferior-events
2552 @item show print inferior-events
2553 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that
2554 inferiors have started, exited or have been detached.
2555 @end table
2556
2557 Many commands will work the same with multiple programs as with a
2558 single program: e.g., @code{print myglobal} will simply display the
2559 value of @code{myglobal} in the current inferior.
2560
2561
2562 Occasionaly, when debugging @value{GDBN} itself, it may be useful to
2563 get more info about the relationship of inferiors, programs, address
2564 spaces in a debug session. You can do that with the @w{@code{maint
2565 info program-spaces}} command.
2566
2567 @table @code
2568 @kindex maint info program-spaces
2569 @item maint info program-spaces
2570 Print a list of all program spaces currently being managed by
2571 @value{GDBN}.
2572
2573 @value{GDBN} displays for each program space (in this order):
2574
2575 @enumerate
2576 @item
2577 the program space number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2578
2579 @item
2580 the name of the executable loaded into the program space, with e.g.,
2581 the @code{file} command.
2582
2583 @end enumerate
2584
2585 @noindent
2586 An asterisk @samp{*} preceding the @value{GDBN} program space number
2587 indicates the current program space.
2588
2589 In addition, below each program space line, @value{GDBN} prints extra
2590 information that isn't suitable to display in tabular form. For
2591 example, the list of inferiors bound to the program space.
2592
2593 @smallexample
2594 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2595 Id Executable
2596 2 goodbye
2597 Bound inferiors: ID 1 (process 21561)
2598 * 1 hello
2599 @end smallexample
2600
2601 Here we can see that no inferior is running the program @code{hello},
2602 while @code{process 21561} is running the program @code{goodbye}. On
2603 some targets, it is possible that multiple inferiors are bound to the
2604 same program space. The most common example is that of debugging both
2605 the parent and child processes of a @code{vfork} call. For example,
2606
2607 @smallexample
2608 (@value{GDBP}) maint info program-spaces
2609 Id Executable
2610 * 1 vfork-test
2611 Bound inferiors: ID 2 (process 18050), ID 1 (process 18045)
2612 @end smallexample
2613
2614 Here, both inferior 2 and inferior 1 are running in the same program
2615 space as a result of inferior 1 having executed a @code{vfork} call.
2616 @end table
2617
2618 @node Threads
2619 @section Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads
2620
2621 @cindex threads of execution
2622 @cindex multiple threads
2623 @cindex switching threads
2624 In some operating systems, such as HP-UX and Solaris, a single program
2625 may have more than one @dfn{thread} of execution. The precise semantics
2626 of threads differ from one operating system to another, but in general
2627 the threads of a single program are akin to multiple processes---except
2628 that they share one address space (that is, they can all examine and
2629 modify the same variables). On the other hand, each thread has its own
2630 registers and execution stack, and perhaps private memory.
2631
2632 @value{GDBN} provides these facilities for debugging multi-thread
2633 programs:
2634
2635 @itemize @bullet
2636 @item automatic notification of new threads
2637 @item @samp{thread @var{threadno}}, a command to switch among threads
2638 @item @samp{info threads}, a command to inquire about existing threads
2639 @item @samp{thread apply [@var{threadno}] [@var{all}] @var{args}},
2640 a command to apply a command to a list of threads
2641 @item thread-specific breakpoints
2642 @item @samp{set print thread-events}, which controls printing of
2643 messages on thread start and exit.
2644 @item @samp{set libthread-db-search-path @var{path}}, which lets
2645 the user specify which @code{libthread_db} to use if the default choice
2646 isn't compatible with the program.
2647 @end itemize
2648
2649 @quotation
2650 @emph{Warning:} These facilities are not yet available on every
2651 @value{GDBN} configuration where the operating system supports threads.
2652 If your @value{GDBN} does not support threads, these commands have no
2653 effect. For example, a system without thread support shows no output
2654 from @samp{info threads}, and always rejects the @code{thread} command,
2655 like this:
2656
2657 @smallexample
2658 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2659 (@value{GDBP}) thread 1
2660 Thread ID 1 not known. Use the "info threads" command to
2661 see the IDs of currently known threads.
2662 @end smallexample
2663 @c FIXME to implementors: how hard would it be to say "sorry, this GDB
2664 @c doesn't support threads"?
2665 @end quotation
2666
2667 @cindex focus of debugging
2668 @cindex current thread
2669 The @value{GDBN} thread debugging facility allows you to observe all
2670 threads while your program runs---but whenever @value{GDBN} takes
2671 control, one thread in particular is always the focus of debugging.
2672 This thread is called the @dfn{current thread}. Debugging commands show
2673 program information from the perspective of the current thread.
2674
2675 @cindex @code{New} @var{systag} message
2676 @cindex thread identifier (system)
2677 @c FIXME-implementors!! It would be more helpful if the [New...] message
2678 @c included GDB's numeric thread handle, so you could just go to that
2679 @c thread without first checking `info threads'.
2680 Whenever @value{GDBN} detects a new thread in your program, it displays
2681 the target system's identification for the thread with a message in the
2682 form @samp{[New @var{systag}]}. @var{systag} is a thread identifier
2683 whose form varies depending on the particular system. For example, on
2684 @sc{gnu}/Linux, you might see
2685
2686 @smallexample
2687 [New Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 25582)]
2688 @end smallexample
2689
2690 @noindent
2691 when @value{GDBN} notices a new thread. In contrast, on an SGI system,
2692 the @var{systag} is simply something like @samp{process 368}, with no
2693 further qualifier.
2694
2695 @c FIXME!! (1) Does the [New...] message appear even for the very first
2696 @c thread of a program, or does it only appear for the
2697 @c second---i.e.@: when it becomes obvious we have a multithread
2698 @c program?
2699 @c (2) *Is* there necessarily a first thread always? Or do some
2700 @c multithread systems permit starting a program with multiple
2701 @c threads ab initio?
2702
2703 @cindex thread number
2704 @cindex thread identifier (GDB)
2705 For debugging purposes, @value{GDBN} associates its own thread
2706 number---always a single integer---with each thread in your program.
2707
2708 @table @code
2709 @kindex info threads
2710 @item info threads @r{[}@var{id}@dots{}@r{]}
2711 Display a summary of all threads currently in your program. Optional
2712 argument @var{id}@dots{} is one or more thread ids separated by spaces, and
2713 means to print information only about the specified thread or threads.
2714 @value{GDBN} displays for each thread (in this order):
2715
2716 @enumerate
2717 @item
2718 the thread number assigned by @value{GDBN}
2719
2720 @item
2721 the target system's thread identifier (@var{systag})
2722
2723 @item
2724 the thread's name, if one is known. A thread can either be named by
2725 the user (see @code{thread name}, below), or, in some cases, by the
2726 program itself.
2727
2728 @item
2729 the current stack frame summary for that thread
2730 @end enumerate
2731
2732 @noindent
2733 An asterisk @samp{*} to the left of the @value{GDBN} thread number
2734 indicates the current thread.
2735
2736 For example,
2737 @end table
2738 @c end table here to get a little more width for example
2739
2740 @smallexample
2741 (@value{GDBP}) info threads
2742 Id Target Id Frame
2743 3 process 35 thread 27 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2744 2 process 35 thread 23 0x34e5 in sigpause ()
2745 * 1 process 35 thread 13 main (argc=1, argv=0x7ffffff8)
2746 at threadtest.c:68
2747 @end smallexample
2748
2749 On Solaris, you can display more information about user threads with a
2750 Solaris-specific command:
2751
2752 @table @code
2753 @item maint info sol-threads
2754 @kindex maint info sol-threads
2755 @cindex thread info (Solaris)
2756 Display info on Solaris user threads.
2757 @end table
2758
2759 @table @code
2760 @kindex thread @var{threadno}
2761 @item thread @var{threadno}
2762 Make thread number @var{threadno} the current thread. The command
2763 argument @var{threadno} is the internal @value{GDBN} thread number, as
2764 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display.
2765 @value{GDBN} responds by displaying the system identifier of the thread
2766 you selected, and its current stack frame summary:
2767
2768 @smallexample
2769 (@value{GDBP}) thread 2
2770 [Switching to thread 2 (Thread 0xb7fdab70 (LWP 12747))]
2771 #0 some_function (ignore=0x0) at example.c:8
2772 8 printf ("hello\n");
2773 @end smallexample
2774
2775 @noindent
2776 As with the @samp{[New @dots{}]} message, the form of the text after
2777 @samp{Switching to} depends on your system's conventions for identifying
2778 threads.
2779
2780 @vindex $_thread@r{, convenience variable}
2781 The debugger convenience variable @samp{$_thread} contains the number
2782 of the current thread. You may find this useful in writing breakpoint
2783 conditional expressions, command scripts, and so forth. See
2784 @xref{Convenience Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for general
2785 information on convenience variables.
2786
2787 @kindex thread apply
2788 @cindex apply command to several threads
2789 @item thread apply [@var{threadno} | all] @var{command}
2790 The @code{thread apply} command allows you to apply the named
2791 @var{command} to one or more threads. Specify the numbers of the
2792 threads that you want affected with the command argument
2793 @var{threadno}. It can be a single thread number, one of the numbers
2794 shown in the first field of the @samp{info threads} display; or it
2795 could be a range of thread numbers, as in @code{2-4}. To apply a
2796 command to all threads, type @kbd{thread apply all @var{command}}.
2797
2798 @kindex thread name
2799 @cindex name a thread
2800 @item thread name [@var{name}]
2801 This command assigns a name to the current thread. If no argument is
2802 given, any existing user-specified name is removed. The thread name
2803 appears in the @samp{info threads} display.
2804
2805 On some systems, such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, @value{GDBN} is able to
2806 determine the name of the thread as given by the OS. On these
2807 systems, a name specified with @samp{thread name} will override the
2808 system-give name, and removing the user-specified name will cause
2809 @value{GDBN} to once again display the system-specified name.
2810
2811 @kindex thread find
2812 @cindex search for a thread
2813 @item thread find [@var{regexp}]
2814 Search for and display thread ids whose name or @var{systag}
2815 matches the supplied regular expression.
2816
2817 As well as being the complement to the @samp{thread name} command,
2818 this command also allows you to identify a thread by its target
2819 @var{systag}. For instance, on @sc{gnu}/Linux, the target @var{systag}
2820 is the LWP id.
2821
2822 @smallexample
2823 (@value{GDBN}) thread find 26688
2824 Thread 4 has target id 'Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688)'
2825 (@value{GDBN}) info thread 4
2826 Id Target Id Frame
2827 4 Thread 0x41e02940 (LWP 26688) 0x00000031ca6cd372 in select ()
2828 @end smallexample
2829
2830 @kindex set print thread-events
2831 @cindex print messages on thread start and exit
2832 @item set print thread-events
2833 @itemx set print thread-events on
2834 @itemx set print thread-events off
2835 The @code{set print thread-events} command allows you to enable or
2836 disable printing of messages when @value{GDBN} notices that new threads have
2837 started or that threads have exited. By default, these messages will
2838 be printed if detection of these events is supported by the target.
2839 Note that these messages cannot be disabled on all targets.
2840
2841 @kindex show print thread-events
2842 @item show print thread-events
2843 Show whether messages will be printed when @value{GDBN} detects that threads
2844 have started and exited.
2845 @end table
2846
2847 @xref{Thread Stops,,Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs}, for
2848 more information about how @value{GDBN} behaves when you stop and start
2849 programs with multiple threads.
2850
2851 @xref{Set Watchpoints,,Setting Watchpoints}, for information about
2852 watchpoints in programs with multiple threads.
2853
2854 @table @code
2855 @kindex set libthread-db-search-path
2856 @cindex search path for @code{libthread_db}
2857 @item set libthread-db-search-path @r{[}@var{path}@r{]}
2858 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
2859 directories @value{GDBN} will use to search for @code{libthread_db}.
2860 If you omit @var{path}, @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to
2861 its default value (@code{$sdir:$pdir} on @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems).
2862 Internally, the default value comes from the @code{LIBTHREAD_DB_SEARCH_PATH}
2863 macro.
2864
2865 On @sc{gnu}/Linux and Solaris systems, @value{GDBN} uses a ``helper''
2866 @code{libthread_db} library to obtain information about threads in the
2867 inferior process. @value{GDBN} will use @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2868 to find @code{libthread_db}.
2869
2870 A special entry @samp{$sdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2871 refers to the default system directories that are
2872 normally searched for loading shared libraries.
2873
2874 A special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path}
2875 refers to the directory from which @code{libpthread}
2876 was loaded in the inferior process.
2877
2878 For any @code{libthread_db} library @value{GDBN} finds in above directories,
2879 @value{GDBN} attempts to initialize it with the current inferior process.
2880 If this initialization fails (which could happen because of a version
2881 mismatch between @code{libthread_db} and @code{libpthread}), @value{GDBN}
2882 will unload @code{libthread_db}, and continue with the next directory.
2883 If none of @code{libthread_db} libraries initialize successfully,
2884 @value{GDBN} will issue a warning and thread debugging will be disabled.
2885
2886 Setting @code{libthread-db-search-path} is currently implemented
2887 only on some platforms.
2888
2889 @kindex show libthread-db-search-path
2890 @item show libthread-db-search-path
2891 Display current libthread_db search path.
2892
2893 @kindex set debug libthread-db
2894 @kindex show debug libthread-db
2895 @cindex debugging @code{libthread_db}
2896 @item set debug libthread-db
2897 @itemx show debug libthread-db
2898 Turns on or off display of @code{libthread_db}-related events.
2899 Use @code{1} to enable, @code{0} to disable.
2900 @end table
2901
2902 @node Forks
2903 @section Debugging Forks
2904
2905 @cindex fork, debugging programs which call
2906 @cindex multiple processes
2907 @cindex processes, multiple
2908 On most systems, @value{GDBN} has no special support for debugging
2909 programs which create additional processes using the @code{fork}
2910 function. When a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug the
2911 parent process and the child process will run unimpeded. If you have
2912 set a breakpoint in any code which the child then executes, the child
2913 will get a @code{SIGTRAP} signal which (unless it catches the signal)
2914 will cause it to terminate.
2915
2916 However, if you want to debug the child process there is a workaround
2917 which isn't too painful. Put a call to @code{sleep} in the code which
2918 the child process executes after the fork. It may be useful to sleep
2919 only if a certain environment variable is set, or a certain file exists,
2920 so that the delay need not occur when you don't want to run @value{GDBN}
2921 on the child. While the child is sleeping, use the @code{ps} program to
2922 get its process ID. Then tell @value{GDBN} (a new invocation of
2923 @value{GDBN} if you are also debugging the parent process) to attach to
2924 the child process (@pxref{Attach}). From that point on you can debug
2925 the child process just like any other process which you attached to.
2926
2927 On some systems, @value{GDBN} provides support for debugging programs that
2928 create additional processes using the @code{fork} or @code{vfork} functions.
2929 Currently, the only platforms with this feature are HP-UX (11.x and later
2930 only?) and @sc{gnu}/Linux (kernel version 2.5.60 and later).
2931
2932 By default, when a program forks, @value{GDBN} will continue to debug
2933 the parent process and the child process will run unimpeded.
2934
2935 If you want to follow the child process instead of the parent process,
2936 use the command @w{@code{set follow-fork-mode}}.
2937
2938 @table @code
2939 @kindex set follow-fork-mode
2940 @item set follow-fork-mode @var{mode}
2941 Set the debugger response to a program call of @code{fork} or
2942 @code{vfork}. A call to @code{fork} or @code{vfork} creates a new
2943 process. The @var{mode} argument can be:
2944
2945 @table @code
2946 @item parent
2947 The original process is debugged after a fork. The child process runs
2948 unimpeded. This is the default.
2949
2950 @item child
2951 The new process is debugged after a fork. The parent process runs
2952 unimpeded.
2953
2954 @end table
2955
2956 @kindex show follow-fork-mode
2957 @item show follow-fork-mode
2958 Display the current debugger response to a @code{fork} or @code{vfork} call.
2959 @end table
2960
2961 @cindex debugging multiple processes
2962 On Linux, if you want to debug both the parent and child processes, use the
2963 command @w{@code{set detach-on-fork}}.
2964
2965 @table @code
2966 @kindex set detach-on-fork
2967 @item set detach-on-fork @var{mode}
2968 Tells gdb whether to detach one of the processes after a fork, or
2969 retain debugger control over them both.
2970
2971 @table @code
2972 @item on
2973 The child process (or parent process, depending on the value of
2974 @code{follow-fork-mode}) will be detached and allowed to run
2975 independently. This is the default.
2976
2977 @item off
2978 Both processes will be held under the control of @value{GDBN}.
2979 One process (child or parent, depending on the value of
2980 @code{follow-fork-mode}) is debugged as usual, while the other
2981 is held suspended.
2982
2983 @end table
2984
2985 @kindex show detach-on-fork
2986 @item show detach-on-fork
2987 Show whether detach-on-fork mode is on/off.
2988 @end table
2989
2990 If you choose to set @samp{detach-on-fork} mode off, then @value{GDBN}
2991 will retain control of all forked processes (including nested forks).
2992 You can list the forked processes under the control of @value{GDBN} by
2993 using the @w{@code{info inferiors}} command, and switch from one fork
2994 to another by using the @code{inferior} command (@pxref{Inferiors and
2995 Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors and Programs}).
2996
2997 To quit debugging one of the forked processes, you can either detach
2998 from it by using the @w{@code{detach inferiors}} command (allowing it
2999 to run independently), or kill it using the @w{@code{kill inferiors}}
3000 command. @xref{Inferiors and Programs, ,Debugging Multiple Inferiors
3001 and Programs}.
3002
3003 If you ask to debug a child process and a @code{vfork} is followed by an
3004 @code{exec}, @value{GDBN} executes the new target up to the first
3005 breakpoint in the new target. If you have a breakpoint set on
3006 @code{main} in your original program, the breakpoint will also be set on
3007 the child process's @code{main}.
3008
3009 On some systems, when a child process is spawned by @code{vfork}, you
3010 cannot debug the child or parent until an @code{exec} call completes.
3011
3012 If you issue a @code{run} command to @value{GDBN} after an @code{exec}
3013 call executes, the new target restarts. To restart the parent
3014 process, use the @code{file} command with the parent executable name
3015 as its argument. By default, after an @code{exec} call executes,
3016 @value{GDBN} discards the symbols of the previous executable image.
3017 You can change this behaviour with the @w{@code{set follow-exec-mode}}
3018 command.
3019
3020 @table @code
3021 @kindex set follow-exec-mode
3022 @item set follow-exec-mode @var{mode}
3023
3024 Set debugger response to a program call of @code{exec}. An
3025 @code{exec} call replaces the program image of a process.
3026
3027 @code{follow-exec-mode} can be:
3028
3029 @table @code
3030 @item new
3031 @value{GDBN} creates a new inferior and rebinds the process to this
3032 new inferior. The program the process was running before the
3033 @code{exec} call can be restarted afterwards by restarting the
3034 original inferior.
3035
3036 For example:
3037
3038 @smallexample
3039 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3040 (gdb) info inferior
3041 Id Description Executable
3042 * 1 <null> prog1
3043 (@value{GDBP}) run
3044 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3045 Program exited normally.
3046 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3047 Id Description Executable
3048 * 2 <null> prog2
3049 1 <null> prog1
3050 @end smallexample
3051
3052 @item same
3053 @value{GDBN} keeps the process bound to the same inferior. The new
3054 executable image replaces the previous executable loaded in the
3055 inferior. Restarting the inferior after the @code{exec} call, with
3056 e.g., the @code{run} command, restarts the executable the process was
3057 running after the @code{exec} call. This is the default mode.
3058
3059 For example:
3060
3061 @smallexample
3062 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3063 Id Description Executable
3064 * 1 <null> prog1
3065 (@value{GDBP}) run
3066 process 12020 is executing new program: prog2
3067 Program exited normally.
3068 (@value{GDBP}) info inferiors
3069 Id Description Executable
3070 * 1 <null> prog2
3071 @end smallexample
3072
3073 @end table
3074 @end table
3075
3076 You can use the @code{catch} command to make @value{GDBN} stop whenever
3077 a @code{fork}, @code{vfork}, or @code{exec} call is made. @xref{Set
3078 Catchpoints, ,Setting Catchpoints}.
3079
3080 @node Checkpoint/Restart
3081 @section Setting a @emph{Bookmark} to Return to Later
3082
3083 @cindex checkpoint
3084 @cindex restart
3085 @cindex bookmark
3086 @cindex snapshot of a process
3087 @cindex rewind program state
3088
3089 On certain operating systems@footnote{Currently, only
3090 @sc{gnu}/Linux.}, @value{GDBN} is able to save a @dfn{snapshot} of a
3091 program's state, called a @dfn{checkpoint}, and come back to it
3092 later.
3093
3094 Returning to a checkpoint effectively undoes everything that has
3095 happened in the program since the @code{checkpoint} was saved. This
3096 includes changes in memory, registers, and even (within some limits)
3097 system state. Effectively, it is like going back in time to the
3098 moment when the checkpoint was saved.
3099
3100 Thus, if you're stepping thru a program and you think you're
3101 getting close to the point where things go wrong, you can save
3102 a checkpoint. Then, if you accidentally go too far and miss
3103 the critical statement, instead of having to restart your program
3104 from the beginning, you can just go back to the checkpoint and
3105 start again from there.
3106
3107 This can be especially useful if it takes a lot of time or
3108 steps to reach the point where you think the bug occurs.
3109
3110 To use the @code{checkpoint}/@code{restart} method of debugging:
3111
3112 @table @code
3113 @kindex checkpoint
3114 @item checkpoint
3115 Save a snapshot of the debugged program's current execution state.
3116 The @code{checkpoint} command takes no arguments, but each checkpoint
3117 is assigned a small integer id, similar to a breakpoint id.
3118
3119 @kindex info checkpoints
3120 @item info checkpoints
3121 List the checkpoints that have been saved in the current debugging
3122 session. For each checkpoint, the following information will be
3123 listed:
3124
3125 @table @code
3126 @item Checkpoint ID
3127 @item Process ID
3128 @item Code Address
3129 @item Source line, or label
3130 @end table
3131
3132 @kindex restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3133 @item restart @var{checkpoint-id}
3134 Restore the program state that was saved as checkpoint number
3135 @var{checkpoint-id}. All program variables, registers, stack frames
3136 etc.@: will be returned to the values that they had when the checkpoint
3137 was saved. In essence, gdb will ``wind back the clock'' to the point
3138 in time when the checkpoint was saved.
3139
3140 Note that breakpoints, @value{GDBN} variables, command history etc.
3141 are not affected by restoring a checkpoint. In general, a checkpoint
3142 only restores things that reside in the program being debugged, not in
3143 the debugger.
3144
3145 @kindex delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3146 @item delete checkpoint @var{checkpoint-id}
3147 Delete the previously-saved checkpoint identified by @var{checkpoint-id}.
3148
3149 @end table
3150
3151 Returning to a previously saved checkpoint will restore the user state
3152 of the program being debugged, plus a significant subset of the system
3153 (OS) state, including file pointers. It won't ``un-write'' data from
3154 a file, but it will rewind the file pointer to the previous location,
3155 so that the previously written data can be overwritten. For files
3156 opened in read mode, the pointer will also be restored so that the
3157 previously read data can be read again.
3158
3159 Of course, characters that have been sent to a printer (or other
3160 external device) cannot be ``snatched back'', and characters received
3161 from eg.@: a serial device can be removed from internal program buffers,
3162 but they cannot be ``pushed back'' into the serial pipeline, ready to
3163 be received again. Similarly, the actual contents of files that have
3164 been changed cannot be restored (at this time).
3165
3166 However, within those constraints, you actually can ``rewind'' your
3167 program to a previously saved point in time, and begin debugging it
3168 again --- and you can change the course of events so as to debug a
3169 different execution path this time.
3170
3171 @cindex checkpoints and process id
3172 Finally, there is one bit of internal program state that will be
3173 different when you return to a checkpoint --- the program's process
3174 id. Each checkpoint will have a unique process id (or @var{pid}),
3175 and each will be different from the program's original @var{pid}.
3176 If your program has saved a local copy of its process id, this could
3177 potentially pose a problem.
3178
3179 @subsection A Non-obvious Benefit of Using Checkpoints
3180
3181 On some systems such as @sc{gnu}/Linux, address space randomization
3182 is performed on new processes for security reasons. This makes it
3183 difficult or impossible to set a breakpoint, or watchpoint, on an
3184 absolute address if you have to restart the program, since the
3185 absolute location of a symbol will change from one execution to the
3186 next.
3187
3188 A checkpoint, however, is an @emph{identical} copy of a process.
3189 Therefore if you create a checkpoint at (eg.@:) the start of main,
3190 and simply return to that checkpoint instead of restarting the
3191 process, you can avoid the effects of address randomization and
3192 your symbols will all stay in the same place.
3193
3194 @node Stopping
3195 @chapter Stopping and Continuing
3196
3197 The principal purposes of using a debugger are so that you can stop your
3198 program before it terminates; or so that, if your program runs into
3199 trouble, you can investigate and find out why.
3200
3201 Inside @value{GDBN}, your program may stop for any of several reasons,
3202 such as a signal, a breakpoint, or reaching a new line after a
3203 @value{GDBN} command such as @code{step}. You may then examine and
3204 change variables, set new breakpoints or remove old ones, and then
3205 continue execution. Usually, the messages shown by @value{GDBN} provide
3206 ample explanation of the status of your program---but you can also
3207 explicitly request this information at any time.
3208
3209 @table @code
3210 @kindex info program
3211 @item info program
3212 Display information about the status of your program: whether it is
3213 running or not, what process it is, and why it stopped.
3214 @end table
3215
3216 @menu
3217 * Breakpoints:: Breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints
3218 * Continuing and Stepping:: Resuming execution
3219 * Signals:: Signals
3220 * Thread Stops:: Stopping and starting multi-thread programs
3221 @end menu
3222
3223 @node Breakpoints
3224 @section Breakpoints, Watchpoints, and Catchpoints
3225
3226 @cindex breakpoints
3227 A @dfn{breakpoint} makes your program stop whenever a certain point in
3228 the program is reached. For each breakpoint, you can add conditions to
3229 control in finer detail whether your program stops. You can set
3230 breakpoints with the @code{break} command and its variants (@pxref{Set
3231 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}), to specify the place where your program
3232 should stop by line number, function name or exact address in the
3233 program.
3234
3235 On some systems, you can set breakpoints in shared libraries before
3236 the executable is run. There is a minor limitation on HP-UX systems:
3237 you must wait until the executable is run in order to set breakpoints
3238 in shared library routines that are not called directly by the program
3239 (for example, routines that are arguments in a @code{pthread_create}
3240 call).
3241
3242 @cindex watchpoints
3243 @cindex data breakpoints
3244 @cindex memory tracing
3245 @cindex breakpoint on memory address
3246 @cindex breakpoint on variable modification
3247 A @dfn{watchpoint} is a special breakpoint that stops your program
3248 when the value of an expression changes. The expression may be a value
3249 of a variable, or it could involve values of one or more variables
3250 combined by operators, such as @samp{a + b}. This is sometimes called
3251 @dfn{data breakpoints}. You must use a different command to set
3252 watchpoints (@pxref{Set Watchpoints, ,Setting Watchpoints}), but aside
3253 from that, you can manage a watchpoint like any other breakpoint: you
3254 enable, disable, and delete both breakpoints and watchpoints using the
3255 same commands.
3256
3257 You can arrange to have values from your program displayed automatically
3258 whenever @value{GDBN} stops at a breakpoint. @xref{Auto Display,,
3259 Automatic Display}.
3260
3261 @cindex catchpoints
3262 @cindex breakpoint on events
3263 A @dfn{catchpoint} is another special breakpoint that stops your program
3264 when a certain kind of event occurs, such as the throwing of a C@t{++}
3265 exception or the loading of a library. As with watchpoints, you use a
3266 different command to set a catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints, ,Setting
3267 Catchpoints}), but aside from that, you can manage a catchpoint like any
3268 other breakpoint. (To stop when your program receives a signal, use the
3269 @code{handle} command; see @ref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
3270
3271 @cindex breakpoint numbers
3272 @cindex numbers for breakpoints
3273 @value{GDBN} assigns a number to each breakpoint, watchpoint, or
3274 catchpoint when you create it; these numbers are successive integers
3275 starting with one. In many of the commands for controlling various
3276 features of breakpoints you use the breakpoint number to say which
3277 breakpoint you want to change. Each breakpoint may be @dfn{enabled} or
3278 @dfn{disabled}; if disabled, it has no effect on your program until you
3279 enable it again.
3280
3281 @cindex breakpoint ranges
3282 @cindex ranges of breakpoints
3283 Some @value{GDBN} commands accept a range of breakpoints on which to
3284 operate. A breakpoint range is either a single breakpoint number, like
3285 @samp{5}, or two such numbers, in increasing order, separated by a
3286 hyphen, like @samp{5-7}. When a breakpoint range is given to a command,
3287 all breakpoints in that range are operated on.
3288
3289 @menu
3290 * Set Breaks:: Setting breakpoints
3291 * Set Watchpoints:: Setting watchpoints
3292 * Set Catchpoints:: Setting catchpoints
3293 * Delete Breaks:: Deleting breakpoints
3294 * Disabling:: Disabling breakpoints
3295 * Conditions:: Break conditions
3296 * Break Commands:: Breakpoint command lists
3297 * Save Breakpoints:: How to save breakpoints in a file
3298 * Error in Breakpoints:: ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
3299 * Breakpoint-related Warnings:: ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
3300 @end menu
3301
3302 @node Set Breaks
3303 @subsection Setting Breakpoints
3304
3305 @c FIXME LMB what does GDB do if no code on line of breakpt?
3306 @c consider in particular declaration with/without initialization.
3307 @c
3308 @c FIXME 2 is there stuff on this already? break at fun start, already init?
3309
3310 @kindex break
3311 @kindex b @r{(@code{break})}
3312 @vindex $bpnum@r{, convenience variable}
3313 @cindex latest breakpoint
3314 Breakpoints are set with the @code{break} command (abbreviated
3315 @code{b}). The debugger convenience variable @samp{$bpnum} records the
3316 number of the breakpoint you've set most recently; see @ref{Convenience
3317 Vars,, Convenience Variables}, for a discussion of what you can do with
3318 convenience variables.
3319
3320 @table @code
3321 @item break @var{location}
3322 Set a breakpoint at the given @var{location}, which can specify a
3323 function name, a line number, or an address of an instruction.
3324 (@xref{Specify Location}, for a list of all the possible ways to
3325 specify a @var{location}.) The breakpoint will stop your program just
3326 before it executes any of the code in the specified @var{location}.
3327
3328 When using source languages that permit overloading of symbols, such as
3329 C@t{++}, a function name may refer to more than one possible place to break.
3330 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}, for a discussion of
3331 that situation.
3332
3333 It is also possible to insert a breakpoint that will stop the program
3334 only if a specific thread (@pxref{Thread-Specific Breakpoints})
3335 or a specific task (@pxref{Ada Tasks}) hits that breakpoint.
3336
3337 @item break
3338 When called without any arguments, @code{break} sets a breakpoint at
3339 the next instruction to be executed in the selected stack frame
3340 (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}). In any selected frame but the
3341 innermost, this makes your program stop as soon as control
3342 returns to that frame. This is similar to the effect of a
3343 @code{finish} command in the frame inside the selected frame---except
3344 that @code{finish} does not leave an active breakpoint. If you use
3345 @code{break} without an argument in the innermost frame, @value{GDBN} stops
3346 the next time it reaches the current location; this may be useful
3347 inside loops.
3348
3349 @value{GDBN} normally ignores breakpoints when it resumes execution, until at
3350 least one instruction has been executed. If it did not do this, you
3351 would be unable to proceed past a breakpoint without first disabling the
3352 breakpoint. This rule applies whether or not the breakpoint already
3353 existed when your program stopped.
3354
3355 @item break @dots{} if @var{cond}
3356 Set a breakpoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
3357 @var{cond} each time the breakpoint is reached, and stop only if the
3358 value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
3359 @samp{@dots{}} stands for one of the possible arguments described
3360 above (or no argument) specifying where to break. @xref{Conditions,
3361 ,Break Conditions}, for more information on breakpoint conditions.
3362
3363 @kindex tbreak
3364 @item tbreak @var{args}
3365 Set a breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args} are the
3366 same as for the @code{break} command, and the breakpoint is set in the same
3367 way, but the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the first time your
3368 program stops there. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3369
3370 @kindex hbreak
3371 @cindex hardware breakpoints
3372 @item hbreak @var{args}
3373 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint. @var{args} are the same as for the
3374 @code{break} command and the breakpoint is set in the same way, but the
3375 breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware may not
3376 have this support. The main purpose of this is EPROM/ROM code
3377 debugging, so you can set a breakpoint at an instruction without
3378 changing the instruction. This can be used with the new trap-generation
3379 provided by SPARClite DSU and most x86-based targets. These targets
3380 will generate traps when a program accesses some data or instruction
3381 address that is assigned to the debug registers. However the hardware
3382 breakpoint registers can take a limited number of breakpoints. For
3383 example, on the DSU, only two data breakpoints can be set at a time, and
3384 @value{GDBN} will reject this command if more than two are used. Delete
3385 or disable unused hardware breakpoints before setting new ones
3386 (@pxref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}).
3387 @xref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3388 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3389 breakpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3390 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3391
3392 @kindex thbreak
3393 @item thbreak @var{args}
3394 Set a hardware-assisted breakpoint enabled only for one stop. @var{args}
3395 are the same as for the @code{hbreak} command and the breakpoint is set in
3396 the same way. However, like the @code{tbreak} command,
3397 the breakpoint is automatically deleted after the
3398 first time your program stops there. Also, like the @code{hbreak}
3399 command, the breakpoint requires hardware support and some target hardware
3400 may not have this support. @xref{Disabling, ,Disabling Breakpoints}.
3401 See also @ref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}.
3402
3403 @kindex rbreak
3404 @cindex regular expression
3405 @cindex breakpoints at functions matching a regexp
3406 @cindex set breakpoints in many functions
3407 @item rbreak @var{regex}
3408 Set breakpoints on all functions matching the regular expression
3409 @var{regex}. This command sets an unconditional breakpoint on all
3410 matches, printing a list of all breakpoints it set. Once these
3411 breakpoints are set, they are treated just like the breakpoints set with
3412 the @code{break} command. You can delete them, disable them, or make
3413 them conditional the same way as any other breakpoint.
3414
3415 The syntax of the regular expression is the standard one used with tools
3416 like @file{grep}. Note that this is different from the syntax used by
3417 shells, so for instance @code{foo*} matches all functions that include
3418 an @code{fo} followed by zero or more @code{o}s. There is an implicit
3419 @code{.*} leading and trailing the regular expression you supply, so to
3420 match only functions that begin with @code{foo}, use @code{^foo}.
3421
3422 @cindex non-member C@t{++} functions, set breakpoint in
3423 When debugging C@t{++} programs, @code{rbreak} is useful for setting
3424 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
3425 classes.
3426
3427 @cindex set breakpoints on all functions
3428 The @code{rbreak} command can be used to set breakpoints in
3429 @strong{all} the functions in a program, like this:
3430
3431 @smallexample
3432 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak .
3433 @end smallexample
3434
3435 @item rbreak @var{file}:@var{regex}
3436 If @code{rbreak} is called with a filename qualification, it limits
3437 the search for functions matching the given regular expression to the
3438 specified @var{file}. This can be used, for example, to set breakpoints on
3439 every function in a given file:
3440
3441 @smallexample
3442 (@value{GDBP}) rbreak file.c:.
3443 @end smallexample
3444
3445 The colon separating the filename qualifier from the regex may
3446 optionally be surrounded by spaces.
3447
3448 @kindex info breakpoints
3449 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info breakpoints}
3450 @item info breakpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3451 @itemx info break @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3452 Print a table of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints set and
3453 not deleted. Optional argument @var{n} means print information only
3454 about the specified breakpoint(s) (or watchpoint(s) or catchpoint(s)).
3455 For each breakpoint, following columns are printed:
3456
3457 @table @emph
3458 @item Breakpoint Numbers
3459 @item Type
3460 Breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint.
3461 @item Disposition
3462 Whether the breakpoint is marked to be disabled or deleted when hit.
3463 @item Enabled or Disabled
3464 Enabled breakpoints are marked with @samp{y}. @samp{n} marks breakpoints
3465 that are not enabled.
3466 @item Address
3467 Where the breakpoint is in your program, as a memory address. For a
3468 pending breakpoint whose address is not yet known, this field will
3469 contain @samp{<PENDING>}. Such breakpoint won't fire until a shared
3470 library that has the symbol or line referred by breakpoint is loaded.
3471 See below for details. A breakpoint with several locations will
3472 have @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in this field---see below for details.
3473 @item What
3474 Where the breakpoint is in the source for your program, as a file and
3475 line number. For a pending breakpoint, the original string passed to
3476 the breakpoint command will be listed as it cannot be resolved until
3477 the appropriate shared library is loaded in the future.
3478 @end table
3479
3480 @noindent
3481 If a breakpoint is conditional, @code{info break} shows the condition on
3482 the line following the affected breakpoint; breakpoint commands, if any,
3483 are listed after that. A pending breakpoint is allowed to have a condition
3484 specified for it. The condition is not parsed for validity until a shared
3485 library is loaded that allows the pending breakpoint to resolve to a
3486 valid location.
3487
3488 @noindent
3489 @code{info break} with a breakpoint
3490 number @var{n} as argument lists only that breakpoint. The
3491 convenience variable @code{$_} and the default examining-address for
3492 the @code{x} command are set to the address of the last breakpoint
3493 listed (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}).
3494
3495 @noindent
3496 @code{info break} displays a count of the number of times the breakpoint
3497 has been hit. This is especially useful in conjunction with the
3498 @code{ignore} command. You can ignore a large number of breakpoint
3499 hits, look at the breakpoint info to see how many times the breakpoint
3500 was hit, and then run again, ignoring one less than that number. This
3501 will get you quickly to the last hit of that breakpoint.
3502 @end table
3503
3504 @value{GDBN} allows you to set any number of breakpoints at the same place in
3505 your program. There is nothing silly or meaningless about this. When
3506 the breakpoints are conditional, this is even useful
3507 (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
3508
3509 @cindex multiple locations, breakpoints
3510 @cindex breakpoints, multiple locations
3511 It is possible that a breakpoint corresponds to several locations
3512 in your program. Examples of this situation are:
3513
3514 @itemize @bullet
3515 @item
3516 For a C@t{++} constructor, the @value{NGCC} compiler generates several
3517 instances of the function body, used in different cases.
3518
3519 @item
3520 For a C@t{++} template function, a given line in the function can
3521 correspond to any number of instantiations.
3522
3523 @item
3524 For an inlined function, a given source line can correspond to
3525 several places where that function is inlined.
3526 @end itemize
3527
3528 In all those cases, @value{GDBN} will insert a breakpoint at all
3529 the relevant locations@footnote{
3530 As of this writing, multiple-location breakpoints work only if there's
3531 line number information for all the locations. This means that they
3532 will generally not work in system libraries, unless you have debug
3533 info with line numbers for them.}.
3534
3535 A breakpoint with multiple locations is displayed in the breakpoint
3536 table using several rows---one header row, followed by one row for
3537 each breakpoint location. The header row has @samp{<MULTIPLE>} in the
3538 address column. The rows for individual locations contain the actual
3539 addresses for locations, and show the functions to which those
3540 locations belong. The number column for a location is of the form
3541 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number}.
3542
3543 For example:
3544
3545 @smallexample
3546 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
3547 1 breakpoint keep y <MULTIPLE>
3548 stop only if i==1
3549 breakpoint already hit 1 time
3550 1.1 y 0x080486a2 in void foo<int>() at t.cc:8
3551 1.2 y 0x080486ca in void foo<double>() at t.cc:8
3552 @end smallexample
3553
3554 Each location can be individually enabled or disabled by passing
3555 @var{breakpoint-number}.@var{location-number} as argument to the
3556 @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands. Note that you cannot
3557 delete the individual locations from the list, you can only delete the
3558 entire list of locations that belong to their parent breakpoint (with
3559 the @kbd{delete @var{num}} command, where @var{num} is the number of
3560 the parent breakpoint, 1 in the above example). Disabling or enabling
3561 the parent breakpoint (@pxref{Disabling}) affects all of the locations
3562 that belong to that breakpoint.
3563
3564 @cindex pending breakpoints
3565 It's quite common to have a breakpoint inside a shared library.
3566 Shared libraries can be loaded and unloaded explicitly,
3567 and possibly repeatedly, as the program is executed. To support
3568 this use case, @value{GDBN} updates breakpoint locations whenever
3569 any shared library is loaded or unloaded. Typically, you would
3570 set a breakpoint in a shared library at the beginning of your
3571 debugging session, when the library is not loaded, and when the
3572 symbols from the library are not available. When you try to set
3573 breakpoint, @value{GDBN} will ask you if you want to set
3574 a so called @dfn{pending breakpoint}---breakpoint whose address
3575 is not yet resolved.
3576
3577 After the program is run, whenever a new shared library is loaded,
3578 @value{GDBN} reevaluates all the breakpoints. When a newly loaded
3579 shared library contains the symbol or line referred to by some
3580 pending breakpoint, that breakpoint is resolved and becomes an
3581 ordinary breakpoint. When a library is unloaded, all breakpoints
3582 that refer to its symbols or source lines become pending again.
3583
3584 This logic works for breakpoints with multiple locations, too. For
3585 example, if you have a breakpoint in a C@t{++} template function, and
3586 a newly loaded shared library has an instantiation of that template,
3587 a new location is added to the list of locations for the breakpoint.
3588
3589 Except for having unresolved address, pending breakpoints do not
3590 differ from regular breakpoints. You can set conditions or commands,
3591 enable and disable them and perform other breakpoint operations.
3592
3593 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling what
3594 happens when the @samp{break} command cannot resolve breakpoint
3595 address specification to an address:
3596
3597 @kindex set breakpoint pending
3598 @kindex show breakpoint pending
3599 @table @code
3600 @item set breakpoint pending auto
3601 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} cannot find the breakpoint
3602 location, it queries you whether a pending breakpoint should be created.
3603
3604 @item set breakpoint pending on
3605 This indicates that an unrecognized breakpoint location should automatically
3606 result in a pending breakpoint being created.
3607
3608 @item set breakpoint pending off
3609 This indicates that pending breakpoints are not to be created. Any
3610 unrecognized breakpoint location results in an error. This setting does
3611 not affect any pending breakpoints previously created.
3612
3613 @item show breakpoint pending
3614 Show the current behavior setting for creating pending breakpoints.
3615 @end table
3616
3617 The settings above only affect the @code{break} command and its
3618 variants. Once breakpoint is set, it will be automatically updated
3619 as shared libraries are loaded and unloaded.
3620
3621 @cindex automatic hardware breakpoints
3622 For some targets, @value{GDBN} can automatically decide if hardware or
3623 software breakpoints should be used, depending on whether the
3624 breakpoint address is read-only or read-write. This applies to
3625 breakpoints set with the @code{break} command as well as to internal
3626 breakpoints set by commands like @code{next} and @code{finish}. For
3627 breakpoints set with @code{hbreak}, @value{GDBN} will always use hardware
3628 breakpoints.
3629
3630 You can control this automatic behaviour with the following commands::
3631
3632 @kindex set breakpoint auto-hw
3633 @kindex show breakpoint auto-hw
3634 @table @code
3635 @item set breakpoint auto-hw on
3636 This is the default behavior. When @value{GDBN} sets a breakpoint, it
3637 will try to use the target memory map to decide if software or hardware
3638 breakpoint must be used.
3639
3640 @item set breakpoint auto-hw off
3641 This indicates @value{GDBN} should not automatically select breakpoint
3642 type. If the target provides a memory map, @value{GDBN} will warn when
3643 trying to set software breakpoint at a read-only address.
3644 @end table
3645
3646 @value{GDBN} normally implements breakpoints by replacing the program code
3647 at the breakpoint address with a special instruction, which, when
3648 executed, given control to the debugger. By default, the program
3649 code is so modified only when the program is resumed. As soon as
3650 the program stops, @value{GDBN} restores the original instructions. This
3651 behaviour guards against leaving breakpoints inserted in the
3652 target should gdb abrubptly disconnect. However, with slow remote
3653 targets, inserting and removing breakpoint can reduce the performance.
3654 This behavior can be controlled with the following commands::
3655
3656 @kindex set breakpoint always-inserted
3657 @kindex show breakpoint always-inserted
3658 @table @code
3659 @item set breakpoint always-inserted off
3660 All breakpoints, including newly added by the user, are inserted in
3661 the target only when the target is resumed. All breakpoints are
3662 removed from the target when it stops.
3663
3664 @item set breakpoint always-inserted on
3665 Causes all breakpoints to be inserted in the target at all times. If
3666 the user adds a new breakpoint, or changes an existing breakpoint, the
3667 breakpoints in the target are updated immediately. A breakpoint is
3668 removed from the target only when breakpoint itself is removed.
3669
3670 @cindex non-stop mode, and @code{breakpoint always-inserted}
3671 @item set breakpoint always-inserted auto
3672 This is the default mode. If @value{GDBN} is controlling the inferior
3673 in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}), gdb behaves as if
3674 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is on. If @value{GDBN} is
3675 controlling the inferior in all-stop mode, @value{GDBN} behaves as if
3676 @code{breakpoint always-inserted} mode is off.
3677 @end table
3678
3679 @cindex negative breakpoint numbers
3680 @cindex internal @value{GDBN} breakpoints
3681 @value{GDBN} itself sometimes sets breakpoints in your program for
3682 special purposes, such as proper handling of @code{longjmp} (in C
3683 programs). These internal breakpoints are assigned negative numbers,
3684 starting with @code{-1}; @samp{info breakpoints} does not display them.
3685 You can see these breakpoints with the @value{GDBN} maintenance command
3686 @samp{maint info breakpoints} (@pxref{maint info breakpoints}).
3687
3688
3689 @node Set Watchpoints
3690 @subsection Setting Watchpoints
3691
3692 @cindex setting watchpoints
3693 You can use a watchpoint to stop execution whenever the value of an
3694 expression changes, without having to predict a particular place where
3695 this may happen. (This is sometimes called a @dfn{data breakpoint}.)
3696 The expression may be as simple as the value of a single variable, or
3697 as complex as many variables combined by operators. Examples include:
3698
3699 @itemize @bullet
3700 @item
3701 A reference to the value of a single variable.
3702
3703 @item
3704 An address cast to an appropriate data type. For example,
3705 @samp{*(int *)0x12345678} will watch a 4-byte region at the specified
3706 address (assuming an @code{int} occupies 4 bytes).
3707
3708 @item
3709 An arbitrarily complex expression, such as @samp{a*b + c/d}. The
3710 expression can use any operators valid in the program's native
3711 language (@pxref{Languages}).
3712 @end itemize
3713
3714 You can set a watchpoint on an expression even if the expression can
3715 not be evaluated yet. For instance, you can set a watchpoint on
3716 @samp{*global_ptr} before @samp{global_ptr} is initialized.
3717 @value{GDBN} will stop when your program sets @samp{global_ptr} and
3718 the expression produces a valid value. If the expression becomes
3719 valid in some other way than changing a variable (e.g.@: if the memory
3720 pointed to by @samp{*global_ptr} becomes readable as the result of a
3721 @code{malloc} call), @value{GDBN} may not stop until the next time
3722 the expression changes.
3723
3724 @cindex software watchpoints
3725 @cindex hardware watchpoints
3726 Depending on your system, watchpoints may be implemented in software or
3727 hardware. @value{GDBN} does software watchpointing by single-stepping your
3728 program and testing the variable's value each time, which is hundreds of
3729 times slower than normal execution. (But this may still be worth it, to
3730 catch errors where you have no clue what part of your program is the
3731 culprit.)
3732
3733 On some systems, such as HP-UX, PowerPC, @sc{gnu}/Linux and most other
3734 x86-based targets, @value{GDBN} includes support for hardware
3735 watchpoints, which do not slow down the running of your program.
3736
3737 @table @code
3738 @kindex watch
3739 @item watch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3740 Set a watchpoint for an expression. @value{GDBN} will break when the
3741 expression @var{expr} is written into by the program and its value
3742 changes. The simplest (and the most popular) use of this command is
3743 to watch the value of a single variable:
3744
3745 @smallexample
3746 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo
3747 @end smallexample
3748
3749 If the command includes a @code{@r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]}}
3750 argument, @value{GDBN} breaks only when the thread identified by
3751 @var{threadnum} changes the value of @var{expr}. If any other threads
3752 change the value of @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} will not break. Note
3753 that watchpoints restricted to a single thread in this way only work
3754 with Hardware Watchpoints.
3755
3756 Ordinarily a watchpoint respects the scope of variables in @var{expr}
3757 (see below). The @code{-location} argument tells @value{GDBN} to
3758 instead watch the memory referred to by @var{expr}. In this case,
3759 @value{GDBN} will evaluate @var{expr}, take the address of the result,
3760 and watch the memory at that address. The type of the result is used
3761 to determine the size of the watched memory. If the expression's
3762 result does not have an address, then @value{GDBN} will print an
3763 error.
3764
3765 The @code{@r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}} argument allows creation
3766 of masked watchpoints, if the current architecture supports this
3767 feature (e.g., PowerPC Embedded architecture, see @ref{PowerPC
3768 Embedded}.) A @dfn{masked watchpoint} specifies a mask in addition
3769 to an address to watch. The mask specifies that some bits of an address
3770 (the bits which are reset in the mask) should be ignored when matching
3771 the address accessed by the inferior against the watchpoint address.
3772 Thus, a masked watchpoint watches many addresses simultaneously---those
3773 addresses whose unmasked bits are identical to the unmasked bits in the
3774 watchpoint address. The @code{mask} argument implies @code{-location}.
3775 Examples:
3776
3777 @smallexample
3778 (@value{GDBP}) watch foo mask 0xffff00ff
3779 (@value{GDBP}) watch *0xdeadbeef mask 0xffffff00
3780 @end smallexample
3781
3782 @kindex rwatch
3783 @item rwatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3784 Set a watchpoint that will break when the value of @var{expr} is read
3785 by the program.
3786
3787 @kindex awatch
3788 @item awatch @r{[}-l@r{|}-location@r{]} @var{expr} @r{[}thread @var{threadnum}@r{]} @r{[}mask @var{maskvalue}@r{]}
3789 Set a watchpoint that will break when @var{expr} is either read from
3790 or written into by the program.
3791
3792 @kindex info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3793 @item info watchpoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
3794 This command prints a list of watchpoints, using the same format as
3795 @code{info break} (@pxref{Set Breaks}).
3796 @end table
3797
3798 If you watch for a change in a numerically entered address you need to
3799 dereference it, as the address itself is just a constant number which will
3800 never change. @value{GDBN} refuses to create a watchpoint that watches
3801 a never-changing value:
3802
3803 @smallexample
3804 (@value{GDBP}) watch 0x600850
3805 Cannot watch constant value 0x600850.
3806 (@value{GDBP}) watch *(int *) 0x600850
3807 Watchpoint 1: *(int *) 6293584
3808 @end smallexample
3809
3810 @value{GDBN} sets a @dfn{hardware watchpoint} if possible. Hardware
3811 watchpoints execute very quickly, and the debugger reports a change in
3812 value at the exact instruction where the change occurs. If @value{GDBN}
3813 cannot set a hardware watchpoint, it sets a software watchpoint, which
3814 executes more slowly and reports the change in value at the next
3815 @emph{statement}, not the instruction, after the change occurs.
3816
3817 @cindex use only software watchpoints
3818 You can force @value{GDBN} to use only software watchpoints with the
3819 @kbd{set can-use-hw-watchpoints 0} command. With this variable set to
3820 zero, @value{GDBN} will never try to use hardware watchpoints, even if
3821 the underlying system supports them. (Note that hardware-assisted
3822 watchpoints that were set @emph{before} setting
3823 @code{can-use-hw-watchpoints} to zero will still use the hardware
3824 mechanism of watching expression values.)
3825
3826 @table @code
3827 @item set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3828 @kindex set can-use-hw-watchpoints
3829 Set whether or not to use hardware watchpoints.
3830
3831 @item show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3832 @kindex show can-use-hw-watchpoints
3833 Show the current mode of using hardware watchpoints.
3834 @end table
3835
3836 For remote targets, you can restrict the number of hardware
3837 watchpoints @value{GDBN} will use, see @ref{set remote
3838 hardware-breakpoint-limit}.
3839
3840 When you issue the @code{watch} command, @value{GDBN} reports
3841
3842 @smallexample
3843 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: @var{expr}
3844 @end smallexample
3845
3846 @noindent
3847 if it was able to set a hardware watchpoint.
3848
3849 Currently, the @code{awatch} and @code{rwatch} commands can only set
3850 hardware watchpoints, because accesses to data that don't change the
3851 value of the watched expression cannot be detected without examining
3852 every instruction as it is being executed, and @value{GDBN} does not do
3853 that currently. If @value{GDBN} finds that it is unable to set a
3854 hardware breakpoint with the @code{awatch} or @code{rwatch} command, it
3855 will print a message like this:
3856
3857 @smallexample
3858 Expression cannot be implemented with read/access watchpoint.
3859 @end smallexample
3860
3861 Sometimes, @value{GDBN} cannot set a hardware watchpoint because the
3862 data type of the watched expression is wider than what a hardware
3863 watchpoint on the target machine can handle. For example, some systems
3864 can only watch regions that are up to 4 bytes wide; on such systems you
3865 cannot set hardware watchpoints for an expression that yields a
3866 double-precision floating-point number (which is typically 8 bytes
3867 wide). As a work-around, it might be possible to break the large region
3868 into a series of smaller ones and watch them with separate watchpoints.
3869
3870 If you set too many hardware watchpoints, @value{GDBN} might be unable
3871 to insert all of them when you resume the execution of your program.
3872 Since the precise number of active watchpoints is unknown until such
3873 time as the program is about to be resumed, @value{GDBN} might not be
3874 able to warn you about this when you set the watchpoints, and the
3875 warning will be printed only when the program is resumed:
3876
3877 @smallexample
3878 Hardware watchpoint @var{num}: Could not insert watchpoint
3879 @end smallexample
3880
3881 @noindent
3882 If this happens, delete or disable some of the watchpoints.
3883
3884 Watching complex expressions that reference many variables can also
3885 exhaust the resources available for hardware-assisted watchpoints.
3886 That's because @value{GDBN} needs to watch every variable in the
3887 expression with separately allocated resources.
3888
3889 If you call a function interactively using @code{print} or @code{call},
3890 any watchpoints you have set will be inactive until @value{GDBN} reaches another
3891 kind of breakpoint or the call completes.
3892
3893 @value{GDBN} automatically deletes watchpoints that watch local
3894 (automatic) variables, or expressions that involve such variables, when
3895 they go out of scope, that is, when the execution leaves the block in
3896 which these variables were defined. In particular, when the program
3897 being debugged terminates, @emph{all} local variables go out of scope,
3898 and so only watchpoints that watch global variables remain set. If you
3899 rerun the program, you will need to set all such watchpoints again. One
3900 way of doing that would be to set a code breakpoint at the entry to the
3901 @code{main} function and when it breaks, set all the watchpoints.
3902
3903 @cindex watchpoints and threads
3904 @cindex threads and watchpoints
3905 In multi-threaded programs, watchpoints will detect changes to the
3906 watched expression from every thread.
3907
3908 @quotation
3909 @emph{Warning:} In multi-threaded programs, software watchpoints
3910 have only limited usefulness. If @value{GDBN} creates a software
3911 watchpoint, it can only watch the value of an expression @emph{in a
3912 single thread}. If you are confident that the expression can only
3913 change due to the current thread's activity (and if you are also
3914 confident that no other thread can become current), then you can use
3915 software watchpoints as usual. However, @value{GDBN} may not notice
3916 when a non-current thread's activity changes the expression. (Hardware
3917 watchpoints, in contrast, watch an expression in all threads.)
3918 @end quotation
3919
3920 @xref{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}.
3921
3922 @node Set Catchpoints
3923 @subsection Setting Catchpoints
3924 @cindex catchpoints, setting
3925 @cindex exception handlers
3926 @cindex event handling
3927
3928 You can use @dfn{catchpoints} to cause the debugger to stop for certain
3929 kinds of program events, such as C@t{++} exceptions or the loading of a
3930 shared library. Use the @code{catch} command to set a catchpoint.
3931
3932 @table @code
3933 @kindex catch
3934 @item catch @var{event}
3935 Stop when @var{event} occurs. @var{event} can be any of the following:
3936 @table @code
3937 @item throw
3938 @cindex stop on C@t{++} exceptions
3939 The throwing of a C@t{++} exception.
3940
3941 @item catch
3942 The catching of a C@t{++} exception.
3943
3944 @item exception
3945 @cindex Ada exception catching
3946 @cindex catch Ada exceptions
3947 An Ada exception being raised. If an exception name is specified
3948 at the end of the command (eg @code{catch exception Program_Error}),
3949 the debugger will stop only when this specific exception is raised.
3950 Otherwise, the debugger stops execution when any Ada exception is raised.
3951
3952 When inserting an exception catchpoint on a user-defined exception whose
3953 name is identical to one of the exceptions defined by the language, the
3954 fully qualified name must be used as the exception name. Otherwise,
3955 @value{GDBN} will assume that it should stop on the pre-defined exception
3956 rather than the user-defined one. For instance, assuming an exception
3957 called @code{Constraint_Error} is defined in package @code{Pck}, then
3958 the command to use to catch such exceptions is @kbd{catch exception
3959 Pck.Constraint_Error}.
3960
3961 @item exception unhandled
3962 An exception that was raised but is not handled by the program.
3963
3964 @item assert
3965 A failed Ada assertion.
3966
3967 @item exec
3968 @cindex break on fork/exec
3969 A call to @code{exec}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
3970 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
3971
3972 @item syscall
3973 @itemx syscall @r{[}@var{name} @r{|} @var{number}@r{]} @dots{}
3974 @cindex break on a system call.
3975 A call to or return from a system call, a.k.a.@: @dfn{syscall}. A
3976 syscall is a mechanism for application programs to request a service
3977 from the operating system (OS) or one of the OS system services.
3978 @value{GDBN} can catch some or all of the syscalls issued by the
3979 debuggee, and show the related information for each syscall. If no
3980 argument is specified, calls to and returns from all system calls
3981 will be caught.
3982
3983 @var{name} can be any system call name that is valid for the
3984 underlying OS. Just what syscalls are valid depends on the OS. On
3985 GNU and Unix systems, you can find the full list of valid syscall
3986 names on @file{/usr/include/asm/unistd.h}.
3987
3988 @c For MS-Windows, the syscall names and the corresponding numbers
3989 @c can be found, e.g., on this URL:
3990 @c http://www.metasploit.com/users/opcode/syscalls.html
3991 @c but we don't support Windows syscalls yet.
3992
3993 Normally, @value{GDBN} knows in advance which syscalls are valid for
3994 each OS, so you can use the @value{GDBN} command-line completion
3995 facilities (@pxref{Completion,, command completion}) to list the
3996 available choices.
3997
3998 You may also specify the system call numerically. A syscall's
3999 number is the value passed to the OS's syscall dispatcher to
4000 identify the requested service. When you specify the syscall by its
4001 name, @value{GDBN} uses its database of syscalls to convert the name
4002 into the corresponding numeric code, but using the number directly
4003 may be useful if @value{GDBN}'s database does not have the complete
4004 list of syscalls on your system (e.g., because @value{GDBN} lags
4005 behind the OS upgrades).
4006
4007 The example below illustrates how this command works if you don't provide
4008 arguments to it:
4009
4010 @smallexample
4011 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4012 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4013 (@value{GDBP}) r
4014 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4015
4016 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'close'), \
4017 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4018 (@value{GDBP}) c
4019 Continuing.
4020
4021 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'close'), \
4022 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4023 (@value{GDBP})
4024 @end smallexample
4025
4026 Here is an example of catching a system call by name:
4027
4028 @smallexample
4029 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall chroot
4030 Catchpoint 1 (syscall 'chroot' [61])
4031 (@value{GDBP}) r
4032 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4033
4034 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'chroot'), \
4035 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4036 (@value{GDBP}) c
4037 Continuing.
4038
4039 Catchpoint 1 (returned from syscall 'chroot'), \
4040 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4041 (@value{GDBP})
4042 @end smallexample
4043
4044 An example of specifying a system call numerically. In the case
4045 below, the syscall number has a corresponding entry in the XML
4046 file, so @value{GDBN} finds its name and prints it:
4047
4048 @smallexample
4049 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4050 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 'exit_group')
4051 (@value{GDBP}) r
4052 Starting program: /tmp/catch-syscall
4053
4054 Catchpoint 1 (call to syscall 'exit_group'), \
4055 0xffffe424 in __kernel_vsyscall ()
4056 (@value{GDBP}) c
4057 Continuing.
4058
4059 Program exited normally.
4060 (@value{GDBP})
4061 @end smallexample
4062
4063 However, there can be situations when there is no corresponding name
4064 in XML file for that syscall number. In this case, @value{GDBN} prints
4065 a warning message saying that it was not able to find the syscall name,
4066 but the catchpoint will be set anyway. See the example below:
4067
4068 @smallexample
4069 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 764
4070 warning: The number '764' does not represent a known syscall.
4071 Catchpoint 2 (syscall 764)
4072 (@value{GDBP})
4073 @end smallexample
4074
4075 If you configure @value{GDBN} using the @samp{--without-expat} option,
4076 it will not be able to display syscall names. Also, if your
4077 architecture does not have an XML file describing its system calls,
4078 you will not be able to see the syscall names. It is important to
4079 notice that these two features are used for accessing the syscall
4080 name database. In either case, you will see a warning like this:
4081
4082 @smallexample
4083 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall
4084 warning: Could not open "syscalls/i386-linux.xml"
4085 warning: Could not load the syscall XML file 'syscalls/i386-linux.xml'.
4086 GDB will not be able to display syscall names.
4087 Catchpoint 1 (syscall)
4088 (@value{GDBP})
4089 @end smallexample
4090
4091 Of course, the file name will change depending on your architecture and system.
4092
4093 Still using the example above, you can also try to catch a syscall by its
4094 number. In this case, you would see something like:
4095
4096 @smallexample
4097 (@value{GDBP}) catch syscall 252
4098 Catchpoint 1 (syscall(s) 252)
4099 @end smallexample
4100
4101 Again, in this case @value{GDBN} would not be able to display syscall's names.
4102
4103 @item fork
4104 A call to @code{fork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4105 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4106
4107 @item vfork
4108 A call to @code{vfork}. This is currently only available for HP-UX
4109 and @sc{gnu}/Linux.
4110
4111 @end table
4112
4113 @item tcatch @var{event}
4114 Set a catchpoint that is enabled only for one stop. The catchpoint is
4115 automatically deleted after the first time the event is caught.
4116
4117 @end table
4118
4119 Use the @code{info break} command to list the current catchpoints.
4120
4121 There are currently some limitations to C@t{++} exception handling
4122 (@code{catch throw} and @code{catch catch}) in @value{GDBN}:
4123
4124 @itemize @bullet
4125 @item
4126 If you call a function interactively, @value{GDBN} normally returns
4127 control to you when the function has finished executing. If the call
4128 raises an exception, however, the call may bypass the mechanism that
4129 returns control to you and cause your program either to abort or to
4130 simply continue running until it hits a breakpoint, catches a signal
4131 that @value{GDBN} is listening for, or exits. This is the case even if
4132 you set a catchpoint for the exception; catchpoints on exceptions are
4133 disabled within interactive calls.
4134
4135 @item
4136 You cannot raise an exception interactively.
4137
4138 @item
4139 You cannot install an exception handler interactively.
4140 @end itemize
4141
4142 @cindex raise exceptions
4143 Sometimes @code{catch} is not the best way to debug exception handling:
4144 if you need to know exactly where an exception is raised, it is better to
4145 stop @emph{before} the exception handler is called, since that way you
4146 can see the stack before any unwinding takes place. If you set a
4147 breakpoint in an exception handler instead, it may not be easy to find
4148 out where the exception was raised.
4149
4150 To stop just before an exception handler is called, you need some
4151 knowledge of the implementation. In the case of @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, exceptions are
4152 raised by calling a library function named @code{__raise_exception}
4153 which has the following ANSI C interface:
4154
4155 @smallexample
4156 /* @var{addr} is where the exception identifier is stored.
4157 @var{id} is the exception identifier. */
4158 void __raise_exception (void **addr, void *id);
4159 @end smallexample
4160
4161 @noindent
4162 To make the debugger catch all exceptions before any stack
4163 unwinding takes place, set a breakpoint on @code{__raise_exception}
4164 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Exceptions}).
4165
4166 With a conditional breakpoint (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions})
4167 that depends on the value of @var{id}, you can stop your program when
4168 a specific exception is raised. You can use multiple conditional
4169 breakpoints to stop your program when any of a number of exceptions are
4170 raised.
4171
4172
4173 @node Delete Breaks
4174 @subsection Deleting Breakpoints
4175
4176 @cindex clearing breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4177 @cindex deleting breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints
4178 It is often necessary to eliminate a breakpoint, watchpoint, or
4179 catchpoint once it has done its job and you no longer want your program
4180 to stop there. This is called @dfn{deleting} the breakpoint. A
4181 breakpoint that has been deleted no longer exists; it is forgotten.
4182
4183 With the @code{clear} command you can delete breakpoints according to
4184 where they are in your program. With the @code{delete} command you can
4185 delete individual breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints by specifying
4186 their breakpoint numbers.
4187
4188 It is not necessary to delete a breakpoint to proceed past it. @value{GDBN}
4189 automatically ignores breakpoints on the first instruction to be executed
4190 when you continue execution without changing the execution address.
4191
4192 @table @code
4193 @kindex clear
4194 @item clear
4195 Delete any breakpoints at the next instruction to be executed in the
4196 selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). When
4197 the innermost frame is selected, this is a good way to delete a
4198 breakpoint where your program just stopped.
4199
4200 @item clear @var{location}
4201 Delete any breakpoints set at the specified @var{location}.
4202 @xref{Specify Location}, for the various forms of @var{location}; the
4203 most useful ones are listed below:
4204
4205 @table @code
4206 @item clear @var{function}
4207 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{function}
4208 Delete any breakpoints set at entry to the named @var{function}.
4209
4210 @item clear @var{linenum}
4211 @itemx clear @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
4212 Delete any breakpoints set at or within the code of the specified
4213 @var{linenum} of the specified @var{filename}.
4214 @end table
4215
4216 @cindex delete breakpoints
4217 @kindex delete
4218 @kindex d @r{(@code{delete})}
4219 @item delete @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4220 Delete the breakpoints, watchpoints, or catchpoints of the breakpoint
4221 ranges specified as arguments. If no argument is specified, delete all
4222 breakpoints (@value{GDBN} asks confirmation, unless you have @code{set
4223 confirm off}). You can abbreviate this command as @code{d}.
4224 @end table
4225
4226 @node Disabling
4227 @subsection Disabling Breakpoints
4228
4229 @cindex enable/disable a breakpoint
4230 Rather than deleting a breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint, you might
4231 prefer to @dfn{disable} it. This makes the breakpoint inoperative as if
4232 it had been deleted, but remembers the information on the breakpoint so
4233 that you can @dfn{enable} it again later.
4234
4235 You disable and enable breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints with
4236 the @code{enable} and @code{disable} commands, optionally specifying
4237 one or more breakpoint numbers as arguments. Use @code{info break} to
4238 print a list of all breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints if you
4239 do not know which numbers to use.
4240
4241 Disabling and enabling a breakpoint that has multiple locations
4242 affects all of its locations.
4243
4244 A breakpoint, watchpoint, or catchpoint can have any of four different
4245 states of enablement:
4246
4247 @itemize @bullet
4248 @item
4249 Enabled. The breakpoint stops your program. A breakpoint set
4250 with the @code{break} command starts out in this state.
4251 @item
4252 Disabled. The breakpoint has no effect on your program.
4253 @item
4254 Enabled once. The breakpoint stops your program, but then becomes
4255 disabled.
4256 @item
4257 Enabled for deletion. The breakpoint stops your program, but
4258 immediately after it does so it is deleted permanently. A breakpoint
4259 set with the @code{tbreak} command starts out in this state.
4260 @end itemize
4261
4262 You can use the following commands to enable or disable breakpoints,
4263 watchpoints, and catchpoints:
4264
4265 @table @code
4266 @kindex disable
4267 @kindex dis @r{(@code{disable})}
4268 @item disable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4269 Disable the specified breakpoints---or all breakpoints, if none are
4270 listed. A disabled breakpoint has no effect but is not forgotten. All
4271 options such as ignore-counts, conditions and commands are remembered in
4272 case the breakpoint is enabled again later. You may abbreviate
4273 @code{disable} as @code{dis}.
4274
4275 @kindex enable
4276 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4277 Enable the specified breakpoints (or all defined breakpoints). They
4278 become effective once again in stopping your program.
4279
4280 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} once @var{range}@dots{}
4281 Enable the specified breakpoints temporarily. @value{GDBN} disables any
4282 of these breakpoints immediately after stopping your program.
4283
4284 @item enable @r{[}breakpoints@r{]} delete @var{range}@dots{}
4285 Enable the specified breakpoints to work once, then die. @value{GDBN}
4286 deletes any of these breakpoints as soon as your program stops there.
4287 Breakpoints set by the @code{tbreak} command start out in this state.
4288 @end table
4289
4290 @c FIXME: I think the following ``Except for [...] @code{tbreak}'' is
4291 @c confusing: tbreak is also initially enabled.
4292 Except for a breakpoint set with @code{tbreak} (@pxref{Set Breaks,
4293 ,Setting Breakpoints}), breakpoints that you set are initially enabled;
4294 subsequently, they become disabled or enabled only when you use one of
4295 the commands above. (The command @code{until} can set and delete a
4296 breakpoint of its own, but it does not change the state of your other
4297 breakpoints; see @ref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and
4298 Stepping}.)
4299
4300 @node Conditions
4301 @subsection Break Conditions
4302 @cindex conditional breakpoints
4303 @cindex breakpoint conditions
4304
4305 @c FIXME what is scope of break condition expr? Context where wanted?
4306 @c in particular for a watchpoint?
4307 The simplest sort of breakpoint breaks every time your program reaches a
4308 specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for a
4309 breakpoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
4310 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A breakpoint with
4311 a condition evaluates the expression each time your program reaches it,
4312 and your program stops only if the condition is @emph{true}.
4313
4314 This is the converse of using assertions for program validation; in that
4315 situation, you want to stop when the assertion is violated---that is,
4316 when the condition is false. In C, if you want to test an assertion expressed
4317 by the condition @var{assert}, you should set the condition
4318 @samp{! @var{assert}} on the appropriate breakpoint.
4319
4320 Conditions are also accepted for watchpoints; you may not need them,
4321 since a watchpoint is inspecting the value of an expression anyhow---but
4322 it might be simpler, say, to just set a watchpoint on a variable name,
4323 and specify a condition that tests whether the new value is an interesting
4324 one.
4325
4326 Break conditions can have side effects, and may even call functions in
4327 your program. This can be useful, for example, to activate functions
4328 that log program progress, or to use your own print functions to
4329 format special data structures. The effects are completely predictable
4330 unless there is another enabled breakpoint at the same address. (In
4331 that case, @value{GDBN} might see the other breakpoint first and stop your
4332 program without checking the condition of this one.) Note that
4333 breakpoint commands are usually more convenient and flexible than break
4334 conditions for the
4335 purpose of performing side effects when a breakpoint is reached
4336 (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}).
4337
4338 Break conditions can be specified when a breakpoint is set, by using
4339 @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{break} command. @xref{Set
4340 Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}. They can also be changed at any time
4341 with the @code{condition} command.
4342
4343 You can also use the @code{if} keyword with the @code{watch} command.
4344 The @code{catch} command does not recognize the @code{if} keyword;
4345 @code{condition} is the only way to impose a further condition on a
4346 catchpoint.
4347
4348 @table @code
4349 @kindex condition
4350 @item condition @var{bnum} @var{expression}
4351 Specify @var{expression} as the break condition for breakpoint,
4352 watchpoint, or catchpoint number @var{bnum}. After you set a condition,
4353 breakpoint @var{bnum} stops your program only if the value of
4354 @var{expression} is true (nonzero, in C). When you use
4355 @code{condition}, @value{GDBN} checks @var{expression} immediately for
4356 syntactic correctness, and to determine whether symbols in it have
4357 referents in the context of your breakpoint. If @var{expression} uses
4358 symbols not referenced in the context of the breakpoint, @value{GDBN}
4359 prints an error message:
4360
4361 @smallexample
4362 No symbol "foo" in current context.
4363 @end smallexample
4364
4365 @noindent
4366 @value{GDBN} does
4367 not actually evaluate @var{expression} at the time the @code{condition}
4368 command (or a command that sets a breakpoint with a condition, like
4369 @code{break if @dots{}}) is given, however. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
4370
4371 @item condition @var{bnum}
4372 Remove the condition from breakpoint number @var{bnum}. It becomes
4373 an ordinary unconditional breakpoint.
4374 @end table
4375
4376 @cindex ignore count (of breakpoint)
4377 A special case of a breakpoint condition is to stop only when the
4378 breakpoint has been reached a certain number of times. This is so
4379 useful that there is a special way to do it, using the @dfn{ignore
4380 count} of the breakpoint. Every breakpoint has an ignore count, which
4381 is an integer. Most of the time, the ignore count is zero, and
4382 therefore has no effect. But if your program reaches a breakpoint whose
4383 ignore count is positive, then instead of stopping, it just decrements
4384 the ignore count by one and continues. As a result, if the ignore count
4385 value is @var{n}, the breakpoint does not stop the next @var{n} times
4386 your program reaches it.
4387
4388 @table @code
4389 @kindex ignore
4390 @item ignore @var{bnum} @var{count}
4391 Set the ignore count of breakpoint number @var{bnum} to @var{count}.
4392 The next @var{count} times the breakpoint is reached, your program's
4393 execution does not stop; other than to decrement the ignore count, @value{GDBN}
4394 takes no action.
4395
4396 To make the breakpoint stop the next time it is reached, specify
4397 a count of zero.
4398
4399 When you use @code{continue} to resume execution of your program from a
4400 breakpoint, you can specify an ignore count directly as an argument to
4401 @code{continue}, rather than using @code{ignore}. @xref{Continuing and
4402 Stepping,,Continuing and Stepping}.
4403
4404 If a breakpoint has a positive ignore count and a condition, the
4405 condition is not checked. Once the ignore count reaches zero,
4406 @value{GDBN} resumes checking the condition.
4407
4408 You could achieve the effect of the ignore count with a condition such
4409 as @w{@samp{$foo-- <= 0}} using a debugger convenience variable that
4410 is decremented each time. @xref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
4411 Variables}.
4412 @end table
4413
4414 Ignore counts apply to breakpoints, watchpoints, and catchpoints.
4415
4416
4417 @node Break Commands
4418 @subsection Breakpoint Command Lists
4419
4420 @cindex breakpoint commands
4421 You can give any breakpoint (or watchpoint or catchpoint) a series of
4422 commands to execute when your program stops due to that breakpoint. For
4423 example, you might want to print the values of certain expressions, or
4424 enable other breakpoints.
4425
4426 @table @code
4427 @kindex commands
4428 @kindex end@r{ (breakpoint commands)}
4429 @item commands @r{[}@var{range}@dots{}@r{]}
4430 @itemx @dots{} @var{command-list} @dots{}
4431 @itemx end
4432 Specify a list of commands for the given breakpoints. The commands
4433 themselves appear on the following lines. Type a line containing just
4434 @code{end} to terminate the commands.
4435
4436 To remove all commands from a breakpoint, type @code{commands} and
4437 follow it immediately with @code{end}; that is, give no commands.
4438
4439 With no argument, @code{commands} refers to the last breakpoint,
4440 watchpoint, or catchpoint set (not to the breakpoint most recently
4441 encountered). If the most recent breakpoints were set with a single
4442 command, then the @code{commands} will apply to all the breakpoints
4443 set by that command. This applies to breakpoints set by
4444 @code{rbreak}, and also applies when a single @code{break} command
4445 creates multiple breakpoints (@pxref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous
4446 Expressions}).
4447 @end table
4448
4449 Pressing @key{RET} as a means of repeating the last @value{GDBN} command is
4450 disabled within a @var{command-list}.
4451
4452 You can use breakpoint commands to start your program up again. Simply
4453 use the @code{continue} command, or @code{step}, or any other command
4454 that resumes execution.
4455
4456 Any other commands in the command list, after a command that resumes
4457 execution, are ignored. This is because any time you resume execution
4458 (even with a simple @code{next} or @code{step}), you may encounter
4459 another breakpoint---which could have its own command list, leading to
4460 ambiguities about which list to execute.
4461
4462 @kindex silent
4463 If the first command you specify in a command list is @code{silent}, the
4464 usual message about stopping at a breakpoint is not printed. This may
4465 be desirable for breakpoints that are to print a specific message and
4466 then continue. If none of the remaining commands print anything, you
4467 see no sign that the breakpoint was reached. @code{silent} is
4468 meaningful only at the beginning of a breakpoint command list.
4469
4470 The commands @code{echo}, @code{output}, and @code{printf} allow you to
4471 print precisely controlled output, and are often useful in silent
4472 breakpoints. @xref{Output, ,Commands for Controlled Output}.
4473
4474 For example, here is how you could use breakpoint commands to print the
4475 value of @code{x} at entry to @code{foo} whenever @code{x} is positive.
4476
4477 @smallexample
4478 break foo if x>0
4479 commands
4480 silent
4481 printf "x is %d\n",x
4482 cont
4483 end
4484 @end smallexample
4485
4486 One application for breakpoint commands is to compensate for one bug so
4487 you can test for another. Put a breakpoint just after the erroneous line
4488 of code, give it a condition to detect the case in which something
4489 erroneous has been done, and give it commands to assign correct values
4490 to any variables that need them. End with the @code{continue} command
4491 so that your program does not stop, and start with the @code{silent}
4492 command so that no output is produced. Here is an example:
4493
4494 @smallexample
4495 break 403
4496 commands
4497 silent
4498 set x = y + 4
4499 cont
4500 end
4501 @end smallexample
4502
4503 @node Save Breakpoints
4504 @subsection How to save breakpoints to a file
4505
4506 To save breakpoint definitions to a file use the @w{@code{save
4507 breakpoints}} command.
4508
4509 @table @code
4510 @kindex save breakpoints
4511 @cindex save breakpoints to a file for future sessions
4512 @item save breakpoints [@var{filename}]
4513 This command saves all current breakpoint definitions together with
4514 their commands and ignore counts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
4515 suitable for use in a later debugging session. This includes all
4516 types of breakpoints (breakpoints, watchpoints, catchpoints,
4517 tracepoints). To read the saved breakpoint definitions, use the
4518 @code{source} command (@pxref{Command Files}). Note that watchpoints
4519 with expressions involving local variables may fail to be recreated
4520 because it may not be possible to access the context where the
4521 watchpoint is valid anymore. Because the saved breakpoint definitions
4522 are simply a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands that recreate the
4523 breakpoints, you can edit the file in your favorite editing program,
4524 and remove the breakpoint definitions you're not interested in, or
4525 that can no longer be recreated.
4526 @end table
4527
4528 @c @ifclear BARETARGET
4529 @node Error in Breakpoints
4530 @subsection ``Cannot insert breakpoints''
4531
4532 If you request too many active hardware-assisted breakpoints and
4533 watchpoints, you will see this error message:
4534
4535 @c FIXME: the precise wording of this message may change; the relevant
4536 @c source change is not committed yet (Sep 3, 1999).
4537 @smallexample
4538 Stopped; cannot insert breakpoints.
4539 You may have requested too many hardware breakpoints and watchpoints.
4540 @end smallexample
4541
4542 @noindent
4543 This message is printed when you attempt to resume the program, since
4544 only then @value{GDBN} knows exactly how many hardware breakpoints and
4545 watchpoints it needs to insert.
4546
4547 When this message is printed, you need to disable or remove some of the
4548 hardware-assisted breakpoints and watchpoints, and then continue.
4549
4550 @node Breakpoint-related Warnings
4551 @subsection ``Breakpoint address adjusted...''
4552 @cindex breakpoint address adjusted
4553
4554 Some processor architectures place constraints on the addresses at
4555 which breakpoints may be placed. For architectures thus constrained,
4556 @value{GDBN} will attempt to adjust the breakpoint's address to comply
4557 with the constraints dictated by the architecture.
4558
4559 One example of such an architecture is the Fujitsu FR-V. The FR-V is
4560 a VLIW architecture in which a number of RISC-like instructions may be
4561 bundled together for parallel execution. The FR-V architecture
4562 constrains the location of a breakpoint instruction within such a
4563 bundle to the instruction with the lowest address. @value{GDBN}
4564 honors this constraint by adjusting a breakpoint's address to the
4565 first in the bundle.
4566
4567 It is not uncommon for optimized code to have bundles which contain
4568 instructions from different source statements, thus it may happen that
4569 a breakpoint's address will be adjusted from one source statement to
4570 another. Since this adjustment may significantly alter @value{GDBN}'s
4571 breakpoint related behavior from what the user expects, a warning is
4572 printed when the breakpoint is first set and also when the breakpoint
4573 is hit.
4574
4575 A warning like the one below is printed when setting a breakpoint
4576 that's been subject to address adjustment:
4577
4578 @smallexample
4579 warning: Breakpoint address adjusted from 0x00010414 to 0x00010410.
4580 @end smallexample
4581
4582 Such warnings are printed both for user settable and @value{GDBN}'s
4583 internal breakpoints. If you see one of these warnings, you should
4584 verify that a breakpoint set at the adjusted address will have the
4585 desired affect. If not, the breakpoint in question may be removed and
4586 other breakpoints may be set which will have the desired behavior.
4587 E.g., it may be sufficient to place the breakpoint at a later
4588 instruction. A conditional breakpoint may also be useful in some
4589 cases to prevent the breakpoint from triggering too often.
4590
4591 @value{GDBN} will also issue a warning when stopping at one of these
4592 adjusted breakpoints:
4593
4594 @smallexample
4595 warning: Breakpoint 1 address previously adjusted from 0x00010414
4596 to 0x00010410.
4597 @end smallexample
4598
4599 When this warning is encountered, it may be too late to take remedial
4600 action except in cases where the breakpoint is hit earlier or more
4601 frequently than expected.
4602
4603 @node Continuing and Stepping
4604 @section Continuing and Stepping
4605
4606 @cindex stepping
4607 @cindex continuing
4608 @cindex resuming execution
4609 @dfn{Continuing} means resuming program execution until your program
4610 completes normally. In contrast, @dfn{stepping} means executing just
4611 one more ``step'' of your program, where ``step'' may mean either one
4612 line of source code, or one machine instruction (depending on what
4613 particular command you use). Either when continuing or when stepping,
4614 your program may stop even sooner, due to a breakpoint or a signal. (If
4615 it stops due to a signal, you may want to use @code{handle}, or use
4616 @samp{signal 0} to resume execution. @xref{Signals, ,Signals}.)
4617
4618 @table @code
4619 @kindex continue
4620 @kindex c @r{(@code{continue})}
4621 @kindex fg @r{(resume foreground execution)}
4622 @item continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4623 @itemx c @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4624 @itemx fg @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
4625 Resume program execution, at the address where your program last stopped;
4626 any breakpoints set at that address are bypassed. The optional argument
4627 @var{ignore-count} allows you to specify a further number of times to
4628 ignore a breakpoint at this location; its effect is like that of
4629 @code{ignore} (@pxref{Conditions, ,Break Conditions}).
4630
4631 The argument @var{ignore-count} is meaningful only when your program
4632 stopped due to a breakpoint. At other times, the argument to
4633 @code{continue} is ignored.
4634
4635 The synonyms @code{c} and @code{fg} (for @dfn{foreground}, as the
4636 debugged program is deemed to be the foreground program) are provided
4637 purely for convenience, and have exactly the same behavior as
4638 @code{continue}.
4639 @end table
4640
4641 To resume execution at a different place, you can use @code{return}
4642 (@pxref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}) to go back to the
4643 calling function; or @code{jump} (@pxref{Jumping, ,Continuing at a
4644 Different Address}) to go to an arbitrary location in your program.
4645
4646 A typical technique for using stepping is to set a breakpoint
4647 (@pxref{Breakpoints, ,Breakpoints; Watchpoints; and Catchpoints}) at the
4648 beginning of the function or the section of your program where a problem
4649 is believed to lie, run your program until it stops at that breakpoint,
4650 and then step through the suspect area, examining the variables that are
4651 interesting, until you see the problem happen.
4652
4653 @table @code
4654 @kindex step
4655 @kindex s @r{(@code{step})}
4656 @item step
4657 Continue running your program until control reaches a different source
4658 line, then stop it and return control to @value{GDBN}. This command is
4659 abbreviated @code{s}.
4660
4661 @quotation
4662 @c "without debugging information" is imprecise; actually "without line
4663 @c numbers in the debugging information". (gcc -g1 has debugging info but
4664 @c not line numbers). But it seems complex to try to make that
4665 @c distinction here.
4666 @emph{Warning:} If you use the @code{step} command while control is
4667 within a function that was compiled without debugging information,
4668 execution proceeds until control reaches a function that does have
4669 debugging information. Likewise, it will not step into a function which
4670 is compiled without debugging information. To step through functions
4671 without debugging information, use the @code{stepi} command, described
4672 below.
4673 @end quotation
4674
4675 The @code{step} command only stops at the first instruction of a source
4676 line. This prevents the multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4677 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc. @code{step} continues
4678 to stop if a function that has debugging information is called within
4679 the line. In other words, @code{step} @emph{steps inside} any functions
4680 called within the line.
4681
4682 Also, the @code{step} command only enters a function if there is line
4683 number information for the function. Otherwise it acts like the
4684 @code{next} command. This avoids problems when using @code{cc -gl}
4685 on MIPS machines. Previously, @code{step} entered subroutines if there
4686 was any debugging information about the routine.
4687
4688 @item step @var{count}
4689 Continue running as in @code{step}, but do so @var{count} times. If a
4690 breakpoint is reached, or a signal not related to stepping occurs before
4691 @var{count} steps, stepping stops right away.
4692
4693 @kindex next
4694 @kindex n @r{(@code{next})}
4695 @item next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
4696 Continue to the next source line in the current (innermost) stack frame.
4697 This is similar to @code{step}, but function calls that appear within
4698 the line of code are executed without stopping. Execution stops when
4699 control reaches a different line of code at the original stack level
4700 that was executing when you gave the @code{next} command. This command
4701 is abbreviated @code{n}.
4702
4703 An argument @var{count} is a repeat count, as for @code{step}.
4704
4705
4706 @c FIX ME!! Do we delete this, or is there a way it fits in with
4707 @c the following paragraph? --- Vctoria
4708 @c
4709 @c @code{next} within a function that lacks debugging information acts like
4710 @c @code{step}, but any function calls appearing within the code of the
4711 @c function are executed without stopping.
4712
4713 The @code{next} command only stops at the first instruction of a
4714 source line. This prevents multiple stops that could otherwise occur in
4715 @code{switch} statements, @code{for} loops, etc.
4716
4717 @kindex set step-mode
4718 @item set step-mode
4719 @cindex functions without line info, and stepping
4720 @cindex stepping into functions with no line info
4721 @itemx set step-mode on
4722 The @code{set step-mode on} command causes the @code{step} command to
4723 stop at the first instruction of a function which contains no debug line
4724 information rather than stepping over it.
4725
4726 This is useful in cases where you may be interested in inspecting the
4727 machine instructions of a function which has no symbolic info and do not
4728 want @value{GDBN} to automatically skip over this function.
4729
4730 @item set step-mode off
4731 Causes the @code{step} command to step over any functions which contains no
4732 debug information. This is the default.
4733
4734 @item show step-mode
4735 Show whether @value{GDBN} will stop in or step over functions without
4736 source line debug information.
4737
4738 @kindex finish
4739 @kindex fin @r{(@code{finish})}
4740 @item finish
4741 Continue running until just after function in the selected stack frame
4742 returns. Print the returned value (if any). This command can be
4743 abbreviated as @code{fin}.
4744
4745 Contrast this with the @code{return} command (@pxref{Returning,
4746 ,Returning from a Function}).
4747
4748 @kindex until
4749 @kindex u @r{(@code{until})}
4750 @cindex run until specified location
4751 @item until
4752 @itemx u
4753 Continue running until a source line past the current line, in the
4754 current stack frame, is reached. This command is used to avoid single
4755 stepping through a loop more than once. It is like the @code{next}
4756 command, except that when @code{until} encounters a jump, it
4757 automatically continues execution until the program counter is greater
4758 than the address of the jump.
4759
4760 This means that when you reach the end of a loop after single stepping
4761 though it, @code{until} makes your program continue execution until it
4762 exits the loop. In contrast, a @code{next} command at the end of a loop
4763 simply steps back to the beginning of the loop, which forces you to step
4764 through the next iteration.
4765
4766 @code{until} always stops your program if it attempts to exit the current
4767 stack frame.
4768
4769 @code{until} may produce somewhat counterintuitive results if the order
4770 of machine code does not match the order of the source lines. For
4771 example, in the following excerpt from a debugging session, the @code{f}
4772 (@code{frame}) command shows that execution is stopped at line
4773 @code{206}; yet when we use @code{until}, we get to line @code{195}:
4774
4775 @smallexample
4776 (@value{GDBP}) f
4777 #0 main (argc=4, argv=0xf7fffae8) at m4.c:206
4778 206 expand_input();
4779 (@value{GDBP}) until
4780 195 for ( ; argc > 0; NEXTARG) @{
4781 @end smallexample
4782
4783 This happened because, for execution efficiency, the compiler had
4784 generated code for the loop closure test at the end, rather than the
4785 start, of the loop---even though the test in a C @code{for}-loop is
4786 written before the body of the loop. The @code{until} command appeared
4787 to step back to the beginning of the loop when it advanced to this
4788 expression; however, it has not really gone to an earlier
4789 statement---not in terms of the actual machine code.
4790
4791 @code{until} with no argument works by means of single
4792 instruction stepping, and hence is slower than @code{until} with an
4793 argument.
4794
4795 @item until @var{location}
4796 @itemx u @var{location}
4797 Continue running your program until either the specified location is
4798 reached, or the current stack frame returns. @var{location} is any of
4799 the forms described in @ref{Specify Location}.
4800 This form of the command uses temporary breakpoints, and
4801 hence is quicker than @code{until} without an argument. The specified
4802 location is actually reached only if it is in the current frame. This
4803 implies that @code{until} can be used to skip over recursive function
4804 invocations. For instance in the code below, if the current location is
4805 line @code{96}, issuing @code{until 99} will execute the program up to
4806 line @code{99} in the same invocation of factorial, i.e., after the inner
4807 invocations have returned.
4808
4809 @smallexample
4810 94 int factorial (int value)
4811 95 @{
4812 96 if (value > 1) @{
4813 97 value *= factorial (value - 1);
4814 98 @}
4815 99 return (value);
4816 100 @}
4817 @end smallexample
4818
4819
4820 @kindex advance @var{location}
4821 @itemx advance @var{location}
4822 Continue running the program up to the given @var{location}. An argument is
4823 required, which should be of one of the forms described in
4824 @ref{Specify Location}.
4825 Execution will also stop upon exit from the current stack
4826 frame. This command is similar to @code{until}, but @code{advance} will
4827 not skip over recursive function calls, and the target location doesn't
4828 have to be in the same frame as the current one.
4829
4830
4831 @kindex stepi
4832 @kindex si @r{(@code{stepi})}
4833 @item stepi
4834 @itemx stepi @var{arg}
4835 @itemx si
4836 Execute one machine instruction, then stop and return to the debugger.
4837
4838 It is often useful to do @samp{display/i $pc} when stepping by machine
4839 instructions. This makes @value{GDBN} automatically display the next
4840 instruction to be executed, each time your program stops. @xref{Auto
4841 Display,, Automatic Display}.
4842
4843 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{step}.
4844
4845 @need 750
4846 @kindex nexti
4847 @kindex ni @r{(@code{nexti})}
4848 @item nexti
4849 @itemx nexti @var{arg}
4850 @itemx ni
4851 Execute one machine instruction, but if it is a function call,
4852 proceed until the function returns.
4853
4854 An argument is a repeat count, as in @code{next}.
4855 @end table
4856
4857 @node Signals
4858 @section Signals
4859 @cindex signals
4860
4861 A signal is an asynchronous event that can happen in a program. The
4862 operating system defines the possible kinds of signals, and gives each
4863 kind a name and a number. For example, in Unix @code{SIGINT} is the
4864 signal a program gets when you type an interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c});
4865 @code{SIGSEGV} is the signal a program gets from referencing a place in
4866 memory far away from all the areas in use; @code{SIGALRM} occurs when
4867 the alarm clock timer goes off (which happens only if your program has
4868 requested an alarm).
4869
4870 @cindex fatal signals
4871 Some signals, including @code{SIGALRM}, are a normal part of the
4872 functioning of your program. Others, such as @code{SIGSEGV}, indicate
4873 errors; these signals are @dfn{fatal} (they kill your program immediately) if the
4874 program has not specified in advance some other way to handle the signal.
4875 @code{SIGINT} does not indicate an error in your program, but it is normally
4876 fatal so it can carry out the purpose of the interrupt: to kill the program.
4877
4878 @value{GDBN} has the ability to detect any occurrence of a signal in your
4879 program. You can tell @value{GDBN} in advance what to do for each kind of
4880 signal.
4881
4882 @cindex handling signals
4883 Normally, @value{GDBN} is set up to let the non-erroneous signals like
4884 @code{SIGALRM} be silently passed to your program
4885 (so as not to interfere with their role in the program's functioning)
4886 but to stop your program immediately whenever an error signal happens.
4887 You can change these settings with the @code{handle} command.
4888
4889 @table @code
4890 @kindex info signals
4891 @kindex info handle
4892 @item info signals
4893 @itemx info handle
4894 Print a table of all the kinds of signals and how @value{GDBN} has been told to
4895 handle each one. You can use this to see the signal numbers of all
4896 the defined types of signals.
4897
4898 @item info signals @var{sig}
4899 Similar, but print information only about the specified signal number.
4900
4901 @code{info handle} is an alias for @code{info signals}.
4902
4903 @kindex handle
4904 @item handle @var{signal} @r{[}@var{keywords}@dots{}@r{]}
4905 Change the way @value{GDBN} handles signal @var{signal}. @var{signal}
4906 can be the number of a signal or its name (with or without the
4907 @samp{SIG} at the beginning); a list of signal numbers of the form
4908 @samp{@var{low}-@var{high}}; or the word @samp{all}, meaning all the
4909 known signals. Optional arguments @var{keywords}, described below,
4910 say what change to make.
4911 @end table
4912
4913 @c @group
4914 The keywords allowed by the @code{handle} command can be abbreviated.
4915 Their full names are:
4916
4917 @table @code
4918 @item nostop
4919 @value{GDBN} should not stop your program when this signal happens. It may
4920 still print a message telling you that the signal has come in.
4921
4922 @item stop
4923 @value{GDBN} should stop your program when this signal happens. This implies
4924 the @code{print} keyword as well.
4925
4926 @item print
4927 @value{GDBN} should print a message when this signal happens.
4928
4929 @item noprint
4930 @value{GDBN} should not mention the occurrence of the signal at all. This
4931 implies the @code{nostop} keyword as well.
4932
4933 @item pass
4934 @itemx noignore
4935 @value{GDBN} should allow your program to see this signal; your program
4936 can handle the signal, or else it may terminate if the signal is fatal
4937 and not handled. @code{pass} and @code{noignore} are synonyms.
4938
4939 @item nopass
4940 @itemx ignore
4941 @value{GDBN} should not allow your program to see this signal.
4942 @code{nopass} and @code{ignore} are synonyms.
4943 @end table
4944 @c @end group
4945
4946 When a signal stops your program, the signal is not visible to the
4947 program until you
4948 continue. Your program sees the signal then, if @code{pass} is in
4949 effect for the signal in question @emph{at that time}. In other words,
4950 after @value{GDBN} reports a signal, you can use the @code{handle}
4951 command with @code{pass} or @code{nopass} to control whether your
4952 program sees that signal when you continue.
4953
4954 The default is set to @code{nostop}, @code{noprint}, @code{pass} for
4955 non-erroneous signals such as @code{SIGALRM}, @code{SIGWINCH} and
4956 @code{SIGCHLD}, and to @code{stop}, @code{print}, @code{pass} for the
4957 erroneous signals.
4958
4959 You can also use the @code{signal} command to prevent your program from
4960 seeing a signal, or cause it to see a signal it normally would not see,
4961 or to give it any signal at any time. For example, if your program stopped
4962 due to some sort of memory reference error, you might store correct
4963 values into the erroneous variables and continue, hoping to see more
4964 execution; but your program would probably terminate immediately as
4965 a result of the fatal signal once it saw the signal. To prevent this,
4966 you can continue with @samp{signal 0}. @xref{Signaling, ,Giving your
4967 Program a Signal}.
4968
4969 @cindex extra signal information
4970 @anchor{extra signal information}
4971
4972 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can inspect extra signal information
4973 associated with the intercepted signal, before it is actually
4974 delivered to the program being debugged. This information is exported
4975 by the convenience variable @code{$_siginfo}, and consists of data
4976 that is passed by the kernel to the signal handler at the time of the
4977 receipt of a signal. The data type of the information itself is
4978 target dependent. You can see the data type using the @code{ptype
4979 $_siginfo} command. On Unix systems, it typically corresponds to the
4980 standard @code{siginfo_t} type, as defined in the @file{signal.h}
4981 system header.
4982
4983 Here's an example, on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, printing the stray
4984 referenced address that raised a segmentation fault.
4985
4986 @smallexample
4987 @group
4988 (@value{GDBP}) continue
4989 Program received signal SIGSEGV, Segmentation fault.
4990 0x0000000000400766 in main ()
4991 69 *(int *)p = 0;
4992 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo
4993 type = struct @{
4994 int si_signo;
4995 int si_errno;
4996 int si_code;
4997 union @{
4998 int _pad[28];
4999 struct @{...@} _kill;
5000 struct @{...@} _timer;
5001 struct @{...@} _rt;
5002 struct @{...@} _sigchld;
5003 struct @{...@} _sigfault;
5004 struct @{...@} _sigpoll;
5005 @} _sifields;
5006 @}
5007 (@value{GDBP}) ptype $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault
5008 type = struct @{
5009 void *si_addr;
5010 @}
5011 (@value{GDBP}) p $_siginfo._sifields._sigfault.si_addr
5012 $1 = (void *) 0x7ffff7ff7000
5013 @end group
5014 @end smallexample
5015
5016 Depending on target support, @code{$_siginfo} may also be writable.
5017
5018 @node Thread Stops
5019 @section Stopping and Starting Multi-thread Programs
5020
5021 @cindex stopped threads
5022 @cindex threads, stopped
5023
5024 @cindex continuing threads
5025 @cindex threads, continuing
5026
5027 @value{GDBN} supports debugging programs with multiple threads
5028 (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging Programs with Multiple Threads}). There
5029 are two modes of controlling execution of your program within the
5030 debugger. In the default mode, referred to as @dfn{all-stop mode},
5031 when any thread in your program stops (for example, at a breakpoint
5032 or while being stepped), all other threads in the program are also stopped by
5033 @value{GDBN}. On some targets, @value{GDBN} also supports
5034 @dfn{non-stop mode}, in which other threads can continue to run freely while
5035 you examine the stopped thread in the debugger.
5036
5037 @menu
5038 * All-Stop Mode:: All threads stop when GDB takes control
5039 * Non-Stop Mode:: Other threads continue to execute
5040 * Background Execution:: Running your program asynchronously
5041 * Thread-Specific Breakpoints:: Controlling breakpoints
5042 * Interrupted System Calls:: GDB may interfere with system calls
5043 * Observer Mode:: GDB does not alter program behavior
5044 @end menu
5045
5046 @node All-Stop Mode
5047 @subsection All-Stop Mode
5048
5049 @cindex all-stop mode
5050
5051 In all-stop mode, whenever your program stops under @value{GDBN} for any reason,
5052 @emph{all} threads of execution stop, not just the current thread. This
5053 allows you to examine the overall state of the program, including
5054 switching between threads, without worrying that things may change
5055 underfoot.
5056
5057 Conversely, whenever you restart the program, @emph{all} threads start
5058 executing. @emph{This is true even when single-stepping} with commands
5059 like @code{step} or @code{next}.
5060
5061 In particular, @value{GDBN} cannot single-step all threads in lockstep.
5062 Since thread scheduling is up to your debugging target's operating
5063 system (not controlled by @value{GDBN}), other threads may
5064 execute more than one statement while the current thread completes a
5065 single step. Moreover, in general other threads stop in the middle of a
5066 statement, rather than at a clean statement boundary, when the program
5067 stops.
5068
5069 You might even find your program stopped in another thread after
5070 continuing or even single-stepping. This happens whenever some other
5071 thread runs into a breakpoint, a signal, or an exception before the
5072 first thread completes whatever you requested.
5073
5074 @cindex automatic thread selection
5075 @cindex switching threads automatically
5076 @cindex threads, automatic switching
5077 Whenever @value{GDBN} stops your program, due to a breakpoint or a
5078 signal, it automatically selects the thread where that breakpoint or
5079 signal happened. @value{GDBN} alerts you to the context switch with a
5080 message such as @samp{[Switching to Thread @var{n}]} to identify the
5081 thread.
5082
5083 On some OSes, you can modify @value{GDBN}'s default behavior by
5084 locking the OS scheduler to allow only a single thread to run.
5085
5086 @table @code
5087 @item set scheduler-locking @var{mode}
5088 @cindex scheduler locking mode
5089 @cindex lock scheduler
5090 Set the scheduler locking mode. If it is @code{off}, then there is no
5091 locking and any thread may run at any time. If @code{on}, then only the
5092 current thread may run when the inferior is resumed. The @code{step}
5093 mode optimizes for single-stepping; it prevents other threads
5094 from preempting the current thread while you are stepping, so that
5095 the focus of debugging does not change unexpectedly.
5096 Other threads only rarely (or never) get a chance to run
5097 when you step. They are more likely to run when you @samp{next} over a
5098 function call, and they are completely free to run when you use commands
5099 like @samp{continue}, @samp{until}, or @samp{finish}. However, unless another
5100 thread hits a breakpoint during its timeslice, @value{GDBN} does not change
5101 the current thread away from the thread that you are debugging.
5102
5103 @item show scheduler-locking
5104 Display the current scheduler locking mode.
5105 @end table
5106
5107 @cindex resume threads of multiple processes simultaneously
5108 By default, when you issue one of the execution commands such as
5109 @code{continue}, @code{next} or @code{step}, @value{GDBN} allows only
5110 threads of the current inferior to run. For example, if @value{GDBN}
5111 is attached to two inferiors, each with two threads, the
5112 @code{continue} command resumes only the two threads of the current
5113 inferior. This is useful, for example, when you debug a program that
5114 forks and you want to hold the parent stopped (so that, for instance,
5115 it doesn't run to exit), while you debug the child. In other
5116 situations, you may not be interested in inspecting the current state
5117 of any of the processes @value{GDBN} is attached to, and you may want
5118 to resume them all until some breakpoint is hit. In the latter case,
5119 you can instruct @value{GDBN} to allow all threads of all the
5120 inferiors to run with the @w{@code{set schedule-multiple}} command.
5121
5122 @table @code
5123 @kindex set schedule-multiple
5124 @item set schedule-multiple
5125 Set the mode for allowing threads of multiple processes to be resumed
5126 when an execution command is issued. When @code{on}, all threads of
5127 all processes are allowed to run. When @code{off}, only the threads
5128 of the current process are resumed. The default is @code{off}. The
5129 @code{scheduler-locking} mode takes precedence when set to @code{on},
5130 or while you are stepping and set to @code{step}.
5131
5132 @item show schedule-multiple
5133 Display the current mode for resuming the execution of threads of
5134 multiple processes.
5135 @end table
5136
5137 @node Non-Stop Mode
5138 @subsection Non-Stop Mode
5139
5140 @cindex non-stop mode
5141
5142 @c This section is really only a place-holder, and needs to be expanded
5143 @c with more details.
5144
5145 For some multi-threaded targets, @value{GDBN} supports an optional
5146 mode of operation in which you can examine stopped program threads in
5147 the debugger while other threads continue to execute freely. This
5148 minimizes intrusion when debugging live systems, such as programs
5149 where some threads have real-time constraints or must continue to
5150 respond to external events. This is referred to as @dfn{non-stop} mode.
5151
5152 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops to report a debugging event,
5153 @emph{only} that thread is stopped; @value{GDBN} does not stop other
5154 threads as well, in contrast to the all-stop mode behavior. Additionally,
5155 execution commands such as @code{continue} and @code{step} apply by default
5156 only to the current thread in non-stop mode, rather than all threads as
5157 in all-stop mode. This allows you to control threads explicitly in
5158 ways that are not possible in all-stop mode --- for example, stepping
5159 one thread while allowing others to run freely, stepping
5160 one thread while holding all others stopped, or stepping several threads
5161 independently and simultaneously.
5162
5163 To enter non-stop mode, use this sequence of commands before you run
5164 or attach to your program:
5165
5166 @smallexample
5167 # Enable the async interface.
5168 set target-async 1
5169
5170 # If using the CLI, pagination breaks non-stop.
5171 set pagination off
5172
5173 # Finally, turn it on!
5174 set non-stop on
5175 @end smallexample
5176
5177 You can use these commands to manipulate the non-stop mode setting:
5178
5179 @table @code
5180 @kindex set non-stop
5181 @item set non-stop on
5182 Enable selection of non-stop mode.
5183 @item set non-stop off
5184 Disable selection of non-stop mode.
5185 @kindex show non-stop
5186 @item show non-stop
5187 Show the current non-stop enablement setting.
5188 @end table
5189
5190 Note these commands only reflect whether non-stop mode is enabled,
5191 not whether the currently-executing program is being run in non-stop mode.
5192 In particular, the @code{set non-stop} preference is only consulted when
5193 @value{GDBN} starts or connects to the target program, and it is generally
5194 not possible to switch modes once debugging has started. Furthermore,
5195 since not all targets support non-stop mode, even when you have enabled
5196 non-stop mode, @value{GDBN} may still fall back to all-stop operation by
5197 default.
5198
5199 In non-stop mode, all execution commands apply only to the current thread
5200 by default. That is, @code{continue} only continues one thread.
5201 To continue all threads, issue @code{continue -a} or @code{c -a}.
5202
5203 You can use @value{GDBN}'s background execution commands
5204 (@pxref{Background Execution}) to run some threads in the background
5205 while you continue to examine or step others from @value{GDBN}.
5206 The MI execution commands (@pxref{GDB/MI Program Execution}) are
5207 always executed asynchronously in non-stop mode.
5208
5209 Suspending execution is done with the @code{interrupt} command when
5210 running in the background, or @kbd{Ctrl-c} during foreground execution.
5211 In all-stop mode, this stops the whole process;
5212 but in non-stop mode the interrupt applies only to the current thread.
5213 To stop the whole program, use @code{interrupt -a}.
5214
5215 Other execution commands do not currently support the @code{-a} option.
5216
5217 In non-stop mode, when a thread stops, @value{GDBN} doesn't automatically make
5218 that thread current, as it does in all-stop mode. This is because the
5219 thread stop notifications are asynchronous with respect to @value{GDBN}'s
5220 command interpreter, and it would be confusing if @value{GDBN} unexpectedly
5221 changed to a different thread just as you entered a command to operate on the
5222 previously current thread.
5223
5224 @node Background Execution
5225 @subsection Background Execution
5226
5227 @cindex foreground execution
5228 @cindex background execution
5229 @cindex asynchronous execution
5230 @cindex execution, foreground, background and asynchronous
5231
5232 @value{GDBN}'s execution commands have two variants: the normal
5233 foreground (synchronous) behavior, and a background
5234 (asynchronous) behavior. In foreground execution, @value{GDBN} waits for
5235 the program to report that some thread has stopped before prompting for
5236 another command. In background execution, @value{GDBN} immediately gives
5237 a command prompt so that you can issue other commands while your program runs.
5238
5239 You need to explicitly enable asynchronous mode before you can use
5240 background execution commands. You can use these commands to
5241 manipulate the asynchronous mode setting:
5242
5243 @table @code
5244 @kindex set target-async
5245 @item set target-async on
5246 Enable asynchronous mode.
5247 @item set target-async off
5248 Disable asynchronous mode.
5249 @kindex show target-async
5250 @item show target-async
5251 Show the current target-async setting.
5252 @end table
5253
5254 If the target doesn't support async mode, @value{GDBN} issues an error
5255 message if you attempt to use the background execution commands.
5256
5257 To specify background execution, add a @code{&} to the command. For example,
5258 the background form of the @code{continue} command is @code{continue&}, or
5259 just @code{c&}. The execution commands that accept background execution
5260 are:
5261
5262 @table @code
5263 @kindex run&
5264 @item run
5265 @xref{Starting, , Starting your Program}.
5266
5267 @item attach
5268 @kindex attach&
5269 @xref{Attach, , Debugging an Already-running Process}.
5270
5271 @item step
5272 @kindex step&
5273 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, step}.
5274
5275 @item stepi
5276 @kindex stepi&
5277 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, stepi}.
5278
5279 @item next
5280 @kindex next&
5281 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, next}.
5282
5283 @item nexti
5284 @kindex nexti&
5285 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, nexti}.
5286
5287 @item continue
5288 @kindex continue&
5289 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, continue}.
5290
5291 @item finish
5292 @kindex finish&
5293 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, finish}.
5294
5295 @item until
5296 @kindex until&
5297 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, until}.
5298
5299 @end table
5300
5301 Background execution is especially useful in conjunction with non-stop
5302 mode for debugging programs with multiple threads; see @ref{Non-Stop Mode}.
5303 However, you can also use these commands in the normal all-stop mode with
5304 the restriction that you cannot issue another execution command until the
5305 previous one finishes. Examples of commands that are valid in all-stop
5306 mode while the program is running include @code{help} and @code{info break}.
5307
5308 You can interrupt your program while it is running in the background by
5309 using the @code{interrupt} command.
5310
5311 @table @code
5312 @kindex interrupt
5313 @item interrupt
5314 @itemx interrupt -a
5315
5316 Suspend execution of the running program. In all-stop mode,
5317 @code{interrupt} stops the whole process, but in non-stop mode, it stops
5318 only the current thread. To stop the whole program in non-stop mode,
5319 use @code{interrupt -a}.
5320 @end table
5321
5322 @node Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5323 @subsection Thread-Specific Breakpoints
5324
5325 When your program has multiple threads (@pxref{Threads,, Debugging
5326 Programs with Multiple Threads}), you can choose whether to set
5327 breakpoints on all threads, or on a particular thread.
5328
5329 @table @code
5330 @cindex breakpoints and threads
5331 @cindex thread breakpoints
5332 @kindex break @dots{} thread @var{threadno}
5333 @item break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno}
5334 @itemx break @var{linespec} thread @var{threadno} if @dots{}
5335 @var{linespec} specifies source lines; there are several ways of
5336 writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always to
5337 specify some source line.
5338
5339 Use the qualifier @samp{thread @var{threadno}} with a breakpoint command
5340 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
5341 particular thread reaches this breakpoint. @var{threadno} is one of the
5342 numeric thread identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
5343 column of the @samp{info threads} display.
5344
5345 If you do not specify @samp{thread @var{threadno}} when you set a
5346 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} threads of your
5347 program.
5348
5349 You can use the @code{thread} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
5350 well; in this case, place @samp{thread @var{threadno}} before or
5351 after the breakpoint condition, like this:
5352
5353 @smallexample
5354 (@value{GDBP}) break frik.c:13 thread 28 if bartab > lim
5355 @end smallexample
5356
5357 @end table
5358
5359 @node Interrupted System Calls
5360 @subsection Interrupted System Calls
5361
5362 @cindex thread breakpoints and system calls
5363 @cindex system calls and thread breakpoints
5364 @cindex premature return from system calls
5365 There is an unfortunate side effect when using @value{GDBN} to debug
5366 multi-threaded programs. If one thread stops for a
5367 breakpoint, or for some other reason, and another thread is blocked in a
5368 system call, then the system call may return prematurely. This is a
5369 consequence of the interaction between multiple threads and the signals
5370 that @value{GDBN} uses to implement breakpoints and other events that
5371 stop execution.
5372
5373 To handle this problem, your program should check the return value of
5374 each system call and react appropriately. This is good programming
5375 style anyways.
5376
5377 For example, do not write code like this:
5378
5379 @smallexample
5380 sleep (10);
5381 @end smallexample
5382
5383 The call to @code{sleep} will return early if a different thread stops
5384 at a breakpoint or for some other reason.
5385
5386 Instead, write this:
5387
5388 @smallexample
5389 int unslept = 10;
5390 while (unslept > 0)
5391 unslept = sleep (unslept);
5392 @end smallexample
5393
5394 A system call is allowed to return early, so the system is still
5395 conforming to its specification. But @value{GDBN} does cause your
5396 multi-threaded program to behave differently than it would without
5397 @value{GDBN}.
5398
5399 Also, @value{GDBN} uses internal breakpoints in the thread library to
5400 monitor certain events such as thread creation and thread destruction.
5401 When such an event happens, a system call in another thread may return
5402 prematurely, even though your program does not appear to stop.
5403
5404 @node Observer Mode
5405 @subsection Observer Mode
5406
5407 If you want to build on non-stop mode and observe program behavior
5408 without any chance of disruption by @value{GDBN}, you can set
5409 variables to disable all of the debugger's attempts to modify state,
5410 whether by writing memory, inserting breakpoints, etc. These operate
5411 at a low level, intercepting operations from all commands.
5412
5413 When all of these are set to @code{off}, then @value{GDBN} is said to
5414 be @dfn{observer mode}. As a convenience, the variable
5415 @code{observer} can be set to disable these, plus enable non-stop
5416 mode.
5417
5418 Note that @value{GDBN} will not prevent you from making nonsensical
5419 combinations of these settings. For instance, if you have enabled
5420 @code{may-insert-breakpoints} but disabled @code{may-write-memory},
5421 then breakpoints that work by writing trap instructions into the code
5422 stream will still not be able to be placed.
5423
5424 @table @code
5425
5426 @kindex observer
5427 @item set observer on
5428 @itemx set observer off
5429 When set to @code{on}, this disables all the permission variables
5430 below (except for @code{insert-fast-tracepoints}), plus enables
5431 non-stop debugging. Setting this to @code{off} switches back to
5432 normal debugging, though remaining in non-stop mode.
5433
5434 @item show observer
5435 Show whether observer mode is on or off.
5436
5437 @kindex may-write-registers
5438 @item set may-write-registers on
5439 @itemx set may-write-registers off
5440 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the values of
5441 registers, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}, or the
5442 @code{jump} command. It defaults to @code{on}.
5443
5444 @item show may-write-registers
5445 Show the current permission to write registers.
5446
5447 @kindex may-write-memory
5448 @item set may-write-memory on
5449 @itemx set may-write-memory off
5450 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to alter the contents
5451 of memory, such as with assignment expressions in @code{print}. It
5452 defaults to @code{on}.
5453
5454 @item show may-write-memory
5455 Show the current permission to write memory.
5456
5457 @kindex may-insert-breakpoints
5458 @item set may-insert-breakpoints on
5459 @itemx set may-insert-breakpoints off
5460 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert breakpoints.
5461 This affects all breakpoints, including internal breakpoints defined
5462 by @value{GDBN}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5463
5464 @item show may-insert-breakpoints
5465 Show the current permission to insert breakpoints.
5466
5467 @kindex may-insert-tracepoints
5468 @item set may-insert-tracepoints on
5469 @itemx set may-insert-tracepoints off
5470 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert (regular)
5471 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5472 non-fast tracepoints, fast tracepoints being under the control of
5473 @code{may-insert-fast-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5474
5475 @item show may-insert-tracepoints
5476 Show the current permission to insert tracepoints.
5477
5478 @kindex may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5479 @item set may-insert-fast-tracepoints on
5480 @itemx set may-insert-fast-tracepoints off
5481 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to insert fast
5482 tracepoints at the beginning of a tracing experiment. It affects only
5483 fast tracepoints, regular (non-fast) tracepoints being under the
5484 control of @code{may-insert-tracepoints}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5485
5486 @item show may-insert-fast-tracepoints
5487 Show the current permission to insert fast tracepoints.
5488
5489 @kindex may-interrupt
5490 @item set may-interrupt on
5491 @itemx set may-interrupt off
5492 This controls whether @value{GDBN} will attempt to interrupt or stop
5493 program execution. When this variable is @code{off}, the
5494 @code{interrupt} command will have no effect, nor will
5495 @kbd{Ctrl-c}. It defaults to @code{on}.
5496
5497 @item show may-interrupt
5498 Show the current permission to interrupt or stop the program.
5499
5500 @end table
5501
5502 @node Reverse Execution
5503 @chapter Running programs backward
5504 @cindex reverse execution
5505 @cindex running programs backward
5506
5507 When you are debugging a program, it is not unusual to realize that
5508 you have gone too far, and some event of interest has already happened.
5509 If the target environment supports it, @value{GDBN} can allow you to
5510 ``rewind'' the program by running it backward.
5511
5512 A target environment that supports reverse execution should be able
5513 to ``undo'' the changes in machine state that have taken place as the
5514 program was executing normally. Variables, registers etc.@: should
5515 revert to their previous values. Obviously this requires a great
5516 deal of sophistication on the part of the target environment; not
5517 all target environments can support reverse execution.
5518
5519 When a program is executed in reverse, the instructions that
5520 have most recently been executed are ``un-executed'', in reverse
5521 order. The program counter runs backward, following the previous
5522 thread of execution in reverse. As each instruction is ``un-executed'',
5523 the values of memory and/or registers that were changed by that
5524 instruction are reverted to their previous states. After executing
5525 a piece of source code in reverse, all side effects of that code
5526 should be ``undone'', and all variables should be returned to their
5527 prior values@footnote{
5528 Note that some side effects are easier to undo than others. For instance,
5529 memory and registers are relatively easy, but device I/O is hard. Some
5530 targets may be able undo things like device I/O, and some may not.
5531
5532 The contract between @value{GDBN} and the reverse executing target
5533 requires only that the target do something reasonable when
5534 @value{GDBN} tells it to execute backwards, and then report the
5535 results back to @value{GDBN}. Whatever the target reports back to
5536 @value{GDBN}, @value{GDBN} will report back to the user. @value{GDBN}
5537 assumes that the memory and registers that the target reports are in a
5538 consistant state, but @value{GDBN} accepts whatever it is given.
5539 }.
5540
5541 If you are debugging in a target environment that supports
5542 reverse execution, @value{GDBN} provides the following commands.
5543
5544 @table @code
5545 @kindex reverse-continue
5546 @kindex rc @r{(@code{reverse-continue})}
5547 @item reverse-continue @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5548 @itemx rc @r{[}@var{ignore-count}@r{]}
5549 Beginning at the point where your program last stopped, start executing
5550 in reverse. Reverse execution will stop for breakpoints and synchronous
5551 exceptions (signals), just like normal execution. Behavior of
5552 asynchronous signals depends on the target environment.
5553
5554 @kindex reverse-step
5555 @kindex rs @r{(@code{step})}
5556 @item reverse-step @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5557 Run the program backward until control reaches the start of a
5558 different source line; then stop it, and return control to @value{GDBN}.
5559
5560 Like the @code{step} command, @code{reverse-step} will only stop
5561 at the beginning of a source line. It ``un-executes'' the previously
5562 executed source line. If the previous source line included calls to
5563 debuggable functions, @code{reverse-step} will step (backward) into
5564 the called function, stopping at the beginning of the @emph{last}
5565 statement in the called function (typically a return statement).
5566
5567 Also, as with the @code{step} command, if non-debuggable functions are
5568 called, @code{reverse-step} will run thru them backward without stopping.
5569
5570 @kindex reverse-stepi
5571 @kindex rsi @r{(@code{reverse-stepi})}
5572 @item reverse-stepi @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5573 Reverse-execute one machine instruction. Note that the instruction
5574 to be reverse-executed is @emph{not} the one pointed to by the program
5575 counter, but the instruction executed prior to that one. For instance,
5576 if the last instruction was a jump, @code{reverse-stepi} will take you
5577 back from the destination of the jump to the jump instruction itself.
5578
5579 @kindex reverse-next
5580 @kindex rn @r{(@code{reverse-next})}
5581 @item reverse-next @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5582 Run backward to the beginning of the previous line executed in
5583 the current (innermost) stack frame. If the line contains function
5584 calls, they will be ``un-executed'' without stopping. Starting from
5585 the first line of a function, @code{reverse-next} will take you back
5586 to the caller of that function, @emph{before} the function was called,
5587 just as the normal @code{next} command would take you from the last
5588 line of a function back to its return to its caller
5589 @footnote{Unless the code is too heavily optimized.}.
5590
5591 @kindex reverse-nexti
5592 @kindex rni @r{(@code{reverse-nexti})}
5593 @item reverse-nexti @r{[}@var{count}@r{]}
5594 Like @code{nexti}, @code{reverse-nexti} executes a single instruction
5595 in reverse, except that called functions are ``un-executed'' atomically.
5596 That is, if the previously executed instruction was a return from
5597 another function, @code{reverse-nexti} will continue to execute
5598 in reverse until the call to that function (from the current stack
5599 frame) is reached.
5600
5601 @kindex reverse-finish
5602 @item reverse-finish
5603 Just as the @code{finish} command takes you to the point where the
5604 current function returns, @code{reverse-finish} takes you to the point
5605 where it was called. Instead of ending up at the end of the current
5606 function invocation, you end up at the beginning.
5607
5608 @kindex set exec-direction
5609 @item set exec-direction
5610 Set the direction of target execution.
5611 @itemx set exec-direction reverse
5612 @cindex execute forward or backward in time
5613 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in reverse, until the
5614 exec-direction mode is changed to ``forward''. Affected commands include
5615 @code{step, stepi, next, nexti, continue, and finish}. The @code{return}
5616 command cannot be used in reverse mode.
5617 @item set exec-direction forward
5618 @value{GDBN} will perform all execution commands in the normal fashion.
5619 This is the default.
5620 @end table
5621
5622
5623 @node Process Record and Replay
5624 @chapter Recording Inferior's Execution and Replaying It
5625 @cindex process record and replay
5626 @cindex recording inferior's execution and replaying it
5627
5628 On some platforms, @value{GDBN} provides a special @dfn{process record
5629 and replay} target that can record a log of the process execution, and
5630 replay it later with both forward and reverse execution commands.
5631
5632 @cindex replay mode
5633 When this target is in use, if the execution log includes the record
5634 for the next instruction, @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{replay
5635 mode}. In the replay mode, the inferior does not really execute code
5636 instructions. Instead, all the events that normally happen during
5637 code execution are taken from the execution log. While code is not
5638 really executed in replay mode, the values of registers (including the
5639 program counter register) and the memory of the inferior are still
5640 changed as they normally would. Their contents are taken from the
5641 execution log.
5642
5643 @cindex record mode
5644 If the record for the next instruction is not in the execution log,
5645 @value{GDBN} will debug in @dfn{record mode}. In this mode, the
5646 inferior executes normally, and @value{GDBN} records the execution log
5647 for future replay.
5648
5649 The process record and replay target supports reverse execution
5650 (@pxref{Reverse Execution}), even if the platform on which the
5651 inferior runs does not. However, the reverse execution is limited in
5652 this case by the range of the instructions recorded in the execution
5653 log. In other words, reverse execution on platforms that don't
5654 support it directly can only be done in the replay mode.
5655
5656 When debugging in the reverse direction, @value{GDBN} will work in
5657 replay mode as long as the execution log includes the record for the
5658 previous instruction; otherwise, it will work in record mode, if the
5659 platform supports reverse execution, or stop if not.
5660
5661 For architecture environments that support process record and replay,
5662 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands:
5663
5664 @table @code
5665 @kindex target record
5666 @kindex record
5667 @kindex rec
5668 @item target record
5669 This command starts the process record and replay target. The process
5670 record and replay target can only debug a process that is already
5671 running. Therefore, you need first to start the process with the
5672 @kbd{run} or @kbd{start} commands, and then start the recording with
5673 the @kbd{target record} command.
5674
5675 Both @code{record} and @code{rec} are aliases of @code{target record}.
5676
5677 @cindex displaced stepping, and process record and replay
5678 Displaced stepping (@pxref{Maintenance Commands,, displaced stepping})
5679 will be automatically disabled when process record and replay target
5680 is started. That's because the process record and replay target
5681 doesn't support displaced stepping.
5682
5683 @cindex non-stop mode, and process record and replay
5684 @cindex asynchronous execution, and process record and replay
5685 If the inferior is in the non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) or in
5686 the asynchronous execution mode (@pxref{Background Execution}), the
5687 process record and replay target cannot be started because it doesn't
5688 support these two modes.
5689
5690 @kindex record stop
5691 @kindex rec s
5692 @item record stop
5693 Stop the process record and replay target. When process record and
5694 replay target stops, the entire execution log will be deleted and the
5695 inferior will either be terminated, or will remain in its final state.
5696
5697 When you stop the process record and replay target in record mode (at
5698 the end of the execution log), the inferior will be stopped at the
5699 next instruction that would have been recorded. In other words, if
5700 you record for a while and then stop recording, the inferior process
5701 will be left in the same state as if the recording never happened.
5702
5703 On the other hand, if the process record and replay target is stopped
5704 while in replay mode (that is, not at the end of the execution log,
5705 but at some earlier point), the inferior process will become ``live''
5706 at that earlier state, and it will then be possible to continue the
5707 usual ``live'' debugging of the process from that state.
5708
5709 When the inferior process exits, or @value{GDBN} detaches from it,
5710 process record and replay target will automatically stop itself.
5711
5712 @kindex record save
5713 @item record save @var{filename}
5714 Save the execution log to a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5715 Default filename is @file{gdb_record.@var{process_id}}, where
5716 @var{process_id} is the process ID of the inferior.
5717
5718 @kindex record restore
5719 @item record restore @var{filename}
5720 Restore the execution log from a file @file{@var{filename}}.
5721 File must have been created with @code{record save}.
5722
5723 @kindex set record insn-number-max
5724 @item set record insn-number-max @var{limit}
5725 Set the limit of instructions to be recorded. Default value is 200000.
5726
5727 If @var{limit} is a positive number, then @value{GDBN} will start
5728 deleting instructions from the log once the number of the record
5729 instructions becomes greater than @var{limit}. For every new recorded
5730 instruction, @value{GDBN} will delete the earliest recorded
5731 instruction to keep the number of recorded instructions at the limit.
5732 (Since deleting recorded instructions loses information, @value{GDBN}
5733 lets you control what happens when the limit is reached, by means of
5734 the @code{stop-at-limit} option, described below.)
5735
5736 If @var{limit} is zero, @value{GDBN} will never delete recorded
5737 instructions from the execution log. The number of recorded
5738 instructions is unlimited in this case.
5739
5740 @kindex show record insn-number-max
5741 @item show record insn-number-max
5742 Show the limit of instructions to be recorded.
5743
5744 @kindex set record stop-at-limit
5745 @item set record stop-at-limit
5746 Control the behavior when the number of recorded instructions reaches
5747 the limit. If ON (the default), @value{GDBN} will stop when the limit
5748 is reached for the first time and ask you whether you want to stop the
5749 inferior or continue running it and recording the execution log. If
5750 you decide to continue recording, each new recorded instruction will
5751 cause the oldest one to be deleted.
5752
5753 If this option is OFF, @value{GDBN} will automatically delete the
5754 oldest record to make room for each new one, without asking.
5755
5756 @kindex show record stop-at-limit
5757 @item show record stop-at-limit
5758 Show the current setting of @code{stop-at-limit}.
5759
5760 @kindex set record memory-query
5761 @item set record memory-query
5762 Control the behavior when @value{GDBN} is unable to record memory
5763 changes caused by an instruction. If ON, @value{GDBN} will query
5764 whether to stop the inferior in that case.
5765
5766 If this option is OFF (the default), @value{GDBN} will automatically
5767 ignore the effect of such instructions on memory. Later, when
5768 @value{GDBN} replays this execution log, it will mark the log of this
5769 instruction as not accessible, and it will not affect the replay
5770 results.
5771
5772 @kindex show record memory-query
5773 @item show record memory-query
5774 Show the current setting of @code{memory-query}.
5775
5776 @kindex info record
5777 @item info record
5778 Show various statistics about the state of process record and its
5779 in-memory execution log buffer, including:
5780
5781 @itemize @bullet
5782 @item
5783 Whether in record mode or replay mode.
5784 @item
5785 Lowest recorded instruction number (counting from when the current execution log started recording instructions).
5786 @item
5787 Highest recorded instruction number.
5788 @item
5789 Current instruction about to be replayed (if in replay mode).
5790 @item
5791 Number of instructions contained in the execution log.
5792 @item
5793 Maximum number of instructions that may be contained in the execution log.
5794 @end itemize
5795
5796 @kindex record delete
5797 @kindex rec del
5798 @item record delete
5799 When record target runs in replay mode (``in the past''), delete the
5800 subsequent execution log and begin to record a new execution log starting
5801 from the current address. This means you will abandon the previously
5802 recorded ``future'' and begin recording a new ``future''.
5803 @end table
5804
5805
5806 @node Stack
5807 @chapter Examining the Stack
5808
5809 When your program has stopped, the first thing you need to know is where it
5810 stopped and how it got there.
5811
5812 @cindex call stack
5813 Each time your program performs a function call, information about the call
5814 is generated.
5815 That information includes the location of the call in your program,
5816 the arguments of the call,
5817 and the local variables of the function being called.
5818 The information is saved in a block of data called a @dfn{stack frame}.
5819 The stack frames are allocated in a region of memory called the @dfn{call
5820 stack}.
5821
5822 When your program stops, the @value{GDBN} commands for examining the
5823 stack allow you to see all of this information.
5824
5825 @cindex selected frame
5826 One of the stack frames is @dfn{selected} by @value{GDBN} and many
5827 @value{GDBN} commands refer implicitly to the selected frame. In
5828 particular, whenever you ask @value{GDBN} for the value of a variable in
5829 your program, the value is found in the selected frame. There are
5830 special @value{GDBN} commands to select whichever frame you are
5831 interested in. @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
5832
5833 When your program stops, @value{GDBN} automatically selects the
5834 currently executing frame and describes it briefly, similar to the
5835 @code{frame} command (@pxref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}).
5836
5837 @menu
5838 * Frames:: Stack frames
5839 * Backtrace:: Backtraces
5840 * Selection:: Selecting a frame
5841 * Frame Info:: Information on a frame
5842
5843 @end menu
5844
5845 @node Frames
5846 @section Stack Frames
5847
5848 @cindex frame, definition
5849 @cindex stack frame
5850 The call stack is divided up into contiguous pieces called @dfn{stack
5851 frames}, or @dfn{frames} for short; each frame is the data associated
5852 with one call to one function. The frame contains the arguments given
5853 to the function, the function's local variables, and the address at
5854 which the function is executing.
5855
5856 @cindex initial frame
5857 @cindex outermost frame
5858 @cindex innermost frame
5859 When your program is started, the stack has only one frame, that of the
5860 function @code{main}. This is called the @dfn{initial} frame or the
5861 @dfn{outermost} frame. Each time a function is called, a new frame is
5862 made. Each time a function returns, the frame for that function invocation
5863 is eliminated. If a function is recursive, there can be many frames for
5864 the same function. The frame for the function in which execution is
5865 actually occurring is called the @dfn{innermost} frame. This is the most
5866 recently created of all the stack frames that still exist.
5867
5868 @cindex frame pointer
5869 Inside your program, stack frames are identified by their addresses. A
5870 stack frame consists of many bytes, each of which has its own address; each
5871 kind of computer has a convention for choosing one byte whose
5872 address serves as the address of the frame. Usually this address is kept
5873 in a register called the @dfn{frame pointer register}
5874 (@pxref{Registers, $fp}) while execution is going on in that frame.
5875
5876 @cindex frame number
5877 @value{GDBN} assigns numbers to all existing stack frames, starting with
5878 zero for the innermost frame, one for the frame that called it,
5879 and so on upward. These numbers do not really exist in your program;
5880 they are assigned by @value{GDBN} to give you a way of designating stack
5881 frames in @value{GDBN} commands.
5882
5883 @c The -fomit-frame-pointer below perennially causes hbox overflow
5884 @c underflow problems.
5885 @cindex frameless execution
5886 Some compilers provide a way to compile functions so that they operate
5887 without stack frames. (For example, the @value{NGCC} option
5888 @smallexample
5889 @samp{-fomit-frame-pointer}
5890 @end smallexample
5891 generates functions without a frame.)
5892 This is occasionally done with heavily used library functions to save
5893 the frame setup time. @value{GDBN} has limited facilities for dealing
5894 with these function invocations. If the innermost function invocation
5895 has no stack frame, @value{GDBN} nevertheless regards it as though
5896 it had a separate frame, which is numbered zero as usual, allowing
5897 correct tracing of the function call chain. However, @value{GDBN} has
5898 no provision for frameless functions elsewhere in the stack.
5899
5900 @table @code
5901 @kindex frame@r{, command}
5902 @cindex current stack frame
5903 @item frame @var{args}
5904 The @code{frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame to another,
5905 and to print the stack frame you select. @var{args} may be either the
5906 address of the frame or the stack frame number. Without an argument,
5907 @code{frame} prints the current stack frame.
5908
5909 @kindex select-frame
5910 @cindex selecting frame silently
5911 @item select-frame
5912 The @code{select-frame} command allows you to move from one stack frame
5913 to another without printing the frame. This is the silent version of
5914 @code{frame}.
5915 @end table
5916
5917 @node Backtrace
5918 @section Backtraces
5919
5920 @cindex traceback
5921 @cindex call stack traces
5922 A backtrace is a summary of how your program got where it is. It shows one
5923 line per frame, for many frames, starting with the currently executing
5924 frame (frame zero), followed by its caller (frame one), and on up the
5925 stack.
5926
5927 @table @code
5928 @kindex backtrace
5929 @kindex bt @r{(@code{backtrace})}
5930 @item backtrace
5931 @itemx bt
5932 Print a backtrace of the entire stack: one line per frame for all
5933 frames in the stack.
5934
5935 You can stop the backtrace at any time by typing the system interrupt
5936 character, normally @kbd{Ctrl-c}.
5937
5938 @item backtrace @var{n}
5939 @itemx bt @var{n}
5940 Similar, but print only the innermost @var{n} frames.
5941
5942 @item backtrace -@var{n}
5943 @itemx bt -@var{n}
5944 Similar, but print only the outermost @var{n} frames.
5945
5946 @item backtrace full
5947 @itemx bt full
5948 @itemx bt full @var{n}
5949 @itemx bt full -@var{n}
5950 Print the values of the local variables also. @var{n} specifies the
5951 number of frames to print, as described above.
5952 @end table
5953
5954 @kindex where
5955 @kindex info stack
5956 The names @code{where} and @code{info stack} (abbreviated @code{info s})
5957 are additional aliases for @code{backtrace}.
5958
5959 @cindex multiple threads, backtrace
5960 In a multi-threaded program, @value{GDBN} by default shows the
5961 backtrace only for the current thread. To display the backtrace for
5962 several or all of the threads, use the command @code{thread apply}
5963 (@pxref{Threads, thread apply}). For example, if you type @kbd{thread
5964 apply all backtrace}, @value{GDBN} will display the backtrace for all
5965 the threads; this is handy when you debug a core dump of a
5966 multi-threaded program.
5967
5968 Each line in the backtrace shows the frame number and the function name.
5969 The program counter value is also shown---unless you use @code{set
5970 print address off}. The backtrace also shows the source file name and
5971 line number, as well as the arguments to the function. The program
5972 counter value is omitted if it is at the beginning of the code for that
5973 line number.
5974
5975 Here is an example of a backtrace. It was made with the command
5976 @samp{bt 3}, so it shows the innermost three frames.
5977
5978 @smallexample
5979 @group
5980 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
5981 at builtin.c:993
5982 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=0x2b600, data=...) at macro.c:242
5983 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=177664, td=0xf7fffb08)
5984 at macro.c:71
5985 (More stack frames follow...)
5986 @end group
5987 @end smallexample
5988
5989 @noindent
5990 The display for frame zero does not begin with a program counter
5991 value, indicating that your program has stopped at the beginning of the
5992 code for line @code{993} of @code{builtin.c}.
5993
5994 @noindent
5995 The value of parameter @code{data} in frame 1 has been replaced by
5996 @code{@dots{}}. By default, @value{GDBN} prints the value of a parameter
5997 only if it is a scalar (integer, pointer, enumeration, etc). See command
5998 @kbd{set print frame-arguments} in @ref{Print Settings} for more details
5999 on how to configure the way function parameter values are printed.
6000
6001 @cindex optimized out, in backtrace
6002 @cindex function call arguments, optimized out
6003 If your program was compiled with optimizations, some compilers will
6004 optimize away arguments passed to functions if those arguments are
6005 never used after the call. Such optimizations generate code that
6006 passes arguments through registers, but doesn't store those arguments
6007 in the stack frame. @value{GDBN} has no way of displaying such
6008 arguments in stack frames other than the innermost one. Here's what
6009 such a backtrace might look like:
6010
6011 @smallexample
6012 @group
6013 #0 m4_traceon (obs=0x24eb0, argc=1, argv=0x2b8c8)
6014 at builtin.c:993
6015 #1 0x6e38 in expand_macro (sym=<optimized out>) at macro.c:242
6016 #2 0x6840 in expand_token (obs=0x0, t=<optimized out>, td=0xf7fffb08)
6017 at macro.c:71
6018 (More stack frames follow...)
6019 @end group
6020 @end smallexample
6021
6022 @noindent
6023 The values of arguments that were not saved in their stack frames are
6024 shown as @samp{<optimized out>}.
6025
6026 If you need to display the values of such optimized-out arguments,
6027 either deduce that from other variables whose values depend on the one
6028 you are interested in, or recompile without optimizations.
6029
6030 @cindex backtrace beyond @code{main} function
6031 @cindex program entry point
6032 @cindex startup code, and backtrace
6033 Most programs have a standard user entry point---a place where system
6034 libraries and startup code transition into user code. For C this is
6035 @code{main}@footnote{
6036 Note that embedded programs (the so-called ``free-standing''
6037 environment) are not required to have a @code{main} function as the
6038 entry point. They could even have multiple entry points.}.
6039 When @value{GDBN} finds the entry function in a backtrace
6040 it will terminate the backtrace, to avoid tracing into highly
6041 system-specific (and generally uninteresting) code.
6042
6043 If you need to examine the startup code, or limit the number of levels
6044 in a backtrace, you can change this behavior:
6045
6046 @table @code
6047 @item set backtrace past-main
6048 @itemx set backtrace past-main on
6049 @kindex set backtrace
6050 Backtraces will continue past the user entry point.
6051
6052 @item set backtrace past-main off
6053 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the user entry point. This is the
6054 default.
6055
6056 @item show backtrace past-main
6057 @kindex show backtrace
6058 Display the current user entry point backtrace policy.
6059
6060 @item set backtrace past-entry
6061 @itemx set backtrace past-entry on
6062 Backtraces will continue past the internal entry point of an application.
6063 This entry point is encoded by the linker when the application is built,
6064 and is likely before the user entry point @code{main} (or equivalent) is called.
6065
6066 @item set backtrace past-entry off
6067 Backtraces will stop when they encounter the internal entry point of an
6068 application. This is the default.
6069
6070 @item show backtrace past-entry
6071 Display the current internal entry point backtrace policy.
6072
6073 @item set backtrace limit @var{n}
6074 @itemx set backtrace limit 0
6075 @cindex backtrace limit
6076 Limit the backtrace to @var{n} levels. A value of zero means
6077 unlimited.
6078
6079 @item show backtrace limit
6080 Display the current limit on backtrace levels.
6081 @end table
6082
6083 @node Selection
6084 @section Selecting a Frame
6085
6086 Most commands for examining the stack and other data in your program work on
6087 whichever stack frame is selected at the moment. Here are the commands for
6088 selecting a stack frame; all of them finish by printing a brief description
6089 of the stack frame just selected.
6090
6091 @table @code
6092 @kindex frame@r{, selecting}
6093 @kindex f @r{(@code{frame})}
6094 @item frame @var{n}
6095 @itemx f @var{n}
6096 Select frame number @var{n}. Recall that frame zero is the innermost
6097 (currently executing) frame, frame one is the frame that called the
6098 innermost one, and so on. The highest-numbered frame is the one for
6099 @code{main}.
6100
6101 @item frame @var{addr}
6102 @itemx f @var{addr}
6103 Select the frame at address @var{addr}. This is useful mainly if the
6104 chaining of stack frames has been damaged by a bug, making it
6105 impossible for @value{GDBN} to assign numbers properly to all frames. In
6106 addition, this can be useful when your program has multiple stacks and
6107 switches between them.
6108
6109 On the SPARC architecture, @code{frame} needs two addresses to
6110 select an arbitrary frame: a frame pointer and a stack pointer.
6111
6112 On the MIPS and Alpha architecture, it needs two addresses: a stack
6113 pointer and a program counter.
6114
6115 On the 29k architecture, it needs three addresses: a register stack
6116 pointer, a program counter, and a memory stack pointer.
6117
6118 @kindex up
6119 @item up @var{n}
6120 Move @var{n} frames up the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6121 advances toward the outermost frame, to higher frame numbers, to frames
6122 that have existed longer. @var{n} defaults to one.
6123
6124 @kindex down
6125 @kindex do @r{(@code{down})}
6126 @item down @var{n}
6127 Move @var{n} frames down the stack. For positive numbers @var{n}, this
6128 advances toward the innermost frame, to lower frame numbers, to frames
6129 that were created more recently. @var{n} defaults to one. You may
6130 abbreviate @code{down} as @code{do}.
6131 @end table
6132
6133 All of these commands end by printing two lines of output describing the
6134 frame. The first line shows the frame number, the function name, the
6135 arguments, and the source file and line number of execution in that
6136 frame. The second line shows the text of that source line.
6137
6138 @need 1000
6139 For example:
6140
6141 @smallexample
6142 @group
6143 (@value{GDBP}) up
6144 #1 0x22f0 in main (argc=1, argv=0xf7fffbf4, env=0xf7fffbfc)
6145 at env.c:10
6146 10 read_input_file (argv[i]);
6147 @end group
6148 @end smallexample
6149
6150 After such a printout, the @code{list} command with no arguments
6151 prints ten lines centered on the point of execution in the frame.
6152 You can also edit the program at the point of execution with your favorite
6153 editing program by typing @code{edit}.
6154 @xref{List, ,Printing Source Lines},
6155 for details.
6156
6157 @table @code
6158 @kindex down-silently
6159 @kindex up-silently
6160 @item up-silently @var{n}
6161 @itemx down-silently @var{n}
6162 These two commands are variants of @code{up} and @code{down},
6163 respectively; they differ in that they do their work silently, without
6164 causing display of the new frame. They are intended primarily for use
6165 in @value{GDBN} command scripts, where the output might be unnecessary and
6166 distracting.
6167 @end table
6168
6169 @node Frame Info
6170 @section Information About a Frame
6171
6172 There are several other commands to print information about the selected
6173 stack frame.
6174
6175 @table @code
6176 @item frame
6177 @itemx f
6178 When used without any argument, this command does not change which
6179 frame is selected, but prints a brief description of the currently
6180 selected stack frame. It can be abbreviated @code{f}. With an
6181 argument, this command is used to select a stack frame.
6182 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6183
6184 @kindex info frame
6185 @kindex info f @r{(@code{info frame})}
6186 @item info frame
6187 @itemx info f
6188 This command prints a verbose description of the selected stack frame,
6189 including:
6190
6191 @itemize @bullet
6192 @item
6193 the address of the frame
6194 @item
6195 the address of the next frame down (called by this frame)
6196 @item
6197 the address of the next frame up (caller of this frame)
6198 @item
6199 the language in which the source code corresponding to this frame is written
6200 @item
6201 the address of the frame's arguments
6202 @item
6203 the address of the frame's local variables
6204 @item
6205 the program counter saved in it (the address of execution in the caller frame)
6206 @item
6207 which registers were saved in the frame
6208 @end itemize
6209
6210 @noindent The verbose description is useful when
6211 something has gone wrong that has made the stack format fail to fit
6212 the usual conventions.
6213
6214 @item info frame @var{addr}
6215 @itemx info f @var{addr}
6216 Print a verbose description of the frame at address @var{addr}, without
6217 selecting that frame. The selected frame remains unchanged by this
6218 command. This requires the same kind of address (more than one for some
6219 architectures) that you specify in the @code{frame} command.
6220 @xref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}.
6221
6222 @kindex info args
6223 @item info args
6224 Print the arguments of the selected frame, each on a separate line.
6225
6226 @item info locals
6227 @kindex info locals
6228 Print the local variables of the selected frame, each on a separate
6229 line. These are all variables (declared either static or automatic)
6230 accessible at the point of execution of the selected frame.
6231
6232 @kindex info catch
6233 @cindex catch exceptions, list active handlers
6234 @cindex exception handlers, how to list
6235 @item info catch
6236 Print a list of all the exception handlers that are active in the
6237 current stack frame at the current point of execution. To see other
6238 exception handlers, visit the associated frame (using the @code{up},
6239 @code{down}, or @code{frame} commands); then type @code{info catch}.
6240 @xref{Set Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
6241
6242 @end table
6243
6244
6245 @node Source
6246 @chapter Examining Source Files
6247
6248 @value{GDBN} can print parts of your program's source, since the debugging
6249 information recorded in the program tells @value{GDBN} what source files were
6250 used to build it. When your program stops, @value{GDBN} spontaneously prints
6251 the line where it stopped. Likewise, when you select a stack frame
6252 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}), @value{GDBN} prints the line where
6253 execution in that frame has stopped. You can print other portions of
6254 source files by explicit command.
6255
6256 If you use @value{GDBN} through its @sc{gnu} Emacs interface, you may
6257 prefer to use Emacs facilities to view source; see @ref{Emacs, ,Using
6258 @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs}.
6259
6260 @menu
6261 * List:: Printing source lines
6262 * Specify Location:: How to specify code locations
6263 * Edit:: Editing source files
6264 * Search:: Searching source files
6265 * Source Path:: Specifying source directories
6266 * Machine Code:: Source and machine code
6267 @end menu
6268
6269 @node List
6270 @section Printing Source Lines
6271
6272 @kindex list
6273 @kindex l @r{(@code{list})}
6274 To print lines from a source file, use the @code{list} command
6275 (abbreviated @code{l}). By default, ten lines are printed.
6276 There are several ways to specify what part of the file you want to
6277 print; see @ref{Specify Location}, for the full list.
6278
6279 Here are the forms of the @code{list} command most commonly used:
6280
6281 @table @code
6282 @item list @var{linenum}
6283 Print lines centered around line number @var{linenum} in the
6284 current source file.
6285
6286 @item list @var{function}
6287 Print lines centered around the beginning of function
6288 @var{function}.
6289
6290 @item list
6291 Print more lines. If the last lines printed were printed with a
6292 @code{list} command, this prints lines following the last lines
6293 printed; however, if the last line printed was a solitary line printed
6294 as part of displaying a stack frame (@pxref{Stack, ,Examining the
6295 Stack}), this prints lines centered around that line.
6296
6297 @item list -
6298 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6299 @end table
6300
6301 @cindex @code{list}, how many lines to display
6302 By default, @value{GDBN} prints ten source lines with any of these forms of
6303 the @code{list} command. You can change this using @code{set listsize}:
6304
6305 @table @code
6306 @kindex set listsize
6307 @item set listsize @var{count}
6308 Make the @code{list} command display @var{count} source lines (unless
6309 the @code{list} argument explicitly specifies some other number).
6310
6311 @kindex show listsize
6312 @item show listsize
6313 Display the number of lines that @code{list} prints.
6314 @end table
6315
6316 Repeating a @code{list} command with @key{RET} discards the argument,
6317 so it is equivalent to typing just @code{list}. This is more useful
6318 than listing the same lines again. An exception is made for an
6319 argument of @samp{-}; that argument is preserved in repetition so that
6320 each repetition moves up in the source file.
6321
6322 In general, the @code{list} command expects you to supply zero, one or two
6323 @dfn{linespecs}. Linespecs specify source lines; there are several ways
6324 of writing them (@pxref{Specify Location}), but the effect is always
6325 to specify some source line.
6326
6327 Here is a complete description of the possible arguments for @code{list}:
6328
6329 @table @code
6330 @item list @var{linespec}
6331 Print lines centered around the line specified by @var{linespec}.
6332
6333 @item list @var{first},@var{last}
6334 Print lines from @var{first} to @var{last}. Both arguments are
6335 linespecs. When a @code{list} command has two linespecs, and the
6336 source file of the second linespec is omitted, this refers to
6337 the same source file as the first linespec.
6338
6339 @item list ,@var{last}
6340 Print lines ending with @var{last}.
6341
6342 @item list @var{first},
6343 Print lines starting with @var{first}.
6344
6345 @item list +
6346 Print lines just after the lines last printed.
6347
6348 @item list -
6349 Print lines just before the lines last printed.
6350
6351 @item list
6352 As described in the preceding table.
6353 @end table
6354
6355 @node Specify Location
6356 @section Specifying a Location
6357 @cindex specifying location
6358 @cindex linespec
6359
6360 Several @value{GDBN} commands accept arguments that specify a location
6361 of your program's code. Since @value{GDBN} is a source-level
6362 debugger, a location usually specifies some line in the source code;
6363 for that reason, locations are also known as @dfn{linespecs}.
6364
6365 Here are all the different ways of specifying a code location that
6366 @value{GDBN} understands:
6367
6368 @table @code
6369 @item @var{linenum}
6370 Specifies the line number @var{linenum} of the current source file.
6371
6372 @item -@var{offset}
6373 @itemx +@var{offset}
6374 Specifies the line @var{offset} lines before or after the @dfn{current
6375 line}. For the @code{list} command, the current line is the last one
6376 printed; for the breakpoint commands, this is the line at which
6377 execution stopped in the currently selected @dfn{stack frame}
6378 (@pxref{Frames, ,Frames}, for a description of stack frames.) When
6379 used as the second of the two linespecs in a @code{list} command,
6380 this specifies the line @var{offset} lines up or down from the first
6381 linespec.
6382
6383 @item @var{filename}:@var{linenum}
6384 Specifies the line @var{linenum} in the source file @var{filename}.
6385
6386 @item @var{function}
6387 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}.
6388 For example, in C, this is the line with the open brace.
6389
6390 @item @var{function}:@var{label}
6391 Specifies the line where @var{label} appears in @var{function}.
6392
6393 @item @var{filename}:@var{function}
6394 Specifies the line that begins the body of the function @var{function}
6395 in the file @var{filename}. You only need the file name with a
6396 function name to avoid ambiguity when there are identically named
6397 functions in different source files.
6398
6399 @item @var{label}
6400 Specifies the line at which the label named @var{label} appears.
6401 @value{GDBN} searches for the label in the function corresponding to
6402 the currently selected stack frame. If there is no current selected
6403 stack frame (for instance, if the inferior is not running), then
6404 @value{GDBN} will not search for a label.
6405
6406 @item *@var{address}
6407 Specifies the program address @var{address}. For line-oriented
6408 commands, such as @code{list} and @code{edit}, this specifies a source
6409 line that contains @var{address}. For @code{break} and other
6410 breakpoint oriented commands, this can be used to set breakpoints in
6411 parts of your program which do not have debugging information or
6412 source files.
6413
6414 Here @var{address} may be any expression valid in the current working
6415 language (@pxref{Languages, working language}) that specifies a code
6416 address. In addition, as a convenience, @value{GDBN} extends the
6417 semantics of expressions used in locations to cover the situations
6418 that frequently happen during debugging. Here are the various forms
6419 of @var{address}:
6420
6421 @table @code
6422 @item @var{expression}
6423 Any expression valid in the current working language.
6424
6425 @item @var{funcaddr}
6426 An address of a function or procedure derived from its name. In C,
6427 C@t{++}, Java, Objective-C, Fortran, minimal, and assembly, this is
6428 simply the function's name @var{function} (and actually a special case
6429 of a valid expression). In Pascal and Modula-2, this is
6430 @code{&@var{function}}. In Ada, this is @code{@var{function}'Address}
6431 (although the Pascal form also works).
6432
6433 This form specifies the address of the function's first instruction,
6434 before the stack frame and arguments have been set up.
6435
6436 @item '@var{filename}'::@var{funcaddr}
6437 Like @var{funcaddr} above, but also specifies the name of the source
6438 file explicitly. This is useful if the name of the function does not
6439 specify the function unambiguously, e.g., if there are several
6440 functions with identical names in different source files.
6441 @end table
6442
6443 @end table
6444
6445
6446 @node Edit
6447 @section Editing Source Files
6448 @cindex editing source files
6449
6450 @kindex edit
6451 @kindex e @r{(@code{edit})}
6452 To edit the lines in a source file, use the @code{edit} command.
6453 The editing program of your choice
6454 is invoked with the current line set to
6455 the active line in the program.
6456 Alternatively, there are several ways to specify what part of the file you
6457 want to print if you want to see other parts of the program:
6458
6459 @table @code
6460 @item edit @var{location}
6461 Edit the source file specified by @code{location}. Editing starts at
6462 that @var{location}, e.g., at the specified source line of the
6463 specified file. @xref{Specify Location}, for all the possible forms
6464 of the @var{location} argument; here are the forms of the @code{edit}
6465 command most commonly used:
6466
6467 @table @code
6468 @item edit @var{number}
6469 Edit the current source file with @var{number} as the active line number.
6470
6471 @item edit @var{function}
6472 Edit the file containing @var{function} at the beginning of its definition.
6473 @end table
6474
6475 @end table
6476
6477 @subsection Choosing your Editor
6478 You can customize @value{GDBN} to use any editor you want
6479 @footnote{
6480 The only restriction is that your editor (say @code{ex}), recognizes the
6481 following command-line syntax:
6482 @smallexample
6483 ex +@var{number} file
6484 @end smallexample
6485 The optional numeric value +@var{number} specifies the number of the line in
6486 the file where to start editing.}.
6487 By default, it is @file{@value{EDITOR}}, but you can change this
6488 by setting the environment variable @code{EDITOR} before using
6489 @value{GDBN}. For example, to configure @value{GDBN} to use the
6490 @code{vi} editor, you could use these commands with the @code{sh} shell:
6491 @smallexample
6492 EDITOR=/usr/bin/vi
6493 export EDITOR
6494 gdb @dots{}
6495 @end smallexample
6496 or in the @code{csh} shell,
6497 @smallexample
6498 setenv EDITOR /usr/bin/vi
6499 gdb @dots{}
6500 @end smallexample
6501
6502 @node Search
6503 @section Searching Source Files
6504 @cindex searching source files
6505
6506 There are two commands for searching through the current source file for a
6507 regular expression.
6508
6509 @table @code
6510 @kindex search
6511 @kindex forward-search
6512 @item forward-search @var{regexp}
6513 @itemx search @var{regexp}
6514 The command @samp{forward-search @var{regexp}} checks each line,
6515 starting with the one following the last line listed, for a match for
6516 @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can use the
6517 synonym @samp{search @var{regexp}} or abbreviate the command name as
6518 @code{fo}.
6519
6520 @kindex reverse-search
6521 @item reverse-search @var{regexp}
6522 The command @samp{reverse-search @var{regexp}} checks each line, starting
6523 with the one before the last line listed and going backward, for a match
6524 for @var{regexp}. It lists the line that is found. You can abbreviate
6525 this command as @code{rev}.
6526 @end table
6527
6528 @node Source Path
6529 @section Specifying Source Directories
6530
6531 @cindex source path
6532 @cindex directories for source files
6533 Executable programs sometimes do not record the directories of the source
6534 files from which they were compiled, just the names. Even when they do,
6535 the directories could be moved between the compilation and your debugging
6536 session. @value{GDBN} has a list of directories to search for source files;
6537 this is called the @dfn{source path}. Each time @value{GDBN} wants a source file,
6538 it tries all the directories in the list, in the order they are present
6539 in the list, until it finds a file with the desired name.
6540
6541 For example, suppose an executable references the file
6542 @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}, and our source path is
6543 @file{/mnt/cross}. The file is first looked up literally; if this
6544 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} is tried; if this
6545 fails, @file{/mnt/cross/foo.c} is opened; if this fails, an error
6546 message is printed. @value{GDBN} does not look up the parts of the
6547 source file name, such as @file{/mnt/cross/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}.
6548 Likewise, the subdirectories of the source path are not searched: if
6549 the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the binary refers to
6550 @file{foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would not find it under
6551 @file{/mnt/cross/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib}.
6552
6553 Plain file names, relative file names with leading directories, file
6554 names containing dots, etc.@: are all treated as described above; for
6555 instance, if the source path is @file{/mnt/cross}, and the source file
6556 is recorded as @file{../lib/foo.c}, @value{GDBN} would first try
6557 @file{../lib/foo.c}, then @file{/mnt/cross/../lib/foo.c}, and after
6558 that---@file{/mnt/cross/foo.c}.
6559
6560 Note that the executable search path is @emph{not} used to locate the
6561 source files.
6562
6563 Whenever you reset or rearrange the source path, @value{GDBN} clears out
6564 any information it has cached about where source files are found and where
6565 each line is in the file.
6566
6567 @kindex directory
6568 @kindex dir
6569 When you start @value{GDBN}, its source path includes only @samp{cdir}
6570 and @samp{cwd}, in that order.
6571 To add other directories, use the @code{directory} command.
6572
6573 The search path is used to find both program source files and @value{GDBN}
6574 script files (read using the @samp{-command} option and @samp{source} command).
6575
6576 In addition to the source path, @value{GDBN} provides a set of commands
6577 that manage a list of source path substitution rules. A @dfn{substitution
6578 rule} specifies how to rewrite source directories stored in the program's
6579 debug information in case the sources were moved to a different
6580 directory between compilation and debugging. A rule is made of
6581 two strings, the first specifying what needs to be rewritten in
6582 the path, and the second specifying how it should be rewritten.
6583 In @ref{set substitute-path}, we name these two parts @var{from} and
6584 @var{to} respectively. @value{GDBN} does a simple string replacement
6585 of @var{from} with @var{to} at the start of the directory part of the
6586 source file name, and uses that result instead of the original file
6587 name to look up the sources.
6588
6589 Using the previous example, suppose the @file{foo-1.0} tree has been
6590 moved from @file{/usr/src} to @file{/mnt/cross}, then you can tell
6591 @value{GDBN} to replace @file{/usr/src} in all source path names with
6592 @file{/mnt/cross}. The first lookup will then be
6593 @file{/mnt/cross/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c} in place of the original location
6594 of @file{/usr/src/foo-1.0/lib/foo.c}. To define a source path
6595 substitution rule, use the @code{set substitute-path} command
6596 (@pxref{set substitute-path}).
6597
6598 To avoid unexpected substitution results, a rule is applied only if the
6599 @var{from} part of the directory name ends at a directory separator.
6600 For instance, a rule substituting @file{/usr/source} into
6601 @file{/mnt/cross} will be applied to @file{/usr/source/foo-1.0} but
6602 not to @file{/usr/sourceware/foo-2.0}. And because the substitution
6603 is applied only at the beginning of the directory name, this rule will
6604 not be applied to @file{/root/usr/source/baz.c} either.
6605
6606 In many cases, you can achieve the same result using the @code{directory}
6607 command. However, @code{set substitute-path} can be more efficient in
6608 the case where the sources are organized in a complex tree with multiple
6609 subdirectories. With the @code{directory} command, you need to add each
6610 subdirectory of your project. If you moved the entire tree while
6611 preserving its internal organization, then @code{set substitute-path}
6612 allows you to direct the debugger to all the sources with one single
6613 command.
6614
6615 @code{set substitute-path} is also more than just a shortcut command.
6616 The source path is only used if the file at the original location no
6617 longer exists. On the other hand, @code{set substitute-path} modifies
6618 the debugger behavior to look at the rewritten location instead. So, if
6619 for any reason a source file that is not relevant to your executable is
6620 located at the original location, a substitution rule is the only
6621 method available to point @value{GDBN} at the new location.
6622
6623 @cindex @samp{--with-relocated-sources}
6624 @cindex default source path substitution
6625 You can configure a default source path substitution rule by
6626 configuring @value{GDBN} with the
6627 @samp{--with-relocated-sources=@var{dir}} option. The @var{dir}
6628 should be the name of a directory under @value{GDBN}'s configured
6629 prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or @samp{--exec-prefix}), and
6630 directory names in debug information under @var{dir} will be adjusted
6631 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
6632 location. This is useful if @value{GDBN}, libraries or executables
6633 with debug information and corresponding source code are being moved
6634 together.
6635
6636 @table @code
6637 @item directory @var{dirname} @dots{}
6638 @item dir @var{dirname} @dots{}
6639 Add directory @var{dirname} to the front of the source path. Several
6640 directory names may be given to this command, separated by @samp{:}
6641 (@samp{;} on MS-DOS and MS-Windows, where @samp{:} usually appears as
6642 part of absolute file names) or
6643 whitespace. You may specify a directory that is already in the source
6644 path; this moves it forward, so @value{GDBN} searches it sooner.
6645
6646 @kindex cdir
6647 @kindex cwd
6648 @vindex $cdir@r{, convenience variable}
6649 @vindex $cwd@r{, convenience variable}
6650 @cindex compilation directory
6651 @cindex current directory
6652 @cindex working directory
6653 @cindex directory, current
6654 @cindex directory, compilation
6655 You can use the string @samp{$cdir} to refer to the compilation
6656 directory (if one is recorded), and @samp{$cwd} to refer to the current
6657 working directory. @samp{$cwd} is not the same as @samp{.}---the former
6658 tracks the current working directory as it changes during your @value{GDBN}
6659 session, while the latter is immediately expanded to the current
6660 directory at the time you add an entry to the source path.
6661
6662 @item directory
6663 Reset the source path to its default value (@samp{$cdir:$cwd} on Unix systems). This requires confirmation.
6664
6665 @c RET-repeat for @code{directory} is explicitly disabled, but since
6666 @c repeating it would be a no-op we do not say that. (thanks to RMS)
6667
6668 @item set directories @var{path-list}
6669 @kindex set directories
6670 Set the source path to @var{path-list}.
6671 @samp{$cdir:$cwd} are added if missing.
6672
6673 @item show directories
6674 @kindex show directories
6675 Print the source path: show which directories it contains.
6676
6677 @anchor{set substitute-path}
6678 @item set substitute-path @var{from} @var{to}
6679 @kindex set substitute-path
6680 Define a source path substitution rule, and add it at the end of the
6681 current list of existing substitution rules. If a rule with the same
6682 @var{from} was already defined, then the old rule is also deleted.
6683
6684 For example, if the file @file{/foo/bar/baz.c} was moved to
6685 @file{/mnt/cross/baz.c}, then the command
6686
6687 @smallexample
6688 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/cross
6689 @end smallexample
6690
6691 @noindent
6692 will tell @value{GDBN} to replace @samp{/usr/src} with
6693 @samp{/mnt/cross}, which will allow @value{GDBN} to find the file
6694 @file{baz.c} even though it was moved.
6695
6696 In the case when more than one substitution rule have been defined,
6697 the rules are evaluated one by one in the order where they have been
6698 defined. The first one matching, if any, is selected to perform
6699 the substitution.
6700
6701 For instance, if we had entered the following commands:
6702
6703 @smallexample
6704 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src/include /mnt/include
6705 (@value{GDBP}) set substitute-path /usr/src /mnt/src
6706 @end smallexample
6707
6708 @noindent
6709 @value{GDBN} would then rewrite @file{/usr/src/include/defs.h} into
6710 @file{/mnt/include/defs.h} by using the first rule. However, it would
6711 use the second rule to rewrite @file{/usr/src/lib/foo.c} into
6712 @file{/mnt/src/lib/foo.c}.
6713
6714
6715 @item unset substitute-path [path]
6716 @kindex unset substitute-path
6717 If a path is specified, search the current list of substitution rules
6718 for a rule that would rewrite that path. Delete that rule if found.
6719 A warning is emitted by the debugger if no rule could be found.
6720
6721 If no path is specified, then all substitution rules are deleted.
6722
6723 @item show substitute-path [path]
6724 @kindex show substitute-path
6725 If a path is specified, then print the source path substitution rule
6726 which would rewrite that path, if any.
6727
6728 If no path is specified, then print all existing source path substitution
6729 rules.
6730
6731 @end table
6732
6733 If your source path is cluttered with directories that are no longer of
6734 interest, @value{GDBN} may sometimes cause confusion by finding the wrong
6735 versions of source. You can correct the situation as follows:
6736
6737 @enumerate
6738 @item
6739 Use @code{directory} with no argument to reset the source path to its default value.
6740
6741 @item
6742 Use @code{directory} with suitable arguments to reinstall the
6743 directories you want in the source path. You can add all the
6744 directories in one command.
6745 @end enumerate
6746
6747 @node Machine Code
6748 @section Source and Machine Code
6749 @cindex source line and its code address
6750
6751 You can use the command @code{info line} to map source lines to program
6752 addresses (and vice versa), and the command @code{disassemble} to display
6753 a range of addresses as machine instructions. You can use the command
6754 @code{set disassemble-next-line} to set whether to disassemble next
6755 source line when execution stops. When run under @sc{gnu} Emacs
6756 mode, the @code{info line} command causes the arrow to point to the
6757 line specified. Also, @code{info line} prints addresses in symbolic form as
6758 well as hex.
6759
6760 @table @code
6761 @kindex info line
6762 @item info line @var{linespec}
6763 Print the starting and ending addresses of the compiled code for
6764 source line @var{linespec}. You can specify source lines in any of
6765 the ways documented in @ref{Specify Location}.
6766 @end table
6767
6768 For example, we can use @code{info line} to discover the location of
6769 the object code for the first line of function
6770 @code{m4_changequote}:
6771
6772 @c FIXME: I think this example should also show the addresses in
6773 @c symbolic form, as they usually would be displayed.
6774 @smallexample
6775 (@value{GDBP}) info line m4_changequote
6776 Line 895 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x634c and ends at 0x6350.
6777 @end smallexample
6778
6779 @noindent
6780 @cindex code address and its source line
6781 We can also inquire (using @code{*@var{addr}} as the form for
6782 @var{linespec}) what source line covers a particular address:
6783 @smallexample
6784 (@value{GDBP}) info line *0x63ff
6785 Line 926 of "builtin.c" starts at pc 0x63e4 and ends at 0x6404.
6786 @end smallexample
6787
6788 @cindex @code{$_} and @code{info line}
6789 @cindex @code{x} command, default address
6790 @kindex x@r{(examine), and} info line
6791 After @code{info line}, the default address for the @code{x} command
6792 is changed to the starting address of the line, so that @samp{x/i} is
6793 sufficient to begin examining the machine code (@pxref{Memory,
6794 ,Examining Memory}). Also, this address is saved as the value of the
6795 convenience variable @code{$_} (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
6796 Variables}).
6797
6798 @table @code
6799 @kindex disassemble
6800 @cindex assembly instructions
6801 @cindex instructions, assembly
6802 @cindex machine instructions
6803 @cindex listing machine instructions
6804 @item disassemble
6805 @itemx disassemble /m
6806 @itemx disassemble /r
6807 This specialized command dumps a range of memory as machine
6808 instructions. It can also print mixed source+disassembly by specifying
6809 the @code{/m} modifier and print the raw instructions in hex as well as
6810 in symbolic form by specifying the @code{/r}.
6811 The default memory range is the function surrounding the
6812 program counter of the selected frame. A single argument to this
6813 command is a program counter value; @value{GDBN} dumps the function
6814 surrounding this value. When two arguments are given, they should
6815 be separated by a comma, possibly surrounded by whitespace. The
6816 arguments specify a range of addresses to dump, in one of two forms:
6817
6818 @table @code
6819 @item @var{start},@var{end}
6820 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to @var{end} (exclusive)
6821 @item @var{start},+@var{length}
6822 the addresses from @var{start} (inclusive) to
6823 @code{@var{start}+@var{length}} (exclusive).
6824 @end table
6825
6826 @noindent
6827 When 2 arguments are specified, the name of the function is also
6828 printed (since there could be several functions in the given range).
6829
6830 The argument(s) can be any expression yielding a numeric value, such as
6831 @samp{0x32c4}, @samp{&main+10} or @samp{$pc - 8}.
6832
6833 If the range of memory being disassembled contains current program counter,
6834 the instruction at that location is shown with a @code{=>} marker.
6835 @end table
6836
6837 The following example shows the disassembly of a range of addresses of
6838 HP PA-RISC 2.0 code:
6839
6840 @smallexample
6841 (@value{GDBP}) disas 0x32c4, 0x32e4
6842 Dump of assembler code from 0x32c4 to 0x32e4:
6843 0x32c4 <main+204>: addil 0,dp
6844 0x32c8 <main+208>: ldw 0x22c(sr0,r1),r26
6845 0x32cc <main+212>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6846 0x32d0 <main+216>: ble 0x3f8(sr4,r31)
6847 0x32d4 <main+220>: ldo 0(r31),rp
6848 0x32d8 <main+224>: addil -0x800,dp
6849 0x32dc <main+228>: ldo 0x588(r1),r26
6850 0x32e0 <main+232>: ldil 0x3000,r31
6851 End of assembler dump.
6852 @end smallexample
6853
6854 Here is an example showing mixed source+assembly for Intel x86, when the
6855 program is stopped just after function prologue:
6856
6857 @smallexample
6858 (@value{GDBP}) disas /m main
6859 Dump of assembler code for function main:
6860 5 @{
6861 0x08048330 <+0>: push %ebp
6862 0x08048331 <+1>: mov %esp,%ebp
6863 0x08048333 <+3>: sub $0x8,%esp
6864 0x08048336 <+6>: and $0xfffffff0,%esp
6865 0x08048339 <+9>: sub $0x10,%esp
6866
6867 6 printf ("Hello.\n");
6868 => 0x0804833c <+12>: movl $0x8048440,(%esp)
6869 0x08048343 <+19>: call 0x8048284 <puts@@plt>
6870
6871 7 return 0;
6872 8 @}
6873 0x08048348 <+24>: mov $0x0,%eax
6874 0x0804834d <+29>: leave
6875 0x0804834e <+30>: ret
6876
6877 End of assembler dump.
6878 @end smallexample
6879
6880 Here is another example showing raw instructions in hex for AMD x86-64,
6881
6882 @smallexample
6883 (gdb) disas /r 0x400281,+10
6884 Dump of assembler code from 0x400281 to 0x40028b:
6885 0x0000000000400281: 38 36 cmp %dh,(%rsi)
6886 0x0000000000400283: 2d 36 34 2e 73 sub $0x732e3436,%eax
6887 0x0000000000400288: 6f outsl %ds:(%rsi),(%dx)
6888 0x0000000000400289: 2e 32 00 xor %cs:(%rax),%al
6889 End of assembler dump.
6890 @end smallexample
6891
6892 Some architectures have more than one commonly-used set of instruction
6893 mnemonics or other syntax.
6894
6895 For programs that were dynamically linked and use shared libraries,
6896 instructions that call functions or branch to locations in the shared
6897 libraries might show a seemingly bogus location---it's actually a
6898 location of the relocation table. On some architectures, @value{GDBN}
6899 might be able to resolve these to actual function names.
6900
6901 @table @code
6902 @kindex set disassembly-flavor
6903 @cindex Intel disassembly flavor
6904 @cindex AT&T disassembly flavor
6905 @item set disassembly-flavor @var{instruction-set}
6906 Select the instruction set to use when disassembling the
6907 program via the @code{disassemble} or @code{x/i} commands.
6908
6909 Currently this command is only defined for the Intel x86 family. You
6910 can set @var{instruction-set} to either @code{intel} or @code{att}.
6911 The default is @code{att}, the AT&T flavor used by default by Unix
6912 assemblers for x86-based targets.
6913
6914 @kindex show disassembly-flavor
6915 @item show disassembly-flavor
6916 Show the current setting of the disassembly flavor.
6917 @end table
6918
6919 @table @code
6920 @kindex set disassemble-next-line
6921 @kindex show disassemble-next-line
6922 @item set disassemble-next-line
6923 @itemx show disassemble-next-line
6924 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will disassemble the next source
6925 line or instruction when execution stops. If ON, @value{GDBN} will
6926 display disassembly of the next source line when execution of the
6927 program being debugged stops. This is @emph{in addition} to
6928 displaying the source line itself, which @value{GDBN} always does if
6929 possible. If the next source line cannot be displayed for some reason
6930 (e.g., if @value{GDBN} cannot find the source file, or there's no line
6931 info in the debug info), @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of the
6932 next @emph{instruction} instead of showing the next source line. If
6933 AUTO, @value{GDBN} will display disassembly of next instruction only
6934 if the source line cannot be displayed. This setting causes
6935 @value{GDBN} to display some feedback when you step through a function
6936 with no line info or whose source file is unavailable. The default is
6937 OFF, which means never display the disassembly of the next line or
6938 instruction.
6939 @end table
6940
6941
6942 @node Data
6943 @chapter Examining Data
6944
6945 @cindex printing data
6946 @cindex examining data
6947 @kindex print
6948 @kindex inspect
6949 @c "inspect" is not quite a synonym if you are using Epoch, which we do not
6950 @c document because it is nonstandard... Under Epoch it displays in a
6951 @c different window or something like that.
6952 The usual way to examine data in your program is with the @code{print}
6953 command (abbreviated @code{p}), or its synonym @code{inspect}. It
6954 evaluates and prints the value of an expression of the language your
6955 program is written in (@pxref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with
6956 Different Languages}). It may also print the expression using a
6957 Python-based pretty-printer (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
6958
6959 @table @code
6960 @item print @var{expr}
6961 @itemx print /@var{f} @var{expr}
6962 @var{expr} is an expression (in the source language). By default the
6963 value of @var{expr} is printed in a format appropriate to its data type;
6964 you can choose a different format by specifying @samp{/@var{f}}, where
6965 @var{f} is a letter specifying the format; see @ref{Output Formats,,Output
6966 Formats}.
6967
6968 @item print
6969 @itemx print /@var{f}
6970 @cindex reprint the last value
6971 If you omit @var{expr}, @value{GDBN} displays the last value again (from the
6972 @dfn{value history}; @pxref{Value History, ,Value History}). This allows you to
6973 conveniently inspect the same value in an alternative format.
6974 @end table
6975
6976 A more low-level way of examining data is with the @code{x} command.
6977 It examines data in memory at a specified address and prints it in a
6978 specified format. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
6979
6980 If you are interested in information about types, or about how the
6981 fields of a struct or a class are declared, use the @code{ptype @var{exp}}
6982 command rather than @code{print}. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol
6983 Table}.
6984
6985 @menu
6986 * Expressions:: Expressions
6987 * Ambiguous Expressions:: Ambiguous Expressions
6988 * Variables:: Program variables
6989 * Arrays:: Artificial arrays
6990 * Output Formats:: Output formats
6991 * Memory:: Examining memory
6992 * Auto Display:: Automatic display
6993 * Print Settings:: Print settings
6994 * Pretty Printing:: Python pretty printing
6995 * Value History:: Value history
6996 * Convenience Vars:: Convenience variables
6997 * Registers:: Registers
6998 * Floating Point Hardware:: Floating point hardware
6999 * Vector Unit:: Vector Unit
7000 * OS Information:: Auxiliary data provided by operating system
7001 * Memory Region Attributes:: Memory region attributes
7002 * Dump/Restore Files:: Copy between memory and a file
7003 * Core File Generation:: Cause a program dump its core
7004 * Character Sets:: Debugging programs that use a different
7005 character set than GDB does
7006 * Caching Remote Data:: Data caching for remote targets
7007 * Searching Memory:: Searching memory for a sequence of bytes
7008 @end menu
7009
7010 @node Expressions
7011 @section Expressions
7012
7013 @cindex expressions
7014 @code{print} and many other @value{GDBN} commands accept an expression and
7015 compute its value. Any kind of constant, variable or operator defined
7016 by the programming language you are using is valid in an expression in
7017 @value{GDBN}. This includes conditional expressions, function calls,
7018 casts, and string constants. It also includes preprocessor macros, if
7019 you compiled your program to include this information; see
7020 @ref{Compilation}.
7021
7022 @cindex arrays in expressions
7023 @value{GDBN} supports array constants in expressions input by
7024 the user. The syntax is @{@var{element}, @var{element}@dots{}@}. For example,
7025 you can use the command @code{print @{1, 2, 3@}} to create an array
7026 of three integers. If you pass an array to a function or assign it
7027 to a program variable, @value{GDBN} copies the array to memory that
7028 is @code{malloc}ed in the target program.
7029
7030 Because C is so widespread, most of the expressions shown in examples in
7031 this manual are in C. @xref{Languages, , Using @value{GDBN} with Different
7032 Languages}, for information on how to use expressions in other
7033 languages.
7034
7035 In this section, we discuss operators that you can use in @value{GDBN}
7036 expressions regardless of your programming language.
7037
7038 @cindex casts, in expressions
7039 Casts are supported in all languages, not just in C, because it is so
7040 useful to cast a number into a pointer in order to examine a structure
7041 at that address in memory.
7042 @c FIXME: casts supported---Mod2 true?
7043
7044 @value{GDBN} supports these operators, in addition to those common
7045 to programming languages:
7046
7047 @table @code
7048 @item @@
7049 @samp{@@} is a binary operator for treating parts of memory as arrays.
7050 @xref{Arrays, ,Artificial Arrays}, for more information.
7051
7052 @item ::
7053 @samp{::} allows you to specify a variable in terms of the file or
7054 function where it is defined. @xref{Variables, ,Program Variables}.
7055
7056 @cindex @{@var{type}@}
7057 @cindex type casting memory
7058 @cindex memory, viewing as typed object
7059 @cindex casts, to view memory
7060 @item @{@var{type}@} @var{addr}
7061 Refers to an object of type @var{type} stored at address @var{addr} in
7062 memory. @var{addr} may be any expression whose value is an integer or
7063 pointer (but parentheses are required around binary operators, just as in
7064 a cast). This construct is allowed regardless of what kind of data is
7065 normally supposed to reside at @var{addr}.
7066 @end table
7067
7068 @node Ambiguous Expressions
7069 @section Ambiguous Expressions
7070 @cindex ambiguous expressions
7071
7072 Expressions can sometimes contain some ambiguous elements. For instance,
7073 some programming languages (notably Ada, C@t{++} and Objective-C) permit
7074 a single function name to be defined several times, for application in
7075 different contexts. This is called @dfn{overloading}. Another example
7076 involving Ada is generics. A @dfn{generic package} is similar to C@t{++}
7077 templates and is typically instantiated several times, resulting in
7078 the same function name being defined in different contexts.
7079
7080 In some cases and depending on the language, it is possible to adjust
7081 the expression to remove the ambiguity. For instance in C@t{++}, you
7082 can specify the signature of the function you want to break on, as in
7083 @kbd{break @var{function}(@var{types})}. In Ada, using the fully
7084 qualified name of your function often makes the expression unambiguous
7085 as well.
7086
7087 When an ambiguity that needs to be resolved is detected, the debugger
7088 has the capability to display a menu of numbered choices for each
7089 possibility, and then waits for the selection with the prompt @samp{>}.
7090 The first option is always @samp{[0] cancel}, and typing @kbd{0 @key{RET}}
7091 aborts the current command. If the command in which the expression was
7092 used allows more than one choice to be selected, the next option in the
7093 menu is @samp{[1] all}, and typing @kbd{1 @key{RET}} selects all possible
7094 choices.
7095
7096 For example, the following session excerpt shows an attempt to set a
7097 breakpoint at the overloaded symbol @code{String::after}.
7098 We choose three particular definitions of that function name:
7099
7100 @c FIXME! This is likely to change to show arg type lists, at least
7101 @smallexample
7102 @group
7103 (@value{GDBP}) b String::after
7104 [0] cancel
7105 [1] all
7106 [2] file:String.cc; line number:867
7107 [3] file:String.cc; line number:860
7108 [4] file:String.cc; line number:875
7109 [5] file:String.cc; line number:853
7110 [6] file:String.cc; line number:846
7111 [7] file:String.cc; line number:735
7112 > 2 4 6
7113 Breakpoint 1 at 0xb26c: file String.cc, line 867.
7114 Breakpoint 2 at 0xb344: file String.cc, line 875.
7115 Breakpoint 3 at 0xafcc: file String.cc, line 846.
7116 Multiple breakpoints were set.
7117 Use the "delete" command to delete unwanted
7118 breakpoints.
7119 (@value{GDBP})
7120 @end group
7121 @end smallexample
7122
7123 @table @code
7124 @kindex set multiple-symbols
7125 @item set multiple-symbols @var{mode}
7126 @cindex multiple-symbols menu
7127
7128 This option allows you to adjust the debugger behavior when an expression
7129 is ambiguous.
7130
7131 By default, @var{mode} is set to @code{all}. If the command with which
7132 the expression is used allows more than one choice, then @value{GDBN}
7133 automatically selects all possible choices. For instance, inserting
7134 a breakpoint on a function using an ambiguous name results in a breakpoint
7135 inserted on each possible match. However, if a unique choice must be made,
7136 then @value{GDBN} uses the menu to help you disambiguate the expression.
7137 For instance, printing the address of an overloaded function will result
7138 in the use of the menu.
7139
7140 When @var{mode} is set to @code{ask}, the debugger always uses the menu
7141 when an ambiguity is detected.
7142
7143 Finally, when @var{mode} is set to @code{cancel}, the debugger reports
7144 an error due to the ambiguity and the command is aborted.
7145
7146 @kindex show multiple-symbols
7147 @item show multiple-symbols
7148 Show the current value of the @code{multiple-symbols} setting.
7149 @end table
7150
7151 @node Variables
7152 @section Program Variables
7153
7154 The most common kind of expression to use is the name of a variable
7155 in your program.
7156
7157 Variables in expressions are understood in the selected stack frame
7158 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}); they must be either:
7159
7160 @itemize @bullet
7161 @item
7162 global (or file-static)
7163 @end itemize
7164
7165 @noindent or
7166
7167 @itemize @bullet
7168 @item
7169 visible according to the scope rules of the
7170 programming language from the point of execution in that frame
7171 @end itemize
7172
7173 @noindent This means that in the function
7174
7175 @smallexample
7176 foo (a)
7177 int a;
7178 @{
7179 bar (a);
7180 @{
7181 int b = test ();
7182 bar (b);
7183 @}
7184 @}
7185 @end smallexample
7186
7187 @noindent
7188 you can examine and use the variable @code{a} whenever your program is
7189 executing within the function @code{foo}, but you can only use or
7190 examine the variable @code{b} while your program is executing inside
7191 the block where @code{b} is declared.
7192
7193 @cindex variable name conflict
7194 There is an exception: you can refer to a variable or function whose
7195 scope is a single source file even if the current execution point is not
7196 in this file. But it is possible to have more than one such variable or
7197 function with the same name (in different source files). If that
7198 happens, referring to that name has unpredictable effects. If you wish,
7199 you can specify a static variable in a particular function or file,
7200 using the colon-colon (@code{::}) notation:
7201
7202 @cindex colon-colon, context for variables/functions
7203 @ifnotinfo
7204 @c info cannot cope with a :: index entry, but why deprive hard copy readers?
7205 @cindex @code{::}, context for variables/functions
7206 @end ifnotinfo
7207 @smallexample
7208 @var{file}::@var{variable}
7209 @var{function}::@var{variable}
7210 @end smallexample
7211
7212 @noindent
7213 Here @var{file} or @var{function} is the name of the context for the
7214 static @var{variable}. In the case of file names, you can use quotes to
7215 make sure @value{GDBN} parses the file name as a single word---for example,
7216 to print a global value of @code{x} defined in @file{f2.c}:
7217
7218 @smallexample
7219 (@value{GDBP}) p 'f2.c'::x
7220 @end smallexample
7221
7222 @cindex C@t{++} scope resolution
7223 This use of @samp{::} is very rarely in conflict with the very similar
7224 use of the same notation in C@t{++}. @value{GDBN} also supports use of the C@t{++}
7225 scope resolution operator in @value{GDBN} expressions.
7226 @c FIXME: Um, so what happens in one of those rare cases where it's in
7227 @c conflict?? --mew
7228
7229 @cindex wrong values
7230 @cindex variable values, wrong
7231 @cindex function entry/exit, wrong values of variables
7232 @cindex optimized code, wrong values of variables
7233 @quotation
7234 @emph{Warning:} Occasionally, a local variable may appear to have the
7235 wrong value at certain points in a function---just after entry to a new
7236 scope, and just before exit.
7237 @end quotation
7238 You may see this problem when you are stepping by machine instructions.
7239 This is because, on most machines, it takes more than one instruction to
7240 set up a stack frame (including local variable definitions); if you are
7241 stepping by machine instructions, variables may appear to have the wrong
7242 values until the stack frame is completely built. On exit, it usually
7243 also takes more than one machine instruction to destroy a stack frame;
7244 after you begin stepping through that group of instructions, local
7245 variable definitions may be gone.
7246
7247 This may also happen when the compiler does significant optimizations.
7248 To be sure of always seeing accurate values, turn off all optimization
7249 when compiling.
7250
7251 @cindex ``No symbol "foo" in current context''
7252 Another possible effect of compiler optimizations is to optimize
7253 unused variables out of existence, or assign variables to registers (as
7254 opposed to memory addresses). Depending on the support for such cases
7255 offered by the debug info format used by the compiler, @value{GDBN}
7256 might not be able to display values for such local variables. If that
7257 happens, @value{GDBN} will print a message like this:
7258
7259 @smallexample
7260 No symbol "foo" in current context.
7261 @end smallexample
7262
7263 To solve such problems, either recompile without optimizations, or use a
7264 different debug info format, if the compiler supports several such
7265 formats. For example, @value{NGCC}, the @sc{gnu} C/C@t{++} compiler,
7266 usually supports the @option{-gstabs+} option. @option{-gstabs+}
7267 produces debug info in a format that is superior to formats such as
7268 COFF. You may be able to use DWARF 2 (@option{-gdwarf-2}), which is also
7269 an effective form for debug info. @xref{Debugging Options,,Options
7270 for Debugging Your Program or GCC, gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu}
7271 Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
7272 @xref{C, ,C and C@t{++}}, for more information about debug info formats
7273 that are best suited to C@t{++} programs.
7274
7275 If you ask to print an object whose contents are unknown to
7276 @value{GDBN}, e.g., because its data type is not completely specified
7277 by the debug information, @value{GDBN} will say @samp{<incomplete
7278 type>}. @xref{Symbols, incomplete type}, for more about this.
7279
7280 Strings are identified as arrays of @code{char} values without specified
7281 signedness. Arrays of either @code{signed char} or @code{unsigned char} get
7282 printed as arrays of 1 byte sized integers. @code{-fsigned-char} or
7283 @code{-funsigned-char} @value{NGCC} options have no effect as @value{GDBN}
7284 defines literal string type @code{"char"} as @code{char} without a sign.
7285 For program code
7286
7287 @smallexample
7288 char var0[] = "A";
7289 signed char var1[] = "A";
7290 @end smallexample
7291
7292 You get during debugging
7293 @smallexample
7294 (gdb) print var0
7295 $1 = "A"
7296 (gdb) print var1
7297 $2 = @{65 'A', 0 '\0'@}
7298 @end smallexample
7299
7300 @node Arrays
7301 @section Artificial Arrays
7302
7303 @cindex artificial array
7304 @cindex arrays
7305 @kindex @@@r{, referencing memory as an array}
7306 It is often useful to print out several successive objects of the
7307 same type in memory; a section of an array, or an array of
7308 dynamically determined size for which only a pointer exists in the
7309 program.
7310
7311 You can do this by referring to a contiguous span of memory as an
7312 @dfn{artificial array}, using the binary operator @samp{@@}. The left
7313 operand of @samp{@@} should be the first element of the desired array
7314 and be an individual object. The right operand should be the desired length
7315 of the array. The result is an array value whose elements are all of
7316 the type of the left argument. The first element is actually the left
7317 argument; the second element comes from bytes of memory immediately
7318 following those that hold the first element, and so on. Here is an
7319 example. If a program says
7320
7321 @smallexample
7322 int *array = (int *) malloc (len * sizeof (int));
7323 @end smallexample
7324
7325 @noindent
7326 you can print the contents of @code{array} with
7327
7328 @smallexample
7329 p *array@@len
7330 @end smallexample
7331
7332 The left operand of @samp{@@} must reside in memory. Array values made
7333 with @samp{@@} in this way behave just like other arrays in terms of
7334 subscripting, and are coerced to pointers when used in expressions.
7335 Artificial arrays most often appear in expressions via the value history
7336 (@pxref{Value History, ,Value History}), after printing one out.
7337
7338 Another way to create an artificial array is to use a cast.
7339 This re-interprets a value as if it were an array.
7340 The value need not be in memory:
7341 @smallexample
7342 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[2])0x12345678
7343 $1 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7344 @end smallexample
7345
7346 As a convenience, if you leave the array length out (as in
7347 @samp{(@var{type}[])@var{value}}) @value{GDBN} calculates the size to fill
7348 the value (as @samp{sizeof(@var{value})/sizeof(@var{type})}:
7349 @smallexample
7350 (@value{GDBP}) p/x (short[])0x12345678
7351 $2 = @{0x1234, 0x5678@}
7352 @end smallexample
7353
7354 Sometimes the artificial array mechanism is not quite enough; in
7355 moderately complex data structures, the elements of interest may not
7356 actually be adjacent---for example, if you are interested in the values
7357 of pointers in an array. One useful work-around in this situation is
7358 to use a convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars, ,Convenience
7359 Variables}) as a counter in an expression that prints the first
7360 interesting value, and then repeat that expression via @key{RET}. For
7361 instance, suppose you have an array @code{dtab} of pointers to
7362 structures, and you are interested in the values of a field @code{fv}
7363 in each structure. Here is an example of what you might type:
7364
7365 @smallexample
7366 set $i = 0
7367 p dtab[$i++]->fv
7368 @key{RET}
7369 @key{RET}
7370 @dots{}
7371 @end smallexample
7372
7373 @node Output Formats
7374 @section Output Formats
7375
7376 @cindex formatted output
7377 @cindex output formats
7378 By default, @value{GDBN} prints a value according to its data type. Sometimes
7379 this is not what you want. For example, you might want to print a number
7380 in hex, or a pointer in decimal. Or you might want to view data in memory
7381 at a certain address as a character string or as an instruction. To do
7382 these things, specify an @dfn{output format} when you print a value.
7383
7384 The simplest use of output formats is to say how to print a value
7385 already computed. This is done by starting the arguments of the
7386 @code{print} command with a slash and a format letter. The format
7387 letters supported are:
7388
7389 @table @code
7390 @item x
7391 Regard the bits of the value as an integer, and print the integer in
7392 hexadecimal.
7393
7394 @item d
7395 Print as integer in signed decimal.
7396
7397 @item u
7398 Print as integer in unsigned decimal.
7399
7400 @item o
7401 Print as integer in octal.
7402
7403 @item t
7404 Print as integer in binary. The letter @samp{t} stands for ``two''.
7405 @footnote{@samp{b} cannot be used because these format letters are also
7406 used with the @code{x} command, where @samp{b} stands for ``byte'';
7407 see @ref{Memory,,Examining Memory}.}
7408
7409 @item a
7410 @cindex unknown address, locating
7411 @cindex locate address
7412 Print as an address, both absolute in hexadecimal and as an offset from
7413 the nearest preceding symbol. You can use this format used to discover
7414 where (in what function) an unknown address is located:
7415
7416 @smallexample
7417 (@value{GDBP}) p/a 0x54320
7418 $3 = 0x54320 <_initialize_vx+396>
7419 @end smallexample
7420
7421 @noindent
7422 The command @code{info symbol 0x54320} yields similar results.
7423 @xref{Symbols, info symbol}.
7424
7425 @item c
7426 Regard as an integer and print it as a character constant. This
7427 prints both the numerical value and its character representation. The
7428 character representation is replaced with the octal escape @samp{\nnn}
7429 for characters outside the 7-bit @sc{ascii} range.
7430
7431 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays @code{char},
7432 @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} data as character
7433 constants. Single-byte members of vectors are displayed as integer
7434 data.
7435
7436 @item f
7437 Regard the bits of the value as a floating point number and print
7438 using typical floating point syntax.
7439
7440 @item s
7441 @cindex printing strings
7442 @cindex printing byte arrays
7443 Regard as a string, if possible. With this format, pointers to single-byte
7444 data are displayed as null-terminated strings and arrays of single-byte data
7445 are displayed as fixed-length strings. Other values are displayed in their
7446 natural types.
7447
7448 Without this format, @value{GDBN} displays pointers to and arrays of
7449 @code{char}, @w{@code{unsigned char}}, and @w{@code{signed char}} as
7450 strings. Single-byte members of a vector are displayed as an integer
7451 array.
7452
7453 @item r
7454 @cindex raw printing
7455 Print using the @samp{raw} formatting. By default, @value{GDBN} will
7456 use a Python-based pretty-printer, if one is available (@pxref{Pretty
7457 Printing}). This typically results in a higher-level display of the
7458 value's contents. The @samp{r} format bypasses any Python
7459 pretty-printer which might exist.
7460 @end table
7461
7462 For example, to print the program counter in hex (@pxref{Registers}), type
7463
7464 @smallexample
7465 p/x $pc
7466 @end smallexample
7467
7468 @noindent
7469 Note that no space is required before the slash; this is because command
7470 names in @value{GDBN} cannot contain a slash.
7471
7472 To reprint the last value in the value history with a different format,
7473 you can use the @code{print} command with just a format and no
7474 expression. For example, @samp{p/x} reprints the last value in hex.
7475
7476 @node Memory
7477 @section Examining Memory
7478
7479 You can use the command @code{x} (for ``examine'') to examine memory in
7480 any of several formats, independently of your program's data types.
7481
7482 @cindex examining memory
7483 @table @code
7484 @kindex x @r{(examine memory)}
7485 @item x/@var{nfu} @var{addr}
7486 @itemx x @var{addr}
7487 @itemx x
7488 Use the @code{x} command to examine memory.
7489 @end table
7490
7491 @var{n}, @var{f}, and @var{u} are all optional parameters that specify how
7492 much memory to display and how to format it; @var{addr} is an
7493 expression giving the address where you want to start displaying memory.
7494 If you use defaults for @var{nfu}, you need not type the slash @samp{/}.
7495 Several commands set convenient defaults for @var{addr}.
7496
7497 @table @r
7498 @item @var{n}, the repeat count
7499 The repeat count is a decimal integer; the default is 1. It specifies
7500 how much memory (counting by units @var{u}) to display.
7501 @c This really is **decimal**; unaffected by 'set radix' as of GDB
7502 @c 4.1.2.
7503
7504 @item @var{f}, the display format
7505 The display format is one of the formats used by @code{print}
7506 (@samp{x}, @samp{d}, @samp{u}, @samp{o}, @samp{t}, @samp{a}, @samp{c},
7507 @samp{f}, @samp{s}), and in addition @samp{i} (for machine instructions).
7508 The default is @samp{x} (hexadecimal) initially. The default changes
7509 each time you use either @code{x} or @code{print}.
7510
7511 @item @var{u}, the unit size
7512 The unit size is any of
7513
7514 @table @code
7515 @item b
7516 Bytes.
7517 @item h
7518 Halfwords (two bytes).
7519 @item w
7520 Words (four bytes). This is the initial default.
7521 @item g
7522 Giant words (eight bytes).
7523 @end table
7524
7525 Each time you specify a unit size with @code{x}, that size becomes the
7526 default unit the next time you use @code{x}. For the @samp{i} format,
7527 the unit size is ignored and is normally not written. For the @samp{s} format,
7528 the unit size defaults to @samp{b}, unless it is explicitly given.
7529 Use @kbd{x /hs} to display 16-bit char strings and @kbd{x /ws} to display
7530 32-bit strings. The next use of @kbd{x /s} will again display 8-bit strings.
7531 Note that the results depend on the programming language of the
7532 current compilation unit. If the language is C, the @samp{s}
7533 modifier will use the UTF-16 encoding while @samp{w} will use
7534 UTF-32. The encoding is set by the programming language and cannot
7535 be altered.
7536
7537 @item @var{addr}, starting display address
7538 @var{addr} is the address where you want @value{GDBN} to begin displaying
7539 memory. The expression need not have a pointer value (though it may);
7540 it is always interpreted as an integer address of a byte of memory.
7541 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information on expressions. The default for
7542 @var{addr} is usually just after the last address examined---but several
7543 other commands also set the default address: @code{info breakpoints} (to
7544 the address of the last breakpoint listed), @code{info line} (to the
7545 starting address of a line), and @code{print} (if you use it to display
7546 a value from memory).
7547 @end table
7548
7549 For example, @samp{x/3uh 0x54320} is a request to display three halfwords
7550 (@code{h}) of memory, formatted as unsigned decimal integers (@samp{u}),
7551 starting at address @code{0x54320}. @samp{x/4xw $sp} prints the four
7552 words (@samp{w}) of memory above the stack pointer (here, @samp{$sp};
7553 @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}) in hexadecimal (@samp{x}).
7554
7555 Since the letters indicating unit sizes are all distinct from the
7556 letters specifying output formats, you do not have to remember whether
7557 unit size or format comes first; either order works. The output
7558 specifications @samp{4xw} and @samp{4wx} mean exactly the same thing.
7559 (However, the count @var{n} must come first; @samp{wx4} does not work.)
7560
7561 Even though the unit size @var{u} is ignored for the formats @samp{s}
7562 and @samp{i}, you might still want to use a count @var{n}; for example,
7563 @samp{3i} specifies that you want to see three machine instructions,
7564 including any operands. For convenience, especially when used with
7565 the @code{display} command, the @samp{i} format also prints branch delay
7566 slot instructions, if any, beyond the count specified, which immediately
7567 follow the last instruction that is within the count. The command
7568 @code{disassemble} gives an alternative way of inspecting machine
7569 instructions; see @ref{Machine Code,,Source and Machine Code}.
7570
7571 All the defaults for the arguments to @code{x} are designed to make it
7572 easy to continue scanning memory with minimal specifications each time
7573 you use @code{x}. For example, after you have inspected three machine
7574 instructions with @samp{x/3i @var{addr}}, you can inspect the next seven
7575 with just @samp{x/7}. If you use @key{RET} to repeat the @code{x} command,
7576 the repeat count @var{n} is used again; the other arguments default as
7577 for successive uses of @code{x}.
7578
7579 When examining machine instructions, the instruction at current program
7580 counter is shown with a @code{=>} marker. For example:
7581
7582 @smallexample
7583 (@value{GDBP}) x/5i $pc-6
7584 0x804837f <main+11>: mov %esp,%ebp
7585 0x8048381 <main+13>: push %ecx
7586 0x8048382 <main+14>: sub $0x4,%esp
7587 => 0x8048385 <main+17>: movl $0x8048460,(%esp)
7588 0x804838c <main+24>: call 0x80482d4 <puts@@plt>
7589 @end smallexample
7590
7591 @cindex @code{$_}, @code{$__}, and value history
7592 The addresses and contents printed by the @code{x} command are not saved
7593 in the value history because there is often too much of them and they
7594 would get in the way. Instead, @value{GDBN} makes these values available for
7595 subsequent use in expressions as values of the convenience variables
7596 @code{$_} and @code{$__}. After an @code{x} command, the last address
7597 examined is available for use in expressions in the convenience variable
7598 @code{$_}. The contents of that address, as examined, are available in
7599 the convenience variable @code{$__}.
7600
7601 If the @code{x} command has a repeat count, the address and contents saved
7602 are from the last memory unit printed; this is not the same as the last
7603 address printed if several units were printed on the last line of output.
7604
7605 @cindex remote memory comparison
7606 @cindex verify remote memory image
7607 When you are debugging a program running on a remote target machine
7608 (@pxref{Remote Debugging}), you may wish to verify the program's image in the
7609 remote machine's memory against the executable file you downloaded to
7610 the target. The @code{compare-sections} command is provided for such
7611 situations.
7612
7613 @table @code
7614 @kindex compare-sections
7615 @item compare-sections @r{[}@var{section-name}@r{]}
7616 Compare the data of a loadable section @var{section-name} in the
7617 executable file of the program being debugged with the same section in
7618 the remote machine's memory, and report any mismatches. With no
7619 arguments, compares all loadable sections. This command's
7620 availability depends on the target's support for the @code{"qCRC"}
7621 remote request.
7622 @end table
7623
7624 @node Auto Display
7625 @section Automatic Display
7626 @cindex automatic display
7627 @cindex display of expressions
7628
7629 If you find that you want to print the value of an expression frequently
7630 (to see how it changes), you might want to add it to the @dfn{automatic
7631 display list} so that @value{GDBN} prints its value each time your program stops.
7632 Each expression added to the list is given a number to identify it;
7633 to remove an expression from the list, you specify that number.
7634 The automatic display looks like this:
7635
7636 @smallexample
7637 2: foo = 38
7638 3: bar[5] = (struct hack *) 0x3804
7639 @end smallexample
7640
7641 @noindent
7642 This display shows item numbers, expressions and their current values. As with
7643 displays you request manually using @code{x} or @code{print}, you can
7644 specify the output format you prefer; in fact, @code{display} decides
7645 whether to use @code{print} or @code{x} depending your format
7646 specification---it uses @code{x} if you specify either the @samp{i}
7647 or @samp{s} format, or a unit size; otherwise it uses @code{print}.
7648
7649 @table @code
7650 @kindex display
7651 @item display @var{expr}
7652 Add the expression @var{expr} to the list of expressions to display
7653 each time your program stops. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
7654
7655 @code{display} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
7656
7657 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{expr}
7658 For @var{fmt} specifying only a display format and not a size or
7659 count, add the expression @var{expr} to the auto-display list but
7660 arrange to display it each time in the specified format @var{fmt}.
7661 @xref{Output Formats,,Output Formats}.
7662
7663 @item display/@var{fmt} @var{addr}
7664 For @var{fmt} @samp{i} or @samp{s}, or including a unit-size or a
7665 number of units, add the expression @var{addr} as a memory address to
7666 be examined each time your program stops. Examining means in effect
7667 doing @samp{x/@var{fmt} @var{addr}}. @xref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}.
7668 @end table
7669
7670 For example, @samp{display/i $pc} can be helpful, to see the machine
7671 instruction about to be executed each time execution stops (@samp{$pc}
7672 is a common name for the program counter; @pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
7673
7674 @table @code
7675 @kindex delete display
7676 @kindex undisplay
7677 @item undisplay @var{dnums}@dots{}
7678 @itemx delete display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7679 Remove items from the list of expressions to display. Specify the
7680 numbers of the displays that you want affected with the command
7681 argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one of the
7682 numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display} display;
7683 or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7684
7685 @code{undisplay} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
7686 (Otherwise you would just get the error @samp{No display number @dots{}}.)
7687
7688 @kindex disable display
7689 @item disable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7690 Disable the display of item numbers @var{dnums}. A disabled display
7691 item is not printed automatically, but is not forgotten. It may be
7692 enabled again later. Specify the numbers of the displays that you
7693 want affected with the command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a
7694 single display number, one of the numbers shown in the first field of
7695 the @samp{info display} display; or it could be a range of display
7696 numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7697
7698 @kindex enable display
7699 @item enable display @var{dnums}@dots{}
7700 Enable display of item numbers @var{dnums}. It becomes effective once
7701 again in auto display of its expression, until you specify otherwise.
7702 Specify the numbers of the displays that you want affected with the
7703 command argument @var{dnums}. It can be a single display number, one
7704 of the numbers shown in the first field of the @samp{info display}
7705 display; or it could be a range of display numbers, as in @code{2-4}.
7706
7707 @item display
7708 Display the current values of the expressions on the list, just as is
7709 done when your program stops.
7710
7711 @kindex info display
7712 @item info display
7713 Print the list of expressions previously set up to display
7714 automatically, each one with its item number, but without showing the
7715 values. This includes disabled expressions, which are marked as such.
7716 It also includes expressions which would not be displayed right now
7717 because they refer to automatic variables not currently available.
7718 @end table
7719
7720 @cindex display disabled out of scope
7721 If a display expression refers to local variables, then it does not make
7722 sense outside the lexical context for which it was set up. Such an
7723 expression is disabled when execution enters a context where one of its
7724 variables is not defined. For example, if you give the command
7725 @code{display last_char} while inside a function with an argument
7726 @code{last_char}, @value{GDBN} displays this argument while your program
7727 continues to stop inside that function. When it stops elsewhere---where
7728 there is no variable @code{last_char}---the display is disabled
7729 automatically. The next time your program stops where @code{last_char}
7730 is meaningful, you can enable the display expression once again.
7731
7732 @node Print Settings
7733 @section Print Settings
7734
7735 @cindex format options
7736 @cindex print settings
7737 @value{GDBN} provides the following ways to control how arrays, structures,
7738 and symbols are printed.
7739
7740 @noindent
7741 These settings are useful for debugging programs in any language:
7742
7743 @table @code
7744 @kindex set print
7745 @item set print address
7746 @itemx set print address on
7747 @cindex print/don't print memory addresses
7748 @value{GDBN} prints memory addresses showing the location of stack
7749 traces, structure values, pointer values, breakpoints, and so forth,
7750 even when it also displays the contents of those addresses. The default
7751 is @code{on}. For example, this is what a stack frame display looks like with
7752 @code{set print address on}:
7753
7754 @smallexample
7755 @group
7756 (@value{GDBP}) f
7757 #0 set_quotes (lq=0x34c78 "<<", rq=0x34c88 ">>")
7758 at input.c:530
7759 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7760 @end group
7761 @end smallexample
7762
7763 @item set print address off
7764 Do not print addresses when displaying their contents. For example,
7765 this is the same stack frame displayed with @code{set print address off}:
7766
7767 @smallexample
7768 @group
7769 (@value{GDBP}) set print addr off
7770 (@value{GDBP}) f
7771 #0 set_quotes (lq="<<", rq=">>") at input.c:530
7772 530 if (lquote != def_lquote)
7773 @end group
7774 @end smallexample
7775
7776 You can use @samp{set print address off} to eliminate all machine
7777 dependent displays from the @value{GDBN} interface. For example, with
7778 @code{print address off}, you should get the same text for backtraces on
7779 all machines---whether or not they involve pointer arguments.
7780
7781 @kindex show print
7782 @item show print address
7783 Show whether or not addresses are to be printed.
7784 @end table
7785
7786 When @value{GDBN} prints a symbolic address, it normally prints the
7787 closest earlier symbol plus an offset. If that symbol does not uniquely
7788 identify the address (for example, it is a name whose scope is a single
7789 source file), you may need to clarify. One way to do this is with
7790 @code{info line}, for example @samp{info line *0x4537}. Alternately,
7791 you can set @value{GDBN} to print the source file and line number when
7792 it prints a symbolic address:
7793
7794 @table @code
7795 @item set print symbol-filename on
7796 @cindex source file and line of a symbol
7797 @cindex symbol, source file and line
7798 Tell @value{GDBN} to print the source file name and line number of a
7799 symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7800
7801 @item set print symbol-filename off
7802 Do not print source file name and line number of a symbol. This is the
7803 default.
7804
7805 @item show print symbol-filename
7806 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} will print the source file name and
7807 line number of a symbol in the symbolic form of an address.
7808 @end table
7809
7810 Another situation where it is helpful to show symbol filenames and line
7811 numbers is when disassembling code; @value{GDBN} shows you the line
7812 number and source file that corresponds to each instruction.
7813
7814 Also, you may wish to see the symbolic form only if the address being
7815 printed is reasonably close to the closest earlier symbol:
7816
7817 @table @code
7818 @item set print max-symbolic-offset @var{max-offset}
7819 @cindex maximum value for offset of closest symbol
7820 Tell @value{GDBN} to only display the symbolic form of an address if the
7821 offset between the closest earlier symbol and the address is less than
7822 @var{max-offset}. The default is 0, which tells @value{GDBN}
7823 to always print the symbolic form of an address if any symbol precedes it.
7824
7825 @item show print max-symbolic-offset
7826 Ask how large the maximum offset is that @value{GDBN} prints in a
7827 symbolic address.
7828 @end table
7829
7830 @cindex wild pointer, interpreting
7831 @cindex pointer, finding referent
7832 If you have a pointer and you are not sure where it points, try
7833 @samp{set print symbol-filename on}. Then you can determine the name
7834 and source file location of the variable where it points, using
7835 @samp{p/a @var{pointer}}. This interprets the address in symbolic form.
7836 For example, here @value{GDBN} shows that a variable @code{ptt} points
7837 at another variable @code{t}, defined in @file{hi2.c}:
7838
7839 @smallexample
7840 (@value{GDBP}) set print symbol-filename on
7841 (@value{GDBP}) p/a ptt
7842 $4 = 0xe008 <t in hi2.c>
7843 @end smallexample
7844
7845 @quotation
7846 @emph{Warning:} For pointers that point to a local variable, @samp{p/a}
7847 does not show the symbol name and filename of the referent, even with
7848 the appropriate @code{set print} options turned on.
7849 @end quotation
7850
7851 Other settings control how different kinds of objects are printed:
7852
7853 @table @code
7854 @item set print array
7855 @itemx set print array on
7856 @cindex pretty print arrays
7857 Pretty print arrays. This format is more convenient to read,
7858 but uses more space. The default is off.
7859
7860 @item set print array off
7861 Return to compressed format for arrays.
7862
7863 @item show print array
7864 Show whether compressed or pretty format is selected for displaying
7865 arrays.
7866
7867 @cindex print array indexes
7868 @item set print array-indexes
7869 @itemx set print array-indexes on
7870 Print the index of each element when displaying arrays. May be more
7871 convenient to locate a given element in the array or quickly find the
7872 index of a given element in that printed array. The default is off.
7873
7874 @item set print array-indexes off
7875 Stop printing element indexes when displaying arrays.
7876
7877 @item show print array-indexes
7878 Show whether the index of each element is printed when displaying
7879 arrays.
7880
7881 @item set print elements @var{number-of-elements}
7882 @cindex number of array elements to print
7883 @cindex limit on number of printed array elements
7884 Set a limit on how many elements of an array @value{GDBN} will print.
7885 If @value{GDBN} is printing a large array, it stops printing after it has
7886 printed the number of elements set by the @code{set print elements} command.
7887 This limit also applies to the display of strings.
7888 When @value{GDBN} starts, this limit is set to 200.
7889 Setting @var{number-of-elements} to zero means that the printing is unlimited.
7890
7891 @item show print elements
7892 Display the number of elements of a large array that @value{GDBN} will print.
7893 If the number is 0, then the printing is unlimited.
7894
7895 @item set print frame-arguments @var{value}
7896 @kindex set print frame-arguments
7897 @cindex printing frame argument values
7898 @cindex print all frame argument values
7899 @cindex print frame argument values for scalars only
7900 @cindex do not print frame argument values
7901 This command allows to control how the values of arguments are printed
7902 when the debugger prints a frame (@pxref{Frames}). The possible
7903 values are:
7904
7905 @table @code
7906 @item all
7907 The values of all arguments are printed.
7908
7909 @item scalars
7910 Print the value of an argument only if it is a scalar. The value of more
7911 complex arguments such as arrays, structures, unions, etc, is replaced
7912 by @code{@dots{}}. This is the default. Here is an example where
7913 only scalar arguments are shown:
7914
7915 @smallexample
7916 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=3, s=@dots{}, ss=0xbf8d508c, u=@dots{}, e=green)
7917 at frame-args.c:23
7918 @end smallexample
7919
7920 @item none
7921 None of the argument values are printed. Instead, the value of each argument
7922 is replaced by @code{@dots{}}. In this case, the example above now becomes:
7923
7924 @smallexample
7925 #1 0x08048361 in call_me (i=@dots{}, s=@dots{}, ss=@dots{}, u=@dots{}, e=@dots{})
7926 at frame-args.c:23
7927 @end smallexample
7928 @end table
7929
7930 By default, only scalar arguments are printed. This command can be used
7931 to configure the debugger to print the value of all arguments, regardless
7932 of their type. However, it is often advantageous to not print the value
7933 of more complex parameters. For instance, it reduces the amount of
7934 information printed in each frame, making the backtrace more readable.
7935 Also, it improves performance when displaying Ada frames, because
7936 the computation of large arguments can sometimes be CPU-intensive,
7937 especially in large applications. Setting @code{print frame-arguments}
7938 to @code{scalars} (the default) or @code{none} avoids this computation,
7939 thus speeding up the display of each Ada frame.
7940
7941 @item show print frame-arguments
7942 Show how the value of arguments should be displayed when printing a frame.
7943
7944 @item set print repeats
7945 @cindex repeated array elements
7946 Set the threshold for suppressing display of repeated array
7947 elements. When the number of consecutive identical elements of an
7948 array exceeds the threshold, @value{GDBN} prints the string
7949 @code{"<repeats @var{n} times>"}, where @var{n} is the number of
7950 identical repetitions, instead of displaying the identical elements
7951 themselves. Setting the threshold to zero will cause all elements to
7952 be individually printed. The default threshold is 10.
7953
7954 @item show print repeats
7955 Display the current threshold for printing repeated identical
7956 elements.
7957
7958 @item set print null-stop
7959 @cindex @sc{null} elements in arrays
7960 Cause @value{GDBN} to stop printing the characters of an array when the first
7961 @sc{null} is encountered. This is useful when large arrays actually
7962 contain only short strings.
7963 The default is off.
7964
7965 @item show print null-stop
7966 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops printing an array on the first
7967 @sc{null} character.
7968
7969 @item set print pretty on
7970 @cindex print structures in indented form
7971 @cindex indentation in structure display
7972 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in an indented format with one member
7973 per line, like this:
7974
7975 @smallexample
7976 @group
7977 $1 = @{
7978 next = 0x0,
7979 flags = @{
7980 sweet = 1,
7981 sour = 1
7982 @},
7983 meat = 0x54 "Pork"
7984 @}
7985 @end group
7986 @end smallexample
7987
7988 @item set print pretty off
7989 Cause @value{GDBN} to print structures in a compact format, like this:
7990
7991 @smallexample
7992 @group
7993 $1 = @{next = 0x0, flags = @{sweet = 1, sour = 1@}, \
7994 meat = 0x54 "Pork"@}
7995 @end group
7996 @end smallexample
7997
7998 @noindent
7999 This is the default format.
8000
8001 @item show print pretty
8002 Show which format @value{GDBN} is using to print structures.
8003
8004 @item set print sevenbit-strings on
8005 @cindex eight-bit characters in strings
8006 @cindex octal escapes in strings
8007 Print using only seven-bit characters; if this option is set,
8008 @value{GDBN} displays any eight-bit characters (in strings or
8009 character values) using the notation @code{\}@var{nnn}. This setting is
8010 best if you are working in English (@sc{ascii}) and you use the
8011 high-order bit of characters as a marker or ``meta'' bit.
8012
8013 @item set print sevenbit-strings off
8014 Print full eight-bit characters. This allows the use of more
8015 international character sets, and is the default.
8016
8017 @item show print sevenbit-strings
8018 Show whether or not @value{GDBN} is printing only seven-bit characters.
8019
8020 @item set print union on
8021 @cindex unions in structures, printing
8022 Tell @value{GDBN} to print unions which are contained in structures
8023 and other unions. This is the default setting.
8024
8025 @item set print union off
8026 Tell @value{GDBN} not to print unions which are contained in
8027 structures and other unions. @value{GDBN} will print @code{"@{...@}"}
8028 instead.
8029
8030 @item show print union
8031 Ask @value{GDBN} whether or not it will print unions which are contained in
8032 structures and other unions.
8033
8034 For example, given the declarations
8035
8036 @smallexample
8037 typedef enum @{Tree, Bug@} Species;
8038 typedef enum @{Big_tree, Acorn, Seedling@} Tree_forms;
8039 typedef enum @{Caterpillar, Cocoon, Butterfly@}
8040 Bug_forms;
8041
8042 struct thing @{
8043 Species it;
8044 union @{
8045 Tree_forms tree;
8046 Bug_forms bug;
8047 @} form;
8048 @};
8049
8050 struct thing foo = @{Tree, @{Acorn@}@};
8051 @end smallexample
8052
8053 @noindent
8054 with @code{set print union on} in effect @samp{p foo} would print
8055
8056 @smallexample
8057 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{tree = Acorn, bug = Cocoon@}@}
8058 @end smallexample
8059
8060 @noindent
8061 and with @code{set print union off} in effect it would print
8062
8063 @smallexample
8064 $1 = @{it = Tree, form = @{...@}@}
8065 @end smallexample
8066
8067 @noindent
8068 @code{set print union} affects programs written in C-like languages
8069 and in Pascal.
8070 @end table
8071
8072 @need 1000
8073 @noindent
8074 These settings are of interest when debugging C@t{++} programs:
8075
8076 @table @code
8077 @cindex demangling C@t{++} names
8078 @item set print demangle
8079 @itemx set print demangle on
8080 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than in the encoded
8081 (``mangled'') form passed to the assembler and linker for type-safe
8082 linkage. The default is on.
8083
8084 @item show print demangle
8085 Show whether C@t{++} names are printed in mangled or demangled form.
8086
8087 @item set print asm-demangle
8088 @itemx set print asm-demangle on
8089 Print C@t{++} names in their source form rather than their mangled form, even
8090 in assembler code printouts such as instruction disassemblies.
8091 The default is off.
8092
8093 @item show print asm-demangle
8094 Show whether C@t{++} names in assembly listings are printed in mangled
8095 or demangled form.
8096
8097 @cindex C@t{++} symbol decoding style
8098 @cindex symbol decoding style, C@t{++}
8099 @kindex set demangle-style
8100 @item set demangle-style @var{style}
8101 Choose among several encoding schemes used by different compilers to
8102 represent C@t{++} names. The choices for @var{style} are currently:
8103
8104 @table @code
8105 @item auto
8106 Allow @value{GDBN} to choose a decoding style by inspecting your program.
8107
8108 @item gnu
8109 Decode based on the @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler (@code{g++}) encoding algorithm.
8110 This is the default.
8111
8112 @item hp
8113 Decode based on the HP ANSI C@t{++} (@code{aCC}) encoding algorithm.
8114
8115 @item lucid
8116 Decode based on the Lucid C@t{++} compiler (@code{lcc}) encoding algorithm.
8117
8118 @item arm
8119 Decode using the algorithm in the @cite{C@t{++} Annotated Reference Manual}.
8120 @strong{Warning:} this setting alone is not sufficient to allow
8121 debugging @code{cfront}-generated executables. @value{GDBN} would
8122 require further enhancement to permit that.
8123
8124 @end table
8125 If you omit @var{style}, you will see a list of possible formats.
8126
8127 @item show demangle-style
8128 Display the encoding style currently in use for decoding C@t{++} symbols.
8129
8130 @item set print object
8131 @itemx set print object on
8132 @cindex derived type of an object, printing
8133 @cindex display derived types
8134 When displaying a pointer to an object, identify the @emph{actual}
8135 (derived) type of the object rather than the @emph{declared} type, using
8136 the virtual function table.
8137
8138 @item set print object off
8139 Display only the declared type of objects, without reference to the
8140 virtual function table. This is the default setting.
8141
8142 @item show print object
8143 Show whether actual, or declared, object types are displayed.
8144
8145 @item set print static-members
8146 @itemx set print static-members on
8147 @cindex static members of C@t{++} objects
8148 Print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object. The default is on.
8149
8150 @item set print static-members off
8151 Do not print static members when displaying a C@t{++} object.
8152
8153 @item show print static-members
8154 Show whether C@t{++} static members are printed or not.
8155
8156 @item set print pascal_static-members
8157 @itemx set print pascal_static-members on
8158 @cindex static members of Pascal objects
8159 @cindex Pascal objects, static members display
8160 Print static members when displaying a Pascal object. The default is on.
8161
8162 @item set print pascal_static-members off
8163 Do not print static members when displaying a Pascal object.
8164
8165 @item show print pascal_static-members
8166 Show whether Pascal static members are printed or not.
8167
8168 @c These don't work with HP ANSI C++ yet.
8169 @item set print vtbl
8170 @itemx set print vtbl on
8171 @cindex pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables
8172 @cindex virtual functions (C@t{++}) display
8173 @cindex VTBL display
8174 Pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables. The default is off.
8175 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
8176 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
8177
8178 @item set print vtbl off
8179 Do not pretty print C@t{++} virtual function tables.
8180
8181 @item show print vtbl
8182 Show whether C@t{++} virtual function tables are pretty printed, or not.
8183 @end table
8184
8185 @node Pretty Printing
8186 @section Pretty Printing
8187
8188 @value{GDBN} provides a mechanism to allow pretty-printing of values using
8189 Python code. It greatly simplifies the display of complex objects. This
8190 mechanism works for both MI and the CLI.
8191
8192 @menu
8193 * Pretty-Printer Introduction:: Introduction to pretty-printers
8194 * Pretty-Printer Example:: An example pretty-printer
8195 * Pretty-Printer Commands:: Pretty-printer commands
8196 @end menu
8197
8198 @node Pretty-Printer Introduction
8199 @subsection Pretty-Printer Introduction
8200
8201 When @value{GDBN} prints a value, it first sees if there is a pretty-printer
8202 registered for the value. If there is then @value{GDBN} invokes the
8203 pretty-printer to print the value. Otherwise the value is printed normally.
8204
8205 Pretty-printers are normally named. This makes them easy to manage.
8206 The @samp{info pretty-printer} command will list all the installed
8207 pretty-printers with their names.
8208 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
8209 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
8210 Each such subprinter has its own name.
8211 The format of the name is @var{printer-name};@var{subprinter-name}.
8212
8213 Pretty-printers are installed by @dfn{registering} them with @value{GDBN}.
8214 Typically they are automatically loaded and registered when the corresponding
8215 debug information is loaded, thus making them available without having to
8216 do anything special.
8217
8218 There are three places where a pretty-printer can be registered.
8219
8220 @itemize @bullet
8221 @item
8222 Pretty-printers registered globally are available when debugging
8223 all inferiors.
8224
8225 @item
8226 Pretty-printers registered with a program space are available only
8227 when debugging that program.
8228 @xref{Progspaces In Python}, for more details on program spaces in Python.
8229
8230 @item
8231 Pretty-printers registered with an objfile are loaded and unloaded
8232 with the corresponding objfile (e.g., shared library).
8233 @xref{Objfiles In Python}, for more details on objfiles in Python.
8234 @end itemize
8235
8236 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for further information on how
8237 pretty-printers are selected,
8238
8239 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for implementing pretty printers
8240 for new types.
8241
8242 @node Pretty-Printer Example
8243 @subsection Pretty-Printer Example
8244
8245 Here is how a C@t{++} @code{std::string} looks without a pretty-printer:
8246
8247 @smallexample
8248 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8249 $1 = @{
8250 static npos = 4294967295,
8251 _M_dataplus = @{
8252 <std::allocator<char>> = @{
8253 <__gnu_cxx::new_allocator<char>> = @{
8254 <No data fields>@}, <No data fields>
8255 @},
8256 members of std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>,
8257 std::allocator<char> >::_Alloc_hider:
8258 _M_p = 0x804a014 "abcd"
8259 @}
8260 @}
8261 @end smallexample
8262
8263 With a pretty-printer for @code{std::string} only the contents are printed:
8264
8265 @smallexample
8266 (@value{GDBP}) print s
8267 $2 = "abcd"
8268 @end smallexample
8269
8270 @node Pretty-Printer Commands
8271 @subsection Pretty-Printer Commands
8272 @cindex pretty-printer commands
8273
8274 @table @code
8275 @kindex info pretty-printer
8276 @item info pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8277 Print the list of installed pretty-printers.
8278 This includes disabled pretty-printers, which are marked as such.
8279
8280 @var{object-regexp} is a regular expression matching the objects
8281 whose pretty-printers to list.
8282 Objects can be @code{global}, the program space's file
8283 (@pxref{Progspaces In Python}),
8284 and the object files within that program space (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}).
8285 @xref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}, for details on how @value{GDBN}
8286 looks up a printer from these three objects.
8287
8288 @var{name-regexp} is a regular expression matching the name of the printers
8289 to list.
8290
8291 @kindex disable pretty-printer
8292 @item disable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8293 Disable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8294 A disabled pretty-printer is not forgotten, it may be enabled again later.
8295
8296 @kindex enable pretty-printer
8297 @item enable pretty-printer [@var{object-regexp} [@var{name-regexp}]]
8298 Enable pretty-printers matching @var{object-regexp} and @var{name-regexp}.
8299 @end table
8300
8301 Example:
8302
8303 Suppose we have three pretty-printers installed: one from library1.so
8304 named @code{foo} that prints objects of type @code{foo}, and
8305 another from library2.so named @code{bar} that prints two types of objects,
8306 @code{bar1} and @code{bar2}.
8307
8308 @smallexample
8309 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8310 library1.so:
8311 foo
8312 library2.so:
8313 bar
8314 bar1
8315 bar2
8316 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8317 library2.so:
8318 bar
8319 bar1
8320 bar2
8321 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library1
8322 1 printer disabled
8323 2 of 3 printers enabled
8324 (gdb) info pretty-printer
8325 library1.so:
8326 foo [disabled]
8327 library2.so:
8328 bar
8329 bar1
8330 bar2
8331 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar:bar1
8332 1 printer disabled
8333 1 of 3 printers enabled
8334 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8335 library1.so:
8336 foo [disabled]
8337 library2.so:
8338 bar
8339 bar1 [disabled]
8340 bar2
8341 (gdb) disable pretty-printer library2 bar
8342 1 printer disabled
8343 0 of 3 printers enabled
8344 (gdb) info pretty-printer library2
8345 library1.so:
8346 foo [disabled]
8347 library2.so:
8348 bar [disabled]
8349 bar1 [disabled]
8350 bar2
8351 @end smallexample
8352
8353 Note that for @code{bar} the entire printer can be disabled,
8354 as can each individual subprinter.
8355
8356 @node Value History
8357 @section Value History
8358
8359 @cindex value history
8360 @cindex history of values printed by @value{GDBN}
8361 Values printed by the @code{print} command are saved in the @value{GDBN}
8362 @dfn{value history}. This allows you to refer to them in other expressions.
8363 Values are kept until the symbol table is re-read or discarded
8364 (for example with the @code{file} or @code{symbol-file} commands).
8365 When the symbol table changes, the value history is discarded,
8366 since the values may contain pointers back to the types defined in the
8367 symbol table.
8368
8369 @cindex @code{$}
8370 @cindex @code{$$}
8371 @cindex history number
8372 The values printed are given @dfn{history numbers} by which you can
8373 refer to them. These are successive integers starting with one.
8374 @code{print} shows you the history number assigned to a value by
8375 printing @samp{$@var{num} = } before the value; here @var{num} is the
8376 history number.
8377
8378 To refer to any previous value, use @samp{$} followed by the value's
8379 history number. The way @code{print} labels its output is designed to
8380 remind you of this. Just @code{$} refers to the most recent value in
8381 the history, and @code{$$} refers to the value before that.
8382 @code{$$@var{n}} refers to the @var{n}th value from the end; @code{$$2}
8383 is the value just prior to @code{$$}, @code{$$1} is equivalent to
8384 @code{$$}, and @code{$$0} is equivalent to @code{$}.
8385
8386 For example, suppose you have just printed a pointer to a structure and
8387 want to see the contents of the structure. It suffices to type
8388
8389 @smallexample
8390 p *$
8391 @end smallexample
8392
8393 If you have a chain of structures where the component @code{next} points
8394 to the next one, you can print the contents of the next one with this:
8395
8396 @smallexample
8397 p *$.next
8398 @end smallexample
8399
8400 @noindent
8401 You can print successive links in the chain by repeating this
8402 command---which you can do by just typing @key{RET}.
8403
8404 Note that the history records values, not expressions. If the value of
8405 @code{x} is 4 and you type these commands:
8406
8407 @smallexample
8408 print x
8409 set x=5
8410 @end smallexample
8411
8412 @noindent
8413 then the value recorded in the value history by the @code{print} command
8414 remains 4 even though the value of @code{x} has changed.
8415
8416 @table @code
8417 @kindex show values
8418 @item show values
8419 Print the last ten values in the value history, with their item numbers.
8420 This is like @samp{p@ $$9} repeated ten times, except that @code{show
8421 values} does not change the history.
8422
8423 @item show values @var{n}
8424 Print ten history values centered on history item number @var{n}.
8425
8426 @item show values +
8427 Print ten history values just after the values last printed. If no more
8428 values are available, @code{show values +} produces no display.
8429 @end table
8430
8431 Pressing @key{RET} to repeat @code{show values @var{n}} has exactly the
8432 same effect as @samp{show values +}.
8433
8434 @node Convenience Vars
8435 @section Convenience Variables
8436
8437 @cindex convenience variables
8438 @cindex user-defined variables
8439 @value{GDBN} provides @dfn{convenience variables} that you can use within
8440 @value{GDBN} to hold on to a value and refer to it later. These variables
8441 exist entirely within @value{GDBN}; they are not part of your program, and
8442 setting a convenience variable has no direct effect on further execution
8443 of your program. That is why you can use them freely.
8444
8445 Convenience variables are prefixed with @samp{$}. Any name preceded by
8446 @samp{$} can be used for a convenience variable, unless it is one of
8447 the predefined machine-specific register names (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}).
8448 (Value history references, in contrast, are @emph{numbers} preceded
8449 by @samp{$}. @xref{Value History, ,Value History}.)
8450
8451 You can save a value in a convenience variable with an assignment
8452 expression, just as you would set a variable in your program.
8453 For example:
8454
8455 @smallexample
8456 set $foo = *object_ptr
8457 @end smallexample
8458
8459 @noindent
8460 would save in @code{$foo} the value contained in the object pointed to by
8461 @code{object_ptr}.
8462
8463 Using a convenience variable for the first time creates it, but its
8464 value is @code{void} until you assign a new value. You can alter the
8465 value with another assignment at any time.
8466
8467 Convenience variables have no fixed types. You can assign a convenience
8468 variable any type of value, including structures and arrays, even if
8469 that variable already has a value of a different type. The convenience
8470 variable, when used as an expression, has the type of its current value.
8471
8472 @table @code
8473 @kindex show convenience
8474 @cindex show all user variables
8475 @item show convenience
8476 Print a list of convenience variables used so far, and their values.
8477 Abbreviated @code{show conv}.
8478
8479 @kindex init-if-undefined
8480 @cindex convenience variables, initializing
8481 @item init-if-undefined $@var{variable} = @var{expression}
8482 Set a convenience variable if it has not already been set. This is useful
8483 for user-defined commands that keep some state. It is similar, in concept,
8484 to using local static variables with initializers in C (except that
8485 convenience variables are global). It can also be used to allow users to
8486 override default values used in a command script.
8487
8488 If the variable is already defined then the expression is not evaluated so
8489 any side-effects do not occur.
8490 @end table
8491
8492 One of the ways to use a convenience variable is as a counter to be
8493 incremented or a pointer to be advanced. For example, to print
8494 a field from successive elements of an array of structures:
8495
8496 @smallexample
8497 set $i = 0
8498 print bar[$i++]->contents
8499 @end smallexample
8500
8501 @noindent
8502 Repeat that command by typing @key{RET}.
8503
8504 Some convenience variables are created automatically by @value{GDBN} and given
8505 values likely to be useful.
8506
8507 @table @code
8508 @vindex $_@r{, convenience variable}
8509 @item $_
8510 The variable @code{$_} is automatically set by the @code{x} command to
8511 the last address examined (@pxref{Memory, ,Examining Memory}). Other
8512 commands which provide a default address for @code{x} to examine also
8513 set @code{$_} to that address; these commands include @code{info line}
8514 and @code{info breakpoint}. The type of @code{$_} is @code{void *}
8515 except when set by the @code{x} command, in which case it is a pointer
8516 to the type of @code{$__}.
8517
8518 @vindex $__@r{, convenience variable}
8519 @item $__
8520 The variable @code{$__} is automatically set by the @code{x} command
8521 to the value found in the last address examined. Its type is chosen
8522 to match the format in which the data was printed.
8523
8524 @item $_exitcode
8525 @vindex $_exitcode@r{, convenience variable}
8526 The variable @code{$_exitcode} is automatically set to the exit code when
8527 the program being debugged terminates.
8528
8529 @item $_sdata
8530 @vindex $_sdata@r{, inspect, convenience variable}
8531 The variable @code{$_sdata} contains extra collected static tracepoint
8532 data. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}. Note that
8533 @code{$_sdata} could be empty, if not inspecting a trace buffer, or
8534 if extra static tracepoint data has not been collected.
8535
8536 @item $_siginfo
8537 @vindex $_siginfo@r{, convenience variable}
8538 The variable @code{$_siginfo} contains extra signal information
8539 (@pxref{extra signal information}). Note that @code{$_siginfo}
8540 could be empty, if the application has not yet received any signals.
8541 For example, it will be empty before you execute the @code{run} command.
8542
8543 @item $_tlb
8544 @vindex $_tlb@r{, convenience variable}
8545 The variable @code{$_tlb} is automatically set when debugging
8546 applications running on MS-Windows in native mode or connected to
8547 gdbserver that supports the @code{qGetTIBAddr} request.
8548 @xref{General Query Packets}.
8549 This variable contains the address of the thread information block.
8550
8551 @end table
8552
8553 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
8554 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
8555 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
8556
8557 @cindex convenience functions
8558 @value{GDBN} also supplies some @dfn{convenience functions}. These
8559 have a syntax similar to convenience variables. A convenience
8560 function can be used in an expression just like an ordinary function;
8561 however, a convenience function is implemented internally to
8562 @value{GDBN}.
8563
8564 @table @code
8565 @item help function
8566 @kindex help function
8567 @cindex show all convenience functions
8568 Print a list of all convenience functions.
8569 @end table
8570
8571 @node Registers
8572 @section Registers
8573
8574 @cindex registers
8575 You can refer to machine register contents, in expressions, as variables
8576 with names starting with @samp{$}. The names of registers are different
8577 for each machine; use @code{info registers} to see the names used on
8578 your machine.
8579
8580 @table @code
8581 @kindex info registers
8582 @item info registers
8583 Print the names and values of all registers except floating-point
8584 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8585
8586 @kindex info all-registers
8587 @cindex floating point registers
8588 @item info all-registers
8589 Print the names and values of all registers, including floating-point
8590 and vector registers (in the selected stack frame).
8591
8592 @item info registers @var{regname} @dots{}
8593 Print the @dfn{relativized} value of each specified register @var{regname}.
8594 As discussed in detail below, register values are normally relative to
8595 the selected stack frame. @var{regname} may be any register name valid on
8596 the machine you are using, with or without the initial @samp{$}.
8597 @end table
8598
8599 @cindex stack pointer register
8600 @cindex program counter register
8601 @cindex process status register
8602 @cindex frame pointer register
8603 @cindex standard registers
8604 @value{GDBN} has four ``standard'' register names that are available (in
8605 expressions) on most machines---whenever they do not conflict with an
8606 architecture's canonical mnemonics for registers. The register names
8607 @code{$pc} and @code{$sp} are used for the program counter register and
8608 the stack pointer. @code{$fp} is used for a register that contains a
8609 pointer to the current stack frame, and @code{$ps} is used for a
8610 register that contains the processor status. For example,
8611 you could print the program counter in hex with
8612
8613 @smallexample
8614 p/x $pc
8615 @end smallexample
8616
8617 @noindent
8618 or print the instruction to be executed next with
8619
8620 @smallexample
8621 x/i $pc
8622 @end smallexample
8623
8624 @noindent
8625 or add four to the stack pointer@footnote{This is a way of removing
8626 one word from the stack, on machines where stacks grow downward in
8627 memory (most machines, nowadays). This assumes that the innermost
8628 stack frame is selected; setting @code{$sp} is not allowed when other
8629 stack frames are selected. To pop entire frames off the stack,
8630 regardless of machine architecture, use @code{return};
8631 see @ref{Returning, ,Returning from a Function}.} with
8632
8633 @smallexample
8634 set $sp += 4
8635 @end smallexample
8636
8637 Whenever possible, these four standard register names are available on
8638 your machine even though the machine has different canonical mnemonics,
8639 so long as there is no conflict. The @code{info registers} command
8640 shows the canonical names. For example, on the SPARC, @code{info
8641 registers} displays the processor status register as @code{$psr} but you
8642 can also refer to it as @code{$ps}; and on x86-based machines @code{$ps}
8643 is an alias for the @sc{eflags} register.
8644
8645 @value{GDBN} always considers the contents of an ordinary register as an
8646 integer when the register is examined in this way. Some machines have
8647 special registers which can hold nothing but floating point; these
8648 registers are considered to have floating point values. There is no way
8649 to refer to the contents of an ordinary register as floating point value
8650 (although you can @emph{print} it as a floating point value with
8651 @samp{print/f $@var{regname}}).
8652
8653 Some registers have distinct ``raw'' and ``virtual'' data formats. This
8654 means that the data format in which the register contents are saved by
8655 the operating system is not the same one that your program normally
8656 sees. For example, the registers of the 68881 floating point
8657 coprocessor are always saved in ``extended'' (raw) format, but all C
8658 programs expect to work with ``double'' (virtual) format. In such
8659 cases, @value{GDBN} normally works with the virtual format only (the format
8660 that makes sense for your program), but the @code{info registers} command
8661 prints the data in both formats.
8662
8663 @cindex SSE registers (x86)
8664 @cindex MMX registers (x86)
8665 Some machines have special registers whose contents can be interpreted
8666 in several different ways. For example, modern x86-based machines
8667 have SSE and MMX registers that can hold several values packed
8668 together in several different formats. @value{GDBN} refers to such
8669 registers in @code{struct} notation:
8670
8671 @smallexample
8672 (@value{GDBP}) print $xmm1
8673 $1 = @{
8674 v4_float = @{0, 3.43859137e-038, 1.54142831e-044, 1.821688e-044@},
8675 v2_double = @{9.92129282474342e-303, 2.7585945287983262e-313@},
8676 v16_int8 = "\000\000\000\000\3706;\001\v\000\000\000\r\000\000",
8677 v8_int16 = @{0, 0, 14072, 315, 11, 0, 13, 0@},
8678 v4_int32 = @{0, 20657912, 11, 13@},
8679 v2_int64 = @{88725056443645952, 55834574859@},
8680 uint128 = 0x0000000d0000000b013b36f800000000
8681 @}
8682 @end smallexample
8683
8684 @noindent
8685 To set values of such registers, you need to tell @value{GDBN} which
8686 view of the register you wish to change, as if you were assigning
8687 value to a @code{struct} member:
8688
8689 @smallexample
8690 (@value{GDBP}) set $xmm1.uint128 = 0x000000000000000000000000FFFFFFFF
8691 @end smallexample
8692
8693 Normally, register values are relative to the selected stack frame
8694 (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a Frame}). This means that you get the
8695 value that the register would contain if all stack frames farther in
8696 were exited and their saved registers restored. In order to see the
8697 true contents of hardware registers, you must select the innermost
8698 frame (with @samp{frame 0}).
8699
8700 However, @value{GDBN} must deduce where registers are saved, from the machine
8701 code generated by your compiler. If some registers are not saved, or if
8702 @value{GDBN} is unable to locate the saved registers, the selected stack
8703 frame makes no difference.
8704
8705 @node Floating Point Hardware
8706 @section Floating Point Hardware
8707 @cindex floating point
8708
8709 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give
8710 you more information about the status of the floating point hardware.
8711
8712 @table @code
8713 @kindex info float
8714 @item info float
8715 Display hardware-dependent information about the floating
8716 point unit. The exact contents and layout vary depending on the
8717 floating point chip. Currently, @samp{info float} is supported on
8718 the ARM and x86 machines.
8719 @end table
8720
8721 @node Vector Unit
8722 @section Vector Unit
8723 @cindex vector unit
8724
8725 Depending on the configuration, @value{GDBN} may be able to give you
8726 more information about the status of the vector unit.
8727
8728 @table @code
8729 @kindex info vector
8730 @item info vector
8731 Display information about the vector unit. The exact contents and
8732 layout vary depending on the hardware.
8733 @end table
8734
8735 @node OS Information
8736 @section Operating System Auxiliary Information
8737 @cindex OS information
8738
8739 @value{GDBN} provides interfaces to useful OS facilities that can help
8740 you debug your program.
8741
8742 @cindex @code{ptrace} system call
8743 @cindex @code{struct user} contents
8744 When @value{GDBN} runs on a @dfn{Posix system} (such as GNU or Unix
8745 machines), it interfaces with the inferior via the @code{ptrace}
8746 system call. The operating system creates a special sata structure,
8747 called @code{struct user}, for this interface. You can use the
8748 command @code{info udot} to display the contents of this data
8749 structure.
8750
8751 @table @code
8752 @item info udot
8753 @kindex info udot
8754 Display the contents of the @code{struct user} maintained by the OS
8755 kernel for the program being debugged. @value{GDBN} displays the
8756 contents of @code{struct user} as a list of hex numbers, similar to
8757 the @code{examine} command.
8758 @end table
8759
8760 @cindex auxiliary vector
8761 @cindex vector, auxiliary
8762 Some operating systems supply an @dfn{auxiliary vector} to programs at
8763 startup. This is akin to the arguments and environment that you
8764 specify for a program, but contains a system-dependent variety of
8765 binary values that tell system libraries important details about the
8766 hardware, operating system, and process. Each value's purpose is
8767 identified by an integer tag; the meanings are well-known but system-specific.
8768 Depending on the configuration and operating system facilities,
8769 @value{GDBN} may be able to show you this information. For remote
8770 targets, this functionality may further depend on the remote stub's
8771 support of the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet, see
8772 @ref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}.
8773
8774 @table @code
8775 @kindex info auxv
8776 @item info auxv
8777 Display the auxiliary vector of the inferior, which can be either a
8778 live process or a core dump file. @value{GDBN} prints each tag value
8779 numerically, and also shows names and text descriptions for recognized
8780 tags. Some values in the vector are numbers, some bit masks, and some
8781 pointers to strings or other data. @value{GDBN} displays each value in the
8782 most appropriate form for a recognized tag, and in hexadecimal for
8783 an unrecognized tag.
8784 @end table
8785
8786 On some targets, @value{GDBN} can access operating-system-specific information
8787 and display it to user, without interpretation. For remote targets,
8788 this functionality depends on the remote stub's support of the
8789 @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet, see @ref{qXfer osdata read}.
8790
8791 @table @code
8792 @kindex info os
8793 @item info os
8794 List the types of OS information available for the target. If the
8795 target does not return a list of possible types, this command will
8796 report an error.
8797
8798 @kindex info os processes
8799 @item info os processes
8800 Display the list of processes on the target. For each process,
8801 @value{GDBN} prints the process identifier, the name of the user, and
8802 the command corresponding to the process.
8803 @end table
8804
8805 @node Memory Region Attributes
8806 @section Memory Region Attributes
8807 @cindex memory region attributes
8808
8809 @dfn{Memory region attributes} allow you to describe special handling
8810 required by regions of your target's memory. @value{GDBN} uses
8811 attributes to determine whether to allow certain types of memory
8812 accesses; whether to use specific width accesses; and whether to cache
8813 target memory. By default the description of memory regions is
8814 fetched from the target (if the current target supports this), but the
8815 user can override the fetched regions.
8816
8817 Defined memory regions can be individually enabled and disabled. When a
8818 memory region is disabled, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when
8819 accessing memory in that region. Similarly, if no memory regions have
8820 been defined, @value{GDBN} uses the default attributes when accessing
8821 all memory.
8822
8823 When a memory region is defined, it is given a number to identify it;
8824 to enable, disable, or remove a memory region, you specify that number.
8825
8826 @table @code
8827 @kindex mem
8828 @item mem @var{lower} @var{upper} @var{attributes}@dots{}
8829 Define a memory region bounded by @var{lower} and @var{upper} with
8830 attributes @var{attributes}@dots{}, and add it to the list of regions
8831 monitored by @value{GDBN}. Note that @var{upper} == 0 is a special
8832 case: it is treated as the target's maximum memory address.
8833 (0xffff on 16 bit targets, 0xffffffff on 32 bit targets, etc.)
8834
8835 @item mem auto
8836 Discard any user changes to the memory regions and use target-supplied
8837 regions, if available, or no regions if the target does not support.
8838
8839 @kindex delete mem
8840 @item delete mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8841 Remove memory regions @var{nums}@dots{} from the list of regions
8842 monitored by @value{GDBN}.
8843
8844 @kindex disable mem
8845 @item disable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8846 Disable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8847 A disabled memory region is not forgotten.
8848 It may be enabled again later.
8849
8850 @kindex enable mem
8851 @item enable mem @var{nums}@dots{}
8852 Enable monitoring of memory regions @var{nums}@dots{}.
8853
8854 @kindex info mem
8855 @item info mem
8856 Print a table of all defined memory regions, with the following columns
8857 for each region:
8858
8859 @table @emph
8860 @item Memory Region Number
8861 @item Enabled or Disabled.
8862 Enabled memory regions are marked with @samp{y}.
8863 Disabled memory regions are marked with @samp{n}.
8864
8865 @item Lo Address
8866 The address defining the inclusive lower bound of the memory region.
8867
8868 @item Hi Address
8869 The address defining the exclusive upper bound of the memory region.
8870
8871 @item Attributes
8872 The list of attributes set for this memory region.
8873 @end table
8874 @end table
8875
8876
8877 @subsection Attributes
8878
8879 @subsubsection Memory Access Mode
8880 The access mode attributes set whether @value{GDBN} may make read or
8881 write accesses to a memory region.
8882
8883 While these attributes prevent @value{GDBN} from performing invalid
8884 memory accesses, they do nothing to prevent the target system, I/O DMA,
8885 etc.@: from accessing memory.
8886
8887 @table @code
8888 @item ro
8889 Memory is read only.
8890 @item wo
8891 Memory is write only.
8892 @item rw
8893 Memory is read/write. This is the default.
8894 @end table
8895
8896 @subsubsection Memory Access Size
8897 The access size attribute tells @value{GDBN} to use specific sized
8898 accesses in the memory region. Often memory mapped device registers
8899 require specific sized accesses. If no access size attribute is
8900 specified, @value{GDBN} may use accesses of any size.
8901
8902 @table @code
8903 @item 8
8904 Use 8 bit memory accesses.
8905 @item 16
8906 Use 16 bit memory accesses.
8907 @item 32
8908 Use 32 bit memory accesses.
8909 @item 64
8910 Use 64 bit memory accesses.
8911 @end table
8912
8913 @c @subsubsection Hardware/Software Breakpoints
8914 @c The hardware/software breakpoint attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8915 @c will use hardware or software breakpoints for the internal breakpoints
8916 @c used by the step, next, finish, until, etc. commands.
8917 @c
8918 @c @table @code
8919 @c @item hwbreak
8920 @c Always use hardware breakpoints
8921 @c @item swbreak (default)
8922 @c @end table
8923
8924 @subsubsection Data Cache
8925 The data cache attributes set whether @value{GDBN} will cache target
8926 memory. While this generally improves performance by reducing debug
8927 protocol overhead, it can lead to incorrect results because @value{GDBN}
8928 does not know about volatile variables or memory mapped device
8929 registers.
8930
8931 @table @code
8932 @item cache
8933 Enable @value{GDBN} to cache target memory.
8934 @item nocache
8935 Disable @value{GDBN} from caching target memory. This is the default.
8936 @end table
8937
8938 @subsection Memory Access Checking
8939 @value{GDBN} can be instructed to refuse accesses to memory that is
8940 not explicitly described. This can be useful if accessing such
8941 regions has undesired effects for a specific target, or to provide
8942 better error checking. The following commands control this behaviour.
8943
8944 @table @code
8945 @kindex set mem inaccessible-by-default
8946 @item set mem inaccessible-by-default [on|off]
8947 If @code{on} is specified, make @value{GDBN} treat memory not
8948 explicitly described by the memory ranges as non-existent and refuse accesses
8949 to such memory. The checks are only performed if there's at least one
8950 memory range defined. If @code{off} is specified, make @value{GDBN}
8951 treat the memory not explicitly described by the memory ranges as RAM.
8952 The default value is @code{on}.
8953 @kindex show mem inaccessible-by-default
8954 @item show mem inaccessible-by-default
8955 Show the current handling of accesses to unknown memory.
8956 @end table
8957
8958
8959 @c @subsubsection Memory Write Verification
8960 @c The memory write verification attributes set whether @value{GDBN}
8961 @c will re-reads data after each write to verify the write was successful.
8962 @c
8963 @c @table @code
8964 @c @item verify
8965 @c @item noverify (default)
8966 @c @end table
8967
8968 @node Dump/Restore Files
8969 @section Copy Between Memory and a File
8970 @cindex dump/restore files
8971 @cindex append data to a file
8972 @cindex dump data to a file
8973 @cindex restore data from a file
8974
8975 You can use the commands @code{dump}, @code{append}, and
8976 @code{restore} to copy data between target memory and a file. The
8977 @code{dump} and @code{append} commands write data to a file, and the
8978 @code{restore} command reads data from a file back into the inferior's
8979 memory. Files may be in binary, Motorola S-record, Intel hex, or
8980 Tektronix Hex format; however, @value{GDBN} can only append to binary
8981 files.
8982
8983 @table @code
8984
8985 @kindex dump
8986 @item dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
8987 @itemx dump @r{[}@var{format}@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
8988 Dump the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
8989 or the value of @var{expr}, to @var{filename} in the given format.
8990
8991 The @var{format} parameter may be any one of:
8992 @table @code
8993 @item binary
8994 Raw binary form.
8995 @item ihex
8996 Intel hex format.
8997 @item srec
8998 Motorola S-record format.
8999 @item tekhex
9000 Tektronix Hex format.
9001 @end table
9002
9003 @value{GDBN} uses the same definitions of these formats as the
9004 @sc{gnu} binary utilities, like @samp{objdump} and @samp{objcopy}. If
9005 @var{format} is omitted, @value{GDBN} dumps the data in raw binary
9006 form.
9007
9008 @kindex append
9009 @item append @r{[}binary@r{]} memory @var{filename} @var{start_addr} @var{end_addr}
9010 @itemx append @r{[}binary@r{]} value @var{filename} @var{expr}
9011 Append the contents of memory from @var{start_addr} to @var{end_addr},
9012 or the value of @var{expr}, to the file @var{filename}, in raw binary form.
9013 (@value{GDBN} can only append data to files in raw binary form.)
9014
9015 @kindex restore
9016 @item restore @var{filename} @r{[}binary@r{]} @var{bias} @var{start} @var{end}
9017 Restore the contents of file @var{filename} into memory. The
9018 @code{restore} command can automatically recognize any known @sc{bfd}
9019 file format, except for raw binary. To restore a raw binary file you
9020 must specify the optional keyword @code{binary} after the filename.
9021
9022 If @var{bias} is non-zero, its value will be added to the addresses
9023 contained in the file. Binary files always start at address zero, so
9024 they will be restored at address @var{bias}. Other bfd files have
9025 a built-in location; they will be restored at offset @var{bias}
9026 from that location.
9027
9028 If @var{start} and/or @var{end} are non-zero, then only data between
9029 file offset @var{start} and file offset @var{end} will be restored.
9030 These offsets are relative to the addresses in the file, before
9031 the @var{bias} argument is applied.
9032
9033 @end table
9034
9035 @node Core File Generation
9036 @section How to Produce a Core File from Your Program
9037 @cindex dump core from inferior
9038
9039 A @dfn{core file} or @dfn{core dump} is a file that records the memory
9040 image of a running process and its process status (register values
9041 etc.). Its primary use is post-mortem debugging of a program that
9042 crashed while it ran outside a debugger. A program that crashes
9043 automatically produces a core file, unless this feature is disabled by
9044 the user. @xref{Files}, for information on invoking @value{GDBN} in
9045 the post-mortem debugging mode.
9046
9047 Occasionally, you may wish to produce a core file of the program you
9048 are debugging in order to preserve a snapshot of its state.
9049 @value{GDBN} has a special command for that.
9050
9051 @table @code
9052 @kindex gcore
9053 @kindex generate-core-file
9054 @item generate-core-file [@var{file}]
9055 @itemx gcore [@var{file}]
9056 Produce a core dump of the inferior process. The optional argument
9057 @var{file} specifies the file name where to put the core dump. If not
9058 specified, the file name defaults to @file{core.@var{pid}}, where
9059 @var{pid} is the inferior process ID.
9060
9061 Note that this command is implemented only for some systems (as of
9062 this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Unixware, and S390).
9063 @end table
9064
9065 @node Character Sets
9066 @section Character Sets
9067 @cindex character sets
9068 @cindex charset
9069 @cindex translating between character sets
9070 @cindex host character set
9071 @cindex target character set
9072
9073 If the program you are debugging uses a different character set to
9074 represent characters and strings than the one @value{GDBN} uses itself,
9075 @value{GDBN} can automatically translate between the character sets for
9076 you. The character set @value{GDBN} uses we call the @dfn{host
9077 character set}; the one the inferior program uses we call the
9078 @dfn{target character set}.
9079
9080 For example, if you are running @value{GDBN} on a @sc{gnu}/Linux system, which
9081 uses the ISO Latin 1 character set, but you are using @value{GDBN}'s
9082 remote protocol (@pxref{Remote Debugging}) to debug a program
9083 running on an IBM mainframe, which uses the @sc{ebcdic} character set,
9084 then the host character set is Latin-1, and the target character set is
9085 @sc{ebcdic}. If you give @value{GDBN} the command @code{set
9086 target-charset EBCDIC-US}, then @value{GDBN} translates between
9087 @sc{ebcdic} and Latin 1 as you print character or string values, or use
9088 character and string literals in expressions.
9089
9090 @value{GDBN} has no way to automatically recognize which character set
9091 the inferior program uses; you must tell it, using the @code{set
9092 target-charset} command, described below.
9093
9094 Here are the commands for controlling @value{GDBN}'s character set
9095 support:
9096
9097 @table @code
9098 @item set target-charset @var{charset}
9099 @kindex set target-charset
9100 Set the current target character set to @var{charset}. To display the
9101 list of supported target character sets, type
9102 @kbd{@w{set target-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9103
9104 @item set host-charset @var{charset}
9105 @kindex set host-charset
9106 Set the current host character set to @var{charset}.
9107
9108 By default, @value{GDBN} uses a host character set appropriate to the
9109 system it is running on; you can override that default using the
9110 @code{set host-charset} command. On some systems, @value{GDBN} cannot
9111 automatically determine the appropriate host character set. In this
9112 case, @value{GDBN} uses @samp{UTF-8}.
9113
9114 @value{GDBN} can only use certain character sets as its host character
9115 set. If you type @kbd{@w{set host-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9116 @value{GDBN} will list the host character sets it supports.
9117
9118 @item set charset @var{charset}
9119 @kindex set charset
9120 Set the current host and target character sets to @var{charset}. As
9121 above, if you type @kbd{@w{set charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}},
9122 @value{GDBN} will list the names of the character sets that can be used
9123 for both host and target.
9124
9125 @item show charset
9126 @kindex show charset
9127 Show the names of the current host and target character sets.
9128
9129 @item show host-charset
9130 @kindex show host-charset
9131 Show the name of the current host character set.
9132
9133 @item show target-charset
9134 @kindex show target-charset
9135 Show the name of the current target character set.
9136
9137 @item set target-wide-charset @var{charset}
9138 @kindex set target-wide-charset
9139 Set the current target's wide character set to @var{charset}. This is
9140 the character set used by the target's @code{wchar_t} type. To
9141 display the list of supported wide character sets, type
9142 @kbd{@w{set target-wide-charset @key{TAB}@key{TAB}}}.
9143
9144 @item show target-wide-charset
9145 @kindex show target-wide-charset
9146 Show the name of the current target's wide character set.
9147 @end table
9148
9149 Here is an example of @value{GDBN}'s character set support in action.
9150 Assume that the following source code has been placed in the file
9151 @file{charset-test.c}:
9152
9153 @smallexample
9154 #include <stdio.h>
9155
9156 char ascii_hello[]
9157 = @{72, 101, 108, 108, 111, 44, 32, 119,
9158 111, 114, 108, 100, 33, 10, 0@};
9159 char ibm1047_hello[]
9160 = @{200, 133, 147, 147, 150, 107, 64, 166,
9161 150, 153, 147, 132, 90, 37, 0@};
9162
9163 main ()
9164 @{
9165 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9166 @}
9167 @end smallexample
9168
9169 In this program, @code{ascii_hello} and @code{ibm1047_hello} are arrays
9170 containing the string @samp{Hello, world!} followed by a newline,
9171 encoded in the @sc{ascii} and @sc{ibm1047} character sets.
9172
9173 We compile the program, and invoke the debugger on it:
9174
9175 @smallexample
9176 $ gcc -g charset-test.c -o charset-test
9177 $ gdb -nw charset-test
9178 GNU gdb 2001-12-19-cvs
9179 Copyright 2001 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9180 @dots{}
9181 (@value{GDBP})
9182 @end smallexample
9183
9184 We can use the @code{show charset} command to see what character sets
9185 @value{GDBN} is currently using to interpret and display characters and
9186 strings:
9187
9188 @smallexample
9189 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9190 The current host and target character set is `ISO-8859-1'.
9191 (@value{GDBP})
9192 @end smallexample
9193
9194 For the sake of printing this manual, let's use @sc{ascii} as our
9195 initial character set:
9196 @smallexample
9197 (@value{GDBP}) set charset ASCII
9198 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9199 The current host and target character set is `ASCII'.
9200 (@value{GDBP})
9201 @end smallexample
9202
9203 Let's assume that @sc{ascii} is indeed the correct character set for our
9204 host system --- in other words, let's assume that if @value{GDBN} prints
9205 characters using the @sc{ascii} character set, our terminal will display
9206 them properly. Since our current target character set is also
9207 @sc{ascii}, the contents of @code{ascii_hello} print legibly:
9208
9209 @smallexample
9210 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9211 $1 = 0x401698 "Hello, world!\n"
9212 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9213 $2 = 72 'H'
9214 (@value{GDBP})
9215 @end smallexample
9216
9217 @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and string
9218 literals you use in expressions:
9219
9220 @smallexample
9221 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9222 $3 = 43 '+'
9223 (@value{GDBP})
9224 @end smallexample
9225
9226 The @sc{ascii} character set uses the number 43 to encode the @samp{+}
9227 character.
9228
9229 @value{GDBN} relies on the user to tell it which character set the
9230 target program uses. If we print @code{ibm1047_hello} while our target
9231 character set is still @sc{ascii}, we get jibberish:
9232
9233 @smallexample
9234 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9235 $4 = 0x4016a8 "\310\205\223\223\226k@@\246\226\231\223\204Z%"
9236 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9237 $5 = 200 '\310'
9238 (@value{GDBP})
9239 @end smallexample
9240
9241 If we invoke the @code{set target-charset} followed by @key{TAB}@key{TAB},
9242 @value{GDBN} tells us the character sets it supports:
9243
9244 @smallexample
9245 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9246 ASCII EBCDIC-US IBM1047 ISO-8859-1
9247 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset
9248 @end smallexample
9249
9250 We can select @sc{ibm1047} as our target character set, and examine the
9251 program's strings again. Now the @sc{ascii} string is wrong, but
9252 @value{GDBN} translates the contents of @code{ibm1047_hello} from the
9253 target character set, @sc{ibm1047}, to the host character set,
9254 @sc{ascii}, and they display correctly:
9255
9256 @smallexample
9257 (@value{GDBP}) set target-charset IBM1047
9258 (@value{GDBP}) show charset
9259 The current host character set is `ASCII'.
9260 The current target character set is `IBM1047'.
9261 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello
9262 $6 = 0x401698 "\110\145%%?\054\040\167?\162%\144\041\012"
9263 (@value{GDBP}) print ascii_hello[0]
9264 $7 = 72 '\110'
9265 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello
9266 $8 = 0x4016a8 "Hello, world!\n"
9267 (@value{GDBP}) print ibm1047_hello[0]
9268 $9 = 200 'H'
9269 (@value{GDBP})
9270 @end smallexample
9271
9272 As above, @value{GDBN} uses the target character set for character and
9273 string literals you use in expressions:
9274
9275 @smallexample
9276 (@value{GDBP}) print '+'
9277 $10 = 78 '+'
9278 (@value{GDBP})
9279 @end smallexample
9280
9281 The @sc{ibm1047} character set uses the number 78 to encode the @samp{+}
9282 character.
9283
9284 @node Caching Remote Data
9285 @section Caching Data of Remote Targets
9286 @cindex caching data of remote targets
9287
9288 @value{GDBN} caches data exchanged between the debugger and a
9289 remote target (@pxref{Remote Debugging}). Such caching generally improves
9290 performance, because it reduces the overhead of the remote protocol by
9291 bundling memory reads and writes into large chunks. Unfortunately, simply
9292 caching everything would lead to incorrect results, since @value{GDBN}
9293 does not necessarily know anything about volatile values, memory-mapped I/O
9294 addresses, etc. Furthermore, in non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode})
9295 memory can be changed @emph{while} a gdb command is executing.
9296 Therefore, by default, @value{GDBN} only caches data
9297 known to be on the stack@footnote{In non-stop mode, it is moderately
9298 rare for a running thread to modify the stack of a stopped thread
9299 in a way that would interfere with a backtrace, and caching of
9300 stack reads provides a significant speed up of remote backtraces.}.
9301 Other regions of memory can be explicitly marked as
9302 cacheable; see @pxref{Memory Region Attributes}.
9303
9304 @table @code
9305 @kindex set remotecache
9306 @item set remotecache on
9307 @itemx set remotecache off
9308 This option no longer does anything; it exists for compatibility
9309 with old scripts.
9310
9311 @kindex show remotecache
9312 @item show remotecache
9313 Show the current state of the obsolete remotecache flag.
9314
9315 @kindex set stack-cache
9316 @item set stack-cache on
9317 @itemx set stack-cache off
9318 Enable or disable caching of stack accesses. When @code{ON}, use
9319 caching. By default, this option is @code{ON}.
9320
9321 @kindex show stack-cache
9322 @item show stack-cache
9323 Show the current state of data caching for memory accesses.
9324
9325 @kindex info dcache
9326 @item info dcache @r{[}line@r{]}
9327 Print the information about the data cache performance. The
9328 information displayed includes the dcache width and depth, and for
9329 each cache line, its number, address, and how many times it was
9330 referenced. This command is useful for debugging the data cache
9331 operation.
9332
9333 If a line number is specified, the contents of that line will be
9334 printed in hex.
9335
9336 @item set dcache size @var{size}
9337 @cindex dcache size
9338 @kindex set dcache size
9339 Set maximum number of entries in dcache (dcache depth above).
9340
9341 @item set dcache line-size @var{line-size}
9342 @cindex dcache line-size
9343 @kindex set dcache line-size
9344 Set number of bytes each dcache entry caches (dcache width above).
9345 Must be a power of 2.
9346
9347 @item show dcache size
9348 @kindex show dcache size
9349 Show maximum number of dcache entries. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
9350
9351 @item show dcache line-size
9352 @kindex show dcache line-size
9353 Show default size of dcache lines. See also @ref{Caching Remote Data, info dcache}.
9354
9355 @end table
9356
9357 @node Searching Memory
9358 @section Search Memory
9359 @cindex searching memory
9360
9361 Memory can be searched for a particular sequence of bytes with the
9362 @code{find} command.
9363
9364 @table @code
9365 @kindex find
9366 @item find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, +@var{len}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9367 @itemx find @r{[}/@var{sn}@r{]} @var{start_addr}, @var{end_addr}, @var{val1} @r{[}, @var{val2}, @dots{}@r{]}
9368 Search memory for the sequence of bytes specified by @var{val1}, @var{val2},
9369 etc. The search begins at address @var{start_addr} and continues for either
9370 @var{len} bytes or through to @var{end_addr} inclusive.
9371 @end table
9372
9373 @var{s} and @var{n} are optional parameters.
9374 They may be specified in either order, apart or together.
9375
9376 @table @r
9377 @item @var{s}, search query size
9378 The size of each search query value.
9379
9380 @table @code
9381 @item b
9382 bytes
9383 @item h
9384 halfwords (two bytes)
9385 @item w
9386 words (four bytes)
9387 @item g
9388 giant words (eight bytes)
9389 @end table
9390
9391 All values are interpreted in the current language.
9392 This means, for example, that if the current source language is C/C@t{++}
9393 then searching for the string ``hello'' includes the trailing '\0'.
9394
9395 If the value size is not specified, it is taken from the
9396 value's type in the current language.
9397 This is useful when one wants to specify the search
9398 pattern as a mixture of types.
9399 Note that this means, for example, that in the case of C-like languages
9400 a search for an untyped 0x42 will search for @samp{(int) 0x42}
9401 which is typically four bytes.
9402
9403 @item @var{n}, maximum number of finds
9404 The maximum number of matches to print. The default is to print all finds.
9405 @end table
9406
9407 You can use strings as search values. Quote them with double-quotes
9408 (@code{"}).
9409 The string value is copied into the search pattern byte by byte,
9410 regardless of the endianness of the target and the size specification.
9411
9412 The address of each match found is printed as well as a count of the
9413 number of matches found.
9414
9415 The address of the last value found is stored in convenience variable
9416 @samp{$_}.
9417 A count of the number of matches is stored in @samp{$numfound}.
9418
9419 For example, if stopped at the @code{printf} in this function:
9420
9421 @smallexample
9422 void
9423 hello ()
9424 @{
9425 static char hello[] = "hello-hello";
9426 static struct @{ char c; short s; int i; @}
9427 __attribute__ ((packed)) mixed
9428 = @{ 'c', 0x1234, 0x87654321 @};
9429 printf ("%s\n", hello);
9430 @}
9431 @end smallexample
9432
9433 @noindent
9434 you get during debugging:
9435
9436 @smallexample
9437 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), "hello"
9438 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9439 1 pattern found
9440 (gdb) find &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o'
9441 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9442 0x804956d <hello.1620+6>
9443 2 patterns found
9444 (gdb) find /b1 &hello[0], +sizeof(hello), 'h', 0x65, 'l'
9445 0x8049567 <hello.1620>
9446 1 pattern found
9447 (gdb) find &mixed, +sizeof(mixed), (char) 'c', (short) 0x1234, (int) 0x87654321
9448 0x8049560 <mixed.1625>
9449 1 pattern found
9450 (gdb) print $numfound
9451 $1 = 1
9452 (gdb) print $_
9453 $2 = (void *) 0x8049560
9454 @end smallexample
9455
9456 @node Optimized Code
9457 @chapter Debugging Optimized Code
9458 @cindex optimized code, debugging
9459 @cindex debugging optimized code
9460
9461 Almost all compilers support optimization. With optimization
9462 disabled, the compiler generates assembly code that corresponds
9463 directly to your source code, in a simplistic way. As the compiler
9464 applies more powerful optimizations, the generated assembly code
9465 diverges from your original source code. With help from debugging
9466 information generated by the compiler, @value{GDBN} can map from
9467 the running program back to constructs from your original source.
9468
9469 @value{GDBN} is more accurate with optimization disabled. If you
9470 can recompile without optimization, it is easier to follow the
9471 progress of your program during debugging. But, there are many cases
9472 where you may need to debug an optimized version.
9473
9474 When you debug a program compiled with @samp{-g -O}, remember that the
9475 optimizer has rearranged your code; the debugger shows you what is
9476 really there. Do not be too surprised when the execution path does not
9477 exactly match your source file! An extreme example: if you define a
9478 variable, but never use it, @value{GDBN} never sees that
9479 variable---because the compiler optimizes it out of existence.
9480
9481 Some things do not work as well with @samp{-g -O} as with just
9482 @samp{-g}, particularly on machines with instruction scheduling. If in
9483 doubt, recompile with @samp{-g} alone, and if this fixes the problem,
9484 please report it to us as a bug (including a test case!).
9485 @xref{Variables}, for more information about debugging optimized code.
9486
9487 @menu
9488 * Inline Functions:: How @value{GDBN} presents inlining
9489 @end menu
9490
9491 @node Inline Functions
9492 @section Inline Functions
9493 @cindex inline functions, debugging
9494
9495 @dfn{Inlining} is an optimization that inserts a copy of the function
9496 body directly at each call site, instead of jumping to a shared
9497 routine. @value{GDBN} displays inlined functions just like
9498 non-inlined functions. They appear in backtraces. You can view their
9499 arguments and local variables, step into them with @code{step}, skip
9500 them with @code{next}, and escape from them with @code{finish}.
9501 You can check whether a function was inlined by using the
9502 @code{info frame} command.
9503
9504 For @value{GDBN} to support inlined functions, the compiler must
9505 record information about inlining in the debug information ---
9506 @value{NGCC} using the @sc{dwarf 2} format does this, and several
9507 other compilers do also. @value{GDBN} only supports inlined functions
9508 when using @sc{dwarf 2}. Versions of @value{NGCC} before 4.1
9509 do not emit two required attributes (@samp{DW_AT_call_file} and
9510 @samp{DW_AT_call_line}); @value{GDBN} does not display inlined
9511 function calls with earlier versions of @value{NGCC}. It instead
9512 displays the arguments and local variables of inlined functions as
9513 local variables in the caller.
9514
9515 The body of an inlined function is directly included at its call site;
9516 unlike a non-inlined function, there are no instructions devoted to
9517 the call. @value{GDBN} still pretends that the call site and the
9518 start of the inlined function are different instructions. Stepping to
9519 the call site shows the call site, and then stepping again shows
9520 the first line of the inlined function, even though no additional
9521 instructions are executed.
9522
9523 This makes source-level debugging much clearer; you can see both the
9524 context of the call and then the effect of the call. Only stepping by
9525 a single instruction using @code{stepi} or @code{nexti} does not do
9526 this; single instruction steps always show the inlined body.
9527
9528 There are some ways that @value{GDBN} does not pretend that inlined
9529 function calls are the same as normal calls:
9530
9531 @itemize @bullet
9532 @item
9533 You cannot set breakpoints on inlined functions. @value{GDBN}
9534 either reports that there is no symbol with that name, or else sets the
9535 breakpoint only on non-inlined copies of the function. This limitation
9536 will be removed in a future version of @value{GDBN}; until then,
9537 set a breakpoint by line number on the first line of the inlined
9538 function instead.
9539
9540 @item
9541 Setting breakpoints at the call site of an inlined function may not
9542 work, because the call site does not contain any code. @value{GDBN}
9543 may incorrectly move the breakpoint to the next line of the enclosing
9544 function, after the call. This limitation will be removed in a future
9545 version of @value{GDBN}; until then, set a breakpoint on an earlier line
9546 or inside the inlined function instead.
9547
9548 @item
9549 @value{GDBN} cannot locate the return value of inlined calls after
9550 using the @code{finish} command. This is a limitation of compiler-generated
9551 debugging information; after @code{finish}, you can step to the next line
9552 and print a variable where your program stored the return value.
9553
9554 @end itemize
9555
9556
9557 @node Macros
9558 @chapter C Preprocessor Macros
9559
9560 Some languages, such as C and C@t{++}, provide a way to define and invoke
9561 ``preprocessor macros'' which expand into strings of tokens.
9562 @value{GDBN} can evaluate expressions containing macro invocations, show
9563 the result of macro expansion, and show a macro's definition, including
9564 where it was defined.
9565
9566 You may need to compile your program specially to provide @value{GDBN}
9567 with information about preprocessor macros. Most compilers do not
9568 include macros in their debugging information, even when you compile
9569 with the @option{-g} flag. @xref{Compilation}.
9570
9571 A program may define a macro at one point, remove that definition later,
9572 and then provide a different definition after that. Thus, at different
9573 points in the program, a macro may have different definitions, or have
9574 no definition at all. If there is a current stack frame, @value{GDBN}
9575 uses the macros in scope at that frame's source code line. Otherwise,
9576 @value{GDBN} uses the macros in scope at the current listing location;
9577 see @ref{List}.
9578
9579 Whenever @value{GDBN} evaluates an expression, it always expands any
9580 macro invocations present in the expression. @value{GDBN} also provides
9581 the following commands for working with macros explicitly.
9582
9583 @table @code
9584
9585 @kindex macro expand
9586 @cindex macro expansion, showing the results of preprocessor
9587 @cindex preprocessor macro expansion, showing the results of
9588 @cindex expanding preprocessor macros
9589 @item macro expand @var{expression}
9590 @itemx macro exp @var{expression}
9591 Show the results of expanding all preprocessor macro invocations in
9592 @var{expression}. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does
9593 not parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression;
9594 it can be any string of tokens.
9595
9596 @kindex macro exp1
9597 @item macro expand-once @var{expression}
9598 @itemx macro exp1 @var{expression}
9599 @cindex expand macro once
9600 @i{(This command is not yet implemented.)} Show the results of
9601 expanding those preprocessor macro invocations that appear explicitly in
9602 @var{expression}. Macro invocations appearing in that expansion are
9603 left unchanged. This command allows you to see the effect of a
9604 particular macro more clearly, without being confused by further
9605 expansions. Since @value{GDBN} simply expands macros, but does not
9606 parse the result, @var{expression} need not be a valid expression; it
9607 can be any string of tokens.
9608
9609 @kindex info macro
9610 @cindex macro definition, showing
9611 @cindex definition of a macro, showing
9612 @cindex macros, from debug info
9613 @item info macro @var{macro}
9614 Show the current definition of the named @var{macro}, and describe the
9615 source location or compiler command-line where that definition was established.
9616
9617 @kindex info macros
9618 @item info macros @var{linespec}
9619 Show all macro definitions that are in effect at the location specified
9620 by @var{linespec}, and describe the source location or compiler
9621 command-line where those definitions were established.
9622
9623 @kindex info definitions
9624 @item info definitions @var{macro}
9625 Show all definitions of the named @var{macro} that are defined in the current
9626 compilation unit, and describe the source location or compiler command-line
9627 where those definitions were established.
9628
9629 @kindex macro define
9630 @cindex user-defined macros
9631 @cindex defining macros interactively
9632 @cindex macros, user-defined
9633 @item macro define @var{macro} @var{replacement-list}
9634 @itemx macro define @var{macro}(@var{arglist}) @var{replacement-list}
9635 Introduce a definition for a preprocessor macro named @var{macro},
9636 invocations of which are replaced by the tokens given in
9637 @var{replacement-list}. The first form of this command defines an
9638 ``object-like'' macro, which takes no arguments; the second form
9639 defines a ``function-like'' macro, which takes the arguments given in
9640 @var{arglist}.
9641
9642 A definition introduced by this command is in scope in every
9643 expression evaluated in @value{GDBN}, until it is removed with the
9644 @code{macro undef} command, described below. The definition overrides
9645 all definitions for @var{macro} present in the program being debugged,
9646 as well as any previous user-supplied definition.
9647
9648 @kindex macro undef
9649 @item macro undef @var{macro}
9650 Remove any user-supplied definition for the macro named @var{macro}.
9651 This command only affects definitions provided with the @code{macro
9652 define} command, described above; it cannot remove definitions present
9653 in the program being debugged.
9654
9655 @kindex macro list
9656 @item macro list
9657 List all the macros defined using the @code{macro define} command.
9658 @end table
9659
9660 @cindex macros, example of debugging with
9661 Here is a transcript showing the above commands in action. First, we
9662 show our source files:
9663
9664 @smallexample
9665 $ cat sample.c
9666 #include <stdio.h>
9667 #include "sample.h"
9668
9669 #define M 42
9670 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9671
9672 main ()
9673 @{
9674 #define N 28
9675 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9676 #undef N
9677 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9678 #define N 1729
9679 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9680 @}
9681 $ cat sample.h
9682 #define Q <
9683 $
9684 @end smallexample
9685
9686 Now, we compile the program using the @sc{gnu} C compiler, @value{NGCC}.
9687 We pass the @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-g3} flags to ensure the
9688 compiler includes information about preprocessor macros in the debugging
9689 information.
9690
9691 @smallexample
9692 $ gcc -gdwarf-2 -g3 sample.c -o sample
9693 $
9694 @end smallexample
9695
9696 Now, we start @value{GDBN} on our sample program:
9697
9698 @smallexample
9699 $ gdb -nw sample
9700 GNU gdb 2002-05-06-cvs
9701 Copyright 2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
9702 GDB is free software, @dots{}
9703 (@value{GDBP})
9704 @end smallexample
9705
9706 We can expand macros and examine their definitions, even when the
9707 program is not running. @value{GDBN} uses the current listing position
9708 to decide which macro definitions are in scope:
9709
9710 @smallexample
9711 (@value{GDBP}) list main
9712 3
9713 4 #define M 42
9714 5 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9715 6
9716 7 main ()
9717 8 @{
9718 9 #define N 28
9719 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9720 11 #undef N
9721 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9722 (@value{GDBP}) info macro ADD
9723 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:5
9724 #define ADD(x) (M + x)
9725 (@value{GDBP}) info macro Q
9726 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.h:1
9727 included at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:2
9728 #define Q <
9729 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand ADD(1)
9730 expands to: (42 + 1)
9731 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand-once ADD(1)
9732 expands to: once (M + 1)
9733 (@value{GDBP})
9734 @end smallexample
9735
9736 In the example above, note that @code{macro expand-once} expands only
9737 the macro invocation explicit in the original text --- the invocation of
9738 @code{ADD} --- but does not expand the invocation of the macro @code{M},
9739 which was introduced by @code{ADD}.
9740
9741 Once the program is running, @value{GDBN} uses the macro definitions in
9742 force at the source line of the current stack frame:
9743
9744 @smallexample
9745 (@value{GDBP}) break main
9746 Breakpoint 1 at 0x8048370: file sample.c, line 10.
9747 (@value{GDBP}) run
9748 Starting program: /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample
9749
9750 Breakpoint 1, main () at sample.c:10
9751 10 printf ("Hello, world!\n");
9752 (@value{GDBP})
9753 @end smallexample
9754
9755 At line 10, the definition of the macro @code{N} at line 9 is in force:
9756
9757 @smallexample
9758 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9759 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:9
9760 #define N 28
9761 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9762 expands to: 28 < 42
9763 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9764 $1 = 1
9765 (@value{GDBP})
9766 @end smallexample
9767
9768 As we step over directives that remove @code{N}'s definition, and then
9769 give it a new definition, @value{GDBN} finds the definition (or lack
9770 thereof) in force at each point:
9771
9772 @smallexample
9773 (@value{GDBP}) next
9774 Hello, world!
9775 12 printf ("We're so creative.\n");
9776 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9777 The symbol `N' has no definition as a C/C++ preprocessor macro
9778 at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:12
9779 (@value{GDBP}) next
9780 We're so creative.
9781 14 printf ("Goodbye, world!\n");
9782 (@value{GDBP}) info macro N
9783 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:13
9784 #define N 1729
9785 (@value{GDBP}) macro expand N Q M
9786 expands to: 1729 < 42
9787 (@value{GDBP}) print N Q M
9788 $2 = 0
9789 (@value{GDBP})
9790 @end smallexample
9791
9792 In addition to source files, macros can be defined on the compilation command
9793 line using the @option{-D@var{name}=@var{value}} syntax. For macros defined in
9794 such a way, @value{GDBN} displays the location of their definition as line zero
9795 of the source file submitted to the compiler.
9796
9797 @smallexample
9798 (@value{GDBP}) info macro __STDC__
9799 Defined at /home/jimb/gdb/macros/play/sample.c:0
9800 -D__STDC__=1
9801 (@value{GDBP})
9802 @end smallexample
9803
9804
9805 @node Tracepoints
9806 @chapter Tracepoints
9807 @c This chapter is based on the documentation written by Michael
9808 @c Snyder, David Taylor, Jim Blandy, and Elena Zannoni.
9809
9810 @cindex tracepoints
9811 In some applications, it is not feasible for the debugger to interrupt
9812 the program's execution long enough for the developer to learn
9813 anything helpful about its behavior. If the program's correctness
9814 depends on its real-time behavior, delays introduced by a debugger
9815 might cause the program to change its behavior drastically, or perhaps
9816 fail, even when the code itself is correct. It is useful to be able
9817 to observe the program's behavior without interrupting it.
9818
9819 Using @value{GDBN}'s @code{trace} and @code{collect} commands, you can
9820 specify locations in the program, called @dfn{tracepoints}, and
9821 arbitrary expressions to evaluate when those tracepoints are reached.
9822 Later, using the @code{tfind} command, you can examine the values
9823 those expressions had when the program hit the tracepoints. The
9824 expressions may also denote objects in memory---structures or arrays,
9825 for example---whose values @value{GDBN} should record; while visiting
9826 a particular tracepoint, you may inspect those objects as if they were
9827 in memory at that moment. However, because @value{GDBN} records these
9828 values without interacting with you, it can do so quickly and
9829 unobtrusively, hopefully not disturbing the program's behavior.
9830
9831 The tracepoint facility is currently available only for remote
9832 targets. @xref{Targets}. In addition, your remote target must know
9833 how to collect trace data. This functionality is implemented in the
9834 remote stub; however, none of the stubs distributed with @value{GDBN}
9835 support tracepoints as of this writing. The format of the remote
9836 packets used to implement tracepoints are described in @ref{Tracepoint
9837 Packets}.
9838
9839 It is also possible to get trace data from a file, in a manner reminiscent
9840 of corefiles; you specify the filename, and use @code{tfind} to search
9841 through the file. @xref{Trace Files}, for more details.
9842
9843 This chapter describes the tracepoint commands and features.
9844
9845 @menu
9846 * Set Tracepoints::
9847 * Analyze Collected Data::
9848 * Tracepoint Variables::
9849 * Trace Files::
9850 @end menu
9851
9852 @node Set Tracepoints
9853 @section Commands to Set Tracepoints
9854
9855 Before running such a @dfn{trace experiment}, an arbitrary number of
9856 tracepoints can be set. A tracepoint is actually a special type of
9857 breakpoint (@pxref{Set Breaks}), so you can manipulate it using
9858 standard breakpoint commands. For instance, as with breakpoints,
9859 tracepoint numbers are successive integers starting from one, and many
9860 of the commands associated with tracepoints take the tracepoint number
9861 as their argument, to identify which tracepoint to work on.
9862
9863 For each tracepoint, you can specify, in advance, some arbitrary set
9864 of data that you want the target to collect in the trace buffer when
9865 it hits that tracepoint. The collected data can include registers,
9866 local variables, or global data. Later, you can use @value{GDBN}
9867 commands to examine the values these data had at the time the
9868 tracepoint was hit.
9869
9870 Tracepoints do not support every breakpoint feature. Ignore counts on
9871 tracepoints have no effect, and tracepoints cannot run @value{GDBN}
9872 commands when they are hit. Tracepoints may not be thread-specific
9873 either.
9874
9875 @cindex fast tracepoints
9876 Some targets may support @dfn{fast tracepoints}, which are inserted in
9877 a different way (such as with a jump instead of a trap), that is
9878 faster but possibly restricted in where they may be installed.
9879
9880 @cindex static tracepoints
9881 @cindex markers, static tracepoints
9882 @cindex probing markers, static tracepoints
9883 Regular and fast tracepoints are dynamic tracing facilities, meaning
9884 that they can be used to insert tracepoints at (almost) any location
9885 in the target. Some targets may also support controlling @dfn{static
9886 tracepoints} from @value{GDBN}. With static tracing, a set of
9887 instrumentation points, also known as @dfn{markers}, are embedded in
9888 the target program, and can be activated or deactivated by name or
9889 address. These are usually placed at locations which facilitate
9890 investigating what the target is actually doing. @value{GDBN}'s
9891 support for static tracing includes being able to list instrumentation
9892 points, and attach them with @value{GDBN} defined high level
9893 tracepoints that expose the whole range of convenience of
9894 @value{GDBN}'s tracepoints support. Namely, support for collecting
9895 registers values and values of global or local (to the instrumentation
9896 point) variables; tracepoint conditions and trace state variables.
9897 The act of installing a @value{GDBN} static tracepoint on an
9898 instrumentation point, or marker, is referred to as @dfn{probing} a
9899 static tracepoint marker.
9900
9901 @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints on some target systems.
9902 @xref{Server,,Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}}.
9903
9904 This section describes commands to set tracepoints and associated
9905 conditions and actions.
9906
9907 @menu
9908 * Create and Delete Tracepoints::
9909 * Enable and Disable Tracepoints::
9910 * Tracepoint Passcounts::
9911 * Tracepoint Conditions::
9912 * Trace State Variables::
9913 * Tracepoint Actions::
9914 * Listing Tracepoints::
9915 * Listing Static Tracepoint Markers::
9916 * Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments::
9917 * Tracepoint Restrictions::
9918 @end menu
9919
9920 @node Create and Delete Tracepoints
9921 @subsection Create and Delete Tracepoints
9922
9923 @table @code
9924 @cindex set tracepoint
9925 @kindex trace
9926 @item trace @var{location}
9927 The @code{trace} command is very similar to the @code{break} command.
9928 Its argument @var{location} can be a source line, a function name, or
9929 an address in the target program. @xref{Specify Location}. The
9930 @code{trace} command defines a tracepoint, which is a point in the
9931 target program where the debugger will briefly stop, collect some
9932 data, and then allow the program to continue. Setting a tracepoint or
9933 changing its actions doesn't take effect until the next @code{tstart}
9934 command, and once a trace experiment is running, further changes will
9935 not have any effect until the next trace experiment starts.
9936
9937 Here are some examples of using the @code{trace} command:
9938
9939 @smallexample
9940 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo.c:121} // a source file and line number
9941
9942 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace +2} // 2 lines forward
9943
9944 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace my_function} // first source line of function
9945
9946 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *my_function} // EXACT start address of function
9947
9948 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace *0x2117c4} // an address
9949 @end smallexample
9950
9951 @noindent
9952 You can abbreviate @code{trace} as @code{tr}.
9953
9954 @item trace @var{location} if @var{cond}
9955 Set a tracepoint with condition @var{cond}; evaluate the expression
9956 @var{cond} each time the tracepoint is reached, and collect data only
9957 if the value is nonzero---that is, if @var{cond} evaluates as true.
9958 @xref{Tracepoint Conditions, ,Tracepoint Conditions}, for more
9959 information on tracepoint conditions.
9960
9961 @item ftrace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9962 @cindex set fast tracepoint
9963 @cindex fast tracepoints, setting
9964 @kindex ftrace
9965 The @code{ftrace} command sets a fast tracepoint. For targets that
9966 support them, fast tracepoints will use a more efficient but possibly
9967 less general technique to trigger data collection, such as a jump
9968 instruction instead of a trap, or some sort of hardware support. It
9969 may not be possible to create a fast tracepoint at the desired
9970 location, in which case the command will exit with an explanatory
9971 message.
9972
9973 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{ftrace} exactly as for
9974 @code{trace}.
9975
9976 @item strace @var{location} [ if @var{cond} ]
9977 @cindex set static tracepoint
9978 @cindex static tracepoints, setting
9979 @cindex probe static tracepoint marker
9980 @kindex strace
9981 The @code{strace} command sets a static tracepoint. For targets that
9982 support it, setting a static tracepoint probes a static
9983 instrumentation point, or marker, found at @var{location}. It may not
9984 be possible to set a static tracepoint at the desired location, in
9985 which case the command will exit with an explanatory message.
9986
9987 @value{GDBN} handles arguments to @code{strace} exactly as for
9988 @code{trace}, with the addition that the user can also specify
9989 @code{-m @var{marker}} as @var{location}. This probes the marker
9990 identified by the @var{marker} string identifier. This identifier
9991 depends on the static tracepoint backend library your program is
9992 using. You can find all the marker identifiers in the @samp{ID} field
9993 of the @code{info static-tracepoint-markers} command output.
9994 @xref{Listing Static Tracepoint Markers,,Listing Static Tracepoint
9995 Markers}. For example, in the following small program using the UST
9996 tracing engine:
9997
9998 @smallexample
9999 main ()
10000 @{
10001 trace_mark(ust, bar33, "str %s", "FOOBAZ");
10002 @}
10003 @end smallexample
10004
10005 @noindent
10006 the marker id is composed of joining the first two arguments to the
10007 @code{trace_mark} call with a slash, which translates to:
10008
10009 @smallexample
10010 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10011 Cnt Enb ID Address What
10012 1 n ust/bar33 0x0000000000400ddc in main at stexample.c:22
10013 Data: "str %s"
10014 [etc...]
10015 @end smallexample
10016
10017 @noindent
10018 so you may probe the marker above with:
10019
10020 @smallexample
10021 (@value{GDBP}) strace -m ust/bar33
10022 @end smallexample
10023
10024 Static tracepoints accept an extra collect action --- @code{collect
10025 $_sdata}. This collects arbitrary user data passed in the probe point
10026 call to the tracing library. In the UST example above, you'll see
10027 that the third argument to @code{trace_mark} is a printf-like format
10028 string. The user data is then the result of running that formating
10029 string against the following arguments. Note that @code{info
10030 static-tracepoint-markers} command output lists that format string in
10031 the @samp{Data:} field.
10032
10033 You can inspect this data when analyzing the trace buffer, by printing
10034 the $_sdata variable like any other variable available to
10035 @value{GDBN}. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action Lists}.
10036
10037 @vindex $tpnum
10038 @cindex last tracepoint number
10039 @cindex recent tracepoint number
10040 @cindex tracepoint number
10041 The convenience variable @code{$tpnum} records the tracepoint number
10042 of the most recently set tracepoint.
10043
10044 @kindex delete tracepoint
10045 @cindex tracepoint deletion
10046 @item delete tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10047 Permanently delete one or more tracepoints. With no argument, the
10048 default is to delete all tracepoints. Note that the regular
10049 @code{delete} command can remove tracepoints also.
10050
10051 Examples:
10052
10053 @smallexample
10054 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace 1 2 3} // remove three tracepoints
10055
10056 (@value{GDBP}) @b{delete trace} // remove all tracepoints
10057 @end smallexample
10058
10059 @noindent
10060 You can abbreviate this command as @code{del tr}.
10061 @end table
10062
10063 @node Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10064 @subsection Enable and Disable Tracepoints
10065
10066 These commands are deprecated; they are equivalent to plain @code{disable} and @code{enable}.
10067
10068 @table @code
10069 @kindex disable tracepoint
10070 @item disable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10071 Disable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints if no argument
10072 @var{num} is given. A disabled tracepoint will have no effect during
10073 a trace experiment, but it is not forgotten. You can re-enable
10074 a disabled tracepoint using the @code{enable tracepoint} command.
10075 If the command is issued during a trace experiment and the debug target
10076 has support for disabling tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the
10077 change will be effective immediately. Otherwise, it will be applied to the
10078 next trace experiment.
10079
10080 @kindex enable tracepoint
10081 @item enable tracepoint @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10082 Enable tracepoint @var{num}, or all tracepoints. If this command is
10083 issued during a trace experiment and the debug target supports enabling
10084 tracepoints during a trace experiment, then the enabled tracepoints will
10085 become effective immediately. Otherwise, they will become effective the
10086 next time a trace experiment is run.
10087 @end table
10088
10089 @node Tracepoint Passcounts
10090 @subsection Tracepoint Passcounts
10091
10092 @table @code
10093 @kindex passcount
10094 @cindex tracepoint pass count
10095 @item passcount @r{[}@var{n} @r{[}@var{num}@r{]]}
10096 Set the @dfn{passcount} of a tracepoint. The passcount is a way to
10097 automatically stop a trace experiment. If a tracepoint's passcount is
10098 @var{n}, then the trace experiment will be automatically stopped on
10099 the @var{n}'th time that tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number
10100 @var{num} is not specified, the @code{passcount} command sets the
10101 passcount of the most recently defined tracepoint. If no passcount is
10102 given, the trace experiment will run until stopped explicitly by the
10103 user.
10104
10105 Examples:
10106
10107 @smallexample
10108 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 5 2} // Stop on the 5th execution of
10109 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// tracepoint 2}
10110
10111 (@value{GDBP}) @b{passcount 12} // Stop on the 12th execution of the
10112 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// most recently defined tracepoint.}
10113 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10114 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 3}
10115 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace bar}
10116 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 2}
10117 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace baz}
10118 (@value{GDBP}) @b{pass 1} // Stop tracing when foo has been
10119 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// executed 3 times OR when bar has}
10120 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// been executed 2 times}
10121 @exdent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @code{// OR when baz has been executed 1 time.}
10122 @end smallexample
10123 @end table
10124
10125 @node Tracepoint Conditions
10126 @subsection Tracepoint Conditions
10127 @cindex conditional tracepoints
10128 @cindex tracepoint conditions
10129
10130 The simplest sort of tracepoint collects data every time your program
10131 reaches a specified place. You can also specify a @dfn{condition} for
10132 a tracepoint. A condition is just a Boolean expression in your
10133 programming language (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). A
10134 tracepoint with a condition evaluates the expression each time your
10135 program reaches it, and data collection happens only if the condition
10136 is true.
10137
10138 Tracepoint conditions can be specified when a tracepoint is set, by
10139 using @samp{if} in the arguments to the @code{trace} command.
10140 @xref{Create and Delete Tracepoints, ,Setting Tracepoints}. They can
10141 also be set or changed at any time with the @code{condition} command,
10142 just as with breakpoints.
10143
10144 Unlike breakpoint conditions, @value{GDBN} does not actually evaluate
10145 the conditional expression itself. Instead, @value{GDBN} encodes the
10146 expression into an agent expression (@pxref{Agent Expressions})
10147 suitable for execution on the target, independently of @value{GDBN}.
10148 Global variables become raw memory locations, locals become stack
10149 accesses, and so forth.
10150
10151 For instance, suppose you have a function that is usually called
10152 frequently, but should not be called after an error has occurred. You
10153 could use the following tracepoint command to collect data about calls
10154 of that function that happen while the error code is propagating
10155 through the program; an unconditional tracepoint could end up
10156 collecting thousands of useless trace frames that you would have to
10157 search through.
10158
10159 @smallexample
10160 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{trace normal_operation if errcode > 0}
10161 @end smallexample
10162
10163 @node Trace State Variables
10164 @subsection Trace State Variables
10165 @cindex trace state variables
10166
10167 A @dfn{trace state variable} is a special type of variable that is
10168 created and managed by target-side code. The syntax is the same as
10169 that for GDB's convenience variables (a string prefixed with ``$''),
10170 but they are stored on the target. They must be created explicitly,
10171 using a @code{tvariable} command. They are always 64-bit signed
10172 integers.
10173
10174 Trace state variables are remembered by @value{GDBN}, and downloaded
10175 to the target along with tracepoint information when the trace
10176 experiment starts. There are no intrinsic limits on the number of
10177 trace state variables, beyond memory limitations of the target.
10178
10179 @cindex convenience variables, and trace state variables
10180 Although trace state variables are managed by the target, you can use
10181 them in print commands and expressions as if they were convenience
10182 variables; @value{GDBN} will get the current value from the target
10183 while the trace experiment is running. Trace state variables share
10184 the same namespace as other ``$'' variables, which means that you
10185 cannot have trace state variables with names like @code{$23} or
10186 @code{$pc}, nor can you have a trace state variable and a convenience
10187 variable with the same name.
10188
10189 @table @code
10190
10191 @item tvariable $@var{name} [ = @var{expression} ]
10192 @kindex tvariable
10193 The @code{tvariable} command creates a new trace state variable named
10194 @code{$@var{name}}, and optionally gives it an initial value of
10195 @var{expression}. @var{expression} is evaluated when this command is
10196 entered; the result will be converted to an integer if possible,
10197 otherwise @value{GDBN} will report an error. A subsequent
10198 @code{tvariable} command specifying the same name does not create a
10199 variable, but instead assigns the supplied initial value to the
10200 existing variable of that name, overwriting any previous initial
10201 value. The default initial value is 0.
10202
10203 @item info tvariables
10204 @kindex info tvariables
10205 List all the trace state variables along with their initial values.
10206 Their current values may also be displayed, if the trace experiment is
10207 currently running.
10208
10209 @item delete tvariable @r{[} $@var{name} @dots{} @r{]}
10210 @kindex delete tvariable
10211 Delete the given trace state variables, or all of them if no arguments
10212 are specified.
10213
10214 @end table
10215
10216 @node Tracepoint Actions
10217 @subsection Tracepoint Action Lists
10218
10219 @table @code
10220 @kindex actions
10221 @cindex tracepoint actions
10222 @item actions @r{[}@var{num}@r{]}
10223 This command will prompt for a list of actions to be taken when the
10224 tracepoint is hit. If the tracepoint number @var{num} is not
10225 specified, this command sets the actions for the one that was most
10226 recently defined (so that you can define a tracepoint and then say
10227 @code{actions} without bothering about its number). You specify the
10228 actions themselves on the following lines, one action at a time, and
10229 terminate the actions list with a line containing just @code{end}. So
10230 far, the only defined actions are @code{collect}, @code{teval}, and
10231 @code{while-stepping}.
10232
10233 @code{actions} is actually equivalent to @code{commands} (@pxref{Break
10234 Commands, ,Breakpoint Command Lists}), except that only the defined
10235 actions are allowed; any other @value{GDBN} command is rejected.
10236
10237 @cindex remove actions from a tracepoint
10238 To remove all actions from a tracepoint, type @samp{actions @var{num}}
10239 and follow it immediately with @samp{end}.
10240
10241 @smallexample
10242 (@value{GDBP}) @b{collect @var{data}} // collect some data
10243
10244 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while-stepping 5} // single-step 5 times, collect data
10245
10246 (@value{GDBP}) @b{end} // signals the end of actions.
10247 @end smallexample
10248
10249 In the following example, the action list begins with @code{collect}
10250 commands indicating the things to be collected when the tracepoint is
10251 hit. Then, in order to single-step and collect additional data
10252 following the tracepoint, a @code{while-stepping} command is used,
10253 followed by the list of things to be collected after each step in a
10254 sequence of single steps. The @code{while-stepping} command is
10255 terminated by its own separate @code{end} command. Lastly, the action
10256 list is terminated by an @code{end} command.
10257
10258 @smallexample
10259 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace foo}
10260 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10261 Enter actions for tracepoint 1, one per line:
10262 > collect bar,baz
10263 > collect $regs
10264 > while-stepping 12
10265 > collect $pc, arr[i]
10266 > end
10267 end
10268 @end smallexample
10269
10270 @kindex collect @r{(tracepoints)}
10271 @item collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10272 Collect values of the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit.
10273 This command accepts a comma-separated list of any valid expressions.
10274 In addition to global, static, or local variables, the following
10275 special arguments are supported:
10276
10277 @table @code
10278 @item $regs
10279 Collect all registers.
10280
10281 @item $args
10282 Collect all function arguments.
10283
10284 @item $locals
10285 Collect all local variables.
10286
10287 @item $_sdata
10288 @vindex $_sdata@r{, collect}
10289 Collect static tracepoint marker specific data. Only available for
10290 static tracepoints. @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint Action
10291 Lists}. On the UST static tracepoints library backend, an
10292 instrumentation point resembles a @code{printf} function call. The
10293 tracing library is able to collect user specified data formatted to a
10294 character string using the format provided by the programmer that
10295 instrumented the program. Other backends have similar mechanisms.
10296 Here's an example of a UST marker call:
10297
10298 @smallexample
10299 const char master_name[] = "$your_name";
10300 trace_mark(channel1, marker1, "hello %s", master_name)
10301 @end smallexample
10302
10303 In this case, collecting @code{$_sdata} collects the string
10304 @samp{hello $yourname}. When analyzing the trace buffer, you can
10305 inspect @samp{$_sdata} like any other variable available to
10306 @value{GDBN}.
10307 @end table
10308
10309 You can give several consecutive @code{collect} commands, each one
10310 with a single argument, or one @code{collect} command with several
10311 arguments separated by commas; the effect is the same.
10312
10313 The command @code{info scope} (@pxref{Symbols, info scope}) is
10314 particularly useful for figuring out what data to collect.
10315
10316 @kindex teval @r{(tracepoints)}
10317 @item teval @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10318 Evaluate the given expressions when the tracepoint is hit. This
10319 command accepts a comma-separated list of expressions. The results
10320 are discarded, so this is mainly useful for assigning values to trace
10321 state variables (@pxref{Trace State Variables}) without adding those
10322 values to the trace buffer, as would be the case if the @code{collect}
10323 action were used.
10324
10325 @kindex while-stepping @r{(tracepoints)}
10326 @item while-stepping @var{n}
10327 Perform @var{n} single-step instruction traces after the tracepoint,
10328 collecting new data after each step. The @code{while-stepping}
10329 command is followed by the list of what to collect while stepping
10330 (followed by its own @code{end} command):
10331
10332 @smallexample
10333 > while-stepping 12
10334 > collect $regs, myglobal
10335 > end
10336 >
10337 @end smallexample
10338
10339 @noindent
10340 Note that @code{$pc} is not automatically collected by
10341 @code{while-stepping}; you need to explicitly collect that register if
10342 you need it. You may abbreviate @code{while-stepping} as @code{ws} or
10343 @code{stepping}.
10344
10345 @item set default-collect @var{expr1}, @var{expr2}, @dots{}
10346 @kindex set default-collect
10347 @cindex default collection action
10348 This variable is a list of expressions to collect at each tracepoint
10349 hit. It is effectively an additional @code{collect} action prepended
10350 to every tracepoint action list. The expressions are parsed
10351 individually for each tracepoint, so for instance a variable named
10352 @code{xyz} may be interpreted as a global for one tracepoint, and a
10353 local for another, as appropriate to the tracepoint's location.
10354
10355 @item show default-collect
10356 @kindex show default-collect
10357 Show the list of expressions that are collected by default at each
10358 tracepoint hit.
10359
10360 @end table
10361
10362 @node Listing Tracepoints
10363 @subsection Listing Tracepoints
10364
10365 @table @code
10366 @kindex info tracepoints @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10367 @kindex info tp @r{[}@var{n}@dots{}@r{]}
10368 @cindex information about tracepoints
10369 @item info tracepoints @r{[}@var{num}@dots{}@r{]}
10370 Display information about the tracepoint @var{num}. If you don't
10371 specify a tracepoint number, displays information about all the
10372 tracepoints defined so far. The format is similar to that used for
10373 @code{info breakpoints}; in fact, @code{info tracepoints} is the same
10374 command, simply restricting itself to tracepoints.
10375
10376 A tracepoint's listing may include additional information specific to
10377 tracing:
10378
10379 @itemize @bullet
10380 @item
10381 its passcount as given by the @code{passcount @var{n}} command
10382 @end itemize
10383
10384 @smallexample
10385 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info trace}
10386 Num Type Disp Enb Address What
10387 1 tracepoint keep y 0x0804ab57 in foo() at main.cxx:7
10388 while-stepping 20
10389 collect globfoo, $regs
10390 end
10391 collect globfoo2
10392 end
10393 pass count 1200
10394 (@value{GDBP})
10395 @end smallexample
10396
10397 @noindent
10398 This command can be abbreviated @code{info tp}.
10399 @end table
10400
10401 @node Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10402 @subsection Listing Static Tracepoint Markers
10403
10404 @table @code
10405 @kindex info static-tracepoint-markers
10406 @cindex information about static tracepoint markers
10407 @item info static-tracepoint-markers
10408 Display information about all static tracepoint markers defined in the
10409 program.
10410
10411 For each marker, the following columns are printed:
10412
10413 @table @emph
10414 @item Count
10415 An incrementing counter, output to help readability. This is not a
10416 stable identifier.
10417 @item ID
10418 The marker ID, as reported by the target.
10419 @item Enabled or Disabled
10420 Probed markers are tagged with @samp{y}. @samp{n} identifies marks
10421 that are not enabled.
10422 @item Address
10423 Where the marker is in your program, as a memory address.
10424 @item What
10425 Where the marker is in the source for your program, as a file and line
10426 number. If the debug information included in the program does not
10427 allow @value{GDBN} to locate the source of the marker, this column
10428 will be left blank.
10429 @end table
10430
10431 @noindent
10432 In addition, the following information may be printed for each marker:
10433
10434 @table @emph
10435 @item Data
10436 User data passed to the tracing library by the marker call. In the
10437 UST backend, this is the format string passed as argument to the
10438 marker call.
10439 @item Static tracepoints probing the marker
10440 The list of static tracepoints attached to the marker.
10441 @end table
10442
10443 @smallexample
10444 (@value{GDBP}) info static-tracepoint-markers
10445 Cnt ID Enb Address What
10446 1 ust/bar2 y 0x0000000000400e1a in main at stexample.c:25
10447 Data: number1 %d number2 %d
10448 Probed by static tracepoints: #2
10449 2 ust/bar33 n 0x0000000000400c87 in main at stexample.c:24
10450 Data: str %s
10451 (@value{GDBP})
10452 @end smallexample
10453 @end table
10454
10455 @node Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10456 @subsection Starting and Stopping Trace Experiments
10457
10458 @table @code
10459 @kindex tstart
10460 @cindex start a new trace experiment
10461 @cindex collected data discarded
10462 @item tstart
10463 This command takes no arguments. It starts the trace experiment, and
10464 begins collecting data. This has the side effect of discarding all
10465 the data collected in the trace buffer during the previous trace
10466 experiment.
10467
10468 @kindex tstop
10469 @cindex stop a running trace experiment
10470 @item tstop
10471 This command takes no arguments. It ends the trace experiment, and
10472 stops collecting data.
10473
10474 @strong{Note}: a trace experiment and data collection may stop
10475 automatically if any tracepoint's passcount is reached
10476 (@pxref{Tracepoint Passcounts}), or if the trace buffer becomes full.
10477
10478 @kindex tstatus
10479 @cindex status of trace data collection
10480 @cindex trace experiment, status of
10481 @item tstatus
10482 This command displays the status of the current trace data
10483 collection.
10484 @end table
10485
10486 Here is an example of the commands we described so far:
10487
10488 @smallexample
10489 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace gdb_c_test}
10490 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10491 Enter actions for tracepoint #1, one per line.
10492 > collect $regs,$locals,$args
10493 > while-stepping 11
10494 > collect $regs
10495 > end
10496 > end
10497 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10498 [time passes @dots{}]
10499 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstop}
10500 @end smallexample
10501
10502 @anchor{disconnected tracing}
10503 @cindex disconnected tracing
10504 You can choose to continue running the trace experiment even if
10505 @value{GDBN} disconnects from the target, voluntarily or
10506 involuntarily. For commands such as @code{detach}, the debugger will
10507 ask what you want to do with the trace. But for unexpected
10508 terminations (@value{GDBN} crash, network outage), it would be
10509 unfortunate to lose hard-won trace data, so the variable
10510 @code{disconnected-tracing} lets you decide whether the trace should
10511 continue running without @value{GDBN}.
10512
10513 @table @code
10514 @item set disconnected-tracing on
10515 @itemx set disconnected-tracing off
10516 @kindex set disconnected-tracing
10517 Choose whether a tracing run should continue to run if @value{GDBN}
10518 has disconnected from the target. Note that @code{detach} or
10519 @code{quit} will ask you directly what to do about a running trace no
10520 matter what this variable's setting, so the variable is mainly useful
10521 for handling unexpected situations, such as loss of the network.
10522
10523 @item show disconnected-tracing
10524 @kindex show disconnected-tracing
10525 Show the current choice for disconnected tracing.
10526
10527 @end table
10528
10529 When you reconnect to the target, the trace experiment may or may not
10530 still be running; it might have filled the trace buffer in the
10531 meantime, or stopped for one of the other reasons. If it is running,
10532 it will continue after reconnection.
10533
10534 Upon reconnection, the target will upload information about the
10535 tracepoints in effect. @value{GDBN} will then compare that
10536 information to the set of tracepoints currently defined, and attempt
10537 to match them up, allowing for the possibility that the numbers may
10538 have changed due to creation and deletion in the meantime. If one of
10539 the target's tracepoints does not match any in @value{GDBN}, the
10540 debugger will create a new tracepoint, so that you have a number with
10541 which to specify that tracepoint. This matching-up process is
10542 necessarily heuristic, and it may result in useless tracepoints being
10543 created; you may simply delete them if they are of no use.
10544
10545 @cindex circular trace buffer
10546 If your target agent supports a @dfn{circular trace buffer}, then you
10547 can run a trace experiment indefinitely without filling the trace
10548 buffer; when space runs out, the agent deletes already-collected trace
10549 frames, oldest first, until there is enough room to continue
10550 collecting. This is especially useful if your tracepoints are being
10551 hit too often, and your trace gets terminated prematurely because the
10552 buffer is full. To ask for a circular trace buffer, simply set
10553 @samp{circular-trace-buffer} to on. You can set this at any time,
10554 including during tracing; if the agent can do it, it will change
10555 buffer handling on the fly, otherwise it will not take effect until
10556 the next run.
10557
10558 @table @code
10559 @item set circular-trace-buffer on
10560 @itemx set circular-trace-buffer off
10561 @kindex set circular-trace-buffer
10562 Choose whether a tracing run should use a linear or circular buffer
10563 for trace data. A linear buffer will not lose any trace data, but may
10564 fill up prematurely, while a circular buffer will discard old trace
10565 data, but it will have always room for the latest tracepoint hits.
10566
10567 @item show circular-trace-buffer
10568 @kindex show circular-trace-buffer
10569 Show the current choice for the trace buffer. Note that this may not
10570 match the agent's current buffer handling, nor is it guaranteed to
10571 match the setting that might have been in effect during a past run,
10572 for instance if you are looking at frames from a trace file.
10573
10574 @end table
10575
10576 @node Tracepoint Restrictions
10577 @subsection Tracepoint Restrictions
10578
10579 @cindex tracepoint restrictions
10580 There are a number of restrictions on the use of tracepoints. As
10581 described above, tracepoint data gathering occurs on the target
10582 without interaction from @value{GDBN}. Thus the full capabilities of
10583 the debugger are not available during data gathering, and then at data
10584 examination time, you will be limited by only having what was
10585 collected. The following items describe some common problems, but it
10586 is not exhaustive, and you may run into additional difficulties not
10587 mentioned here.
10588
10589 @itemize @bullet
10590
10591 @item
10592 Tracepoint expressions are intended to gather objects (lvalues). Thus
10593 the full flexibility of GDB's expression evaluator is not available.
10594 You cannot call functions, cast objects to aggregate types, access
10595 convenience variables or modify values (except by assignment to trace
10596 state variables). Some language features may implicitly call
10597 functions (for instance Objective-C fields with accessors), and therefore
10598 cannot be collected either.
10599
10600 @item
10601 Collection of local variables, either individually or in bulk with
10602 @code{$locals} or @code{$args}, during @code{while-stepping} may
10603 behave erratically. The stepping action may enter a new scope (for
10604 instance by stepping into a function), or the location of the variable
10605 may change (for instance it is loaded into a register). The
10606 tracepoint data recorded uses the location information for the
10607 variables that is correct for the tracepoint location. When the
10608 tracepoint is created, it is not possible, in general, to determine
10609 where the steps of a @code{while-stepping} sequence will advance the
10610 program---particularly if a conditional branch is stepped.
10611
10612 @item
10613 Collection of an incompletely-initialized or partially-destroyed object
10614 may result in something that @value{GDBN} cannot display, or displays
10615 in a misleading way.
10616
10617 @item
10618 When @value{GDBN} displays a pointer to character it automatically
10619 dereferences the pointer to also display characters of the string
10620 being pointed to. However, collecting the pointer during tracing does
10621 not automatically collect the string. You need to explicitly
10622 dereference the pointer and provide size information if you want to
10623 collect not only the pointer, but the memory pointed to. For example,
10624 @code{*ptr@@50} can be used to collect the 50 element array pointed to
10625 by @code{ptr}.
10626
10627 @item
10628 It is not possible to collect a complete stack backtrace at a
10629 tracepoint. Instead, you may collect the registers and a few hundred
10630 bytes from the stack pointer with something like @code{*$esp@@300}
10631 (adjust to use the name of the actual stack pointer register on your
10632 target architecture, and the amount of stack you wish to capture).
10633 Then the @code{backtrace} command will show a partial backtrace when
10634 using a trace frame. The number of stack frames that can be examined
10635 depends on the sizes of the frames in the collected stack. Note that
10636 if you ask for a block so large that it goes past the bottom of the
10637 stack, the target agent may report an error trying to read from an
10638 invalid address.
10639
10640 @item
10641 If you do not collect registers at a tracepoint, @value{GDBN} can
10642 infer that the value of @code{$pc} must be the same as the address of
10643 the tracepoint and use that when you are looking at a trace frame
10644 for that tracepoint. However, this cannot work if the tracepoint has
10645 multiple locations (for instance if it was set in a function that was
10646 inlined), or if it has a @code{while-stepping} loop. In those cases
10647 @value{GDBN} will warn you that it can't infer @code{$pc}, and default
10648 it to zero.
10649
10650 @end itemize
10651
10652 @node Analyze Collected Data
10653 @section Using the Collected Data
10654
10655 After the tracepoint experiment ends, you use @value{GDBN} commands
10656 for examining the trace data. The basic idea is that each tracepoint
10657 collects a trace @dfn{snapshot} every time it is hit and another
10658 snapshot every time it single-steps. All these snapshots are
10659 consecutively numbered from zero and go into a buffer, and you can
10660 examine them later. The way you examine them is to @dfn{focus} on a
10661 specific trace snapshot. When the remote stub is focused on a trace
10662 snapshot, it will respond to all @value{GDBN} requests for memory and
10663 registers by reading from the buffer which belongs to that snapshot,
10664 rather than from @emph{real} memory or registers of the program being
10665 debugged. This means that @strong{all} @value{GDBN} commands
10666 (@code{print}, @code{info registers}, @code{backtrace}, etc.) will
10667 behave as if we were currently debugging the program state as it was
10668 when the tracepoint occurred. Any requests for data that are not in
10669 the buffer will fail.
10670
10671 @menu
10672 * tfind:: How to select a trace snapshot
10673 * tdump:: How to display all data for a snapshot
10674 * save tracepoints:: How to save tracepoints for a future run
10675 @end menu
10676
10677 @node tfind
10678 @subsection @code{tfind @var{n}}
10679
10680 @kindex tfind
10681 @cindex select trace snapshot
10682 @cindex find trace snapshot
10683 The basic command for selecting a trace snapshot from the buffer is
10684 @code{tfind @var{n}}, which finds trace snapshot number @var{n},
10685 counting from zero. If no argument @var{n} is given, the next
10686 snapshot is selected.
10687
10688 Here are the various forms of using the @code{tfind} command.
10689
10690 @table @code
10691 @item tfind start
10692 Find the first snapshot in the buffer. This is a synonym for
10693 @code{tfind 0} (since 0 is the number of the first snapshot).
10694
10695 @item tfind none
10696 Stop debugging trace snapshots, resume @emph{live} debugging.
10697
10698 @item tfind end
10699 Same as @samp{tfind none}.
10700
10701 @item tfind
10702 No argument means find the next trace snapshot.
10703
10704 @item tfind -
10705 Find the previous trace snapshot before the current one. This permits
10706 retracing earlier steps.
10707
10708 @item tfind tracepoint @var{num}
10709 Find the next snapshot associated with tracepoint @var{num}. Search
10710 proceeds forward from the last examined trace snapshot. If no
10711 argument @var{num} is given, it means find the next snapshot collected
10712 for the same tracepoint as the current snapshot.
10713
10714 @item tfind pc @var{addr}
10715 Find the next snapshot associated with the value @var{addr} of the
10716 program counter. Search proceeds forward from the last examined trace
10717 snapshot. If no argument @var{addr} is given, it means find the next
10718 snapshot with the same value of PC as the current snapshot.
10719
10720 @item tfind outside @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10721 Find the next snapshot whose PC is outside the given range of
10722 addresses (exclusive).
10723
10724 @item tfind range @var{addr1}, @var{addr2}
10725 Find the next snapshot whose PC is between @var{addr1} and
10726 @var{addr2} (inclusive).
10727
10728 @item tfind line @r{[}@var{file}:@r{]}@var{n}
10729 Find the next snapshot associated with the source line @var{n}. If
10730 the optional argument @var{file} is given, refer to line @var{n} in
10731 that source file. Search proceeds forward from the last examined
10732 trace snapshot. If no argument @var{n} is given, it means find the
10733 next line other than the one currently being examined; thus saying
10734 @code{tfind line} repeatedly can appear to have the same effect as
10735 stepping from line to line in a @emph{live} debugging session.
10736 @end table
10737
10738 The default arguments for the @code{tfind} commands are specifically
10739 designed to make it easy to scan through the trace buffer. For
10740 instance, @code{tfind} with no argument selects the next trace
10741 snapshot, and @code{tfind -} with no argument selects the previous
10742 trace snapshot. So, by giving one @code{tfind} command, and then
10743 simply hitting @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine all the trace
10744 snapshots in order. Or, by saying @code{tfind -} and then hitting
10745 @key{RET} repeatedly you can examine the snapshots in reverse order.
10746 The @code{tfind line} command with no argument selects the snapshot
10747 for the next source line executed. The @code{tfind pc} command with
10748 no argument selects the next snapshot with the same program counter
10749 (PC) as the current frame. The @code{tfind tracepoint} command with
10750 no argument selects the next trace snapshot collected by the same
10751 tracepoint as the current one.
10752
10753 In addition to letting you scan through the trace buffer manually,
10754 these commands make it easy to construct @value{GDBN} scripts that
10755 scan through the trace buffer and print out whatever collected data
10756 you are interested in. Thus, if we want to examine the PC, FP, and SP
10757 registers from each trace frame in the buffer, we can say this:
10758
10759 @smallexample
10760 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10761 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10762 > printf "Frame %d, PC = %08X, SP = %08X, FP = %08X\n", \
10763 $trace_frame, $pc, $sp, $fp
10764 > tfind
10765 > end
10766
10767 Frame 0, PC = 0020DC64, SP = 0030BF3C, FP = 0030BF44
10768 Frame 1, PC = 0020DC6C, SP = 0030BF38, FP = 0030BF44
10769 Frame 2, PC = 0020DC70, SP = 0030BF34, FP = 0030BF44
10770 Frame 3, PC = 0020DC74, SP = 0030BF30, FP = 0030BF44
10771 Frame 4, PC = 0020DC78, SP = 0030BF2C, FP = 0030BF44
10772 Frame 5, PC = 0020DC7C, SP = 0030BF28, FP = 0030BF44
10773 Frame 6, PC = 0020DC80, SP = 0030BF24, FP = 0030BF44
10774 Frame 7, PC = 0020DC84, SP = 0030BF20, FP = 0030BF44
10775 Frame 8, PC = 0020DC88, SP = 0030BF1C, FP = 0030BF44
10776 Frame 9, PC = 0020DC8E, SP = 0030BF18, FP = 0030BF44
10777 Frame 10, PC = 00203F6C, SP = 0030BE3C, FP = 0030BF14
10778 @end smallexample
10779
10780 Or, if we want to examine the variable @code{X} at each source line in
10781 the buffer:
10782
10783 @smallexample
10784 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10785 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while ($trace_frame != -1)}
10786 > printf "Frame %d, X == %d\n", $trace_frame, X
10787 > tfind line
10788 > end
10789
10790 Frame 0, X = 1
10791 Frame 7, X = 2
10792 Frame 13, X = 255
10793 @end smallexample
10794
10795 @node tdump
10796 @subsection @code{tdump}
10797 @kindex tdump
10798 @cindex dump all data collected at tracepoint
10799 @cindex tracepoint data, display
10800
10801 This command takes no arguments. It prints all the data collected at
10802 the current trace snapshot.
10803
10804 @smallexample
10805 (@value{GDBP}) @b{trace 444}
10806 (@value{GDBP}) @b{actions}
10807 Enter actions for tracepoint #2, one per line:
10808 > collect $regs, $locals, $args, gdb_long_test
10809 > end
10810
10811 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tstart}
10812
10813 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind line 444}
10814 #0 gdb_test (p1=0x11, p2=0x22, p3=0x33, p4=0x44, p5=0x55, p6=0x66)
10815 at gdb_test.c:444
10816 444 printp( "%s: arguments = 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X 0x%X\n", )
10817
10818 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tdump}
10819 Data collected at tracepoint 2, trace frame 1:
10820 d0 0xc4aa0085 -995491707
10821 d1 0x18 24
10822 d2 0x80 128
10823 d3 0x33 51
10824 d4 0x71aea3d 119204413
10825 d5 0x22 34
10826 d6 0xe0 224
10827 d7 0x380035 3670069
10828 a0 0x19e24a 1696330
10829 a1 0x3000668 50333288
10830 a2 0x100 256
10831 a3 0x322000 3284992
10832 a4 0x3000698 50333336
10833 a5 0x1ad3cc 1758156
10834 fp 0x30bf3c 0x30bf3c
10835 sp 0x30bf34 0x30bf34
10836 ps 0x0 0
10837 pc 0x20b2c8 0x20b2c8
10838 fpcontrol 0x0 0
10839 fpstatus 0x0 0
10840 fpiaddr 0x0 0
10841 p = 0x20e5b4 "gdb-test"
10842 p1 = (void *) 0x11
10843 p2 = (void *) 0x22
10844 p3 = (void *) 0x33
10845 p4 = (void *) 0x44
10846 p5 = (void *) 0x55
10847 p6 = (void *) 0x66
10848 gdb_long_test = 17 '\021'
10849
10850 (@value{GDBP})
10851 @end smallexample
10852
10853 @code{tdump} works by scanning the tracepoint's current collection
10854 actions and printing the value of each expression listed. So
10855 @code{tdump} can fail, if after a run, you change the tracepoint's
10856 actions to mention variables that were not collected during the run.
10857
10858 Also, for tracepoints with @code{while-stepping} loops, @code{tdump}
10859 uses the collected value of @code{$pc} to distinguish between trace
10860 frames that were collected at the tracepoint hit, and frames that were
10861 collected while stepping. This allows it to correctly choose whether
10862 to display the basic list of collections, or the collections from the
10863 body of the while-stepping loop. However, if @code{$pc} was not collected,
10864 then @code{tdump} will always attempt to dump using the basic collection
10865 list, and may fail if a while-stepping frame does not include all the
10866 same data that is collected at the tracepoint hit.
10867 @c This is getting pretty arcane, example would be good.
10868
10869 @node save tracepoints
10870 @subsection @code{save tracepoints @var{filename}}
10871 @kindex save tracepoints
10872 @kindex save-tracepoints
10873 @cindex save tracepoints for future sessions
10874
10875 This command saves all current tracepoint definitions together with
10876 their actions and passcounts, into a file @file{@var{filename}}
10877 suitable for use in a later debugging session. To read the saved
10878 tracepoint definitions, use the @code{source} command (@pxref{Command
10879 Files}). The @w{@code{save-tracepoints}} command is a deprecated
10880 alias for @w{@code{save tracepoints}}
10881
10882 @node Tracepoint Variables
10883 @section Convenience Variables for Tracepoints
10884 @cindex tracepoint variables
10885 @cindex convenience variables for tracepoints
10886
10887 @table @code
10888 @vindex $trace_frame
10889 @item (int) $trace_frame
10890 The current trace snapshot (a.k.a.@: @dfn{frame}) number, or -1 if no
10891 snapshot is selected.
10892
10893 @vindex $tracepoint
10894 @item (int) $tracepoint
10895 The tracepoint for the current trace snapshot.
10896
10897 @vindex $trace_line
10898 @item (int) $trace_line
10899 The line number for the current trace snapshot.
10900
10901 @vindex $trace_file
10902 @item (char []) $trace_file
10903 The source file for the current trace snapshot.
10904
10905 @vindex $trace_func
10906 @item (char []) $trace_func
10907 The name of the function containing @code{$tracepoint}.
10908 @end table
10909
10910 Note: @code{$trace_file} is not suitable for use in @code{printf},
10911 use @code{output} instead.
10912
10913 Here's a simple example of using these convenience variables for
10914 stepping through all the trace snapshots and printing some of their
10915 data. Note that these are not the same as trace state variables,
10916 which are managed by the target.
10917
10918 @smallexample
10919 (@value{GDBP}) @b{tfind start}
10920
10921 (@value{GDBP}) @b{while $trace_frame != -1}
10922 > output $trace_file
10923 > printf ", line %d (tracepoint #%d)\n", $trace_line, $tracepoint
10924 > tfind
10925 > end
10926 @end smallexample
10927
10928 @node Trace Files
10929 @section Using Trace Files
10930 @cindex trace files
10931
10932 In some situations, the target running a trace experiment may no
10933 longer be available; perhaps it crashed, or the hardware was needed
10934 for a different activity. To handle these cases, you can arrange to
10935 dump the trace data into a file, and later use that file as a source
10936 of trace data, via the @code{target tfile} command.
10937
10938 @table @code
10939
10940 @kindex tsave
10941 @item tsave [ -r ] @var{filename}
10942 Save the trace data to @var{filename}. By default, this command
10943 assumes that @var{filename} refers to the host filesystem, so if
10944 necessary @value{GDBN} will copy raw trace data up from the target and
10945 then save it. If the target supports it, you can also supply the
10946 optional argument @code{-r} (``remote'') to direct the target to save
10947 the data directly into @var{filename} in its own filesystem, which may be
10948 more efficient if the trace buffer is very large. (Note, however, that
10949 @code{target tfile} can only read from files accessible to the host.)
10950
10951 @kindex target tfile
10952 @kindex tfile
10953 @item target tfile @var{filename}
10954 Use the file named @var{filename} as a source of trace data. Commands
10955 that examine data work as they do with a live target, but it is not
10956 possible to run any new trace experiments. @code{tstatus} will report
10957 the state of the trace run at the moment the data was saved, as well
10958 as the current trace frame you are examining. @var{filename} must be
10959 on a filesystem accessible to the host.
10960
10961 @end table
10962
10963 @node Overlays
10964 @chapter Debugging Programs That Use Overlays
10965 @cindex overlays
10966
10967 If your program is too large to fit completely in your target system's
10968 memory, you can sometimes use @dfn{overlays} to work around this
10969 problem. @value{GDBN} provides some support for debugging programs that
10970 use overlays.
10971
10972 @menu
10973 * How Overlays Work:: A general explanation of overlays.
10974 * Overlay Commands:: Managing overlays in @value{GDBN}.
10975 * Automatic Overlay Debugging:: @value{GDBN} can find out which overlays are
10976 mapped by asking the inferior.
10977 * Overlay Sample Program:: A sample program using overlays.
10978 @end menu
10979
10980 @node How Overlays Work
10981 @section How Overlays Work
10982 @cindex mapped overlays
10983 @cindex unmapped overlays
10984 @cindex load address, overlay's
10985 @cindex mapped address
10986 @cindex overlay area
10987
10988 Suppose you have a computer whose instruction address space is only 64
10989 kilobytes long, but which has much more memory which can be accessed by
10990 other means: special instructions, segment registers, or memory
10991 management hardware, for example. Suppose further that you want to
10992 adapt a program which is larger than 64 kilobytes to run on this system.
10993
10994 One solution is to identify modules of your program which are relatively
10995 independent, and need not call each other directly; call these modules
10996 @dfn{overlays}. Separate the overlays from the main program, and place
10997 their machine code in the larger memory. Place your main program in
10998 instruction memory, but leave at least enough space there to hold the
10999 largest overlay as well.
11000
11001 Now, to call a function located in an overlay, you must first copy that
11002 overlay's machine code from the large memory into the space set aside
11003 for it in the instruction memory, and then jump to its entry point
11004 there.
11005
11006 @c NB: In the below the mapped area's size is greater or equal to the
11007 @c size of all overlays. This is intentional to remind the developer
11008 @c that overlays don't necessarily need to be the same size.
11009
11010 @smallexample
11011 @group
11012 Data Instruction Larger
11013 Address Space Address Space Address Space
11014 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+
11015 | | | | | |
11016 +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+<-- overlay 1
11017 | program | | main | .----| overlay 1 | load address
11018 | variables | | program | | +-----------+
11019 | and heap | | | | | |
11020 +-----------+ | | | +-----------+<-- overlay 2
11021 | | +-----------+ | | | load address
11022 +-----------+ | | | .-| overlay 2 |
11023 | | | | | |
11024 mapped --->+-----------+ | | +-----------+
11025 address | | | | | |
11026 | overlay | <-' | | |
11027 | area | <---' +-----------+<-- overlay 3
11028 | | <---. | | load address
11029 +-----------+ `--| overlay 3 |
11030 | | | |
11031 +-----------+ | |
11032 +-----------+
11033 | |
11034 +-----------+
11035
11036 @anchor{A code overlay}A code overlay
11037 @end group
11038 @end smallexample
11039
11040 The diagram (@pxref{A code overlay}) shows a system with separate data
11041 and instruction address spaces. To map an overlay, the program copies
11042 its code from the larger address space to the instruction address space.
11043 Since the overlays shown here all use the same mapped address, only one
11044 may be mapped at a time. For a system with a single address space for
11045 data and instructions, the diagram would be similar, except that the
11046 program variables and heap would share an address space with the main
11047 program and the overlay area.
11048
11049 An overlay loaded into instruction memory and ready for use is called a
11050 @dfn{mapped} overlay; its @dfn{mapped address} is its address in the
11051 instruction memory. An overlay not present (or only partially present)
11052 in instruction memory is called @dfn{unmapped}; its @dfn{load address}
11053 is its address in the larger memory. The mapped address is also called
11054 the @dfn{virtual memory address}, or @dfn{VMA}; the load address is also
11055 called the @dfn{load memory address}, or @dfn{LMA}.
11056
11057 Unfortunately, overlays are not a completely transparent way to adapt a
11058 program to limited instruction memory. They introduce a new set of
11059 global constraints you must keep in mind as you design your program:
11060
11061 @itemize @bullet
11062
11063 @item
11064 Before calling or returning to a function in an overlay, your program
11065 must make sure that overlay is actually mapped. Otherwise, the call or
11066 return will transfer control to the right address, but in the wrong
11067 overlay, and your program will probably crash.
11068
11069 @item
11070 If the process of mapping an overlay is expensive on your system, you
11071 will need to choose your overlays carefully to minimize their effect on
11072 your program's performance.
11073
11074 @item
11075 The executable file you load onto your system must contain each
11076 overlay's instructions, appearing at the overlay's load address, not its
11077 mapped address. However, each overlay's instructions must be relocated
11078 and its symbols defined as if the overlay were at its mapped address.
11079 You can use GNU linker scripts to specify different load and relocation
11080 addresses for pieces of your program; see @ref{Overlay Description,,,
11081 ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}.
11082
11083 @item
11084 The procedure for loading executable files onto your system must be able
11085 to load their contents into the larger address space as well as the
11086 instruction and data spaces.
11087
11088 @end itemize
11089
11090 The overlay system described above is rather simple, and could be
11091 improved in many ways:
11092
11093 @itemize @bullet
11094
11095 @item
11096 If your system has suitable bank switch registers or memory management
11097 hardware, you could use those facilities to make an overlay's load area
11098 contents simply appear at their mapped address in instruction space.
11099 This would probably be faster than copying the overlay to its mapped
11100 area in the usual way.
11101
11102 @item
11103 If your overlays are small enough, you could set aside more than one
11104 overlay area, and have more than one overlay mapped at a time.
11105
11106 @item
11107 You can use overlays to manage data, as well as instructions. In
11108 general, data overlays are even less transparent to your design than
11109 code overlays: whereas code overlays only require care when you call or
11110 return to functions, data overlays require care every time you access
11111 the data. Also, if you change the contents of a data overlay, you
11112 must copy its contents back out to its load address before you can copy a
11113 different data overlay into the same mapped area.
11114
11115 @end itemize
11116
11117
11118 @node Overlay Commands
11119 @section Overlay Commands
11120
11121 To use @value{GDBN}'s overlay support, each overlay in your program must
11122 correspond to a separate section of the executable file. The section's
11123 virtual memory address and load memory address must be the overlay's
11124 mapped and load addresses. Identifying overlays with sections allows
11125 @value{GDBN} to determine the appropriate address of a function or
11126 variable, depending on whether the overlay is mapped or not.
11127
11128 @value{GDBN}'s overlay commands all start with the word @code{overlay};
11129 you can abbreviate this as @code{ov} or @code{ovly}. The commands are:
11130
11131 @table @code
11132 @item overlay off
11133 @kindex overlay
11134 Disable @value{GDBN}'s overlay support. When overlay support is
11135 disabled, @value{GDBN} assumes that all functions and variables are
11136 always present at their mapped addresses. By default, @value{GDBN}'s
11137 overlay support is disabled.
11138
11139 @item overlay manual
11140 @cindex manual overlay debugging
11141 Enable @dfn{manual} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11142 relies on you to tell it which overlays are mapped, and which are not,
11143 using the @code{overlay map-overlay} and @code{overlay unmap-overlay}
11144 commands described below.
11145
11146 @item overlay map-overlay @var{overlay}
11147 @itemx overlay map @var{overlay}
11148 @cindex map an overlay
11149 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is now mapped; @var{overlay} must
11150 be the name of the object file section containing the overlay. When an
11151 overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the overlay's
11152 functions and variables at their mapped addresses. @value{GDBN} assumes
11153 that any other overlays whose mapped ranges overlap that of
11154 @var{overlay} are now unmapped.
11155
11156 @item overlay unmap-overlay @var{overlay}
11157 @itemx overlay unmap @var{overlay}
11158 @cindex unmap an overlay
11159 Tell @value{GDBN} that @var{overlay} is no longer mapped; @var{overlay}
11160 must be the name of the object file section containing the overlay.
11161 When an overlay is unmapped, @value{GDBN} assumes it can find the
11162 overlay's functions and variables at their load addresses.
11163
11164 @item overlay auto
11165 Enable @dfn{automatic} overlay debugging. In this mode, @value{GDBN}
11166 consults a data structure the overlay manager maintains in the inferior
11167 to see which overlays are mapped. For details, see @ref{Automatic
11168 Overlay Debugging}.
11169
11170 @item overlay load-target
11171 @itemx overlay load
11172 @cindex reloading the overlay table
11173 Re-read the overlay table from the inferior. Normally, @value{GDBN}
11174 re-reads the table @value{GDBN} automatically each time the inferior
11175 stops, so this command should only be necessary if you have changed the
11176 overlay mapping yourself using @value{GDBN}. This command is only
11177 useful when using automatic overlay debugging.
11178
11179 @item overlay list-overlays
11180 @itemx overlay list
11181 @cindex listing mapped overlays
11182 Display a list of the overlays currently mapped, along with their mapped
11183 addresses, load addresses, and sizes.
11184
11185 @end table
11186
11187 Normally, when @value{GDBN} prints a code address, it includes the name
11188 of the function the address falls in:
11189
11190 @smallexample
11191 (@value{GDBP}) print main
11192 $3 = @{int ()@} 0x11a0 <main>
11193 @end smallexample
11194 @noindent
11195 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} recognizes code in
11196 unmapped overlays, and prints the names of unmapped functions with
11197 asterisks around them. For example, if @code{foo} is a function in an
11198 unmapped overlay, @value{GDBN} prints it this way:
11199
11200 @smallexample
11201 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11202 No sections are mapped.
11203 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11204 $5 = @{int (int)@} 0x100000 <*foo*>
11205 @end smallexample
11206 @noindent
11207 When @code{foo}'s overlay is mapped, @value{GDBN} prints the function's
11208 name normally:
11209
11210 @smallexample
11211 (@value{GDBP}) overlay list
11212 Section .ov.foo.text, loaded at 0x100000 - 0x100034,
11213 mapped at 0x1016 - 0x104a
11214 (@value{GDBP}) print foo
11215 $6 = @{int (int)@} 0x1016 <foo>
11216 @end smallexample
11217
11218 When overlay debugging is enabled, @value{GDBN} can find the correct
11219 address for functions and variables in an overlay, whether or not the
11220 overlay is mapped. This allows most @value{GDBN} commands, like
11221 @code{break} and @code{disassemble}, to work normally, even on unmapped
11222 code. However, @value{GDBN}'s breakpoint support has some limitations:
11223
11224 @itemize @bullet
11225 @item
11226 @cindex breakpoints in overlays
11227 @cindex overlays, setting breakpoints in
11228 You can set breakpoints in functions in unmapped overlays, as long as
11229 @value{GDBN} can write to the overlay at its load address.
11230 @item
11231 @value{GDBN} can not set hardware or simulator-based breakpoints in
11232 unmapped overlays. However, if you set a breakpoint at the end of your
11233 overlay manager (and tell @value{GDBN} which overlays are now mapped, if
11234 you are using manual overlay management), @value{GDBN} will re-set its
11235 breakpoints properly.
11236 @end itemize
11237
11238
11239 @node Automatic Overlay Debugging
11240 @section Automatic Overlay Debugging
11241 @cindex automatic overlay debugging
11242
11243 @value{GDBN} can automatically track which overlays are mapped and which
11244 are not, given some simple co-operation from the overlay manager in the
11245 inferior. If you enable automatic overlay debugging with the
11246 @code{overlay auto} command (@pxref{Overlay Commands}), @value{GDBN}
11247 looks in the inferior's memory for certain variables describing the
11248 current state of the overlays.
11249
11250 Here are the variables your overlay manager must define to support
11251 @value{GDBN}'s automatic overlay debugging:
11252
11253 @table @asis
11254
11255 @item @code{_ovly_table}:
11256 This variable must be an array of the following structures:
11257
11258 @smallexample
11259 struct
11260 @{
11261 /* The overlay's mapped address. */
11262 unsigned long vma;
11263
11264 /* The size of the overlay, in bytes. */
11265 unsigned long size;
11266
11267 /* The overlay's load address. */
11268 unsigned long lma;
11269
11270 /* Non-zero if the overlay is currently mapped;
11271 zero otherwise. */
11272 unsigned long mapped;
11273 @}
11274 @end smallexample
11275
11276 @item @code{_novlys}:
11277 This variable must be a four-byte signed integer, holding the total
11278 number of elements in @code{_ovly_table}.
11279
11280 @end table
11281
11282 To decide whether a particular overlay is mapped or not, @value{GDBN}
11283 looks for an entry in @w{@code{_ovly_table}} whose @code{vma} and
11284 @code{lma} members equal the VMA and LMA of the overlay's section in the
11285 executable file. When @value{GDBN} finds a matching entry, it consults
11286 the entry's @code{mapped} member to determine whether the overlay is
11287 currently mapped.
11288
11289 In addition, your overlay manager may define a function called
11290 @code{_ovly_debug_event}. If this function is defined, @value{GDBN}
11291 will silently set a breakpoint there. If the overlay manager then
11292 calls this function whenever it has changed the overlay table, this
11293 will enable @value{GDBN} to accurately keep track of which overlays
11294 are in program memory, and update any breakpoints that may be set
11295 in overlays. This will allow breakpoints to work even if the
11296 overlays are kept in ROM or other non-writable memory while they
11297 are not being executed.
11298
11299 @node Overlay Sample Program
11300 @section Overlay Sample Program
11301 @cindex overlay example program
11302
11303 When linking a program which uses overlays, you must place the overlays
11304 at their load addresses, while relocating them to run at their mapped
11305 addresses. To do this, you must write a linker script (@pxref{Overlay
11306 Description,,, ld.info, Using ld: the GNU linker}). Unfortunately,
11307 since linker scripts are specific to a particular host system, target
11308 architecture, and target memory layout, this manual cannot provide
11309 portable sample code demonstrating @value{GDBN}'s overlay support.
11310
11311 However, the @value{GDBN} source distribution does contain an overlaid
11312 program, with linker scripts for a few systems, as part of its test
11313 suite. The program consists of the following files from
11314 @file{gdb/testsuite/gdb.base}:
11315
11316 @table @file
11317 @item overlays.c
11318 The main program file.
11319 @item ovlymgr.c
11320 A simple overlay manager, used by @file{overlays.c}.
11321 @item foo.c
11322 @itemx bar.c
11323 @itemx baz.c
11324 @itemx grbx.c
11325 Overlay modules, loaded and used by @file{overlays.c}.
11326 @item d10v.ld
11327 @itemx m32r.ld
11328 Linker scripts for linking the test program on the @code{d10v-elf}
11329 and @code{m32r-elf} targets.
11330 @end table
11331
11332 You can build the test program using the @code{d10v-elf} GCC
11333 cross-compiler like this:
11334
11335 @smallexample
11336 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c overlays.c
11337 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c ovlymgr.c
11338 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c foo.c
11339 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c bar.c
11340 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c baz.c
11341 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g -c grbx.c
11342 $ d10v-elf-gcc -g overlays.o ovlymgr.o foo.o bar.o \
11343 baz.o grbx.o -Wl,-Td10v.ld -o overlays
11344 @end smallexample
11345
11346 The build process is identical for any other architecture, except that
11347 you must substitute the appropriate compiler and linker script for the
11348 target system for @code{d10v-elf-gcc} and @code{d10v.ld}.
11349
11350
11351 @node Languages
11352 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages
11353 @cindex languages
11354
11355 Although programming languages generally have common aspects, they are
11356 rarely expressed in the same manner. For instance, in ANSI C,
11357 dereferencing a pointer @code{p} is accomplished by @code{*p}, but in
11358 Modula-2, it is accomplished by @code{p^}. Values can also be
11359 represented (and displayed) differently. Hex numbers in C appear as
11360 @samp{0x1ae}, while in Modula-2 they appear as @samp{1AEH}.
11361
11362 @cindex working language
11363 Language-specific information is built into @value{GDBN} for some languages,
11364 allowing you to express operations like the above in your program's
11365 native language, and allowing @value{GDBN} to output values in a manner
11366 consistent with the syntax of your program's native language. The
11367 language you use to build expressions is called the @dfn{working
11368 language}.
11369
11370 @menu
11371 * Setting:: Switching between source languages
11372 * Show:: Displaying the language
11373 * Checks:: Type and range checks
11374 * Supported Languages:: Supported languages
11375 * Unsupported Languages:: Unsupported languages
11376 @end menu
11377
11378 @node Setting
11379 @section Switching Between Source Languages
11380
11381 There are two ways to control the working language---either have @value{GDBN}
11382 set it automatically, or select it manually yourself. You can use the
11383 @code{set language} command for either purpose. On startup, @value{GDBN}
11384 defaults to setting the language automatically. The working language is
11385 used to determine how expressions you type are interpreted, how values
11386 are printed, etc.
11387
11388 In addition to the working language, every source file that
11389 @value{GDBN} knows about has its own working language. For some object
11390 file formats, the compiler might indicate which language a particular
11391 source file is in. However, most of the time @value{GDBN} infers the
11392 language from the name of the file. The language of a source file
11393 controls whether C@t{++} names are demangled---this way @code{backtrace} can
11394 show each frame appropriately for its own language. There is no way to
11395 set the language of a source file from within @value{GDBN}, but you can
11396 set the language associated with a filename extension. @xref{Show, ,
11397 Displaying the Language}.
11398
11399 This is most commonly a problem when you use a program, such
11400 as @code{cfront} or @code{f2c}, that generates C but is written in
11401 another language. In that case, make the
11402 program use @code{#line} directives in its C output; that way
11403 @value{GDBN} will know the correct language of the source code of the original
11404 program, and will display that source code, not the generated C code.
11405
11406 @menu
11407 * Filenames:: Filename extensions and languages.
11408 * Manually:: Setting the working language manually
11409 * Automatically:: Having @value{GDBN} infer the source language
11410 @end menu
11411
11412 @node Filenames
11413 @subsection List of Filename Extensions and Languages
11414
11415 If a source file name ends in one of the following extensions, then
11416 @value{GDBN} infers that its language is the one indicated.
11417
11418 @table @file
11419 @item .ada
11420 @itemx .ads
11421 @itemx .adb
11422 @itemx .a
11423 Ada source file.
11424
11425 @item .c
11426 C source file
11427
11428 @item .C
11429 @itemx .cc
11430 @itemx .cp
11431 @itemx .cpp
11432 @itemx .cxx
11433 @itemx .c++
11434 C@t{++} source file
11435
11436 @item .d
11437 D source file
11438
11439 @item .m
11440 Objective-C source file
11441
11442 @item .f
11443 @itemx .F
11444 Fortran source file
11445
11446 @item .mod
11447 Modula-2 source file
11448
11449 @item .s
11450 @itemx .S
11451 Assembler source file. This actually behaves almost like C, but
11452 @value{GDBN} does not skip over function prologues when stepping.
11453 @end table
11454
11455 In addition, you may set the language associated with a filename
11456 extension. @xref{Show, , Displaying the Language}.
11457
11458 @node Manually
11459 @subsection Setting the Working Language
11460
11461 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically,
11462 expressions are interpreted the same way in your debugging session and
11463 your program.
11464
11465 @kindex set language
11466 If you wish, you may set the language manually. To do this, issue the
11467 command @samp{set language @var{lang}}, where @var{lang} is the name of
11468 a language, such as
11469 @code{c} or @code{modula-2}.
11470 For a list of the supported languages, type @samp{set language}.
11471
11472 Setting the language manually prevents @value{GDBN} from updating the working
11473 language automatically. This can lead to confusion if you try
11474 to debug a program when the working language is not the same as the
11475 source language, when an expression is acceptable to both
11476 languages---but means different things. For instance, if the current
11477 source file were written in C, and @value{GDBN} was parsing Modula-2, a
11478 command such as:
11479
11480 @smallexample
11481 print a = b + c
11482 @end smallexample
11483
11484 @noindent
11485 might not have the effect you intended. In C, this means to add
11486 @code{b} and @code{c} and place the result in @code{a}. The result
11487 printed would be the value of @code{a}. In Modula-2, this means to compare
11488 @code{a} to the result of @code{b+c}, yielding a @code{BOOLEAN} value.
11489
11490 @node Automatically
11491 @subsection Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language
11492
11493 To have @value{GDBN} set the working language automatically, use
11494 @samp{set language local} or @samp{set language auto}. @value{GDBN}
11495 then infers the working language. That is, when your program stops in a
11496 frame (usually by encountering a breakpoint), @value{GDBN} sets the
11497 working language to the language recorded for the function in that
11498 frame. If the language for a frame is unknown (that is, if the function
11499 or block corresponding to the frame was defined in a source file that
11500 does not have a recognized extension), the current working language is
11501 not changed, and @value{GDBN} issues a warning.
11502
11503 This may not seem necessary for most programs, which are written
11504 entirely in one source language. However, program modules and libraries
11505 written in one source language can be used by a main program written in
11506 a different source language. Using @samp{set language auto} in this
11507 case frees you from having to set the working language manually.
11508
11509 @node Show
11510 @section Displaying the Language
11511
11512 The following commands help you find out which language is the
11513 working language, and also what language source files were written in.
11514
11515 @table @code
11516 @item show language
11517 @kindex show language
11518 Display the current working language. This is the
11519 language you can use with commands such as @code{print} to
11520 build and compute expressions that may involve variables in your program.
11521
11522 @item info frame
11523 @kindex info frame@r{, show the source language}
11524 Display the source language for this frame. This language becomes the
11525 working language if you use an identifier from this frame.
11526 @xref{Frame Info, ,Information about a Frame}, to identify the other
11527 information listed here.
11528
11529 @item info source
11530 @kindex info source@r{, show the source language}
11531 Display the source language of this source file.
11532 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, to identify the other
11533 information listed here.
11534 @end table
11535
11536 In unusual circumstances, you may have source files with extensions
11537 not in the standard list. You can then set the extension associated
11538 with a language explicitly:
11539
11540 @table @code
11541 @item set extension-language @var{ext} @var{language}
11542 @kindex set extension-language
11543 Tell @value{GDBN} that source files with extension @var{ext} are to be
11544 assumed as written in the source language @var{language}.
11545
11546 @item info extensions
11547 @kindex info extensions
11548 List all the filename extensions and the associated languages.
11549 @end table
11550
11551 @node Checks
11552 @section Type and Range Checking
11553
11554 @quotation
11555 @emph{Warning:} In this release, the @value{GDBN} commands for type and range
11556 checking are included, but they do not yet have any effect. This
11557 section documents the intended facilities.
11558 @end quotation
11559 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range code added
11560
11561 Some languages are designed to guard you against making seemingly common
11562 errors through a series of compile- and run-time checks. These include
11563 checking the type of arguments to functions and operators, and making
11564 sure mathematical overflows are caught at run time. Checks such as
11565 these help to ensure a program's correctness once it has been compiled
11566 by eliminating type mismatches, and providing active checks for range
11567 errors when your program is running.
11568
11569 @value{GDBN} can check for conditions like the above if you wish.
11570 Although @value{GDBN} does not check the statements in your program,
11571 it can check expressions entered directly into @value{GDBN} for
11572 evaluation via the @code{print} command, for example. As with the
11573 working language, @value{GDBN} can also decide whether or not to check
11574 automatically based on your program's source language.
11575 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default
11576 settings of supported languages.
11577
11578 @menu
11579 * Type Checking:: An overview of type checking
11580 * Range Checking:: An overview of range checking
11581 @end menu
11582
11583 @cindex type checking
11584 @cindex checks, type
11585 @node Type Checking
11586 @subsection An Overview of Type Checking
11587
11588 Some languages, such as Modula-2, are strongly typed, meaning that the
11589 arguments to operators and functions have to be of the correct type,
11590 otherwise an error occurs. These checks prevent type mismatch
11591 errors from ever causing any run-time problems. For example,
11592
11593 @smallexample
11594 1 + 2 @result{} 3
11595 @exdent but
11596 @error{} 1 + 2.3
11597 @end smallexample
11598
11599 The second example fails because the @code{CARDINAL} 1 is not
11600 type-compatible with the @code{REAL} 2.3.
11601
11602 For the expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell the
11603 @value{GDBN} type checker to skip checking;
11604 to treat any mismatches as errors and abandon the expression;
11605 or to only issue warnings when type mismatches occur,
11606 but evaluate the expression anyway. When you choose the last of
11607 these, @value{GDBN} evaluates expressions like the second example above, but
11608 also issues a warning.
11609
11610 Even if you turn type checking off, there may be other reasons
11611 related to type that prevent @value{GDBN} from evaluating an expression.
11612 For instance, @value{GDBN} does not know how to add an @code{int} and
11613 a @code{struct foo}. These particular type errors have nothing to do
11614 with the language in use, and usually arise from expressions, such as
11615 the one described above, which make little sense to evaluate anyway.
11616
11617 Each language defines to what degree it is strict about type. For
11618 instance, both Modula-2 and C require the arguments to arithmetical
11619 operators to be numbers. In C, enumerated types and pointers can be
11620 represented as numbers, so that they are valid arguments to mathematical
11621 operators. @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for further
11622 details on specific languages.
11623
11624 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the type checker:
11625
11626 @kindex set check type
11627 @kindex show check type
11628 @table @code
11629 @item set check type auto
11630 Set type checking on or off based on the current working language.
11631 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11632 each language.
11633
11634 @item set check type on
11635 @itemx set check type off
11636 Set type checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11637 current working language. Issue a warning if the setting does not
11638 match the language default. If any type mismatches occur in
11639 evaluating an expression while type checking is on, @value{GDBN} prints a
11640 message and aborts evaluation of the expression.
11641
11642 @item set check type warn
11643 Cause the type checker to issue warnings, but to always attempt to
11644 evaluate the expression. Evaluating the expression may still
11645 be impossible for other reasons. For example, @value{GDBN} cannot add
11646 numbers and structures.
11647
11648 @item show type
11649 Show the current setting of the type checker, and whether or not @value{GDBN}
11650 is setting it automatically.
11651 @end table
11652
11653 @cindex range checking
11654 @cindex checks, range
11655 @node Range Checking
11656 @subsection An Overview of Range Checking
11657
11658 In some languages (such as Modula-2), it is an error to exceed the
11659 bounds of a type; this is enforced with run-time checks. Such range
11660 checking is meant to ensure program correctness by making sure
11661 computations do not overflow, or indices on an array element access do
11662 not exceed the bounds of the array.
11663
11664 For expressions you use in @value{GDBN} commands, you can tell
11665 @value{GDBN} to treat range errors in one of three ways: ignore them,
11666 always treat them as errors and abandon the expression, or issue
11667 warnings but evaluate the expression anyway.
11668
11669 A range error can result from numerical overflow, from exceeding an
11670 array index bound, or when you type a constant that is not a member
11671 of any type. Some languages, however, do not treat overflows as an
11672 error. In many implementations of C, mathematical overflow causes the
11673 result to ``wrap around'' to lower values---for example, if @var{m} is
11674 the largest integer value, and @var{s} is the smallest, then
11675
11676 @smallexample
11677 @var{m} + 1 @result{} @var{s}
11678 @end smallexample
11679
11680 This, too, is specific to individual languages, and in some cases
11681 specific to individual compilers or machines. @xref{Supported Languages, ,
11682 Supported Languages}, for further details on specific languages.
11683
11684 @value{GDBN} provides some additional commands for controlling the range checker:
11685
11686 @kindex set check range
11687 @kindex show check range
11688 @table @code
11689 @item set check range auto
11690 Set range checking on or off based on the current working language.
11691 @xref{Supported Languages, ,Supported Languages}, for the default settings for
11692 each language.
11693
11694 @item set check range on
11695 @itemx set check range off
11696 Set range checking on or off, overriding the default setting for the
11697 current working language. A warning is issued if the setting does not
11698 match the language default. If a range error occurs and range checking is on,
11699 then a message is printed and evaluation of the expression is aborted.
11700
11701 @item set check range warn
11702 Output messages when the @value{GDBN} range checker detects a range error,
11703 but attempt to evaluate the expression anyway. Evaluating the
11704 expression may still be impossible for other reasons, such as accessing
11705 memory that the process does not own (a typical example from many Unix
11706 systems).
11707
11708 @item show range
11709 Show the current setting of the range checker, and whether or not it is
11710 being set automatically by @value{GDBN}.
11711 @end table
11712
11713 @node Supported Languages
11714 @section Supported Languages
11715
11716 @value{GDBN} supports C, C@t{++}, D, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, OpenCL C, Pascal,
11717 assembly, Modula-2, and Ada.
11718 @c This is false ...
11719 Some @value{GDBN} features may be used in expressions regardless of the
11720 language you use: the @value{GDBN} @code{@@} and @code{::} operators,
11721 and the @samp{@{type@}addr} construct (@pxref{Expressions,
11722 ,Expressions}) can be used with the constructs of any supported
11723 language.
11724
11725 The following sections detail to what degree each source language is
11726 supported by @value{GDBN}. These sections are not meant to be language
11727 tutorials or references, but serve only as a reference guide to what the
11728 @value{GDBN} expression parser accepts, and what input and output
11729 formats should look like for different languages. There are many good
11730 books written on each of these languages; please look to these for a
11731 language reference or tutorial.
11732
11733 @menu
11734 * C:: C and C@t{++}
11735 * D:: D
11736 * Objective-C:: Objective-C
11737 * OpenCL C:: OpenCL C
11738 * Fortran:: Fortran
11739 * Pascal:: Pascal
11740 * Modula-2:: Modula-2
11741 * Ada:: Ada
11742 @end menu
11743
11744 @node C
11745 @subsection C and C@t{++}
11746
11747 @cindex C and C@t{++}
11748 @cindex expressions in C or C@t{++}
11749
11750 Since C and C@t{++} are so closely related, many features of @value{GDBN} apply
11751 to both languages. Whenever this is the case, we discuss those languages
11752 together.
11753
11754 @cindex C@t{++}
11755 @cindex @code{g++}, @sc{gnu} C@t{++} compiler
11756 @cindex @sc{gnu} C@t{++}
11757 The C@t{++} debugging facilities are jointly implemented by the C@t{++}
11758 compiler and @value{GDBN}. Therefore, to debug your C@t{++} code
11759 effectively, you must compile your C@t{++} programs with a supported
11760 C@t{++} compiler, such as @sc{gnu} @code{g++}, or the HP ANSI C@t{++}
11761 compiler (@code{aCC}).
11762
11763 For best results when using @sc{gnu} C@t{++}, use the DWARF 2 debugging
11764 format; if it doesn't work on your system, try the stabs+ debugging
11765 format. You can select those formats explicitly with the @code{g++}
11766 command-line options @option{-gdwarf-2} and @option{-gstabs+}.
11767 @xref{Debugging Options,,Options for Debugging Your Program or GCC,
11768 gcc.info, Using the @sc{gnu} Compiler Collection (GCC)}.
11769
11770 @menu
11771 * C Operators:: C and C@t{++} operators
11772 * C Constants:: C and C@t{++} constants
11773 * C Plus Plus Expressions:: C@t{++} expressions
11774 * C Defaults:: Default settings for C and C@t{++}
11775 * C Checks:: C and C@t{++} type and range checks
11776 * Debugging C:: @value{GDBN} and C
11777 * Debugging C Plus Plus:: @value{GDBN} features for C@t{++}
11778 * Decimal Floating Point:: Numbers in Decimal Floating Point format
11779 @end menu
11780
11781 @node C Operators
11782 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Operators
11783
11784 @cindex C and C@t{++} operators
11785
11786 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
11787 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
11788 often defined on groups of types.
11789
11790 For the purposes of C and C@t{++}, the following definitions hold:
11791
11792 @itemize @bullet
11793
11794 @item
11795 @emph{Integral types} include @code{int} with any of its storage-class
11796 specifiers; @code{char}; @code{enum}; and, for C@t{++}, @code{bool}.
11797
11798 @item
11799 @emph{Floating-point types} include @code{float}, @code{double}, and
11800 @code{long double} (if supported by the target platform).
11801
11802 @item
11803 @emph{Pointer types} include all types defined as @code{(@var{type} *)}.
11804
11805 @item
11806 @emph{Scalar types} include all of the above.
11807
11808 @end itemize
11809
11810 @noindent
11811 The following operators are supported. They are listed here
11812 in order of increasing precedence:
11813
11814 @table @code
11815 @item ,
11816 The comma or sequencing operator. Expressions in a comma-separated list
11817 are evaluated from left to right, with the result of the entire
11818 expression being the last expression evaluated.
11819
11820 @item =
11821 Assignment. The value of an assignment expression is the value
11822 assigned. Defined on scalar types.
11823
11824 @item @var{op}=
11825 Used in an expression of the form @w{@code{@var{a} @var{op}= @var{b}}},
11826 and translated to @w{@code{@var{a} = @var{a op b}}}.
11827 @w{@code{@var{op}=}} and @code{=} have the same precedence.
11828 @var{op} is any one of the operators @code{|}, @code{^}, @code{&},
11829 @code{<<}, @code{>>}, @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{%}.
11830
11831 @item ?:
11832 The ternary operator. @code{@var{a} ? @var{b} : @var{c}} can be thought
11833 of as: if @var{a} then @var{b} else @var{c}. @var{a} should be of an
11834 integral type.
11835
11836 @item ||
11837 Logical @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11838
11839 @item &&
11840 Logical @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11841
11842 @item |
11843 Bitwise @sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11844
11845 @item ^
11846 Bitwise exclusive-@sc{or}. Defined on integral types.
11847
11848 @item &
11849 Bitwise @sc{and}. Defined on integral types.
11850
11851 @item ==@r{, }!=
11852 Equality and inequality. Defined on scalar types. The value of these
11853 expressions is 0 for false and non-zero for true.
11854
11855 @item <@r{, }>@r{, }<=@r{, }>=
11856 Less than, greater than, less than or equal, greater than or equal.
11857 Defined on scalar types. The value of these expressions is 0 for false
11858 and non-zero for true.
11859
11860 @item <<@r{, }>>
11861 left shift, and right shift. Defined on integral types.
11862
11863 @item @@
11864 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
11865
11866 @item +@r{, }-
11867 Addition and subtraction. Defined on integral types, floating-point types and
11868 pointer types.
11869
11870 @item *@r{, }/@r{, }%
11871 Multiplication, division, and modulus. Multiplication and division are
11872 defined on integral and floating-point types. Modulus is defined on
11873 integral types.
11874
11875 @item ++@r{, }--
11876 Increment and decrement. When appearing before a variable, the
11877 operation is performed before the variable is used in an expression;
11878 when appearing after it, the variable's value is used before the
11879 operation takes place.
11880
11881 @item *
11882 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types. Same precedence as
11883 @code{++}.
11884
11885 @item &
11886 Address operator. Defined on variables. Same precedence as @code{++}.
11887
11888 For debugging C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} implements a use of @samp{&} beyond what is
11889 allowed in the C@t{++} language itself: you can use @samp{&(&@var{ref})}
11890 to examine the address
11891 where a C@t{++} reference variable (declared with @samp{&@var{ref}}) is
11892 stored.
11893
11894 @item -
11895 Negative. Defined on integral and floating-point types. Same
11896 precedence as @code{++}.
11897
11898 @item !
11899 Logical negation. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11900 @code{++}.
11901
11902 @item ~
11903 Bitwise complement operator. Defined on integral types. Same precedence as
11904 @code{++}.
11905
11906
11907 @item .@r{, }->
11908 Structure member, and pointer-to-structure member. For convenience,
11909 @value{GDBN} regards the two as equivalent, choosing whether to dereference a
11910 pointer based on the stored type information.
11911 Defined on @code{struct} and @code{union} data.
11912
11913 @item .*@r{, }->*
11914 Dereferences of pointers to members.
11915
11916 @item []
11917 Array indexing. @code{@var{a}[@var{i}]} is defined as
11918 @code{*(@var{a}+@var{i})}. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11919
11920 @item ()
11921 Function parameter list. Same precedence as @code{->}.
11922
11923 @item ::
11924 C@t{++} scope resolution operator. Defined on @code{struct}, @code{union},
11925 and @code{class} types.
11926
11927 @item ::
11928 Doubled colons also represent the @value{GDBN} scope operator
11929 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). Same precedence as @code{::},
11930 above.
11931 @end table
11932
11933 If an operator is redefined in the user code, @value{GDBN} usually
11934 attempts to invoke the redefined version instead of using the operator's
11935 predefined meaning.
11936
11937 @node C Constants
11938 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Constants
11939
11940 @cindex C and C@t{++} constants
11941
11942 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of C and C@t{++} in the
11943 following ways:
11944
11945 @itemize @bullet
11946 @item
11947 Integer constants are a sequence of digits. Octal constants are
11948 specified by a leading @samp{0} (i.e.@: zero), and hexadecimal constants
11949 by a leading @samp{0x} or @samp{0X}. Constants may also end with a letter
11950 @samp{l}, specifying that the constant should be treated as a
11951 @code{long} value.
11952
11953 @item
11954 Floating point constants are a sequence of digits, followed by a decimal
11955 point, followed by a sequence of digits, and optionally followed by an
11956 exponent. An exponent is of the form:
11957 @samp{@w{e@r{[[}+@r{]|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}}, where @var{nnn} is another
11958 sequence of digits. The @samp{+} is optional for positive exponents.
11959 A floating-point constant may also end with a letter @samp{f} or
11960 @samp{F}, specifying that the constant should be treated as being of
11961 the @code{float} (as opposed to the default @code{double}) type; or with
11962 a letter @samp{l} or @samp{L}, which specifies a @code{long double}
11963 constant.
11964
11965 @item
11966 Enumerated constants consist of enumerated identifiers, or their
11967 integral equivalents.
11968
11969 @item
11970 Character constants are a single character surrounded by single quotes
11971 (@code{'}), or a number---the ordinal value of the corresponding character
11972 (usually its @sc{ascii} value). Within quotes, the single character may
11973 be represented by a letter or by @dfn{escape sequences}, which are of
11974 the form @samp{\@var{nnn}}, where @var{nnn} is the octal representation
11975 of the character's ordinal value; or of the form @samp{\@var{x}}, where
11976 @samp{@var{x}} is a predefined special character---for example,
11977 @samp{\n} for newline.
11978
11979 @item
11980 String constants are a sequence of character constants surrounded by
11981 double quotes (@code{"}). Any valid character constant (as described
11982 above) may appear. Double quotes within the string must be preceded by
11983 a backslash, so for instance @samp{"a\"b'c"} is a string of five
11984 characters.
11985
11986 @item
11987 Pointer constants are an integral value. You can also write pointers
11988 to constants using the C operator @samp{&}.
11989
11990 @item
11991 Array constants are comma-separated lists surrounded by braces @samp{@{}
11992 and @samp{@}}; for example, @samp{@{1,2,3@}} is a three-element array of
11993 integers, @samp{@{@{1,2@}, @{3,4@}, @{5,6@}@}} is a three-by-two array,
11994 and @samp{@{&"hi", &"there", &"fred"@}} is a three-element array of pointers.
11995 @end itemize
11996
11997 @node C Plus Plus Expressions
11998 @subsubsection C@t{++} Expressions
11999
12000 @cindex expressions in C@t{++}
12001 @value{GDBN} expression handling can interpret most C@t{++} expressions.
12002
12003 @cindex debugging C@t{++} programs
12004 @cindex C@t{++} compilers
12005 @cindex debug formats and C@t{++}
12006 @cindex @value{NGCC} and C@t{++}
12007 @quotation
12008 @emph{Warning:} @value{GDBN} can only debug C@t{++} code if you use the
12009 proper compiler and the proper debug format. Currently, @value{GDBN}
12010 works best when debugging C@t{++} code that is compiled with
12011 @value{NGCC} 2.95.3 or with @value{NGCC} 3.1 or newer, using the options
12012 @option{-gdwarf-2} or @option{-gstabs+}. DWARF 2 is preferred over
12013 stabs+. Most configurations of @value{NGCC} emit either DWARF 2 or
12014 stabs+ as their default debug format, so you usually don't need to
12015 specify a debug format explicitly. Other compilers and/or debug formats
12016 are likely to work badly or not at all when using @value{GDBN} to debug
12017 C@t{++} code.
12018 @end quotation
12019
12020 @enumerate
12021
12022 @cindex member functions
12023 @item
12024 Member function calls are allowed; you can use expressions like
12025
12026 @smallexample
12027 count = aml->GetOriginal(x, y)
12028 @end smallexample
12029
12030 @vindex this@r{, inside C@t{++} member functions}
12031 @cindex namespace in C@t{++}
12032 @item
12033 While a member function is active (in the selected stack frame), your
12034 expressions have the same namespace available as the member function;
12035 that is, @value{GDBN} allows implicit references to the class instance
12036 pointer @code{this} following the same rules as C@t{++}.
12037
12038 @cindex call overloaded functions
12039 @cindex overloaded functions, calling
12040 @cindex type conversions in C@t{++}
12041 @item
12042 You can call overloaded functions; @value{GDBN} resolves the function
12043 call to the right definition, with some restrictions. @value{GDBN} does not
12044 perform overload resolution involving user-defined type conversions,
12045 calls to constructors, or instantiations of templates that do not exist
12046 in the program. It also cannot handle ellipsis argument lists or
12047 default arguments.
12048
12049 It does perform integral conversions and promotions, floating-point
12050 promotions, arithmetic conversions, pointer conversions, conversions of
12051 class objects to base classes, and standard conversions such as those of
12052 functions or arrays to pointers; it requires an exact match on the
12053 number of function arguments.
12054
12055 Overload resolution is always performed, unless you have specified
12056 @code{set overload-resolution off}. @xref{Debugging C Plus Plus,
12057 ,@value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}}.
12058
12059 You must specify @code{set overload-resolution off} in order to use an
12060 explicit function signature to call an overloaded function, as in
12061 @smallexample
12062 p 'foo(char,int)'('x', 13)
12063 @end smallexample
12064
12065 The @value{GDBN} command-completion facility can simplify this;
12066 see @ref{Completion, ,Command Completion}.
12067
12068 @cindex reference declarations
12069 @item
12070 @value{GDBN} understands variables declared as C@t{++} references; you can use
12071 them in expressions just as you do in C@t{++} source---they are automatically
12072 dereferenced.
12073
12074 In the parameter list shown when @value{GDBN} displays a frame, the values of
12075 reference variables are not displayed (unlike other variables); this
12076 avoids clutter, since references are often used for large structures.
12077 The @emph{address} of a reference variable is always shown, unless
12078 you have specified @samp{set print address off}.
12079
12080 @item
12081 @value{GDBN} supports the C@t{++} name resolution operator @code{::}---your
12082 expressions can use it just as expressions in your program do. Since
12083 one scope may be defined in another, you can use @code{::} repeatedly if
12084 necessary, for example in an expression like
12085 @samp{@var{scope1}::@var{scope2}::@var{name}}. @value{GDBN} also allows
12086 resolving name scope by reference to source files, in both C and C@t{++}
12087 debugging (@pxref{Variables, ,Program Variables}).
12088 @end enumerate
12089
12090 In addition, when used with HP's C@t{++} compiler, @value{GDBN} supports
12091 calling virtual functions correctly, printing out virtual bases of
12092 objects, calling functions in a base subobject, casting objects, and
12093 invoking user-defined operators.
12094
12095 @node C Defaults
12096 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Defaults
12097
12098 @cindex C and C@t{++} defaults
12099
12100 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set type and range checking automatically, they
12101 both default to @code{off} whenever the working language changes to
12102 C or C@t{++}. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12103 selects the working language.
12104
12105 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, it
12106 recognizes source files whose names end with @file{.c}, @file{.C}, or
12107 @file{.cc}, etc, and when @value{GDBN} enters code compiled from one of
12108 these files, it sets the working language to C or C@t{++}.
12109 @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN} Infer the Source Language},
12110 for further details.
12111
12112 @c Type checking is (a) primarily motivated by Modula-2, and (b)
12113 @c unimplemented. If (b) changes, it might make sense to let this node
12114 @c appear even if Mod-2 does not, but meanwhile ignore it. roland 16jul93.
12115
12116 @node C Checks
12117 @subsubsection C and C@t{++} Type and Range Checks
12118
12119 @cindex C and C@t{++} checks
12120
12121 By default, when @value{GDBN} parses C or C@t{++} expressions, type checking
12122 is not used. However, if you turn type checking on, @value{GDBN}
12123 considers two variables type equivalent if:
12124
12125 @itemize @bullet
12126 @item
12127 The two variables are structured and have the same structure, union, or
12128 enumerated tag.
12129
12130 @item
12131 The two variables have the same type name, or types that have been
12132 declared equivalent through @code{typedef}.
12133
12134 @ignore
12135 @c leaving this out because neither J Gilmore nor R Pesch understand it.
12136 @c FIXME--beers?
12137 @item
12138 The two @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} variables are
12139 declared in the same declaration. (Note: this may not be true for all C
12140 compilers.)
12141 @end ignore
12142 @end itemize
12143
12144 Range checking, if turned on, is done on mathematical operations. Array
12145 indices are not checked, since they are often used to index a pointer
12146 that is not itself an array.
12147
12148 @node Debugging C
12149 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and C
12150
12151 The @code{set print union} and @code{show print union} commands apply to
12152 the @code{union} type. When set to @samp{on}, any @code{union} that is
12153 inside a @code{struct} or @code{class} is also printed. Otherwise, it
12154 appears as @samp{@{...@}}.
12155
12156 The @code{@@} operator aids in the debugging of dynamic arrays, formed
12157 with pointers and a memory allocation function. @xref{Expressions,
12158 ,Expressions}.
12159
12160 @node Debugging C Plus Plus
12161 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} Features for C@t{++}
12162
12163 @cindex commands for C@t{++}
12164
12165 Some @value{GDBN} commands are particularly useful with C@t{++}, and some are
12166 designed specifically for use with C@t{++}. Here is a summary:
12167
12168 @table @code
12169 @cindex break in overloaded functions
12170 @item @r{breakpoint menus}
12171 When you want a breakpoint in a function whose name is overloaded,
12172 @value{GDBN} has the capability to display a menu of possible breakpoint
12173 locations to help you specify which function definition you want.
12174 @xref{Ambiguous Expressions,,Ambiguous Expressions}.
12175
12176 @cindex overloading in C@t{++}
12177 @item rbreak @var{regex}
12178 Setting breakpoints using regular expressions is helpful for setting
12179 breakpoints on overloaded functions that are not members of any special
12180 classes.
12181 @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
12182
12183 @cindex C@t{++} exception handling
12184 @item catch throw
12185 @itemx catch catch
12186 Debug C@t{++} exception handling using these commands. @xref{Set
12187 Catchpoints, , Setting Catchpoints}.
12188
12189 @cindex inheritance
12190 @item ptype @var{typename}
12191 Print inheritance relationships as well as other information for type
12192 @var{typename}.
12193 @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
12194
12195 @cindex C@t{++} symbol display
12196 @item set print demangle
12197 @itemx show print demangle
12198 @itemx set print asm-demangle
12199 @itemx show print asm-demangle
12200 Control whether C@t{++} symbols display in their source form, both when
12201 displaying code as C@t{++} source and when displaying disassemblies.
12202 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12203
12204 @item set print object
12205 @itemx show print object
12206 Choose whether to print derived (actual) or declared types of objects.
12207 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12208
12209 @item set print vtbl
12210 @itemx show print vtbl
12211 Control the format for printing virtual function tables.
12212 @xref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}.
12213 (The @code{vtbl} commands do not work on programs compiled with the HP
12214 ANSI C@t{++} compiler (@code{aCC}).)
12215
12216 @kindex set overload-resolution
12217 @cindex overloaded functions, overload resolution
12218 @item set overload-resolution on
12219 Enable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. The default
12220 is on. For overloaded functions, @value{GDBN} evaluates the arguments
12221 and searches for a function whose signature matches the argument types,
12222 using the standard C@t{++} conversion rules (see @ref{C Plus Plus
12223 Expressions, ,C@t{++} Expressions}, for details).
12224 If it cannot find a match, it emits a message.
12225
12226 @item set overload-resolution off
12227 Disable overload resolution for C@t{++} expression evaluation. For
12228 overloaded functions that are not class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12229 chooses the first function of the specified name that it finds in the
12230 symbol table, whether or not its arguments are of the correct type. For
12231 overloaded functions that are class member functions, @value{GDBN}
12232 searches for a function whose signature @emph{exactly} matches the
12233 argument types.
12234
12235 @kindex show overload-resolution
12236 @item show overload-resolution
12237 Show the current setting of overload resolution.
12238
12239 @item @r{Overloaded symbol names}
12240 You can specify a particular definition of an overloaded symbol, using
12241 the same notation that is used to declare such symbols in C@t{++}: type
12242 @code{@var{symbol}(@var{types})} rather than just @var{symbol}. You can
12243 also use the @value{GDBN} command-line word completion facilities to list the
12244 available choices, or to finish the type list for you.
12245 @xref{Completion,, Command Completion}, for details on how to do this.
12246 @end table
12247
12248 @node Decimal Floating Point
12249 @subsubsection Decimal Floating Point format
12250 @cindex decimal floating point format
12251
12252 @value{GDBN} can examine, set and perform computations with numbers in
12253 decimal floating point format, which in the C language correspond to the
12254 @code{_Decimal32}, @code{_Decimal64} and @code{_Decimal128} types as
12255 specified by the extension to support decimal floating-point arithmetic.
12256
12257 There are two encodings in use, depending on the architecture: BID (Binary
12258 Integer Decimal) for x86 and x86-64, and DPD (Densely Packed Decimal) for
12259 PowerPC. @value{GDBN} will use the appropriate encoding for the configured
12260 target.
12261
12262 Because of a limitation in @file{libdecnumber}, the library used by @value{GDBN}
12263 to manipulate decimal floating point numbers, it is not possible to convert
12264 (using a cast, for example) integers wider than 32-bit to decimal float.
12265
12266 In addition, in order to imitate @value{GDBN}'s behaviour with binary floating
12267 point computations, error checking in decimal float operations ignores
12268 underflow, overflow and divide by zero exceptions.
12269
12270 In the PowerPC architecture, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers
12271 to inspect @code{_Decimal128} values stored in floating point registers.
12272 See @ref{PowerPC,,PowerPC} for more details.
12273
12274 @node D
12275 @subsection D
12276
12277 @cindex D
12278 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in D and compiled with
12279 GDC, LDC or DMD compilers. Currently @value{GDBN} supports only one D
12280 specific feature --- dynamic arrays.
12281
12282 @node Objective-C
12283 @subsection Objective-C
12284
12285 @cindex Objective-C
12286 This section provides information about some commands and command
12287 options that are useful for debugging Objective-C code. See also
12288 @ref{Symbols, info classes}, and @ref{Symbols, info selectors}, for a
12289 few more commands specific to Objective-C support.
12290
12291 @menu
12292 * Method Names in Commands::
12293 * The Print Command with Objective-C::
12294 @end menu
12295
12296 @node Method Names in Commands
12297 @subsubsection Method Names in Commands
12298
12299 The following commands have been extended to accept Objective-C method
12300 names as line specifications:
12301
12302 @kindex clear@r{, and Objective-C}
12303 @kindex break@r{, and Objective-C}
12304 @kindex info line@r{, and Objective-C}
12305 @kindex jump@r{, and Objective-C}
12306 @kindex list@r{, and Objective-C}
12307 @itemize
12308 @item @code{clear}
12309 @item @code{break}
12310 @item @code{info line}
12311 @item @code{jump}
12312 @item @code{list}
12313 @end itemize
12314
12315 A fully qualified Objective-C method name is specified as
12316
12317 @smallexample
12318 -[@var{Class} @var{methodName}]
12319 @end smallexample
12320
12321 where the minus sign is used to indicate an instance method and a
12322 plus sign (not shown) is used to indicate a class method. The class
12323 name @var{Class} and method name @var{methodName} are enclosed in
12324 brackets, similar to the way messages are specified in Objective-C
12325 source code. For example, to set a breakpoint at the @code{create}
12326 instance method of class @code{Fruit} in the program currently being
12327 debugged, enter:
12328
12329 @smallexample
12330 break -[Fruit create]
12331 @end smallexample
12332
12333 To list ten program lines around the @code{initialize} class method,
12334 enter:
12335
12336 @smallexample
12337 list +[NSText initialize]
12338 @end smallexample
12339
12340 In the current version of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus sign is
12341 required. In future versions of @value{GDBN}, the plus or minus
12342 sign will be optional, but you can use it to narrow the search. It
12343 is also possible to specify just a method name:
12344
12345 @smallexample
12346 break create
12347 @end smallexample
12348
12349 You must specify the complete method name, including any colons. If
12350 your program's source files contain more than one @code{create} method,
12351 you'll be presented with a numbered list of classes that implement that
12352 method. Indicate your choice by number, or type @samp{0} to exit if
12353 none apply.
12354
12355 As another example, to clear a breakpoint established at the
12356 @code{makeKeyAndOrderFront:} method of the @code{NSWindow} class, enter:
12357
12358 @smallexample
12359 clear -[NSWindow makeKeyAndOrderFront:]
12360 @end smallexample
12361
12362 @node The Print Command with Objective-C
12363 @subsubsection The Print Command With Objective-C
12364 @cindex Objective-C, print objects
12365 @kindex print-object
12366 @kindex po @r{(@code{print-object})}
12367
12368 The print command has also been extended to accept methods. For example:
12369
12370 @smallexample
12371 print -[@var{object} hash]
12372 @end smallexample
12373
12374 @cindex print an Objective-C object description
12375 @cindex @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, and printing Objective-C objects
12376 @noindent
12377 will tell @value{GDBN} to send the @code{hash} message to @var{object}
12378 and print the result. Also, an additional command has been added,
12379 @code{print-object} or @code{po} for short, which is meant to print
12380 the description of an object. However, this command may only work
12381 with certain Objective-C libraries that have a particular hook
12382 function, @code{_NSPrintForDebugger}, defined.
12383
12384 @node OpenCL C
12385 @subsection OpenCL C
12386
12387 @cindex OpenCL C
12388 This section provides information about @value{GDBN}s OpenCL C support.
12389
12390 @menu
12391 * OpenCL C Datatypes::
12392 * OpenCL C Expressions::
12393 * OpenCL C Operators::
12394 @end menu
12395
12396 @node OpenCL C Datatypes
12397 @subsubsection OpenCL C Datatypes
12398
12399 @cindex OpenCL C Datatypes
12400 @value{GDBN} supports the builtin scalar and vector datatypes specified
12401 by OpenCL 1.1. In addition the half- and double-precision floating point
12402 data types of the @code{cl_khr_fp16} and @code{cl_khr_fp64} OpenCL
12403 extensions are also known to @value{GDBN}.
12404
12405 @node OpenCL C Expressions
12406 @subsubsection OpenCL C Expressions
12407
12408 @cindex OpenCL C Expressions
12409 @value{GDBN} supports accesses to vector components including the access as
12410 lvalue where possible. Since OpenCL C is based on C99 most C expressions
12411 supported by @value{GDBN} can be used as well.
12412
12413 @node OpenCL C Operators
12414 @subsubsection OpenCL C Operators
12415
12416 @cindex OpenCL C Operators
12417 @value{GDBN} supports the operators specified by OpenCL 1.1 for scalar and
12418 vector data types.
12419
12420 @node Fortran
12421 @subsection Fortran
12422 @cindex Fortran-specific support in @value{GDBN}
12423
12424 @value{GDBN} can be used to debug programs written in Fortran, but it
12425 currently supports only the features of Fortran 77 language.
12426
12427 @cindex trailing underscore, in Fortran symbols
12428 Some Fortran compilers (@sc{gnu} Fortran 77 and Fortran 95 compilers
12429 among them) append an underscore to the names of variables and
12430 functions. When you debug programs compiled by those compilers, you
12431 will need to refer to variables and functions with a trailing
12432 underscore.
12433
12434 @menu
12435 * Fortran Operators:: Fortran operators and expressions
12436 * Fortran Defaults:: Default settings for Fortran
12437 * Special Fortran Commands:: Special @value{GDBN} commands for Fortran
12438 @end menu
12439
12440 @node Fortran Operators
12441 @subsubsection Fortran Operators and Expressions
12442
12443 @cindex Fortran operators and expressions
12444
12445 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12446 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on characters or other non-
12447 arithmetic types. Operators are often defined on groups of types.
12448
12449 @table @code
12450 @item **
12451 The exponentiation operator. It raises the first operand to the power
12452 of the second one.
12453
12454 @item :
12455 The range operator. Normally used in the form of array(low:high) to
12456 represent a section of array.
12457
12458 @item %
12459 The access component operator. Normally used to access elements in derived
12460 types. Also suitable for unions. As unions aren't part of regular Fortran,
12461 this can only happen when accessing a register that uses a gdbarch-defined
12462 union type.
12463 @end table
12464
12465 @node Fortran Defaults
12466 @subsubsection Fortran Defaults
12467
12468 @cindex Fortran Defaults
12469
12470 Fortran symbols are usually case-insensitive, so @value{GDBN} by
12471 default uses case-insensitive matches for Fortran symbols. You can
12472 change that with the @samp{set case-insensitive} command, see
12473 @ref{Symbols}, for the details.
12474
12475 @node Special Fortran Commands
12476 @subsubsection Special Fortran Commands
12477
12478 @cindex Special Fortran commands
12479
12480 @value{GDBN} has some commands to support Fortran-specific features,
12481 such as displaying common blocks.
12482
12483 @table @code
12484 @cindex @code{COMMON} blocks, Fortran
12485 @kindex info common
12486 @item info common @r{[}@var{common-name}@r{]}
12487 This command prints the values contained in the Fortran @code{COMMON}
12488 block whose name is @var{common-name}. With no argument, the names of
12489 all @code{COMMON} blocks visible at the current program location are
12490 printed.
12491 @end table
12492
12493 @node Pascal
12494 @subsection Pascal
12495
12496 @cindex Pascal support in @value{GDBN}, limitations
12497 Debugging Pascal programs which use sets, subranges, file variables, or
12498 nested functions does not currently work. @value{GDBN} does not support
12499 entering expressions, printing values, or similar features using Pascal
12500 syntax.
12501
12502 The Pascal-specific command @code{set print pascal_static-members}
12503 controls whether static members of Pascal objects are displayed.
12504 @xref{Print Settings, pascal_static-members}.
12505
12506 @node Modula-2
12507 @subsection Modula-2
12508
12509 @cindex Modula-2, @value{GDBN} support
12510
12511 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} to support Modula-2 only support
12512 output from the @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler (which is currently being
12513 developed). Other Modula-2 compilers are not currently supported, and
12514 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
12515 to give an error as @value{GDBN} reads in the executable's symbol
12516 table.
12517
12518 @cindex expressions in Modula-2
12519 @menu
12520 * M2 Operators:: Built-in operators
12521 * Built-In Func/Proc:: Built-in functions and procedures
12522 * M2 Constants:: Modula-2 constants
12523 * M2 Types:: Modula-2 types
12524 * M2 Defaults:: Default settings for Modula-2
12525 * Deviations:: Deviations from standard Modula-2
12526 * M2 Checks:: Modula-2 type and range checks
12527 * M2 Scope:: The scope operators @code{::} and @code{.}
12528 * GDB/M2:: @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
12529 @end menu
12530
12531 @node M2 Operators
12532 @subsubsection Operators
12533 @cindex Modula-2 operators
12534
12535 Operators must be defined on values of specific types. For instance,
12536 @code{+} is defined on numbers, but not on structures. Operators are
12537 often defined on groups of types. For the purposes of Modula-2, the
12538 following definitions hold:
12539
12540 @itemize @bullet
12541
12542 @item
12543 @emph{Integral types} consist of @code{INTEGER}, @code{CARDINAL}, and
12544 their subranges.
12545
12546 @item
12547 @emph{Character types} consist of @code{CHAR} and its subranges.
12548
12549 @item
12550 @emph{Floating-point types} consist of @code{REAL}.
12551
12552 @item
12553 @emph{Pointer types} consist of anything declared as @code{POINTER TO
12554 @var{type}}.
12555
12556 @item
12557 @emph{Scalar types} consist of all of the above.
12558
12559 @item
12560 @emph{Set types} consist of @code{SET} and @code{BITSET} types.
12561
12562 @item
12563 @emph{Boolean types} consist of @code{BOOLEAN}.
12564 @end itemize
12565
12566 @noindent
12567 The following operators are supported, and appear in order of
12568 increasing precedence:
12569
12570 @table @code
12571 @item ,
12572 Function argument or array index separator.
12573
12574 @item :=
12575 Assignment. The value of @var{var} @code{:=} @var{value} is
12576 @var{value}.
12577
12578 @item <@r{, }>
12579 Less than, greater than on integral, floating-point, or enumerated
12580 types.
12581
12582 @item <=@r{, }>=
12583 Less than or equal to, greater than or equal to
12584 on integral, floating-point and enumerated types, or set inclusion on
12585 set types. Same precedence as @code{<}.
12586
12587 @item =@r{, }<>@r{, }#
12588 Equality and two ways of expressing inequality, valid on scalar types.
12589 Same precedence as @code{<}. In @value{GDBN} scripts, only @code{<>} is
12590 available for inequality, since @code{#} conflicts with the script
12591 comment character.
12592
12593 @item IN
12594 Set membership. Defined on set types and the types of their members.
12595 Same precedence as @code{<}.
12596
12597 @item OR
12598 Boolean disjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12599
12600 @item AND@r{, }&
12601 Boolean conjunction. Defined on boolean types.
12602
12603 @item @@
12604 The @value{GDBN} ``artificial array'' operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}).
12605
12606 @item +@r{, }-
12607 Addition and subtraction on integral and floating-point types, or union
12608 and difference on set types.
12609
12610 @item *
12611 Multiplication on integral and floating-point types, or set intersection
12612 on set types.
12613
12614 @item /
12615 Division on floating-point types, or symmetric set difference on set
12616 types. Same precedence as @code{*}.
12617
12618 @item DIV@r{, }MOD
12619 Integer division and remainder. Defined on integral types. Same
12620 precedence as @code{*}.
12621
12622 @item -
12623 Negative. Defined on @code{INTEGER} and @code{REAL} data.
12624
12625 @item ^
12626 Pointer dereferencing. Defined on pointer types.
12627
12628 @item NOT
12629 Boolean negation. Defined on boolean types. Same precedence as
12630 @code{^}.
12631
12632 @item .
12633 @code{RECORD} field selector. Defined on @code{RECORD} data. Same
12634 precedence as @code{^}.
12635
12636 @item []
12637 Array indexing. Defined on @code{ARRAY} data. Same precedence as @code{^}.
12638
12639 @item ()
12640 Procedure argument list. Defined on @code{PROCEDURE} objects. Same precedence
12641 as @code{^}.
12642
12643 @item ::@r{, }.
12644 @value{GDBN} and Modula-2 scope operators.
12645 @end table
12646
12647 @quotation
12648 @emph{Warning:} Set expressions and their operations are not yet supported, so @value{GDBN}
12649 treats the use of the operator @code{IN}, or the use of operators
12650 @code{+}, @code{-}, @code{*}, @code{/}, @code{=}, , @code{<>}, @code{#},
12651 @code{<=}, and @code{>=} on sets as an error.
12652 @end quotation
12653
12654
12655 @node Built-In Func/Proc
12656 @subsubsection Built-in Functions and Procedures
12657 @cindex Modula-2 built-ins
12658
12659 Modula-2 also makes available several built-in procedures and functions.
12660 In describing these, the following metavariables are used:
12661
12662 @table @var
12663
12664 @item a
12665 represents an @code{ARRAY} variable.
12666
12667 @item c
12668 represents a @code{CHAR} constant or variable.
12669
12670 @item i
12671 represents a variable or constant of integral type.
12672
12673 @item m
12674 represents an identifier that belongs to a set. Generally used in the
12675 same function with the metavariable @var{s}. The type of @var{s} should
12676 be @code{SET OF @var{mtype}} (where @var{mtype} is the type of @var{m}).
12677
12678 @item n
12679 represents a variable or constant of integral or floating-point type.
12680
12681 @item r
12682 represents a variable or constant of floating-point type.
12683
12684 @item t
12685 represents a type.
12686
12687 @item v
12688 represents a variable.
12689
12690 @item x
12691 represents a variable or constant of one of many types. See the
12692 explanation of the function for details.
12693 @end table
12694
12695 All Modula-2 built-in procedures also return a result, described below.
12696
12697 @table @code
12698 @item ABS(@var{n})
12699 Returns the absolute value of @var{n}.
12700
12701 @item CAP(@var{c})
12702 If @var{c} is a lower case letter, it returns its upper case
12703 equivalent, otherwise it returns its argument.
12704
12705 @item CHR(@var{i})
12706 Returns the character whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12707
12708 @item DEC(@var{v})
12709 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12710
12711 @item DEC(@var{v},@var{i})
12712 Decrements the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12713 new value.
12714
12715 @item EXCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12716 Removes the element @var{m} from the set @var{s}. Returns the new
12717 set.
12718
12719 @item FLOAT(@var{i})
12720 Returns the floating point equivalent of the integer @var{i}.
12721
12722 @item HIGH(@var{a})
12723 Returns the index of the last member of @var{a}.
12724
12725 @item INC(@var{v})
12726 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by one. Returns the new value.
12727
12728 @item INC(@var{v},@var{i})
12729 Increments the value in the variable @var{v} by @var{i}. Returns the
12730 new value.
12731
12732 @item INCL(@var{m},@var{s})
12733 Adds the element @var{m} to the set @var{s} if it is not already
12734 there. Returns the new set.
12735
12736 @item MAX(@var{t})
12737 Returns the maximum value of the type @var{t}.
12738
12739 @item MIN(@var{t})
12740 Returns the minimum value of the type @var{t}.
12741
12742 @item ODD(@var{i})
12743 Returns boolean TRUE if @var{i} is an odd number.
12744
12745 @item ORD(@var{x})
12746 Returns the ordinal value of its argument. For example, the ordinal
12747 value of a character is its @sc{ascii} value (on machines supporting the
12748 @sc{ascii} character set). @var{x} must be of an ordered type, which include
12749 integral, character and enumerated types.
12750
12751 @item SIZE(@var{x})
12752 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12753
12754 @item TRUNC(@var{r})
12755 Returns the integral part of @var{r}.
12756
12757 @item TSIZE(@var{x})
12758 Returns the size of its argument. @var{x} can be a variable or a type.
12759
12760 @item VAL(@var{t},@var{i})
12761 Returns the member of the type @var{t} whose ordinal value is @var{i}.
12762 @end table
12763
12764 @quotation
12765 @emph{Warning:} Sets and their operations are not yet supported, so
12766 @value{GDBN} treats the use of procedures @code{INCL} and @code{EXCL} as
12767 an error.
12768 @end quotation
12769
12770 @cindex Modula-2 constants
12771 @node M2 Constants
12772 @subsubsection Constants
12773
12774 @value{GDBN} allows you to express the constants of Modula-2 in the following
12775 ways:
12776
12777 @itemize @bullet
12778
12779 @item
12780 Integer constants are simply a sequence of digits. When used in an
12781 expression, a constant is interpreted to be type-compatible with the
12782 rest of the expression. Hexadecimal integers are specified by a
12783 trailing @samp{H}, and octal integers by a trailing @samp{B}.
12784
12785 @item
12786 Floating point constants appear as a sequence of digits, followed by a
12787 decimal point and another sequence of digits. An optional exponent can
12788 then be specified, in the form @samp{E@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}}, where
12789 @samp{@r{[}+@r{|}-@r{]}@var{nnn}} is the desired exponent. All of the
12790 digits of the floating point constant must be valid decimal (base 10)
12791 digits.
12792
12793 @item
12794 Character constants consist of a single character enclosed by a pair of
12795 like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}). They may
12796 also be expressed by their ordinal value (their @sc{ascii} value, usually)
12797 followed by a @samp{C}.
12798
12799 @item
12800 String constants consist of a sequence of characters enclosed by a
12801 pair of like quotes, either single (@code{'}) or double (@code{"}).
12802 Escape sequences in the style of C are also allowed. @xref{C
12803 Constants, ,C and C@t{++} Constants}, for a brief explanation of escape
12804 sequences.
12805
12806 @item
12807 Enumerated constants consist of an enumerated identifier.
12808
12809 @item
12810 Boolean constants consist of the identifiers @code{TRUE} and
12811 @code{FALSE}.
12812
12813 @item
12814 Pointer constants consist of integral values only.
12815
12816 @item
12817 Set constants are not yet supported.
12818 @end itemize
12819
12820 @node M2 Types
12821 @subsubsection Modula-2 Types
12822 @cindex Modula-2 types
12823
12824 Currently @value{GDBN} can print the following data types in Modula-2
12825 syntax: array types, record types, set types, pointer types, procedure
12826 types, enumerated types, subrange types and base types. You can also
12827 print the contents of variables declared using these type.
12828 This section gives a number of simple source code examples together with
12829 sample @value{GDBN} sessions.
12830
12831 The first example contains the following section of code:
12832
12833 @smallexample
12834 VAR
12835 s: SET OF CHAR ;
12836 r: [20..40] ;
12837 @end smallexample
12838
12839 @noindent
12840 and you can request @value{GDBN} to interrogate the type and value of
12841 @code{r} and @code{s}.
12842
12843 @smallexample
12844 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12845 @{'A'..'C', 'Z'@}
12846 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12847 SET OF CHAR
12848 (@value{GDBP}) print r
12849 21
12850 (@value{GDBP}) ptype r
12851 [20..40]
12852 @end smallexample
12853
12854 @noindent
12855 Likewise if your source code declares @code{s} as:
12856
12857 @smallexample
12858 VAR
12859 s: SET ['A'..'Z'] ;
12860 @end smallexample
12861
12862 @noindent
12863 then you may query the type of @code{s} by:
12864
12865 @smallexample
12866 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12867 type = SET ['A'..'Z']
12868 @end smallexample
12869
12870 @noindent
12871 Note that at present you cannot interactively manipulate set
12872 expressions using the debugger.
12873
12874 The following example shows how you might declare an array in Modula-2
12875 and how you can interact with @value{GDBN} to print its type and contents:
12876
12877 @smallexample
12878 VAR
12879 s: ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR ;
12880 @end smallexample
12881
12882 @smallexample
12883 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12884 ARRAY [-10..10] OF CHAR
12885 @end smallexample
12886
12887 Note that the array handling is not yet complete and although the type
12888 is printed correctly, expression handling still assumes that all
12889 arrays have a lower bound of zero and not @code{-10} as in the example
12890 above.
12891
12892 Here are some more type related Modula-2 examples:
12893
12894 @smallexample
12895 TYPE
12896 colour = (blue, red, yellow, green) ;
12897 t = [blue..yellow] ;
12898 VAR
12899 s: t ;
12900 BEGIN
12901 s := blue ;
12902 @end smallexample
12903
12904 @noindent
12905 The @value{GDBN} interaction shows how you can query the data type
12906 and value of a variable.
12907
12908 @smallexample
12909 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12910 $1 = blue
12911 (@value{GDBP}) ptype t
12912 type = [blue..yellow]
12913 @end smallexample
12914
12915 @noindent
12916 In this example a Modula-2 array is declared and its contents
12917 displayed. Observe that the contents are written in the same way as
12918 their @code{C} counterparts.
12919
12920 @smallexample
12921 VAR
12922 s: ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12923 BEGIN
12924 s[1] := 1 ;
12925 @end smallexample
12926
12927 @smallexample
12928 (@value{GDBP}) print s
12929 $1 = @{1, 0, 0, 0, 0@}
12930 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12931 type = ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12932 @end smallexample
12933
12934 The Modula-2 language interface to @value{GDBN} also understands
12935 pointer types as shown in this example:
12936
12937 @smallexample
12938 VAR
12939 s: POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL ;
12940 BEGIN
12941 NEW(s) ;
12942 s^[1] := 1 ;
12943 @end smallexample
12944
12945 @noindent
12946 and you can request that @value{GDBN} describes the type of @code{s}.
12947
12948 @smallexample
12949 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12950 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [1..5] OF CARDINAL
12951 @end smallexample
12952
12953 @value{GDBN} handles compound types as we can see in this example.
12954 Here we combine array types, record types, pointer types and subrange
12955 types:
12956
12957 @smallexample
12958 TYPE
12959 foo = RECORD
12960 f1: CARDINAL ;
12961 f2: CHAR ;
12962 f3: myarray ;
12963 END ;
12964
12965 myarray = ARRAY myrange OF CARDINAL ;
12966 myrange = [-2..2] ;
12967 VAR
12968 s: POINTER TO ARRAY myrange OF foo ;
12969 @end smallexample
12970
12971 @noindent
12972 and you can ask @value{GDBN} to describe the type of @code{s} as shown
12973 below.
12974
12975 @smallexample
12976 (@value{GDBP}) ptype s
12977 type = POINTER TO ARRAY [-2..2] OF foo = RECORD
12978 f1 : CARDINAL;
12979 f2 : CHAR;
12980 f3 : ARRAY [-2..2] OF CARDINAL;
12981 END
12982 @end smallexample
12983
12984 @node M2 Defaults
12985 @subsubsection Modula-2 Defaults
12986 @cindex Modula-2 defaults
12987
12988 If type and range checking are set automatically by @value{GDBN}, they
12989 both default to @code{on} whenever the working language changes to
12990 Modula-2. This happens regardless of whether you or @value{GDBN}
12991 selected the working language.
12992
12993 If you allow @value{GDBN} to set the language automatically, then entering
12994 code compiled from a file whose name ends with @file{.mod} sets the
12995 working language to Modula-2. @xref{Automatically, ,Having @value{GDBN}
12996 Infer the Source Language}, for further details.
12997
12998 @node Deviations
12999 @subsubsection Deviations from Standard Modula-2
13000 @cindex Modula-2, deviations from
13001
13002 A few changes have been made to make Modula-2 programs easier to debug.
13003 This is done primarily via loosening its type strictness:
13004
13005 @itemize @bullet
13006 @item
13007 Unlike in standard Modula-2, pointer constants can be formed by
13008 integers. This allows you to modify pointer variables during
13009 debugging. (In standard Modula-2, the actual address contained in a
13010 pointer variable is hidden from you; it can only be modified
13011 through direct assignment to another pointer variable or expression that
13012 returned a pointer.)
13013
13014 @item
13015 C escape sequences can be used in strings and characters to represent
13016 non-printable characters. @value{GDBN} prints out strings with these
13017 escape sequences embedded. Single non-printable characters are
13018 printed using the @samp{CHR(@var{nnn})} format.
13019
13020 @item
13021 The assignment operator (@code{:=}) returns the value of its right-hand
13022 argument.
13023
13024 @item
13025 All built-in procedures both modify @emph{and} return their argument.
13026 @end itemize
13027
13028 @node M2 Checks
13029 @subsubsection Modula-2 Type and Range Checks
13030 @cindex Modula-2 checks
13031
13032 @quotation
13033 @emph{Warning:} in this release, @value{GDBN} does not yet perform type or
13034 range checking.
13035 @end quotation
13036 @c FIXME remove warning when type/range checks added
13037
13038 @value{GDBN} considers two Modula-2 variables type equivalent if:
13039
13040 @itemize @bullet
13041 @item
13042 They are of types that have been declared equivalent via a @code{TYPE
13043 @var{t1} = @var{t2}} statement
13044
13045 @item
13046 They have been declared on the same line. (Note: This is true of the
13047 @sc{gnu} Modula-2 compiler, but it may not be true of other compilers.)
13048 @end itemize
13049
13050 As long as type checking is enabled, any attempt to combine variables
13051 whose types are not equivalent is an error.
13052
13053 Range checking is done on all mathematical operations, assignment, array
13054 index bounds, and all built-in functions and procedures.
13055
13056 @node M2 Scope
13057 @subsubsection The Scope Operators @code{::} and @code{.}
13058 @cindex scope
13059 @cindex @code{.}, Modula-2 scope operator
13060 @cindex colon, doubled as scope operator
13061 @ifinfo
13062 @vindex colon-colon@r{, in Modula-2}
13063 @c Info cannot handle :: but TeX can.
13064 @end ifinfo
13065 @ifnotinfo
13066 @vindex ::@r{, in Modula-2}
13067 @end ifnotinfo
13068
13069 There are a few subtle differences between the Modula-2 scope operator
13070 (@code{.}) and the @value{GDBN} scope operator (@code{::}). The two have
13071 similar syntax:
13072
13073 @smallexample
13074
13075 @var{module} . @var{id}
13076 @var{scope} :: @var{id}
13077 @end smallexample
13078
13079 @noindent
13080 where @var{scope} is the name of a module or a procedure,
13081 @var{module} the name of a module, and @var{id} is any declared
13082 identifier within your program, except another module.
13083
13084 Using the @code{::} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the scope
13085 specified by @var{scope} for the identifier @var{id}. If it is not
13086 found in the specified scope, then @value{GDBN} searches all scopes
13087 enclosing the one specified by @var{scope}.
13088
13089 Using the @code{.} operator makes @value{GDBN} search the current scope for
13090 the identifier specified by @var{id} that was imported from the
13091 definition module specified by @var{module}. With this operator, it is
13092 an error if the identifier @var{id} was not imported from definition
13093 module @var{module}, or if @var{id} is not an identifier in
13094 @var{module}.
13095
13096 @node GDB/M2
13097 @subsubsection @value{GDBN} and Modula-2
13098
13099 Some @value{GDBN} commands have little use when debugging Modula-2 programs.
13100 Five subcommands of @code{set print} and @code{show print} apply
13101 specifically to C and C@t{++}: @samp{vtbl}, @samp{demangle},
13102 @samp{asm-demangle}, @samp{object}, and @samp{union}. The first four
13103 apply to C@t{++}, and the last to the C @code{union} type, which has no direct
13104 analogue in Modula-2.
13105
13106 The @code{@@} operator (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), while available
13107 with any language, is not useful with Modula-2. Its
13108 intent is to aid the debugging of @dfn{dynamic arrays}, which cannot be
13109 created in Modula-2 as they can in C or C@t{++}. However, because an
13110 address can be specified by an integral constant, the construct
13111 @samp{@{@var{type}@}@var{adrexp}} is still useful.
13112
13113 @cindex @code{#} in Modula-2
13114 In @value{GDBN} scripts, the Modula-2 inequality operator @code{#} is
13115 interpreted as the beginning of a comment. Use @code{<>} instead.
13116
13117 @node Ada
13118 @subsection Ada
13119 @cindex Ada
13120
13121 The extensions made to @value{GDBN} for Ada only support
13122 output from the @sc{gnu} Ada (GNAT) compiler.
13123 Other Ada compilers are not currently supported, and
13124 attempting to debug executables produced by them is most likely
13125 to be difficult.
13126
13127
13128 @cindex expressions in Ada
13129 @menu
13130 * Ada Mode Intro:: General remarks on the Ada syntax
13131 and semantics supported by Ada mode
13132 in @value{GDBN}.
13133 * Omissions from Ada:: Restrictions on the Ada expression syntax.
13134 * Additions to Ada:: Extensions of the Ada expression syntax.
13135 * Stopping Before Main Program:: Debugging the program during elaboration.
13136 * Ada Tasks:: Listing and setting breakpoints in tasks.
13137 * Ada Tasks and Core Files:: Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13138 * Ravenscar Profile:: Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar
13139 Profile
13140 * Ada Glitches:: Known peculiarities of Ada mode.
13141 @end menu
13142
13143 @node Ada Mode Intro
13144 @subsubsection Introduction
13145 @cindex Ada mode, general
13146
13147 The Ada mode of @value{GDBN} supports a fairly large subset of Ada expression
13148 syntax, with some extensions.
13149 The philosophy behind the design of this subset is
13150
13151 @itemize @bullet
13152 @item
13153 That @value{GDBN} should provide basic literals and access to operations for
13154 arithmetic, dereferencing, field selection, indexing, and subprogram calls,
13155 leaving more sophisticated computations to subprograms written into the
13156 program (which therefore may be called from @value{GDBN}).
13157
13158 @item
13159 That type safety and strict adherence to Ada language restrictions
13160 are not particularly important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13161
13162 @item
13163 That brevity is important to the @value{GDBN} user.
13164 @end itemize
13165
13166 Thus, for brevity, the debugger acts as if all names declared in
13167 user-written packages are directly visible, even if they are not visible
13168 according to Ada rules, thus making it unnecessary to fully qualify most
13169 names with their packages, regardless of context. Where this causes
13170 ambiguity, @value{GDBN} asks the user's intent.
13171
13172 The debugger will start in Ada mode if it detects an Ada main program.
13173 As for other languages, it will enter Ada mode when stopped in a program that
13174 was translated from an Ada source file.
13175
13176 While in Ada mode, you may use `@t{--}' for comments. This is useful
13177 mostly for documenting command files. The standard @value{GDBN} comment
13178 (@samp{#}) still works at the beginning of a line in Ada mode, but not in the
13179 middle (to allow based literals).
13180
13181 The debugger supports limited overloading. Given a subprogram call in which
13182 the function symbol has multiple definitions, it will use the number of
13183 actual parameters and some information about their types to attempt to narrow
13184 the set of definitions. It also makes very limited use of context, preferring
13185 procedures to functions in the context of the @code{call} command, and
13186 functions to procedures elsewhere.
13187
13188 @node Omissions from Ada
13189 @subsubsection Omissions from Ada
13190 @cindex Ada, omissions from
13191
13192 Here are the notable omissions from the subset:
13193
13194 @itemize @bullet
13195 @item
13196 Only a subset of the attributes are supported:
13197
13198 @itemize @minus
13199 @item
13200 @t{'First}, @t{'Last}, and @t{'Length}
13201 on array objects (not on types and subtypes).
13202
13203 @item
13204 @t{'Min} and @t{'Max}.
13205
13206 @item
13207 @t{'Pos} and @t{'Val}.
13208
13209 @item
13210 @t{'Tag}.
13211
13212 @item
13213 @t{'Range} on array objects (not subtypes), but only as the right
13214 operand of the membership (@code{in}) operator.
13215
13216 @item
13217 @t{'Access}, @t{'Unchecked_Access}, and
13218 @t{'Unrestricted_Access} (a GNAT extension).
13219
13220 @item
13221 @t{'Address}.
13222 @end itemize
13223
13224 @item
13225 The names in
13226 @code{Characters.Latin_1} are not available and
13227 concatenation is not implemented. Thus, escape characters in strings are
13228 not currently available.
13229
13230 @item
13231 Equality tests (@samp{=} and @samp{/=}) on arrays test for bitwise
13232 equality of representations. They will generally work correctly
13233 for strings and arrays whose elements have integer or enumeration types.
13234 They may not work correctly for arrays whose element
13235 types have user-defined equality, for arrays of real values
13236 (in particular, IEEE-conformant floating point, because of negative
13237 zeroes and NaNs), and for arrays whose elements contain unused bits with
13238 indeterminate values.
13239
13240 @item
13241 The other component-by-component array operations (@code{and}, @code{or},
13242 @code{xor}, @code{not}, and relational tests other than equality)
13243 are not implemented.
13244
13245 @item
13246 @cindex array aggregates (Ada)
13247 @cindex record aggregates (Ada)
13248 @cindex aggregates (Ada)
13249 There is limited support for array and record aggregates. They are
13250 permitted only on the right sides of assignments, as in these examples:
13251
13252 @smallexample
13253 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
13254 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (1, others => 0)
13255 (@value{GDBP}) set An_Array := (0|4 => 1, 1..3 => 2, 5 => 6)
13256 (@value{GDBP}) set A_2D_Array := ((1, 2, 3), (4, 5, 6), (7, 8, 9))
13257 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (1, "Peter", True);
13258 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Record := (Name => "Peter", Id => 1, Alive => True)
13259 @end smallexample
13260
13261 Changing a
13262 discriminant's value by assigning an aggregate has an
13263 undefined effect if that discriminant is used within the record.
13264 However, you can first modify discriminants by directly assigning to
13265 them (which normally would not be allowed in Ada), and then performing an
13266 aggregate assignment. For example, given a variable @code{A_Rec}
13267 declared to have a type such as:
13268
13269 @smallexample
13270 type Rec (Len : Small_Integer := 0) is record
13271 Id : Integer;
13272 Vals : IntArray (1 .. Len);
13273 end record;
13274 @end smallexample
13275
13276 you can assign a value with a different size of @code{Vals} with two
13277 assignments:
13278
13279 @smallexample
13280 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec.Len := 4
13281 (@value{GDBP}) set A_Rec := (Id => 42, Vals => (1, 2, 3, 4))
13282 @end smallexample
13283
13284 As this example also illustrates, @value{GDBN} is very loose about the usual
13285 rules concerning aggregates. You may leave out some of the
13286 components of an array or record aggregate (such as the @code{Len}
13287 component in the assignment to @code{A_Rec} above); they will retain their
13288 original values upon assignment. You may freely use dynamic values as
13289 indices in component associations. You may even use overlapping or
13290 redundant component associations, although which component values are
13291 assigned in such cases is not defined.
13292
13293 @item
13294 Calls to dispatching subprograms are not implemented.
13295
13296 @item
13297 The overloading algorithm is much more limited (i.e., less selective)
13298 than that of real Ada. It makes only limited use of the context in
13299 which a subexpression appears to resolve its meaning, and it is much
13300 looser in its rules for allowing type matches. As a result, some
13301 function calls will be ambiguous, and the user will be asked to choose
13302 the proper resolution.
13303
13304 @item
13305 The @code{new} operator is not implemented.
13306
13307 @item
13308 Entry calls are not implemented.
13309
13310 @item
13311 Aside from printing, arithmetic operations on the native VAX floating-point
13312 formats are not supported.
13313
13314 @item
13315 It is not possible to slice a packed array.
13316
13317 @item
13318 The names @code{True} and @code{False}, when not part of a qualified name,
13319 are interpreted as if implicitly prefixed by @code{Standard}, regardless of
13320 context.
13321 Should your program
13322 redefine these names in a package or procedure (at best a dubious practice),
13323 you will have to use fully qualified names to access their new definitions.
13324 @end itemize
13325
13326 @node Additions to Ada
13327 @subsubsection Additions to Ada
13328 @cindex Ada, deviations from
13329
13330 As it does for other languages, @value{GDBN} makes certain generic
13331 extensions to Ada (@pxref{Expressions}):
13332
13333 @itemize @bullet
13334 @item
13335 If the expression @var{E} is a variable residing in memory (typically
13336 a local variable or array element) and @var{N} is a positive integer,
13337 then @code{@var{E}@@@var{N}} displays the values of @var{E} and the
13338 @var{N}-1 adjacent variables following it in memory as an array. In
13339 Ada, this operator is generally not necessary, since its prime use is
13340 in displaying parts of an array, and slicing will usually do this in
13341 Ada. However, there are occasional uses when debugging programs in
13342 which certain debugging information has been optimized away.
13343
13344 @item
13345 @code{@var{B}::@var{var}} means ``the variable named @var{var} that
13346 appears in function or file @var{B}.'' When @var{B} is a file name,
13347 you must typically surround it in single quotes.
13348
13349 @item
13350 The expression @code{@{@var{type}@} @var{addr}} means ``the variable of type
13351 @var{type} that appears at address @var{addr}.''
13352
13353 @item
13354 A name starting with @samp{$} is a convenience variable
13355 (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) or a machine register (@pxref{Registers}).
13356 @end itemize
13357
13358 In addition, @value{GDBN} provides a few other shortcuts and outright
13359 additions specific to Ada:
13360
13361 @itemize @bullet
13362 @item
13363 The assignment statement is allowed as an expression, returning
13364 its right-hand operand as its value. Thus, you may enter
13365
13366 @smallexample
13367 (@value{GDBP}) set x := y + 3
13368 (@value{GDBP}) print A(tmp := y + 1)
13369 @end smallexample
13370
13371 @item
13372 The semicolon is allowed as an ``operator,'' returning as its value
13373 the value of its right-hand operand.
13374 This allows, for example,
13375 complex conditional breaks:
13376
13377 @smallexample
13378 (@value{GDBP}) break f
13379 (@value{GDBP}) condition 1 (report(i); k += 1; A(k) > 100)
13380 @end smallexample
13381
13382 @item
13383 Rather than use catenation and symbolic character names to introduce special
13384 characters into strings, one may instead use a special bracket notation,
13385 which is also used to print strings. A sequence of characters of the form
13386 @samp{["@var{XX}"]} within a string or character literal denotes the
13387 (single) character whose numeric encoding is @var{XX} in hexadecimal. The
13388 sequence of characters @samp{["""]} also denotes a single quotation mark
13389 in strings. For example,
13390 @smallexample
13391 "One line.["0a"]Next line.["0a"]"
13392 @end smallexample
13393 @noindent
13394 contains an ASCII newline character (@code{Ada.Characters.Latin_1.LF})
13395 after each period.
13396
13397 @item
13398 The subtype used as a prefix for the attributes @t{'Pos}, @t{'Min}, and
13399 @t{'Max} is optional (and is ignored in any case). For example, it is valid
13400 to write
13401
13402 @smallexample
13403 (@value{GDBP}) print 'max(x, y)
13404 @end smallexample
13405
13406 @item
13407 When printing arrays, @value{GDBN} uses positional notation when the
13408 array has a lower bound of 1, and uses a modified named notation otherwise.
13409 For example, a one-dimensional array of three integers with a lower bound
13410 of 3 might print as
13411
13412 @smallexample
13413 (3 => 10, 17, 1)
13414 @end smallexample
13415
13416 @noindent
13417 That is, in contrast to valid Ada, only the first component has a @code{=>}
13418 clause.
13419
13420 @item
13421 You may abbreviate attributes in expressions with any unique,
13422 multi-character subsequence of
13423 their names (an exact match gets preference).
13424 For example, you may use @t{a'len}, @t{a'gth}, or @t{a'lh}
13425 in place of @t{a'length}.
13426
13427 @item
13428 @cindex quoting Ada internal identifiers
13429 Since Ada is case-insensitive, the debugger normally maps identifiers you type
13430 to lower case. The GNAT compiler uses upper-case characters for
13431 some of its internal identifiers, which are normally of no interest to users.
13432 For the rare occasions when you actually have to look at them,
13433 enclose them in angle brackets to avoid the lower-case mapping.
13434 For example,
13435 @smallexample
13436 (@value{GDBP}) print <JMPBUF_SAVE>[0]
13437 @end smallexample
13438
13439 @item
13440 Printing an object of class-wide type or dereferencing an
13441 access-to-class-wide value will display all the components of the object's
13442 specific type (as indicated by its run-time tag). Likewise, component
13443 selection on such a value will operate on the specific type of the
13444 object.
13445
13446 @end itemize
13447
13448 @node Stopping Before Main Program
13449 @subsubsection Stopping at the Very Beginning
13450
13451 @cindex breakpointing Ada elaboration code
13452 It is sometimes necessary to debug the program during elaboration, and
13453 before reaching the main procedure.
13454 As defined in the Ada Reference
13455 Manual, the elaboration code is invoked from a procedure called
13456 @code{adainit}. To run your program up to the beginning of
13457 elaboration, simply use the following two commands:
13458 @code{tbreak adainit} and @code{run}.
13459
13460 @node Ada Tasks
13461 @subsubsection Extensions for Ada Tasks
13462 @cindex Ada, tasking
13463
13464 Support for Ada tasks is analogous to that for threads (@pxref{Threads}).
13465 @value{GDBN} provides the following task-related commands:
13466
13467 @table @code
13468 @kindex info tasks
13469 @item info tasks
13470 This command shows a list of current Ada tasks, as in the following example:
13471
13472
13473 @smallexample
13474 @iftex
13475 @leftskip=0.5cm
13476 @end iftex
13477 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13478 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13479 1 8088000 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13480 2 80a4000 1 15 Accept Statement b
13481 3 809a800 1 15 Child Activation Wait a
13482 * 4 80ae800 3 15 Runnable c
13483
13484 @end smallexample
13485
13486 @noindent
13487 In this listing, the asterisk before the last task indicates it to be the
13488 task currently being inspected.
13489
13490 @table @asis
13491 @item ID
13492 Represents @value{GDBN}'s internal task number.
13493
13494 @item TID
13495 The Ada task ID.
13496
13497 @item P-ID
13498 The parent's task ID (@value{GDBN}'s internal task number).
13499
13500 @item Pri
13501 The base priority of the task.
13502
13503 @item State
13504 Current state of the task.
13505
13506 @table @code
13507 @item Unactivated
13508 The task has been created but has not been activated. It cannot be
13509 executing.
13510
13511 @item Runnable
13512 The task is not blocked for any reason known to Ada. (It may be waiting
13513 for a mutex, though.) It is conceptually "executing" in normal mode.
13514
13515 @item Terminated
13516 The task is terminated, in the sense of ARM 9.3 (5). Any dependents
13517 that were waiting on terminate alternatives have been awakened and have
13518 terminated themselves.
13519
13520 @item Child Activation Wait
13521 The task is waiting for created tasks to complete activation.
13522
13523 @item Accept Statement
13524 The task is waiting on an accept or selective wait statement.
13525
13526 @item Waiting on entry call
13527 The task is waiting on an entry call.
13528
13529 @item Async Select Wait
13530 The task is waiting to start the abortable part of an asynchronous
13531 select statement.
13532
13533 @item Delay Sleep
13534 The task is waiting on a select statement with only a delay
13535 alternative open.
13536
13537 @item Child Termination Wait
13538 The task is sleeping having completed a master within itself, and is
13539 waiting for the tasks dependent on that master to become terminated or
13540 waiting on a terminate Phase.
13541
13542 @item Wait Child in Term Alt
13543 The task is sleeping waiting for tasks on terminate alternatives to
13544 finish terminating.
13545
13546 @item Accepting RV with @var{taskno}
13547 The task is accepting a rendez-vous with the task @var{taskno}.
13548 @end table
13549
13550 @item Name
13551 Name of the task in the program.
13552
13553 @end table
13554
13555 @kindex info task @var{taskno}
13556 @item info task @var{taskno}
13557 This command shows detailled informations on the specified task, as in
13558 the following example:
13559 @smallexample
13560 @iftex
13561 @leftskip=0.5cm
13562 @end iftex
13563 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13564 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13565 1 8077880 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13566 * 2 807c468 1 15 Runnable task_1
13567 (@value{GDBP}) info task 2
13568 Ada Task: 0x807c468
13569 Name: task_1
13570 Thread: 0x807f378
13571 Parent: 1 (main_task)
13572 Base Priority: 15
13573 State: Runnable
13574 @end smallexample
13575
13576 @item task
13577 @kindex task@r{ (Ada)}
13578 @cindex current Ada task ID
13579 This command prints the ID of the current task.
13580
13581 @smallexample
13582 @iftex
13583 @leftskip=0.5cm
13584 @end iftex
13585 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13586 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13587 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13588 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13589 (@value{GDBP}) task
13590 [Current task is 2]
13591 @end smallexample
13592
13593 @item task @var{taskno}
13594 @cindex Ada task switching
13595 This command is like the @code{thread @var{threadno}}
13596 command (@pxref{Threads}). It switches the context of debugging
13597 from the current task to the given task.
13598
13599 @smallexample
13600 @iftex
13601 @leftskip=0.5cm
13602 @end iftex
13603 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13604 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13605 1 8077870 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13606 * 2 807c458 1 15 Runnable t
13607 (@value{GDBP}) task 1
13608 [Switching to task 1]
13609 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13610 (@value{GDBP}) bt
13611 #0 0x8067726 in pthread_cond_wait ()
13612 #1 0x8056714 in system.os_interface.pthread_cond_wait ()
13613 #2 0x805cb63 in system.task_primitives.operations.sleep ()
13614 #3 0x806153e in system.tasking.stages.activate_tasks ()
13615 #4 0x804aacc in un () at un.adb:5
13616 @end smallexample
13617
13618 @item break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno}
13619 @itemx break @var{linespec} task @var{taskno} if @dots{}
13620 @cindex breakpoints and tasks, in Ada
13621 @cindex task breakpoints, in Ada
13622 @kindex break @dots{} task @var{taskno}@r{ (Ada)}
13623 These commands are like the @code{break @dots{} thread @dots{}}
13624 command (@pxref{Thread Stops}).
13625 @var{linespec} specifies source lines, as described
13626 in @ref{Specify Location}.
13627
13628 Use the qualifier @samp{task @var{taskno}} with a breakpoint command
13629 to specify that you only want @value{GDBN} to stop the program when a
13630 particular Ada task reaches this breakpoint. @var{taskno} is one of the
13631 numeric task identifiers assigned by @value{GDBN}, shown in the first
13632 column of the @samp{info tasks} display.
13633
13634 If you do not specify @samp{task @var{taskno}} when you set a
13635 breakpoint, the breakpoint applies to @emph{all} tasks of your
13636 program.
13637
13638 You can use the @code{task} qualifier on conditional breakpoints as
13639 well; in this case, place @samp{task @var{taskno}} before the
13640 breakpoint condition (before the @code{if}).
13641
13642 For example,
13643
13644 @smallexample
13645 @iftex
13646 @leftskip=0.5cm
13647 @end iftex
13648 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13649 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13650 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13651 2 140045060 1 15 Accept/Select Wait t2
13652 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13653 * 4 140056040 1 15 Runnable t3
13654 (@value{GDBP}) b 15 task 2
13655 Breakpoint 5 at 0x120044cb0: file test_task_debug.adb, line 15.
13656 (@value{GDBP}) cont
13657 Continuing.
13658 task # 1 running
13659 task # 2 running
13660
13661 Breakpoint 5, test_task_debug () at test_task_debug.adb:15
13662 15 flush;
13663 (@value{GDBP}) info tasks
13664 ID TID P-ID Pri State Name
13665 1 140022020 0 15 Child Activation Wait main_task
13666 * 2 140045060 1 15 Runnable t2
13667 3 140044840 1 15 Runnable t1
13668 4 140056040 1 15 Delay Sleep t3
13669 @end smallexample
13670 @end table
13671
13672 @node Ada Tasks and Core Files
13673 @subsubsection Tasking Support when Debugging Core Files
13674 @cindex Ada tasking and core file debugging
13675
13676 When inspecting a core file, as opposed to debugging a live program,
13677 tasking support may be limited or even unavailable, depending on
13678 the platform being used.
13679 For instance, on x86-linux, the list of tasks is available, but task
13680 switching is not supported. On Tru64, however, task switching will work
13681 as usual.
13682
13683 On certain platforms, including Tru64, the debugger needs to perform some
13684 memory writes in order to provide Ada tasking support. When inspecting
13685 a core file, this means that the core file must be opened with read-write
13686 privileges, using the command @samp{"set write on"} (@pxref{Patching}).
13687 Under these circumstances, you should make a backup copy of the core
13688 file before inspecting it with @value{GDBN}.
13689
13690 @node Ravenscar Profile
13691 @subsubsection Tasking Support when using the Ravenscar Profile
13692 @cindex Ravenscar Profile
13693
13694 The @dfn{Ravenscar Profile} is a subset of the Ada tasking features,
13695 specifically designed for systems with safety-critical real-time
13696 requirements.
13697
13698 @table @code
13699 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching on
13700 @cindex task switching with program using Ravenscar Profile
13701 @item set ravenscar task-switching on
13702 Allows task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13703 Profile. This is the default.
13704
13705 @kindex set ravenscar task-switching off
13706 @item set ravenscar task-switching off
13707 Turn off task switching when debugging a program that uses the Ravenscar
13708 Profile. This is mostly intended to disable the code that adds support
13709 for the Ravenscar Profile, in case a bug in either @value{GDBN} or in
13710 the Ravenscar runtime is preventing @value{GDBN} from working properly.
13711 To be effective, this command should be run before the program is started.
13712
13713 @kindex show ravenscar task-switching
13714 @item show ravenscar task-switching
13715 Show whether it is possible to switch from task to task in a program
13716 using the Ravenscar Profile.
13717
13718 @end table
13719
13720 @node Ada Glitches
13721 @subsubsection Known Peculiarities of Ada Mode
13722 @cindex Ada, problems
13723
13724 Besides the omissions listed previously (@pxref{Omissions from Ada}),
13725 we know of several problems with and limitations of Ada mode in
13726 @value{GDBN},
13727 some of which will be fixed with planned future releases of the debugger
13728 and the GNU Ada compiler.
13729
13730 @itemize @bullet
13731 @item
13732 Static constants that the compiler chooses not to materialize as objects in
13733 storage are invisible to the debugger.
13734
13735 @item
13736 Named parameter associations in function argument lists are ignored (the
13737 argument lists are treated as positional).
13738
13739 @item
13740 Many useful library packages are currently invisible to the debugger.
13741
13742 @item
13743 Fixed-point arithmetic, conversions, input, and output is carried out using
13744 floating-point arithmetic, and may give results that only approximate those on
13745 the host machine.
13746
13747 @item
13748 The GNAT compiler never generates the prefix @code{Standard} for any of
13749 the standard symbols defined by the Ada language. @value{GDBN} knows about
13750 this: it will strip the prefix from names when you use it, and will never
13751 look for a name you have so qualified among local symbols, nor match against
13752 symbols in other packages or subprograms. If you have
13753 defined entities anywhere in your program other than parameters and
13754 local variables whose simple names match names in @code{Standard},
13755 GNAT's lack of qualification here can cause confusion. When this happens,
13756 you can usually resolve the confusion
13757 by qualifying the problematic names with package
13758 @code{Standard} explicitly.
13759 @end itemize
13760
13761 Older versions of the compiler sometimes generate erroneous debugging
13762 information, resulting in the debugger incorrectly printing the value
13763 of affected entities. In some cases, the debugger is able to work
13764 around an issue automatically. In other cases, the debugger is able
13765 to work around the issue, but the work-around has to be specifically
13766 enabled.
13767
13768 @kindex set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13769 @kindex show ada trust-PAD-over-XVS
13770 @table @code
13771
13772 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS on
13773 Configure GDB to strictly follow the GNAT encoding when computing the
13774 value of Ada entities, particularly when @code{PAD} and @code{PAD___XVS}
13775 types are involved (see @code{ada/exp_dbug.ads} in the GCC sources for
13776 a complete description of the encoding used by the GNAT compiler).
13777 This is the default.
13778
13779 @item set ada trust-PAD-over-XVS off
13780 This is related to the encoding using by the GNAT compiler. If @value{GDBN}
13781 sometimes prints the wrong value for certain entities, changing @code{ada
13782 trust-PAD-over-XVS} to @code{off} activates a work-around which may fix
13783 the issue. It is always safe to set @code{ada trust-PAD-over-XVS} to
13784 @code{off}, but this incurs a slight performance penalty, so it is
13785 recommended to leave this setting to @code{on} unless necessary.
13786
13787 @end table
13788
13789 @node Unsupported Languages
13790 @section Unsupported Languages
13791
13792 @cindex unsupported languages
13793 @cindex minimal language
13794 In addition to the other fully-supported programming languages,
13795 @value{GDBN} also provides a pseudo-language, called @code{minimal}.
13796 It does not represent a real programming language, but provides a set
13797 of capabilities close to what the C or assembly languages provide.
13798 This should allow most simple operations to be performed while debugging
13799 an application that uses a language currently not supported by @value{GDBN}.
13800
13801 If the language is set to @code{auto}, @value{GDBN} will automatically
13802 select this language if the current frame corresponds to an unsupported
13803 language.
13804
13805 @node Symbols
13806 @chapter Examining the Symbol Table
13807
13808 The commands described in this chapter allow you to inquire about the
13809 symbols (names of variables, functions and types) defined in your
13810 program. This information is inherent in the text of your program and
13811 does not change as your program executes. @value{GDBN} finds it in your
13812 program's symbol table, in the file indicated when you started @value{GDBN}
13813 (@pxref{File Options, ,Choosing Files}), or by one of the
13814 file-management commands (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
13815
13816 @cindex symbol names
13817 @cindex names of symbols
13818 @cindex quoting names
13819 Occasionally, you may need to refer to symbols that contain unusual
13820 characters, which @value{GDBN} ordinarily treats as word delimiters. The
13821 most frequent case is in referring to static variables in other
13822 source files (@pxref{Variables,,Program Variables}). File names
13823 are recorded in object files as debugging symbols, but @value{GDBN} would
13824 ordinarily parse a typical file name, like @file{foo.c}, as the three words
13825 @samp{foo} @samp{.} @samp{c}. To allow @value{GDBN} to recognize
13826 @samp{foo.c} as a single symbol, enclose it in single quotes; for example,
13827
13828 @smallexample
13829 p 'foo.c'::x
13830 @end smallexample
13831
13832 @noindent
13833 looks up the value of @code{x} in the scope of the file @file{foo.c}.
13834
13835 @table @code
13836 @cindex case-insensitive symbol names
13837 @cindex case sensitivity in symbol names
13838 @kindex set case-sensitive
13839 @item set case-sensitive on
13840 @itemx set case-sensitive off
13841 @itemx set case-sensitive auto
13842 Normally, when @value{GDBN} looks up symbols, it matches their names
13843 with case sensitivity determined by the current source language.
13844 Occasionally, you may wish to control that. The command @code{set
13845 case-sensitive} lets you do that by specifying @code{on} for
13846 case-sensitive matches or @code{off} for case-insensitive ones. If
13847 you specify @code{auto}, case sensitivity is reset to the default
13848 suitable for the source language. The default is case-sensitive
13849 matches for all languages except for Fortran, for which the default is
13850 case-insensitive matches.
13851
13852 @kindex show case-sensitive
13853 @item show case-sensitive
13854 This command shows the current setting of case sensitivity for symbols
13855 lookups.
13856
13857 @kindex info address
13858 @cindex address of a symbol
13859 @item info address @var{symbol}
13860 Describe where the data for @var{symbol} is stored. For a register
13861 variable, this says which register it is kept in. For a non-register
13862 local variable, this prints the stack-frame offset at which the variable
13863 is always stored.
13864
13865 Note the contrast with @samp{print &@var{symbol}}, which does not work
13866 at all for a register variable, and for a stack local variable prints
13867 the exact address of the current instantiation of the variable.
13868
13869 @kindex info symbol
13870 @cindex symbol from address
13871 @cindex closest symbol and offset for an address
13872 @item info symbol @var{addr}
13873 Print the name of a symbol which is stored at the address @var{addr}.
13874 If no symbol is stored exactly at @var{addr}, @value{GDBN} prints the
13875 nearest symbol and an offset from it:
13876
13877 @smallexample
13878 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x54320
13879 _initialize_vx + 396 in section .text
13880 @end smallexample
13881
13882 @noindent
13883 This is the opposite of the @code{info address} command. You can use
13884 it to find out the name of a variable or a function given its address.
13885
13886 For dynamically linked executables, the name of executable or shared
13887 library containing the symbol is also printed:
13888
13889 @smallexample
13890 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x400225
13891 _start + 5 in section .text of /tmp/a.out
13892 (@value{GDBP}) info symbol 0x2aaaac2811cf
13893 __read_nocancel + 6 in section .text of /usr/lib64/libc.so.6
13894 @end smallexample
13895
13896 @kindex whatis
13897 @item whatis [@var{arg}]
13898 Print the data type of @var{arg}, which can be either an expression
13899 or a name of a data type. With no argument, print the data type of
13900 @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13901
13902 If @var{arg} is an expression (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}), it
13903 is not actually evaluated, and any side-effecting operations (such as
13904 assignments or function calls) inside it do not take place.
13905
13906 If @var{arg} is a variable or an expression, @code{whatis} prints its
13907 literal type as it is used in the source code. If the type was
13908 defined using a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will @emph{not} print
13909 the data type underlying the @code{typedef}. If the type of the
13910 variable or the expression is a compound data type, such as
13911 @code{struct} or @code{class}, @code{whatis} never prints their
13912 fields or methods. It just prints the @code{struct}/@code{class}
13913 name (a.k.a.@: its @dfn{tag}). If you want to see the members of
13914 such a compound data type, use @code{ptype}.
13915
13916 If @var{arg} is a type name that was defined using @code{typedef},
13917 @code{whatis} @dfn{unrolls} only one level of that @code{typedef}.
13918 Unrolling means that @code{whatis} will show the underlying type used
13919 in the @code{typedef} declaration of @var{arg}. However, if that
13920 underlying type is also a @code{typedef}, @code{whatis} will not
13921 unroll it.
13922
13923 For C code, the type names may also have the form @samp{class
13924 @var{class-name}}, @samp{struct @var{struct-tag}}, @samp{union
13925 @var{union-tag}} or @samp{enum @var{enum-tag}}.
13926
13927 @kindex ptype
13928 @item ptype [@var{arg}]
13929 @code{ptype} accepts the same arguments as @code{whatis}, but prints a
13930 detailed description of the type, instead of just the name of the type.
13931 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}.
13932
13933 Contrary to @code{whatis}, @code{ptype} always unrolls any
13934 @code{typedef}s in its argument declaration, whether the argument is
13935 a variable, expression, or a data type. This means that @code{ptype}
13936 of a variable or an expression will not print literally its type as
13937 present in the source code---use @code{whatis} for that. @code{typedef}s at
13938 the pointer or reference targets are also unrolled. Only @code{typedef}s of
13939 fields, methods and inner @code{class typedef}s of @code{struct}s,
13940 @code{class}es and @code{union}s are not unrolled even with @code{ptype}.
13941
13942 For example, for this variable declaration:
13943
13944 @smallexample
13945 typedef double real_t;
13946 struct complex @{ real_t real; double imag; @};
13947 typedef struct complex complex_t;
13948 complex_t var;
13949 real_t *real_pointer_var;
13950 @end smallexample
13951
13952 @noindent
13953 the two commands give this output:
13954
13955 @smallexample
13956 @group
13957 (@value{GDBP}) whatis var
13958 type = complex_t
13959 (@value{GDBP}) ptype var
13960 type = struct complex @{
13961 real_t real;
13962 double imag;
13963 @}
13964 (@value{GDBP}) whatis complex_t
13965 type = struct complex
13966 (@value{GDBP}) whatis struct complex
13967 type = struct complex
13968 (@value{GDBP}) ptype struct complex
13969 type = struct complex @{
13970 real_t real;
13971 double imag;
13972 @}
13973 (@value{GDBP}) whatis real_pointer_var
13974 type = real_t *
13975 (@value{GDBP}) ptype real_pointer_var
13976 type = double *
13977 @end group
13978 @end smallexample
13979
13980 @noindent
13981 As with @code{whatis}, using @code{ptype} without an argument refers to
13982 the type of @code{$}, the last value in the value history.
13983
13984 @cindex incomplete type
13985 Sometimes, programs use opaque data types or incomplete specifications
13986 of complex data structure. If the debug information included in the
13987 program does not allow @value{GDBN} to display a full declaration of
13988 the data type, it will say @samp{<incomplete type>}. For example,
13989 given these declarations:
13990
13991 @smallexample
13992 struct foo;
13993 struct foo *fooptr;
13994 @end smallexample
13995
13996 @noindent
13997 but no definition for @code{struct foo} itself, @value{GDBN} will say:
13998
13999 @smallexample
14000 (@value{GDBP}) ptype foo
14001 $1 = <incomplete type>
14002 @end smallexample
14003
14004 @noindent
14005 ``Incomplete type'' is C terminology for data types that are not
14006 completely specified.
14007
14008 @kindex info types
14009 @item info types @var{regexp}
14010 @itemx info types
14011 Print a brief description of all types whose names match the regular
14012 expression @var{regexp} (or all types in your program, if you supply
14013 no argument). Each complete typename is matched as though it were a
14014 complete line; thus, @samp{i type value} gives information on all
14015 types in your program whose names include the string @code{value}, but
14016 @samp{i type ^value$} gives information only on types whose complete
14017 name is @code{value}.
14018
14019 This command differs from @code{ptype} in two ways: first, like
14020 @code{whatis}, it does not print a detailed description; second, it
14021 lists all source files where a type is defined.
14022
14023 @kindex info scope
14024 @cindex local variables
14025 @item info scope @var{location}
14026 List all the variables local to a particular scope. This command
14027 accepts a @var{location} argument---a function name, a source line, or
14028 an address preceded by a @samp{*}, and prints all the variables local
14029 to the scope defined by that location. (@xref{Specify Location}, for
14030 details about supported forms of @var{location}.) For example:
14031
14032 @smallexample
14033 (@value{GDBP}) @b{info scope command_line_handler}
14034 Scope for command_line_handler:
14035 Symbol rl is an argument at stack/frame offset 8, length 4.
14036 Symbol linebuffer is in static storage at address 0x150a18, length 4.
14037 Symbol linelength is in static storage at address 0x150a1c, length 4.
14038 Symbol p is a local variable in register $esi, length 4.
14039 Symbol p1 is a local variable in register $ebx, length 4.
14040 Symbol nline is a local variable in register $edx, length 4.
14041 Symbol repeat is a local variable at frame offset -8, length 4.
14042 @end smallexample
14043
14044 @noindent
14045 This command is especially useful for determining what data to collect
14046 during a @dfn{trace experiment}, see @ref{Tracepoint Actions,
14047 collect}.
14048
14049 @kindex info source
14050 @item info source
14051 Show information about the current source file---that is, the source file for
14052 the function containing the current point of execution:
14053 @itemize @bullet
14054 @item
14055 the name of the source file, and the directory containing it,
14056 @item
14057 the directory it was compiled in,
14058 @item
14059 its length, in lines,
14060 @item
14061 which programming language it is written in,
14062 @item
14063 whether the executable includes debugging information for that file, and
14064 if so, what format the information is in (e.g., STABS, Dwarf 2, etc.), and
14065 @item
14066 whether the debugging information includes information about
14067 preprocessor macros.
14068 @end itemize
14069
14070
14071 @kindex info sources
14072 @item info sources
14073 Print the names of all source files in your program for which there is
14074 debugging information, organized into two lists: files whose symbols
14075 have already been read, and files whose symbols will be read when needed.
14076
14077 @kindex info functions
14078 @item info functions
14079 Print the names and data types of all defined functions.
14080
14081 @item info functions @var{regexp}
14082 Print the names and data types of all defined functions
14083 whose names contain a match for regular expression @var{regexp}.
14084 Thus, @samp{info fun step} finds all functions whose names
14085 include @code{step}; @samp{info fun ^step} finds those whose names
14086 start with @code{step}. If a function name contains characters
14087 that conflict with the regular expression language (e.g.@:
14088 @samp{operator*()}), they may be quoted with a backslash.
14089
14090 @kindex info variables
14091 @item info variables
14092 Print the names and data types of all variables that are defined
14093 outside of functions (i.e.@: excluding local variables).
14094
14095 @item info variables @var{regexp}
14096 Print the names and data types of all variables (except for local
14097 variables) whose names contain a match for regular expression
14098 @var{regexp}.
14099
14100 @kindex info classes
14101 @cindex Objective-C, classes and selectors
14102 @item info classes
14103 @itemx info classes @var{regexp}
14104 Display all Objective-C classes in your program, or
14105 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14106 expression.
14107
14108 @kindex info selectors
14109 @item info selectors
14110 @itemx info selectors @var{regexp}
14111 Display all Objective-C selectors in your program, or
14112 (with the @var{regexp} argument) all those matching a particular regular
14113 expression.
14114
14115 @ignore
14116 This was never implemented.
14117 @kindex info methods
14118 @item info methods
14119 @itemx info methods @var{regexp}
14120 The @code{info methods} command permits the user to examine all defined
14121 methods within C@t{++} program, or (with the @var{regexp} argument) a
14122 specific set of methods found in the various C@t{++} classes. Many
14123 C@t{++} classes provide a large number of methods. Thus, the output
14124 from the @code{ptype} command can be overwhelming and hard to use. The
14125 @code{info-methods} command filters the methods, printing only those
14126 which match the regular-expression @var{regexp}.
14127 @end ignore
14128
14129 @cindex reloading symbols
14130 Some systems allow individual object files that make up your program to
14131 be replaced without stopping and restarting your program. For example,
14132 in VxWorks you can simply recompile a defective object file and keep on
14133 running. If you are running on one of these systems, you can allow
14134 @value{GDBN} to reload the symbols for automatically relinked modules:
14135
14136 @table @code
14137 @kindex set symbol-reloading
14138 @item set symbol-reloading on
14139 Replace symbol definitions for the corresponding source file when an
14140 object file with a particular name is seen again.
14141
14142 @item set symbol-reloading off
14143 Do not replace symbol definitions when encountering object files of the
14144 same name more than once. This is the default state; if you are not
14145 running on a system that permits automatic relinking of modules, you
14146 should leave @code{symbol-reloading} off, since otherwise @value{GDBN}
14147 may discard symbols when linking large programs, that may contain
14148 several modules (from different directories or libraries) with the same
14149 name.
14150
14151 @kindex show symbol-reloading
14152 @item show symbol-reloading
14153 Show the current @code{on} or @code{off} setting.
14154 @end table
14155
14156 @cindex opaque data types
14157 @kindex set opaque-type-resolution
14158 @item set opaque-type-resolution on
14159 Tell @value{GDBN} to resolve opaque types. An opaque type is a type
14160 declared as a pointer to a @code{struct}, @code{class}, or
14161 @code{union}---for example, @code{struct MyType *}---that is used in one
14162 source file although the full declaration of @code{struct MyType} is in
14163 another source file. The default is on.
14164
14165 A change in the setting of this subcommand will not take effect until
14166 the next time symbols for a file are loaded.
14167
14168 @item set opaque-type-resolution off
14169 Tell @value{GDBN} not to resolve opaque types. In this case, the type
14170 is printed as follows:
14171 @smallexample
14172 @{<no data fields>@}
14173 @end smallexample
14174
14175 @kindex show opaque-type-resolution
14176 @item show opaque-type-resolution
14177 Show whether opaque types are resolved or not.
14178
14179 @kindex maint print symbols
14180 @cindex symbol dump
14181 @kindex maint print psymbols
14182 @cindex partial symbol dump
14183 @item maint print symbols @var{filename}
14184 @itemx maint print psymbols @var{filename}
14185 @itemx maint print msymbols @var{filename}
14186 Write a dump of debugging symbol data into the file @var{filename}.
14187 These commands are used to debug the @value{GDBN} symbol-reading code. Only
14188 symbols with debugging data are included. If you use @samp{maint print
14189 symbols}, @value{GDBN} includes all the symbols for which it has already
14190 collected full details: that is, @var{filename} reflects symbols for
14191 only those files whose symbols @value{GDBN} has read. You can use the
14192 command @code{info sources} to find out which files these are. If you
14193 use @samp{maint print psymbols} instead, the dump shows information about
14194 symbols that @value{GDBN} only knows partially---that is, symbols defined in
14195 files that @value{GDBN} has skimmed, but not yet read completely. Finally,
14196 @samp{maint print msymbols} dumps just the minimal symbol information
14197 required for each object file from which @value{GDBN} has read some symbols.
14198 @xref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}, for a discussion of how
14199 @value{GDBN} reads symbols (in the description of @code{symbol-file}).
14200
14201 @kindex maint info symtabs
14202 @kindex maint info psymtabs
14203 @cindex listing @value{GDBN}'s internal symbol tables
14204 @cindex symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14205 @cindex full symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14206 @cindex partial symbol tables, listing @value{GDBN}'s internal
14207 @item maint info symtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14208 @itemx maint info psymtabs @r{[} @var{regexp} @r{]}
14209
14210 List the @code{struct symtab} or @code{struct partial_symtab}
14211 structures whose names match @var{regexp}. If @var{regexp} is not
14212 given, list them all. The output includes expressions which you can
14213 copy into a @value{GDBN} debugging this one to examine a particular
14214 structure in more detail. For example:
14215
14216 @smallexample
14217 (@value{GDBP}) maint info psymtabs dwarf2read
14218 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14219 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14220 @{ psymtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14221 ((struct partial_symtab *) 0x8474b10)
14222 readin no
14223 fullname (null)
14224 text addresses 0x814d3c8 -- 0x8158074
14225 globals (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x8507a08 @@ 9)
14226 statics (* (struct partial_symbol **) 0x40e95b78 @@ 2882)
14227 dependencies (none)
14228 @}
14229 @}
14230 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14231 (@value{GDBP})
14232 @end smallexample
14233 @noindent
14234 We see that there is one partial symbol table whose filename contains
14235 the string @samp{dwarf2read}, belonging to the @samp{gdb} executable;
14236 and we see that @value{GDBN} has not read in any symtabs yet at all.
14237 If we set a breakpoint on a function, that will cause @value{GDBN} to
14238 read the symtab for the compilation unit containing that function:
14239
14240 @smallexample
14241 (@value{GDBP}) break dwarf2_psymtab_to_symtab
14242 Breakpoint 1 at 0x814e5da: file /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c,
14243 line 1574.
14244 (@value{GDBP}) maint info symtabs
14245 @{ objfile /home/gnu/build/gdb/gdb
14246 ((struct objfile *) 0x82e69d0)
14247 @{ symtab /home/gnu/src/gdb/dwarf2read.c
14248 ((struct symtab *) 0x86c1f38)
14249 dirname (null)
14250 fullname (null)
14251 blockvector ((struct blockvector *) 0x86c1bd0) (primary)
14252 linetable ((struct linetable *) 0x8370fa0)
14253 debugformat DWARF 2
14254 @}
14255 @}
14256 (@value{GDBP})
14257 @end smallexample
14258 @end table
14259
14260
14261 @node Altering
14262 @chapter Altering Execution
14263
14264 Once you think you have found an error in your program, you might want to
14265 find out for certain whether correcting the apparent error would lead to
14266 correct results in the rest of the run. You can find the answer by
14267 experiment, using the @value{GDBN} features for altering execution of the
14268 program.
14269
14270 For example, you can store new values into variables or memory
14271 locations, give your program a signal, restart it at a different
14272 address, or even return prematurely from a function.
14273
14274 @menu
14275 * Assignment:: Assignment to variables
14276 * Jumping:: Continuing at a different address
14277 * Signaling:: Giving your program a signal
14278 * Returning:: Returning from a function
14279 * Calling:: Calling your program's functions
14280 * Patching:: Patching your program
14281 @end menu
14282
14283 @node Assignment
14284 @section Assignment to Variables
14285
14286 @cindex assignment
14287 @cindex setting variables
14288 To alter the value of a variable, evaluate an assignment expression.
14289 @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}. For example,
14290
14291 @smallexample
14292 print x=4
14293 @end smallexample
14294
14295 @noindent
14296 stores the value 4 into the variable @code{x}, and then prints the
14297 value of the assignment expression (which is 4).
14298 @xref{Languages, ,Using @value{GDBN} with Different Languages}, for more
14299 information on operators in supported languages.
14300
14301 @kindex set variable
14302 @cindex variables, setting
14303 If you are not interested in seeing the value of the assignment, use the
14304 @code{set} command instead of the @code{print} command. @code{set} is
14305 really the same as @code{print} except that the expression's value is
14306 not printed and is not put in the value history (@pxref{Value History,
14307 ,Value History}). The expression is evaluated only for its effects.
14308
14309 If the beginning of the argument string of the @code{set} command
14310 appears identical to a @code{set} subcommand, use the @code{set
14311 variable} command instead of just @code{set}. This command is identical
14312 to @code{set} except for its lack of subcommands. For example, if your
14313 program has a variable @code{width}, you get an error if you try to set
14314 a new value with just @samp{set width=13}, because @value{GDBN} has the
14315 command @code{set width}:
14316
14317 @smallexample
14318 (@value{GDBP}) whatis width
14319 type = double
14320 (@value{GDBP}) p width
14321 $4 = 13
14322 (@value{GDBP}) set width=47
14323 Invalid syntax in expression.
14324 @end smallexample
14325
14326 @noindent
14327 The invalid expression, of course, is @samp{=47}. In
14328 order to actually set the program's variable @code{width}, use
14329
14330 @smallexample
14331 (@value{GDBP}) set var width=47
14332 @end smallexample
14333
14334 Because the @code{set} command has many subcommands that can conflict
14335 with the names of program variables, it is a good idea to use the
14336 @code{set variable} command instead of just @code{set}. For example, if
14337 your program has a variable @code{g}, you run into problems if you try
14338 to set a new value with just @samp{set g=4}, because @value{GDBN} has
14339 the command @code{set gnutarget}, abbreviated @code{set g}:
14340
14341 @smallexample
14342 @group
14343 (@value{GDBP}) whatis g
14344 type = double
14345 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14346 $1 = 1
14347 (@value{GDBP}) set g=4
14348 (@value{GDBP}) p g
14349 $2 = 1
14350 (@value{GDBP}) r
14351 The program being debugged has been started already.
14352 Start it from the beginning? (y or n) y
14353 Starting program: /home/smith/cc_progs/a.out
14354 "/home/smith/cc_progs/a.out": can't open to read symbols:
14355 Invalid bfd target.
14356 (@value{GDBP}) show g
14357 The current BFD target is "=4".
14358 @end group
14359 @end smallexample
14360
14361 @noindent
14362 The program variable @code{g} did not change, and you silently set the
14363 @code{gnutarget} to an invalid value. In order to set the variable
14364 @code{g}, use
14365
14366 @smallexample
14367 (@value{GDBP}) set var g=4
14368 @end smallexample
14369
14370 @value{GDBN} allows more implicit conversions in assignments than C; you can
14371 freely store an integer value into a pointer variable or vice versa,
14372 and you can convert any structure to any other structure that is the
14373 same length or shorter.
14374 @comment FIXME: how do structs align/pad in these conversions?
14375 @comment /doc@cygnus.com 18dec1990
14376
14377 To store values into arbitrary places in memory, use the @samp{@{@dots{}@}}
14378 construct to generate a value of specified type at a specified address
14379 (@pxref{Expressions, ,Expressions}). For example, @code{@{int@}0x83040} refers
14380 to memory location @code{0x83040} as an integer (which implies a certain size
14381 and representation in memory), and
14382
14383 @smallexample
14384 set @{int@}0x83040 = 4
14385 @end smallexample
14386
14387 @noindent
14388 stores the value 4 into that memory location.
14389
14390 @node Jumping
14391 @section Continuing at a Different Address
14392
14393 Ordinarily, when you continue your program, you do so at the place where
14394 it stopped, with the @code{continue} command. You can instead continue at
14395 an address of your own choosing, with the following commands:
14396
14397 @table @code
14398 @kindex jump
14399 @item jump @var{linespec}
14400 @itemx jump @var{location}
14401 Resume execution at line @var{linespec} or at address given by
14402 @var{location}. Execution stops again immediately if there is a
14403 breakpoint there. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
14404 different forms of @var{linespec} and @var{location}. It is common
14405 practice to use the @code{tbreak} command in conjunction with
14406 @code{jump}. @xref{Set Breaks, ,Setting Breakpoints}.
14407
14408 The @code{jump} command does not change the current stack frame, or
14409 the stack pointer, or the contents of any memory location or any
14410 register other than the program counter. If line @var{linespec} is in
14411 a different function from the one currently executing, the results may
14412 be bizarre if the two functions expect different patterns of arguments or
14413 of local variables. For this reason, the @code{jump} command requests
14414 confirmation if the specified line is not in the function currently
14415 executing. However, even bizarre results are predictable if you are
14416 well acquainted with the machine-language code of your program.
14417 @end table
14418
14419 @c Doesn't work on HP-UX; have to set $pcoqh and $pcoqt.
14420 On many systems, you can get much the same effect as the @code{jump}
14421 command by storing a new value into the register @code{$pc}. The
14422 difference is that this does not start your program running; it only
14423 changes the address of where it @emph{will} run when you continue. For
14424 example,
14425
14426 @smallexample
14427 set $pc = 0x485
14428 @end smallexample
14429
14430 @noindent
14431 makes the next @code{continue} command or stepping command execute at
14432 address @code{0x485}, rather than at the address where your program stopped.
14433 @xref{Continuing and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}.
14434
14435 The most common occasion to use the @code{jump} command is to back
14436 up---perhaps with more breakpoints set---over a portion of a program
14437 that has already executed, in order to examine its execution in more
14438 detail.
14439
14440 @c @group
14441 @node Signaling
14442 @section Giving your Program a Signal
14443 @cindex deliver a signal to a program
14444
14445 @table @code
14446 @kindex signal
14447 @item signal @var{signal}
14448 Resume execution where your program stopped, but immediately give it the
14449 signal @var{signal}. @var{signal} can be the name or the number of a
14450 signal. For example, on many systems @code{signal 2} and @code{signal
14451 SIGINT} are both ways of sending an interrupt signal.
14452
14453 Alternatively, if @var{signal} is zero, continue execution without
14454 giving a signal. This is useful when your program stopped on account of
14455 a signal and would ordinary see the signal when resumed with the
14456 @code{continue} command; @samp{signal 0} causes it to resume without a
14457 signal.
14458
14459 @code{signal} does not repeat when you press @key{RET} a second time
14460 after executing the command.
14461 @end table
14462 @c @end group
14463
14464 Invoking the @code{signal} command is not the same as invoking the
14465 @code{kill} utility from the shell. Sending a signal with @code{kill}
14466 causes @value{GDBN} to decide what to do with the signal depending on
14467 the signal handling tables (@pxref{Signals}). The @code{signal} command
14468 passes the signal directly to your program.
14469
14470
14471 @node Returning
14472 @section Returning from a Function
14473
14474 @table @code
14475 @cindex returning from a function
14476 @kindex return
14477 @item return
14478 @itemx return @var{expression}
14479 You can cancel execution of a function call with the @code{return}
14480 command. If you give an
14481 @var{expression} argument, its value is used as the function's return
14482 value.
14483 @end table
14484
14485 When you use @code{return}, @value{GDBN} discards the selected stack frame
14486 (and all frames within it). You can think of this as making the
14487 discarded frame return prematurely. If you wish to specify a value to
14488 be returned, give that value as the argument to @code{return}.
14489
14490 This pops the selected stack frame (@pxref{Selection, ,Selecting a
14491 Frame}), and any other frames inside of it, leaving its caller as the
14492 innermost remaining frame. That frame becomes selected. The
14493 specified value is stored in the registers used for returning values
14494 of functions.
14495
14496 The @code{return} command does not resume execution; it leaves the
14497 program stopped in the state that would exist if the function had just
14498 returned. In contrast, the @code{finish} command (@pxref{Continuing
14499 and Stepping, ,Continuing and Stepping}) resumes execution until the
14500 selected stack frame returns naturally.
14501
14502 @value{GDBN} needs to know how the @var{expression} argument should be set for
14503 the inferior. The concrete registers assignment depends on the OS ABI and the
14504 type being returned by the selected stack frame. For example it is common for
14505 OS ABI to return floating point values in FPU registers while integer values in
14506 CPU registers. Still some ABIs return even floating point values in CPU
14507 registers. Larger integer widths (such as @code{long long int}) also have
14508 specific placement rules. @value{GDBN} already knows the OS ABI from its
14509 current target so it needs to find out also the type being returned to make the
14510 assignment into the right register(s).
14511
14512 Normally, the selected stack frame has debug info. @value{GDBN} will always
14513 use the debug info instead of the implicit type of @var{expression} when the
14514 debug info is available. For example, if you type @kbd{return -1}, and the
14515 function in the current stack frame is declared to return a @code{long long
14516 int}, @value{GDBN} transparently converts the implicit @code{int} value of -1
14517 into a @code{long long int}:
14518
14519 @smallexample
14520 Breakpoint 1, func () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:29
14521 29 return 31;
14522 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14523 Make func return now? (y or n) y
14524 #0 0x004004f6 in main () at gdb.base/return-nodebug.c:43
14525 43 printf ("result=%lld\n", func ());
14526 (@value{GDBP})
14527 @end smallexample
14528
14529 However, if the selected stack frame does not have a debug info, e.g., if the
14530 function was compiled without debug info, @value{GDBN} has to find out the type
14531 to return from user. Specifying a different type by mistake may set the value
14532 in different inferior registers than the caller code expects. For example,
14533 typing @kbd{return -1} with its implicit type @code{int} would set only a part
14534 of a @code{long long int} result for a debug info less function (on 32-bit
14535 architectures). Therefore the user is required to specify the return type by
14536 an appropriate cast explicitly:
14537
14538 @smallexample
14539 Breakpoint 2, 0x0040050b in func ()
14540 (@value{GDBP}) return -1
14541 Return value type not available for selected stack frame.
14542 Please use an explicit cast of the value to return.
14543 (@value{GDBP}) return (long long int) -1
14544 Make selected stack frame return now? (y or n) y
14545 #0 0x00400526 in main ()
14546 (@value{GDBP})
14547 @end smallexample
14548
14549 @node Calling
14550 @section Calling Program Functions
14551
14552 @table @code
14553 @cindex calling functions
14554 @cindex inferior functions, calling
14555 @item print @var{expr}
14556 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} and display the resulting value.
14557 @var{expr} may include calls to functions in the program being
14558 debugged.
14559
14560 @kindex call
14561 @item call @var{expr}
14562 Evaluate the expression @var{expr} without displaying @code{void}
14563 returned values.
14564
14565 You can use this variant of the @code{print} command if you want to
14566 execute a function from your program that does not return anything
14567 (a.k.a.@: @dfn{a void function}), but without cluttering the output
14568 with @code{void} returned values that @value{GDBN} will otherwise
14569 print. If the result is not void, it is printed and saved in the
14570 value history.
14571 @end table
14572
14573 It is possible for the function you call via the @code{print} or
14574 @code{call} command to generate a signal (e.g., if there's a bug in
14575 the function, or if you passed it incorrect arguments). What happens
14576 in that case is controlled by the @code{set unwindonsignal} command.
14577
14578 Similarly, with a C@t{++} program it is possible for the function you
14579 call via the @code{print} or @code{call} command to generate an
14580 exception that is not handled due to the constraints of the dummy
14581 frame. In this case, any exception that is raised in the frame, but has
14582 an out-of-frame exception handler will not be found. GDB builds a
14583 dummy-frame for the inferior function call, and the unwinder cannot
14584 seek for exception handlers outside of this dummy-frame. What happens
14585 in that case is controlled by the
14586 @code{set unwind-on-terminating-exception} command.
14587
14588 @table @code
14589 @item set unwindonsignal
14590 @kindex set unwindonsignal
14591 @cindex unwind stack in called functions
14592 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding
14593 Set unwinding of the stack if a signal is received while in a function
14594 that @value{GDBN} called in the program being debugged. If set to on,
14595 @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack it created for the call and restores
14596 the context to what it was before the call. If set to off (the
14597 default), @value{GDBN} stops in the frame where the signal was
14598 received.
14599
14600 @item show unwindonsignal
14601 @kindex show unwindonsignal
14602 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14603 @value{GDBN}.
14604
14605 @item set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14606 @kindex set unwind-on-terminating-exception
14607 @cindex unwind stack in called functions with unhandled exceptions
14608 @cindex call dummy stack unwinding on unhandled exception.
14609 Set unwinding of the stack if a C@t{++} exception is raised, but left
14610 unhandled while in a function that @value{GDBN} called in the program being
14611 debugged. If set to on (the default), @value{GDBN} unwinds the stack
14612 it created for the call and restores the context to what it was before
14613 the call. If set to off, @value{GDBN} the exception is delivered to
14614 the default C@t{++} exception handler and the inferior terminated.
14615
14616 @item show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14617 @kindex show unwind-on-terminating-exception
14618 Show the current setting of stack unwinding in the functions called by
14619 @value{GDBN}.
14620
14621 @end table
14622
14623 @cindex weak alias functions
14624 Sometimes, a function you wish to call is actually a @dfn{weak alias}
14625 for another function. In such case, @value{GDBN} might not pick up
14626 the type information, including the types of the function arguments,
14627 which causes @value{GDBN} to call the inferior function incorrectly.
14628 As a result, the called function will function erroneously and may
14629 even crash. A solution to that is to use the name of the aliased
14630 function instead.
14631
14632 @node Patching
14633 @section Patching Programs
14634
14635 @cindex patching binaries
14636 @cindex writing into executables
14637 @cindex writing into corefiles
14638
14639 By default, @value{GDBN} opens the file containing your program's
14640 executable code (or the corefile) read-only. This prevents accidental
14641 alterations to machine code; but it also prevents you from intentionally
14642 patching your program's binary.
14643
14644 If you'd like to be able to patch the binary, you can specify that
14645 explicitly with the @code{set write} command. For example, you might
14646 want to turn on internal debugging flags, or even to make emergency
14647 repairs.
14648
14649 @table @code
14650 @kindex set write
14651 @item set write on
14652 @itemx set write off
14653 If you specify @samp{set write on}, @value{GDBN} opens executable and
14654 core files for both reading and writing; if you specify @kbd{set write
14655 off} (the default), @value{GDBN} opens them read-only.
14656
14657 If you have already loaded a file, you must load it again (using the
14658 @code{exec-file} or @code{core-file} command) after changing @code{set
14659 write}, for your new setting to take effect.
14660
14661 @item show write
14662 @kindex show write
14663 Display whether executable files and core files are opened for writing
14664 as well as reading.
14665 @end table
14666
14667 @node GDB Files
14668 @chapter @value{GDBN} Files
14669
14670 @value{GDBN} needs to know the file name of the program to be debugged,
14671 both in order to read its symbol table and in order to start your
14672 program. To debug a core dump of a previous run, you must also tell
14673 @value{GDBN} the name of the core dump file.
14674
14675 @menu
14676 * Files:: Commands to specify files
14677 * Separate Debug Files:: Debugging information in separate files
14678 * Index Files:: Index files speed up GDB
14679 * Symbol Errors:: Errors reading symbol files
14680 * Data Files:: GDB data files
14681 @end menu
14682
14683 @node Files
14684 @section Commands to Specify Files
14685
14686 @cindex symbol table
14687 @cindex core dump file
14688
14689 You may want to specify executable and core dump file names. The usual
14690 way to do this is at start-up time, using the arguments to
14691 @value{GDBN}'s start-up commands (@pxref{Invocation, , Getting In and
14692 Out of @value{GDBN}}).
14693
14694 Occasionally it is necessary to change to a different file during a
14695 @value{GDBN} session. Or you may run @value{GDBN} and forget to
14696 specify a file you want to use. Or you are debugging a remote target
14697 via @code{gdbserver} (@pxref{Server, file, Using the @code{gdbserver}
14698 Program}). In these situations the @value{GDBN} commands to specify
14699 new files are useful.
14700
14701 @table @code
14702 @cindex executable file
14703 @kindex file
14704 @item file @var{filename}
14705 Use @var{filename} as the program to be debugged. It is read for its
14706 symbols and for the contents of pure memory. It is also the program
14707 executed when you use the @code{run} command. If you do not specify a
14708 directory and the file is not found in the @value{GDBN} working directory,
14709 @value{GDBN} uses the environment variable @code{PATH} as a list of
14710 directories to search, just as the shell does when looking for a program
14711 to run. You can change the value of this variable, for both @value{GDBN}
14712 and your program, using the @code{path} command.
14713
14714 @cindex unlinked object files
14715 @cindex patching object files
14716 You can load unlinked object @file{.o} files into @value{GDBN} using
14717 the @code{file} command. You will not be able to ``run'' an object
14718 file, but you can disassemble functions and inspect variables. Also,
14719 if the underlying BFD functionality supports it, you could use
14720 @kbd{gdb -write} to patch object files using this technique. Note
14721 that @value{GDBN} can neither interpret nor modify relocations in this
14722 case, so branches and some initialized variables will appear to go to
14723 the wrong place. But this feature is still handy from time to time.
14724
14725 @item file
14726 @code{file} with no argument makes @value{GDBN} discard any information it
14727 has on both executable file and the symbol table.
14728
14729 @kindex exec-file
14730 @item exec-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14731 Specify that the program to be run (but not the symbol table) is found
14732 in @var{filename}. @value{GDBN} searches the environment variable @code{PATH}
14733 if necessary to locate your program. Omitting @var{filename} means to
14734 discard information on the executable file.
14735
14736 @kindex symbol-file
14737 @item symbol-file @r{[} @var{filename} @r{]}
14738 Read symbol table information from file @var{filename}. @code{PATH} is
14739 searched when necessary. Use the @code{file} command to get both symbol
14740 table and program to run from the same file.
14741
14742 @code{symbol-file} with no argument clears out @value{GDBN} information on your
14743 program's symbol table.
14744
14745 The @code{symbol-file} command causes @value{GDBN} to forget the contents of
14746 some breakpoints and auto-display expressions. This is because they may
14747 contain pointers to the internal data recording symbols and data types,
14748 which are part of the old symbol table data being discarded inside
14749 @value{GDBN}.
14750
14751 @code{symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after
14752 executing it once.
14753
14754 When @value{GDBN} is configured for a particular environment, it
14755 understands debugging information in whatever format is the standard
14756 generated for that environment; you may use either a @sc{gnu} compiler, or
14757 other compilers that adhere to the local conventions.
14758 Best results are usually obtained from @sc{gnu} compilers; for example,
14759 using @code{@value{NGCC}} you can generate debugging information for
14760 optimized code.
14761
14762 For most kinds of object files, with the exception of old SVR3 systems
14763 using COFF, the @code{symbol-file} command does not normally read the
14764 symbol table in full right away. Instead, it scans the symbol table
14765 quickly to find which source files and which symbols are present. The
14766 details are read later, one source file at a time, as they are needed.
14767
14768 The purpose of this two-stage reading strategy is to make @value{GDBN}
14769 start up faster. For the most part, it is invisible except for
14770 occasional pauses while the symbol table details for a particular source
14771 file are being read. (The @code{set verbose} command can turn these
14772 pauses into messages if desired. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional
14773 Warnings and Messages}.)
14774
14775 We have not implemented the two-stage strategy for COFF yet. When the
14776 symbol table is stored in COFF format, @code{symbol-file} reads the
14777 symbol table data in full right away. Note that ``stabs-in-COFF''
14778 still does the two-stage strategy, since the debug info is actually
14779 in stabs format.
14780
14781 @kindex readnow
14782 @cindex reading symbols immediately
14783 @cindex symbols, reading immediately
14784 @item symbol-file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14785 @itemx file @r{[} -readnow @r{]} @var{filename}
14786 You can override the @value{GDBN} two-stage strategy for reading symbol
14787 tables by using the @samp{-readnow} option with any of the commands that
14788 load symbol table information, if you want to be sure @value{GDBN} has the
14789 entire symbol table available.
14790
14791 @c FIXME: for now no mention of directories, since this seems to be in
14792 @c flux. 13mar1992 status is that in theory GDB would look either in
14793 @c current dir or in same dir as myprog; but issues like competing
14794 @c GDB's, or clutter in system dirs, mean that in practice right now
14795 @c only current dir is used. FFish says maybe a special GDB hierarchy
14796 @c (eg rooted in val of env var GDBSYMS) could exist for mappable symbol
14797 @c files.
14798
14799 @kindex core-file
14800 @item core-file @r{[}@var{filename}@r{]}
14801 @itemx core
14802 Specify the whereabouts of a core dump file to be used as the ``contents
14803 of memory''. Traditionally, core files contain only some parts of the
14804 address space of the process that generated them; @value{GDBN} can access the
14805 executable file itself for other parts.
14806
14807 @code{core-file} with no argument specifies that no core file is
14808 to be used.
14809
14810 Note that the core file is ignored when your program is actually running
14811 under @value{GDBN}. So, if you have been running your program and you
14812 wish to debug a core file instead, you must kill the subprocess in which
14813 the program is running. To do this, use the @code{kill} command
14814 (@pxref{Kill Process, ,Killing the Child Process}).
14815
14816 @kindex add-symbol-file
14817 @cindex dynamic linking
14818 @item add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address}
14819 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @var{address} @r{[} -readnow @r{]}
14820 @itemx add-symbol-file @var{filename} @r{-s}@var{section} @var{address} @dots{}
14821 The @code{add-symbol-file} command reads additional symbol table
14822 information from the file @var{filename}. You would use this command
14823 when @var{filename} has been dynamically loaded (by some other means)
14824 into the program that is running. @var{address} should be the memory
14825 address at which the file has been loaded; @value{GDBN} cannot figure
14826 this out for itself. You can additionally specify an arbitrary number
14827 of @samp{@r{-s}@var{section} @var{address}} pairs, to give an explicit
14828 section name and base address for that section. You can specify any
14829 @var{address} as an expression.
14830
14831 The symbol table of the file @var{filename} is added to the symbol table
14832 originally read with the @code{symbol-file} command. You can use the
14833 @code{add-symbol-file} command any number of times; the new symbol data
14834 thus read keeps adding to the old. To discard all old symbol data
14835 instead, use the @code{symbol-file} command without any arguments.
14836
14837 @cindex relocatable object files, reading symbols from
14838 @cindex object files, relocatable, reading symbols from
14839 @cindex reading symbols from relocatable object files
14840 @cindex symbols, reading from relocatable object files
14841 @cindex @file{.o} files, reading symbols from
14842 Although @var{filename} is typically a shared library file, an
14843 executable file, or some other object file which has been fully
14844 relocated for loading into a process, you can also load symbolic
14845 information from relocatable @file{.o} files, as long as:
14846
14847 @itemize @bullet
14848 @item
14849 the file's symbolic information refers only to linker symbols defined in
14850 that file, not to symbols defined by other object files,
14851 @item
14852 every section the file's symbolic information refers to has actually
14853 been loaded into the inferior, as it appears in the file, and
14854 @item
14855 you can determine the address at which every section was loaded, and
14856 provide these to the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
14857 @end itemize
14858
14859 @noindent
14860 Some embedded operating systems, like Sun Chorus and VxWorks, can load
14861 relocatable files into an already running program; such systems
14862 typically make the requirements above easy to meet. However, it's
14863 important to recognize that many native systems use complex link
14864 procedures (@code{.linkonce} section factoring and C@t{++} constructor table
14865 assembly, for example) that make the requirements difficult to meet. In
14866 general, one cannot assume that using @code{add-symbol-file} to read a
14867 relocatable object file's symbolic information will have the same effect
14868 as linking the relocatable object file into the program in the normal
14869 way.
14870
14871 @code{add-symbol-file} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} after using it.
14872
14873 @kindex add-symbol-file-from-memory
14874 @cindex @code{syscall DSO}
14875 @cindex load symbols from memory
14876 @item add-symbol-file-from-memory @var{address}
14877 Load symbols from the given @var{address} in a dynamically loaded
14878 object file whose image is mapped directly into the inferior's memory.
14879 For example, the Linux kernel maps a @code{syscall DSO} into each
14880 process's address space; this DSO provides kernel-specific code for
14881 some system calls. The argument can be any expression whose
14882 evaluation yields the address of the file's shared object file header.
14883 For this command to work, you must have used @code{symbol-file} or
14884 @code{exec-file} commands in advance.
14885
14886 @kindex add-shared-symbol-files
14887 @kindex assf
14888 @item add-shared-symbol-files @var{library-file}
14889 @itemx assf @var{library-file}
14890 The @code{add-shared-symbol-files} command can currently be used only
14891 in the Cygwin build of @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows OS, where it is an
14892 alias for the @code{dll-symbols} command (@pxref{Cygwin Native}).
14893 @value{GDBN} automatically looks for shared libraries, however if
14894 @value{GDBN} does not find yours, you can invoke
14895 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}. It takes one argument: the shared
14896 library's file name. @code{assf} is a shorthand alias for
14897 @code{add-shared-symbol-files}.
14898
14899 @kindex section
14900 @item section @var{section} @var{addr}
14901 The @code{section} command changes the base address of the named
14902 @var{section} of the exec file to @var{addr}. This can be used if the
14903 exec file does not contain section addresses, (such as in the
14904 @code{a.out} format), or when the addresses specified in the file
14905 itself are wrong. Each section must be changed separately. The
14906 @code{info files} command, described below, lists all the sections and
14907 their addresses.
14908
14909 @kindex info files
14910 @kindex info target
14911 @item info files
14912 @itemx info target
14913 @code{info files} and @code{info target} are synonymous; both print the
14914 current target (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}),
14915 including the names of the executable and core dump files currently in
14916 use by @value{GDBN}, and the files from which symbols were loaded. The
14917 command @code{help target} lists all possible targets rather than
14918 current ones.
14919
14920 @kindex maint info sections
14921 @item maint info sections
14922 Another command that can give you extra information about program sections
14923 is @code{maint info sections}. In addition to the section information
14924 displayed by @code{info files}, this command displays the flags and file
14925 offset of each section in the executable and core dump files. In addition,
14926 @code{maint info sections} provides the following command options (which
14927 may be arbitrarily combined):
14928
14929 @table @code
14930 @item ALLOBJ
14931 Display sections for all loaded object files, including shared libraries.
14932 @item @var{sections}
14933 Display info only for named @var{sections}.
14934 @item @var{section-flags}
14935 Display info only for sections for which @var{section-flags} are true.
14936 The section flags that @value{GDBN} currently knows about are:
14937 @table @code
14938 @item ALLOC
14939 Section will have space allocated in the process when loaded.
14940 Set for all sections except those containing debug information.
14941 @item LOAD
14942 Section will be loaded from the file into the child process memory.
14943 Set for pre-initialized code and data, clear for @code{.bss} sections.
14944 @item RELOC
14945 Section needs to be relocated before loading.
14946 @item READONLY
14947 Section cannot be modified by the child process.
14948 @item CODE
14949 Section contains executable code only.
14950 @item DATA
14951 Section contains data only (no executable code).
14952 @item ROM
14953 Section will reside in ROM.
14954 @item CONSTRUCTOR
14955 Section contains data for constructor/destructor lists.
14956 @item HAS_CONTENTS
14957 Section is not empty.
14958 @item NEVER_LOAD
14959 An instruction to the linker to not output the section.
14960 @item COFF_SHARED_LIBRARY
14961 A notification to the linker that the section contains
14962 COFF shared library information.
14963 @item IS_COMMON
14964 Section contains common symbols.
14965 @end table
14966 @end table
14967 @kindex set trust-readonly-sections
14968 @cindex read-only sections
14969 @item set trust-readonly-sections on
14970 Tell @value{GDBN} that readonly sections in your object file
14971 really are read-only (i.e.@: that their contents will not change).
14972 In that case, @value{GDBN} can fetch values from these sections
14973 out of the object file, rather than from the target program.
14974 For some targets (notably embedded ones), this can be a significant
14975 enhancement to debugging performance.
14976
14977 The default is off.
14978
14979 @item set trust-readonly-sections off
14980 Tell @value{GDBN} not to trust readonly sections. This means that
14981 the contents of the section might change while the program is running,
14982 and must therefore be fetched from the target when needed.
14983
14984 @item show trust-readonly-sections
14985 Show the current setting of trusting readonly sections.
14986 @end table
14987
14988 All file-specifying commands allow both absolute and relative file names
14989 as arguments. @value{GDBN} always converts the file name to an absolute file
14990 name and remembers it that way.
14991
14992 @cindex shared libraries
14993 @anchor{Shared Libraries}
14994 @value{GDBN} supports @sc{gnu}/Linux, MS-Windows, HP-UX, SunOS, SVr4, Irix,
14995 and IBM RS/6000 AIX shared libraries.
14996
14997 On MS-Windows @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support
14998 shared libraries. @xref{Expat}.
14999
15000 @value{GDBN} automatically loads symbol definitions from shared libraries
15001 when you use the @code{run} command, or when you examine a core file.
15002 (Before you issue the @code{run} command, @value{GDBN} does not understand
15003 references to a function in a shared library, however---unless you are
15004 debugging a core file).
15005
15006 On HP-UX, if the program loads a library explicitly, @value{GDBN}
15007 automatically loads the symbols at the time of the @code{shl_load} call.
15008
15009 @c FIXME: some @value{GDBN} release may permit some refs to undef
15010 @c FIXME...symbols---eg in a break cmd---assuming they are from a shared
15011 @c FIXME...lib; check this from time to time when updating manual
15012
15013 There are times, however, when you may wish to not automatically load
15014 symbol definitions from shared libraries, such as when they are
15015 particularly large or there are many of them.
15016
15017 To control the automatic loading of shared library symbols, use the
15018 commands:
15019
15020 @table @code
15021 @kindex set auto-solib-add
15022 @item set auto-solib-add @var{mode}
15023 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, symbols from all shared object libraries
15024 will be loaded automatically when the inferior begins execution, you
15025 attach to an independently started inferior, or when the dynamic linker
15026 informs @value{GDBN} that a new library has been loaded. If @var{mode}
15027 is @code{off}, symbols must be loaded manually, using the
15028 @code{sharedlibrary} command. The default value is @code{on}.
15029
15030 @cindex memory used for symbol tables
15031 If your program uses lots of shared libraries with debug info that
15032 takes large amounts of memory, you can decrease the @value{GDBN}
15033 memory footprint by preventing it from automatically loading the
15034 symbols from shared libraries. To that end, type @kbd{set
15035 auto-solib-add off} before running the inferior, then load each
15036 library whose debug symbols you do need with @kbd{sharedlibrary
15037 @var{regexp}}, where @var{regexp} is a regular expression that matches
15038 the libraries whose symbols you want to be loaded.
15039
15040 @kindex show auto-solib-add
15041 @item show auto-solib-add
15042 Display the current autoloading mode.
15043 @end table
15044
15045 @cindex load shared library
15046 To explicitly load shared library symbols, use the @code{sharedlibrary}
15047 command:
15048
15049 @table @code
15050 @kindex info sharedlibrary
15051 @kindex info share
15052 @item info share @var{regex}
15053 @itemx info sharedlibrary @var{regex}
15054 Print the names of the shared libraries which are currently loaded
15055 that match @var{regex}. If @var{regex} is omitted then print
15056 all shared libraries that are loaded.
15057
15058 @kindex sharedlibrary
15059 @kindex share
15060 @item sharedlibrary @var{regex}
15061 @itemx share @var{regex}
15062 Load shared object library symbols for files matching a
15063 Unix regular expression.
15064 As with files loaded automatically, it only loads shared libraries
15065 required by your program for a core file or after typing @code{run}. If
15066 @var{regex} is omitted all shared libraries required by your program are
15067 loaded.
15068
15069 @item nosharedlibrary
15070 @kindex nosharedlibrary
15071 @cindex unload symbols from shared libraries
15072 Unload all shared object library symbols. This discards all symbols
15073 that have been loaded from all shared libraries. Symbols from shared
15074 libraries that were loaded by explicit user requests are not
15075 discarded.
15076 @end table
15077
15078 Sometimes you may wish that @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control
15079 when any of shared library events happen. Use the @code{set
15080 stop-on-solib-events} command for this:
15081
15082 @table @code
15083 @item set stop-on-solib-events
15084 @kindex set stop-on-solib-events
15085 This command controls whether @value{GDBN} should give you control
15086 when the dynamic linker notifies it about some shared library event.
15087 The most common event of interest is loading or unloading of a new
15088 shared library.
15089
15090 @item show stop-on-solib-events
15091 @kindex show stop-on-solib-events
15092 Show whether @value{GDBN} stops and gives you control when shared
15093 library events happen.
15094 @end table
15095
15096 Shared libraries are also supported in many cross or remote debugging
15097 configurations. @value{GDBN} needs to have access to the target's libraries;
15098 this can be accomplished either by providing copies of the libraries
15099 on the host system, or by asking @value{GDBN} to automatically retrieve the
15100 libraries from the target. If copies of the target libraries are
15101 provided, they need to be the same as the target libraries, although the
15102 copies on the target can be stripped as long as the copies on the host are
15103 not.
15104
15105 @cindex where to look for shared libraries
15106 For remote debugging, you need to tell @value{GDBN} where the target
15107 libraries are, so that it can load the correct copies---otherwise, it
15108 may try to load the host's libraries. @value{GDBN} has two variables
15109 to specify the search directories for target libraries.
15110
15111 @table @code
15112 @cindex prefix for shared library file names
15113 @cindex system root, alternate
15114 @kindex set solib-absolute-prefix
15115 @kindex set sysroot
15116 @item set sysroot @var{path}
15117 Use @var{path} as the system root for the program being debugged. Any
15118 absolute shared library paths will be prefixed with @var{path}; many
15119 runtime loaders store the absolute paths to the shared library in the
15120 target program's memory. If you use @code{set sysroot} to find shared
15121 libraries, they need to be laid out in the same way that they are on
15122 the target, with e.g.@: a @file{/lib} and @file{/usr/lib} hierarchy
15123 under @var{path}.
15124
15125 If @var{path} starts with the sequence @file{remote:}, @value{GDBN} will
15126 retrieve the target libraries from the remote system. This is only
15127 supported when using a remote target that supports the @code{remote get}
15128 command (@pxref{File Transfer,,Sending files to a remote system}).
15129 The part of @var{path} following the initial @file{remote:}
15130 (if present) is used as system root prefix on the remote file system.
15131 @footnote{If you want to specify a local system root using a directory
15132 that happens to be named @file{remote:}, you need to use some equivalent
15133 variant of the name like @file{./remote:}.}
15134
15135 For targets with an MS-DOS based filesystem, such as MS-Windows and
15136 SymbianOS, @value{GDBN} tries prefixing a few variants of the target
15137 absolute file name with @var{path}. But first, on Unix hosts,
15138 @value{GDBN} converts all backslash directory separators into forward
15139 slashes, because the backslash is not a directory separator on Unix:
15140
15141 @smallexample
15142 c:\foo\bar.dll @result{} c:/foo/bar.dll
15143 @end smallexample
15144
15145 Then, @value{GDBN} attempts prefixing the target file name with
15146 @var{path}, and looks for the resulting file name in the host file
15147 system:
15148
15149 @smallexample
15150 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c:/foo/bar.dll
15151 @end smallexample
15152
15153 If that does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries removing
15154 the @samp{:} character from the drive spec, both for convenience, and,
15155 for the case of the host file system not supporting file names with
15156 colons:
15157
15158 @smallexample
15159 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/c/foo/bar.dll
15160 @end smallexample
15161
15162 This makes it possible to have a system root that mirrors a target
15163 with more than one drive. E.g., you may want to setup your local
15164 copies of the target system shared libraries like so (note @samp{c} vs
15165 @samp{z}):
15166
15167 @smallexample
15168 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/foo.dll}
15169 @file{/path/to/sysroot/c/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15170 @file{/path/to/sysroot/z/sys/bin/bar.dll}
15171 @end smallexample
15172
15173 @noindent
15174 and point the system root at @file{/path/to/sysroot}, so that
15175 @value{GDBN} can find the correct copies of both
15176 @file{c:\sys\bin\foo.dll}, and @file{z:\sys\bin\bar.dll}.
15177
15178 If that still does not find the shared library, @value{GDBN} tries
15179 removing the whole drive spec from the target file name:
15180
15181 @smallexample
15182 c:/foo/bar.dll @result{} /path/to/sysroot/foo/bar.dll
15183 @end smallexample
15184
15185 This last lookup makes it possible to not care about the drive name,
15186 if you don't want or need to.
15187
15188 The @code{set solib-absolute-prefix} command is an alias for @code{set
15189 sysroot}.
15190
15191 @cindex default system root
15192 @cindex @samp{--with-sysroot}
15193 You can set the default system root by using the configure-time
15194 @samp{--with-sysroot} option. If the system root is inside
15195 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15196 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default system root will be updated
15197 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15198 location.
15199
15200 @kindex show sysroot
15201 @item show sysroot
15202 Display the current shared library prefix.
15203
15204 @kindex set solib-search-path
15205 @item set solib-search-path @var{path}
15206 If this variable is set, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
15207 directories to search for shared libraries. @samp{solib-search-path}
15208 is used after @samp{sysroot} fails to locate the library, or if the
15209 path to the library is relative instead of absolute. If you want to
15210 use @samp{solib-search-path} instead of @samp{sysroot}, be sure to set
15211 @samp{sysroot} to a nonexistent directory to prevent @value{GDBN} from
15212 finding your host's libraries. @samp{sysroot} is preferred; setting
15213 it to a nonexistent directory may interfere with automatic loading
15214 of shared library symbols.
15215
15216 @kindex show solib-search-path
15217 @item show solib-search-path
15218 Display the current shared library search path.
15219
15220 @cindex DOS file-name semantics of file names.
15221 @kindex set target-file-system-kind (unix|dos-based|auto)
15222 @kindex show target-file-system-kind
15223 @item set target-file-system-kind @var{kind}
15224 Set assumed file system kind for target reported file names.
15225
15226 Shared library file names as reported by the target system may not
15227 make sense as is on the system @value{GDBN} is running on. For
15228 example, when remote debugging a target that has MS-DOS based file
15229 system semantics, from a Unix host, the target may be reporting to
15230 @value{GDBN} a list of loaded shared libraries with file names such as
15231 @file{c:\Windows\kernel32.dll}. On Unix hosts, there's no concept of
15232 drive letters, so the @samp{c:\} prefix is not normally understood as
15233 indicating an absolute file name, and neither is the backslash
15234 normally considered a directory separator character. In that case,
15235 the native file system would interpret this whole absolute file name
15236 as a relative file name with no directory components. This would make
15237 it impossible to point @value{GDBN} at a copy of the remote target's
15238 shared libraries on the host using @code{set sysroot}, and impractical
15239 with @code{set solib-search-path}. Setting
15240 @code{target-file-system-kind} to @code{dos-based} tells @value{GDBN}
15241 to interpret such file names similarly to how the target would, and to
15242 map them to file names valid on @value{GDBN}'s native file system
15243 semantics. The value of @var{kind} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition
15244 to one of the supported file system kinds. In that case, @value{GDBN}
15245 tries to determine the appropriate file system variant based on the
15246 current target's operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the
15247 Current ABI}). The supported file system settings are:
15248
15249 @table @code
15250 @item unix
15251 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is of Unix
15252 kind. Only file names starting the forward slash (@samp{/}) character
15253 are considered absolute, and the directory separator character is also
15254 the forward slash.
15255
15256 @item dos-based
15257 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target file system is DOS based.
15258 File names starting with either a forward slash, or a drive letter
15259 followed by a colon (e.g., @samp{c:}), are considered absolute, and
15260 both the slash (@samp{/}) and the backslash (@samp{\\}) characters are
15261 considered directory separators.
15262
15263 @item auto
15264 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the file system kind associated with the
15265 target operating system (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
15266 This is the default.
15267 @end table
15268 @end table
15269
15270
15271 @node Separate Debug Files
15272 @section Debugging Information in Separate Files
15273 @cindex separate debugging information files
15274 @cindex debugging information in separate files
15275 @cindex @file{.debug} subdirectories
15276 @cindex debugging information directory, global
15277 @cindex global debugging information directory
15278 @cindex build ID, and separate debugging files
15279 @cindex @file{.build-id} directory
15280
15281 @value{GDBN} allows you to put a program's debugging information in a
15282 file separate from the executable itself, in a way that allows
15283 @value{GDBN} to find and load the debugging information automatically.
15284 Since debugging information can be very large---sometimes larger
15285 than the executable code itself---some systems distribute debugging
15286 information for their executables in separate files, which users can
15287 install only when they need to debug a problem.
15288
15289 @value{GDBN} supports two ways of specifying the separate debug info
15290 file:
15291
15292 @itemize @bullet
15293 @item
15294 The executable contains a @dfn{debug link} that specifies the name of
15295 the separate debug info file. The separate debug file's name is
15296 usually @file{@var{executable}.debug}, where @var{executable} is the
15297 name of the corresponding executable file without leading directories
15298 (e.g., @file{ls.debug} for @file{/usr/bin/ls}). In addition, the
15299 debug link specifies a 32-bit @dfn{Cyclic Redundancy Check} (CRC)
15300 checksum for the debug file, which @value{GDBN} uses to validate that
15301 the executable and the debug file came from the same build.
15302
15303 @item
15304 The executable contains a @dfn{build ID}, a unique bit string that is
15305 also present in the corresponding debug info file. (This is supported
15306 only on some operating systems, notably those which use the ELF format
15307 for binary files and the @sc{gnu} Binutils.) For more details about
15308 this feature, see the description of the @option{--build-id}
15309 command-line option in @ref{Options, , Command Line Options, ld.info,
15310 The GNU Linker}. The debug info file's name is not specified
15311 explicitly by the build ID, but can be computed from the build ID, see
15312 below.
15313 @end itemize
15314
15315 Depending on the way the debug info file is specified, @value{GDBN}
15316 uses two different methods of looking for the debug file:
15317
15318 @itemize @bullet
15319 @item
15320 For the ``debug link'' method, @value{GDBN} looks up the named file in
15321 the directory of the executable file, then in a subdirectory of that
15322 directory named @file{.debug}, and finally under the global debug
15323 directory, in a subdirectory whose name is identical to the leading
15324 directories of the executable's absolute file name.
15325
15326 @item
15327 For the ``build ID'' method, @value{GDBN} looks in the
15328 @file{.build-id} subdirectory of the global debug directory for a file
15329 named @file{@var{nn}/@var{nnnnnnnn}.debug}, where @var{nn} are the
15330 first 2 hex characters of the build ID bit string, and @var{nnnnnnnn}
15331 are the rest of the bit string. (Real build ID strings are 32 or more
15332 hex characters, not 10.)
15333 @end itemize
15334
15335 So, for example, suppose you ask @value{GDBN} to debug
15336 @file{/usr/bin/ls}, which has a debug link that specifies the
15337 file @file{ls.debug}, and a build ID whose value in hex is
15338 @code{abcdef1234}. If the global debug directory is
15339 @file{/usr/lib/debug}, then @value{GDBN} will look for the following
15340 debug information files, in the indicated order:
15341
15342 @itemize @minus
15343 @item
15344 @file{/usr/lib/debug/.build-id/ab/cdef1234.debug}
15345 @item
15346 @file{/usr/bin/ls.debug}
15347 @item
15348 @file{/usr/bin/.debug/ls.debug}
15349 @item
15350 @file{/usr/lib/debug/usr/bin/ls.debug}.
15351 @end itemize
15352
15353 You can set the global debugging info directory's name, and view the
15354 name @value{GDBN} is currently using.
15355
15356 @table @code
15357
15358 @kindex set debug-file-directory
15359 @item set debug-file-directory @var{directories}
15360 Set the directories which @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15361 information files to @var{directory}. Multiple directory components can be set
15362 concatenating them by a directory separator.
15363
15364 @kindex show debug-file-directory
15365 @item show debug-file-directory
15366 Show the directories @value{GDBN} searches for separate debugging
15367 information files.
15368
15369 @end table
15370
15371 @cindex @code{.gnu_debuglink} sections
15372 @cindex debug link sections
15373 A debug link is a special section of the executable file named
15374 @code{.gnu_debuglink}. The section must contain:
15375
15376 @itemize
15377 @item
15378 A filename, with any leading directory components removed, followed by
15379 a zero byte,
15380 @item
15381 zero to three bytes of padding, as needed to reach the next four-byte
15382 boundary within the section, and
15383 @item
15384 a four-byte CRC checksum, stored in the same endianness used for the
15385 executable file itself. The checksum is computed on the debugging
15386 information file's full contents by the function given below, passing
15387 zero as the @var{crc} argument.
15388 @end itemize
15389
15390 Any executable file format can carry a debug link, as long as it can
15391 contain a section named @code{.gnu_debuglink} with the contents
15392 described above.
15393
15394 @cindex @code{.note.gnu.build-id} sections
15395 @cindex build ID sections
15396 The build ID is a special section in the executable file (and in other
15397 ELF binary files that @value{GDBN} may consider). This section is
15398 often named @code{.note.gnu.build-id}, but that name is not mandatory.
15399 It contains unique identification for the built files---the ID remains
15400 the same across multiple builds of the same build tree. The default
15401 algorithm SHA1 produces 160 bits (40 hexadecimal characters) of the
15402 content for the build ID string. The same section with an identical
15403 value is present in the original built binary with symbols, in its
15404 stripped variant, and in the separate debugging information file.
15405
15406 The debugging information file itself should be an ordinary
15407 executable, containing a full set of linker symbols, sections, and
15408 debugging information. The sections of the debugging information file
15409 should have the same names, addresses, and sizes as the original file,
15410 but they need not contain any data---much like a @code{.bss} section
15411 in an ordinary executable.
15412
15413 The @sc{gnu} binary utilities (Binutils) package includes the
15414 @samp{objcopy} utility that can produce
15415 the separated executable / debugging information file pairs using the
15416 following commands:
15417
15418 @smallexample
15419 @kbd{objcopy --only-keep-debug foo foo.debug}
15420 @kbd{strip -g foo}
15421 @end smallexample
15422
15423 @noindent
15424 These commands remove the debugging
15425 information from the executable file @file{foo} and place it in the file
15426 @file{foo.debug}. You can use the first, second or both methods to link the
15427 two files:
15428
15429 @itemize @bullet
15430 @item
15431 The debug link method needs the following additional command to also leave
15432 behind a debug link in @file{foo}:
15433
15434 @smallexample
15435 @kbd{objcopy --add-gnu-debuglink=foo.debug foo}
15436 @end smallexample
15437
15438 Ulrich Drepper's @file{elfutils} package, starting with version 0.53, contains
15439 a version of the @code{strip} command such that the command @kbd{strip foo -f
15440 foo.debug} has the same functionality as the two @code{objcopy} commands and
15441 the @code{ln -s} command above, together.
15442
15443 @item
15444 Build ID gets embedded into the main executable using @code{ld --build-id} or
15445 the @value{NGCC} counterpart @code{gcc -Wl,--build-id}. Build ID support plus
15446 compatibility fixes for debug files separation are present in @sc{gnu} binary
15447 utilities (Binutils) package since version 2.18.
15448 @end itemize
15449
15450 @noindent
15451
15452 @cindex CRC algorithm definition
15453 The CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink} is the CRC-32 defined in
15454 IEEE 802.3 using the polynomial:
15455
15456 @c TexInfo requires naked braces for multi-digit exponents for Tex
15457 @c output, but this causes HTML output to barf. HTML has to be set using
15458 @c raw commands. So we end up having to specify this equation in 2
15459 @c different ways!
15460 @ifhtml
15461 @display
15462 @html
15463 <em>x</em><sup>32</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>26</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>23</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>22</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>16</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>12</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>11</sup>
15464 + <em>x</em><sup>10</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>8</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>7</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>5</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>4</sup> + <em>x</em><sup>2</sup> + <em>x</em> + 1
15465 @end html
15466 @end display
15467 @end ifhtml
15468 @ifnothtml
15469 @display
15470 @math{x^{32} + x^{26} + x^{23} + x^{22} + x^{16} + x^{12} + x^{11}}
15471 @math{+ x^{10} + x^8 + x^7 + x^5 + x^4 + x^2 + x + 1}
15472 @end display
15473 @end ifnothtml
15474
15475 The function is computed byte at a time, taking the least
15476 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern
15477 @code{0xffffffff} is used, to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC and
15478 the final result is inverted to ensure trailing zeros also affect the
15479 CRC.
15480
15481 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC polynomial as used in handling the
15482 @dfn{Remote Serial Protocol} @code{qCRC} packet (@pxref{Remote Protocol,
15483 , @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol}). However in the
15484 case of the Remote Serial Protocol, the CRC is computed @emph{most}
15485 significant bit first, and the result is not inverted, so trailing
15486 zeros have no effect on the CRC value.
15487
15488 To complete the description, we show below the code of the function
15489 which produces the CRC used in @code{.gnu_debuglink}. Inverting the
15490 initially supplied @code{crc} argument means that an initial call to
15491 this function passing in zero will start computing the CRC using
15492 @code{0xffffffff}.
15493
15494 @kindex gnu_debuglink_crc32
15495 @smallexample
15496 unsigned long
15497 gnu_debuglink_crc32 (unsigned long crc,
15498 unsigned char *buf, size_t len)
15499 @{
15500 static const unsigned long crc32_table[256] =
15501 @{
15502 0x00000000, 0x77073096, 0xee0e612c, 0x990951ba, 0x076dc419,
15503 0x706af48f, 0xe963a535, 0x9e6495a3, 0x0edb8832, 0x79dcb8a4,
15504 0xe0d5e91e, 0x97d2d988, 0x09b64c2b, 0x7eb17cbd, 0xe7b82d07,
15505 0x90bf1d91, 0x1db71064, 0x6ab020f2, 0xf3b97148, 0x84be41de,
15506 0x1adad47d, 0x6ddde4eb, 0xf4d4b551, 0x83d385c7, 0x136c9856,
15507 0x646ba8c0, 0xfd62f97a, 0x8a65c9ec, 0x14015c4f, 0x63066cd9,
15508 0xfa0f3d63, 0x8d080df5, 0x3b6e20c8, 0x4c69105e, 0xd56041e4,
15509 0xa2677172, 0x3c03e4d1, 0x4b04d447, 0xd20d85fd, 0xa50ab56b,
15510 0x35b5a8fa, 0x42b2986c, 0xdbbbc9d6, 0xacbcf940, 0x32d86ce3,
15511 0x45df5c75, 0xdcd60dcf, 0xabd13d59, 0x26d930ac, 0x51de003a,
15512 0xc8d75180, 0xbfd06116, 0x21b4f4b5, 0x56b3c423, 0xcfba9599,
15513 0xb8bda50f, 0x2802b89e, 0x5f058808, 0xc60cd9b2, 0xb10be924,
15514 0x2f6f7c87, 0x58684c11, 0xc1611dab, 0xb6662d3d, 0x76dc4190,
15515 0x01db7106, 0x98d220bc, 0xefd5102a, 0x71b18589, 0x06b6b51f,
15516 0x9fbfe4a5, 0xe8b8d433, 0x7807c9a2, 0x0f00f934, 0x9609a88e,
15517 0xe10e9818, 0x7f6a0dbb, 0x086d3d2d, 0x91646c97, 0xe6635c01,
15518 0x6b6b51f4, 0x1c6c6162, 0x856530d8, 0xf262004e, 0x6c0695ed,
15519 0x1b01a57b, 0x8208f4c1, 0xf50fc457, 0x65b0d9c6, 0x12b7e950,
15520 0x8bbeb8ea, 0xfcb9887c, 0x62dd1ddf, 0x15da2d49, 0x8cd37cf3,
15521 0xfbd44c65, 0x4db26158, 0x3ab551ce, 0xa3bc0074, 0xd4bb30e2,
15522 0x4adfa541, 0x3dd895d7, 0xa4d1c46d, 0xd3d6f4fb, 0x4369e96a,
15523 0x346ed9fc, 0xad678846, 0xda60b8d0, 0x44042d73, 0x33031de5,
15524 0xaa0a4c5f, 0xdd0d7cc9, 0x5005713c, 0x270241aa, 0xbe0b1010,
15525 0xc90c2086, 0x5768b525, 0x206f85b3, 0xb966d409, 0xce61e49f,
15526 0x5edef90e, 0x29d9c998, 0xb0d09822, 0xc7d7a8b4, 0x59b33d17,
15527 0x2eb40d81, 0xb7bd5c3b, 0xc0ba6cad, 0xedb88320, 0x9abfb3b6,
15528 0x03b6e20c, 0x74b1d29a, 0xead54739, 0x9dd277af, 0x04db2615,
15529 0x73dc1683, 0xe3630b12, 0x94643b84, 0x0d6d6a3e, 0x7a6a5aa8,
15530 0xe40ecf0b, 0x9309ff9d, 0x0a00ae27, 0x7d079eb1, 0xf00f9344,
15531 0x8708a3d2, 0x1e01f268, 0x6906c2fe, 0xf762575d, 0x806567cb,
15532 0x196c3671, 0x6e6b06e7, 0xfed41b76, 0x89d32be0, 0x10da7a5a,
15533 0x67dd4acc, 0xf9b9df6f, 0x8ebeeff9, 0x17b7be43, 0x60b08ed5,
15534 0xd6d6a3e8, 0xa1d1937e, 0x38d8c2c4, 0x4fdff252, 0xd1bb67f1,
15535 0xa6bc5767, 0x3fb506dd, 0x48b2364b, 0xd80d2bda, 0xaf0a1b4c,
15536 0x36034af6, 0x41047a60, 0xdf60efc3, 0xa867df55, 0x316e8eef,
15537 0x4669be79, 0xcb61b38c, 0xbc66831a, 0x256fd2a0, 0x5268e236,
15538 0xcc0c7795, 0xbb0b4703, 0x220216b9, 0x5505262f, 0xc5ba3bbe,
15539 0xb2bd0b28, 0x2bb45a92, 0x5cb36a04, 0xc2d7ffa7, 0xb5d0cf31,
15540 0x2cd99e8b, 0x5bdeae1d, 0x9b64c2b0, 0xec63f226, 0x756aa39c,
15541 0x026d930a, 0x9c0906a9, 0xeb0e363f, 0x72076785, 0x05005713,
15542 0x95bf4a82, 0xe2b87a14, 0x7bb12bae, 0x0cb61b38, 0x92d28e9b,
15543 0xe5d5be0d, 0x7cdcefb7, 0x0bdbdf21, 0x86d3d2d4, 0xf1d4e242,
15544 0x68ddb3f8, 0x1fda836e, 0x81be16cd, 0xf6b9265b, 0x6fb077e1,
15545 0x18b74777, 0x88085ae6, 0xff0f6a70, 0x66063bca, 0x11010b5c,
15546 0x8f659eff, 0xf862ae69, 0x616bffd3, 0x166ccf45, 0xa00ae278,
15547 0xd70dd2ee, 0x4e048354, 0x3903b3c2, 0xa7672661, 0xd06016f7,
15548 0x4969474d, 0x3e6e77db, 0xaed16a4a, 0xd9d65adc, 0x40df0b66,
15549 0x37d83bf0, 0xa9bcae53, 0xdebb9ec5, 0x47b2cf7f, 0x30b5ffe9,
15550 0xbdbdf21c, 0xcabac28a, 0x53b39330, 0x24b4a3a6, 0xbad03605,
15551 0xcdd70693, 0x54de5729, 0x23d967bf, 0xb3667a2e, 0xc4614ab8,
15552 0x5d681b02, 0x2a6f2b94, 0xb40bbe37, 0xc30c8ea1, 0x5a05df1b,
15553 0x2d02ef8d
15554 @};
15555 unsigned char *end;
15556
15557 crc = ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15558 for (end = buf + len; buf < end; ++buf)
15559 crc = crc32_table[(crc ^ *buf) & 0xff] ^ (crc >> 8);
15560 return ~crc & 0xffffffff;
15561 @}
15562 @end smallexample
15563
15564 @noindent
15565 This computation does not apply to the ``build ID'' method.
15566
15567
15568 @node Index Files
15569 @section Index Files Speed Up @value{GDBN}
15570 @cindex index files
15571 @cindex @samp{.gdb_index} section
15572
15573 When @value{GDBN} finds a symbol file, it scans the symbols in the
15574 file in order to construct an internal symbol table. This lets most
15575 @value{GDBN} operations work quickly---at the cost of a delay early
15576 on. For large programs, this delay can be quite lengthy, so
15577 @value{GDBN} provides a way to build an index, which speeds up
15578 startup.
15579
15580 The index is stored as a section in the symbol file. @value{GDBN} can
15581 write the index to a file, then you can put it into the symbol file
15582 using @command{objcopy}.
15583
15584 To create an index file, use the @code{save gdb-index} command:
15585
15586 @table @code
15587 @item save gdb-index @var{directory}
15588 @kindex save gdb-index
15589 Create an index file for each symbol file currently known by
15590 @value{GDBN}. Each file is named after its corresponding symbol file,
15591 with @samp{.gdb-index} appended, and is written into the given
15592 @var{directory}.
15593 @end table
15594
15595 Once you have created an index file you can merge it into your symbol
15596 file, here named @file{symfile}, using @command{objcopy}:
15597
15598 @smallexample
15599 $ objcopy --add-section .gdb_index=symfile.gdb-index \
15600 --set-section-flags .gdb_index=readonly symfile symfile
15601 @end smallexample
15602
15603 There are currently some limitation on indices. They only work when
15604 for DWARF debugging information, not stabs. And, they do not
15605 currently work for programs using Ada.
15606
15607 @node Symbol Errors
15608 @section Errors Reading Symbol Files
15609
15610 While reading a symbol file, @value{GDBN} occasionally encounters problems,
15611 such as symbol types it does not recognize, or known bugs in compiler
15612 output. By default, @value{GDBN} does not notify you of such problems, since
15613 they are relatively common and primarily of interest to people
15614 debugging compilers. If you are interested in seeing information
15615 about ill-constructed symbol tables, you can either ask @value{GDBN} to print
15616 only one message about each such type of problem, no matter how many
15617 times the problem occurs; or you can ask @value{GDBN} to print more messages,
15618 to see how many times the problems occur, with the @code{set
15619 complaints} command (@pxref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15620 Messages}).
15621
15622 The messages currently printed, and their meanings, include:
15623
15624 @table @code
15625 @item inner block not inside outer block in @var{symbol}
15626
15627 The symbol information shows where symbol scopes begin and end
15628 (such as at the start of a function or a block of statements). This
15629 error indicates that an inner scope block is not fully contained
15630 in its outer scope blocks.
15631
15632 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the inner block as if it had
15633 the same scope as the outer block. In the error message, @var{symbol}
15634 may be shown as ``@code{(don't know)}'' if the outer block is not a
15635 function.
15636
15637 @item block at @var{address} out of order
15638
15639 The symbol information for symbol scope blocks should occur in
15640 order of increasing addresses. This error indicates that it does not
15641 do so.
15642
15643 @value{GDBN} does not circumvent this problem, and has trouble
15644 locating symbols in the source file whose symbols it is reading. (You
15645 can often determine what source file is affected by specifying
15646 @code{set verbose on}. @xref{Messages/Warnings, ,Optional Warnings and
15647 Messages}.)
15648
15649 @item bad block start address patched
15650
15651 The symbol information for a symbol scope block has a start address
15652 smaller than the address of the preceding source line. This is known
15653 to occur in the SunOS 4.1.1 (and earlier) C compiler.
15654
15655 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by treating the symbol scope block as
15656 starting on the previous source line.
15657
15658 @item bad string table offset in symbol @var{n}
15659
15660 @cindex foo
15661 Symbol number @var{n} contains a pointer into the string table which is
15662 larger than the size of the string table.
15663
15664 @value{GDBN} circumvents the problem by considering the symbol to have the
15665 name @code{foo}, which may cause other problems if many symbols end up
15666 with this name.
15667
15668 @item unknown symbol type @code{0x@var{nn}}
15669
15670 The symbol information contains new data types that @value{GDBN} does
15671 not yet know how to read. @code{0x@var{nn}} is the symbol type of the
15672 uncomprehended information, in hexadecimal.
15673
15674 @value{GDBN} circumvents the error by ignoring this symbol information.
15675 This usually allows you to debug your program, though certain symbols
15676 are not accessible. If you encounter such a problem and feel like
15677 debugging it, you can debug @code{@value{GDBP}} with itself, breakpoint
15678 on @code{complain}, then go up to the function @code{read_dbx_symtab}
15679 and examine @code{*bufp} to see the symbol.
15680
15681 @item stub type has NULL name
15682
15683 @value{GDBN} could not find the full definition for a struct or class.
15684
15685 @item const/volatile indicator missing (ok if using g++ v1.x), got@dots{}
15686 The symbol information for a C@t{++} member function is missing some
15687 information that recent versions of the compiler should have output for
15688 it.
15689
15690 @item info mismatch between compiler and debugger
15691
15692 @value{GDBN} could not parse a type specification output by the compiler.
15693
15694 @end table
15695
15696 @node Data Files
15697 @section GDB Data Files
15698
15699 @cindex prefix for data files
15700 @value{GDBN} will sometimes read an auxiliary data file. These files
15701 are kept in a directory known as the @dfn{data directory}.
15702
15703 You can set the data directory's name, and view the name @value{GDBN}
15704 is currently using.
15705
15706 @table @code
15707 @kindex set data-directory
15708 @item set data-directory @var{directory}
15709 Set the directory which @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files
15710 to @var{directory}.
15711
15712 @kindex show data-directory
15713 @item show data-directory
15714 Show the directory @value{GDBN} searches for auxiliary data files.
15715 @end table
15716
15717 @cindex default data directory
15718 @cindex @samp{--with-gdb-datadir}
15719 You can set the default data directory by using the configure-time
15720 @samp{--with-gdb-datadir} option. If the data directory is inside
15721 @value{GDBN}'s configured binary prefix (set with @samp{--prefix} or
15722 @samp{--exec-prefix}), then the default data directory will be updated
15723 automatically if the installed @value{GDBN} is moved to a new
15724 location.
15725
15726 The data directory may also be specified with the
15727 @code{--data-directory} command line option.
15728 @xref{Mode Options}.
15729
15730 @node Targets
15731 @chapter Specifying a Debugging Target
15732
15733 @cindex debugging target
15734 A @dfn{target} is the execution environment occupied by your program.
15735
15736 Often, @value{GDBN} runs in the same host environment as your program;
15737 in that case, the debugging target is specified as a side effect when
15738 you use the @code{file} or @code{core} commands. When you need more
15739 flexibility---for example, running @value{GDBN} on a physically separate
15740 host, or controlling a standalone system over a serial port or a
15741 realtime system over a TCP/IP connection---you can use the @code{target}
15742 command to specify one of the target types configured for @value{GDBN}
15743 (@pxref{Target Commands, ,Commands for Managing Targets}).
15744
15745 @cindex target architecture
15746 It is possible to build @value{GDBN} for several different @dfn{target
15747 architectures}. When @value{GDBN} is built like that, you can choose
15748 one of the available architectures with the @kbd{set architecture}
15749 command.
15750
15751 @table @code
15752 @kindex set architecture
15753 @kindex show architecture
15754 @item set architecture @var{arch}
15755 This command sets the current target architecture to @var{arch}. The
15756 value of @var{arch} can be @code{"auto"}, in addition to one of the
15757 supported architectures.
15758
15759 @item show architecture
15760 Show the current target architecture.
15761
15762 @item set processor
15763 @itemx processor
15764 @kindex set processor
15765 @kindex show processor
15766 These are alias commands for, respectively, @code{set architecture}
15767 and @code{show architecture}.
15768 @end table
15769
15770 @menu
15771 * Active Targets:: Active targets
15772 * Target Commands:: Commands for managing targets
15773 * Byte Order:: Choosing target byte order
15774 @end menu
15775
15776 @node Active Targets
15777 @section Active Targets
15778
15779 @cindex stacking targets
15780 @cindex active targets
15781 @cindex multiple targets
15782
15783 There are multiple classes of targets such as: processes, executable files or
15784 recording sessions. Core files belong to the process class, making core file
15785 and process mutually exclusive. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} can work concurrently
15786 on multiple active targets, one in each class. This allows you to (for
15787 example) start a process and inspect its activity, while still having access to
15788 the executable file after the process finishes. Or if you start process
15789 recording (@pxref{Reverse Execution}) and @code{reverse-step} there, you are
15790 presented a virtual layer of the recording target, while the process target
15791 remains stopped at the chronologically last point of the process execution.
15792
15793 Use the @code{core-file} and @code{exec-file} commands to select a new core
15794 file or executable target (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}). To
15795 specify as a target a process that is already running, use the @code{attach}
15796 command (@pxref{Attach, ,Debugging an Already-running Process}).
15797
15798 @node Target Commands
15799 @section Commands for Managing Targets
15800
15801 @table @code
15802 @item target @var{type} @var{parameters}
15803 Connects the @value{GDBN} host environment to a target machine or
15804 process. A target is typically a protocol for talking to debugging
15805 facilities. You use the argument @var{type} to specify the type or
15806 protocol of the target machine.
15807
15808 Further @var{parameters} are interpreted by the target protocol, but
15809 typically include things like device names or host names to connect
15810 with, process numbers, and baud rates.
15811
15812 The @code{target} command does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again
15813 after executing the command.
15814
15815 @kindex help target
15816 @item help target
15817 Displays the names of all targets available. To display targets
15818 currently selected, use either @code{info target} or @code{info files}
15819 (@pxref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}).
15820
15821 @item help target @var{name}
15822 Describe a particular target, including any parameters necessary to
15823 select it.
15824
15825 @kindex set gnutarget
15826 @item set gnutarget @var{args}
15827 @value{GDBN} uses its own library BFD to read your files. @value{GDBN}
15828 knows whether it is reading an @dfn{executable},
15829 a @dfn{core}, or a @dfn{.o} file; however, you can specify the file format
15830 with the @code{set gnutarget} command. Unlike most @code{target} commands,
15831 with @code{gnutarget} the @code{target} refers to a program, not a machine.
15832
15833 @quotation
15834 @emph{Warning:} To specify a file format with @code{set gnutarget},
15835 you must know the actual BFD name.
15836 @end quotation
15837
15838 @noindent
15839 @xref{Files, , Commands to Specify Files}.
15840
15841 @kindex show gnutarget
15842 @item show gnutarget
15843 Use the @code{show gnutarget} command to display what file format
15844 @code{gnutarget} is set to read. If you have not set @code{gnutarget},
15845 @value{GDBN} will determine the file format for each file automatically,
15846 and @code{show gnutarget} displays @samp{The current BDF target is "auto"}.
15847 @end table
15848
15849 @cindex common targets
15850 Here are some common targets (available, or not, depending on the GDB
15851 configuration):
15852
15853 @table @code
15854 @kindex target
15855 @item target exec @var{program}
15856 @cindex executable file target
15857 An executable file. @samp{target exec @var{program}} is the same as
15858 @samp{exec-file @var{program}}.
15859
15860 @item target core @var{filename}
15861 @cindex core dump file target
15862 A core dump file. @samp{target core @var{filename}} is the same as
15863 @samp{core-file @var{filename}}.
15864
15865 @item target remote @var{medium}
15866 @cindex remote target
15867 A remote system connected to @value{GDBN} via a serial line or network
15868 connection. This command tells @value{GDBN} to use its own remote
15869 protocol over @var{medium} for debugging. @xref{Remote Debugging}.
15870
15871 For example, if you have a board connected to @file{/dev/ttya} on the
15872 machine running @value{GDBN}, you could say:
15873
15874 @smallexample
15875 target remote /dev/ttya
15876 @end smallexample
15877
15878 @code{target remote} supports the @code{load} command. This is only
15879 useful if you have some other way of getting the stub to the target
15880 system, and you can put it somewhere in memory where it won't get
15881 clobbered by the download.
15882
15883 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
15884 @cindex built-in simulator target
15885 Builtin CPU simulator. @value{GDBN} includes simulators for most architectures.
15886 In general,
15887 @smallexample
15888 target sim
15889 load
15890 run
15891 @end smallexample
15892 @noindent
15893 works; however, you cannot assume that a specific memory map, device
15894 drivers, or even basic I/O is available, although some simulators do
15895 provide these. For info about any processor-specific simulator details,
15896 see the appropriate section in @ref{Embedded Processors, ,Embedded
15897 Processors}.
15898
15899 @end table
15900
15901 Some configurations may include these targets as well:
15902
15903 @table @code
15904
15905 @item target nrom @var{dev}
15906 @cindex NetROM ROM emulator target
15907 NetROM ROM emulator. This target only supports downloading.
15908
15909 @end table
15910
15911 Different targets are available on different configurations of @value{GDBN};
15912 your configuration may have more or fewer targets.
15913
15914 Many remote targets require you to download the executable's code once
15915 you've successfully established a connection. You may wish to control
15916 various aspects of this process.
15917
15918 @table @code
15919
15920 @item set hash
15921 @kindex set hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15922 @cindex hash mark while downloading
15923 This command controls whether a hash mark @samp{#} is displayed while
15924 downloading a file to the remote monitor. If on, a hash mark is
15925 displayed after each S-record is successfully downloaded to the
15926 monitor.
15927
15928 @item show hash
15929 @kindex show hash@r{, for remote monitors}
15930 Show the current status of displaying the hash mark.
15931
15932 @item set debug monitor
15933 @kindex set debug monitor
15934 @cindex display remote monitor communications
15935 Enable or disable display of communications messages between
15936 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15937
15938 @item show debug monitor
15939 @kindex show debug monitor
15940 Show the current status of displaying communications between
15941 @value{GDBN} and the remote monitor.
15942 @end table
15943
15944 @table @code
15945
15946 @kindex load @var{filename}
15947 @item load @var{filename}
15948 @anchor{load}
15949 Depending on what remote debugging facilities are configured into
15950 @value{GDBN}, the @code{load} command may be available. Where it exists, it
15951 is meant to make @var{filename} (an executable) available for debugging
15952 on the remote system---by downloading, or dynamic linking, for example.
15953 @code{load} also records the @var{filename} symbol table in @value{GDBN}, like
15954 the @code{add-symbol-file} command.
15955
15956 If your @value{GDBN} does not have a @code{load} command, attempting to
15957 execute it gets the error message ``@code{You can't do that when your
15958 target is @dots{}}''
15959
15960 The file is loaded at whatever address is specified in the executable.
15961 For some object file formats, you can specify the load address when you
15962 link the program; for other formats, like a.out, the object file format
15963 specifies a fixed address.
15964 @c FIXME! This would be a good place for an xref to the GNU linker doc.
15965
15966 Depending on the remote side capabilities, @value{GDBN} may be able to
15967 load programs into flash memory.
15968
15969 @code{load} does not repeat if you press @key{RET} again after using it.
15970 @end table
15971
15972 @node Byte Order
15973 @section Choosing Target Byte Order
15974
15975 @cindex choosing target byte order
15976 @cindex target byte order
15977
15978 Some types of processors, such as the MIPS, PowerPC, and Renesas SH,
15979 offer the ability to run either big-endian or little-endian byte
15980 orders. Usually the executable or symbol will include a bit to
15981 designate the endian-ness, and you will not need to worry about
15982 which to use. However, you may still find it useful to adjust
15983 @value{GDBN}'s idea of processor endian-ness manually.
15984
15985 @table @code
15986 @kindex set endian
15987 @item set endian big
15988 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is big-endian.
15989
15990 @item set endian little
15991 Instruct @value{GDBN} to assume the target is little-endian.
15992
15993 @item set endian auto
15994 Instruct @value{GDBN} to use the byte order associated with the
15995 executable.
15996
15997 @item show endian
15998 Display @value{GDBN}'s current idea of the target byte order.
15999
16000 @end table
16001
16002 Note that these commands merely adjust interpretation of symbolic
16003 data on the host, and that they have absolutely no effect on the
16004 target system.
16005
16006
16007 @node Remote Debugging
16008 @chapter Debugging Remote Programs
16009 @cindex remote debugging
16010
16011 If you are trying to debug a program running on a machine that cannot run
16012 @value{GDBN} in the usual way, it is often useful to use remote debugging.
16013 For example, you might use remote debugging on an operating system kernel,
16014 or on a small system which does not have a general purpose operating system
16015 powerful enough to run a full-featured debugger.
16016
16017 Some configurations of @value{GDBN} have special serial or TCP/IP interfaces
16018 to make this work with particular debugging targets. In addition,
16019 @value{GDBN} comes with a generic serial protocol (specific to @value{GDBN},
16020 but not specific to any particular target system) which you can use if you
16021 write the remote stubs---the code that runs on the remote system to
16022 communicate with @value{GDBN}.
16023
16024 Other remote targets may be available in your
16025 configuration of @value{GDBN}; use @code{help target} to list them.
16026
16027 @menu
16028 * Connecting:: Connecting to a remote target
16029 * File Transfer:: Sending files to a remote system
16030 * Server:: Using the gdbserver program
16031 * Remote Configuration:: Remote configuration
16032 * Remote Stub:: Implementing a remote stub
16033 @end menu
16034
16035 @node Connecting
16036 @section Connecting to a Remote Target
16037
16038 On the @value{GDBN} host machine, you will need an unstripped copy of
16039 your program, since @value{GDBN} needs symbol and debugging information.
16040 Start up @value{GDBN} as usual, using the name of the local copy of your
16041 program as the first argument.
16042
16043 @cindex @code{target remote}
16044 @value{GDBN} can communicate with the target over a serial line, or
16045 over an @acronym{IP} network using @acronym{TCP} or @acronym{UDP}. In
16046 each case, @value{GDBN} uses the same protocol for debugging your
16047 program; only the medium carrying the debugging packets varies. The
16048 @code{target remote} command establishes a connection to the target.
16049 Its arguments indicate which medium to use:
16050
16051 @table @code
16052
16053 @item target remote @var{serial-device}
16054 @cindex serial line, @code{target remote}
16055 Use @var{serial-device} to communicate with the target. For example,
16056 to use a serial line connected to the device named @file{/dev/ttyb}:
16057
16058 @smallexample
16059 target remote /dev/ttyb
16060 @end smallexample
16061
16062 If you're using a serial line, you may want to give @value{GDBN} the
16063 @w{@samp{--baud}} option, or use the @code{set remotebaud} command
16064 (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remotebaud}) before the
16065 @code{target} command.
16066
16067 @item target remote @code{@var{host}:@var{port}}
16068 @itemx target remote @code{tcp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
16069 @cindex @acronym{TCP} port, @code{target remote}
16070 Debug using a @acronym{TCP} connection to @var{port} on @var{host}.
16071 The @var{host} may be either a host name or a numeric @acronym{IP}
16072 address; @var{port} must be a decimal number. The @var{host} could be
16073 the target machine itself, if it is directly connected to the net, or
16074 it might be a terminal server which in turn has a serial line to the
16075 target.
16076
16077 For example, to connect to port 2828 on a terminal server named
16078 @code{manyfarms}:
16079
16080 @smallexample
16081 target remote manyfarms:2828
16082 @end smallexample
16083
16084 If your remote target is actually running on the same machine as your
16085 debugger session (e.g.@: a simulator for your target running on the
16086 same host), you can omit the hostname. For example, to connect to
16087 port 1234 on your local machine:
16088
16089 @smallexample
16090 target remote :1234
16091 @end smallexample
16092 @noindent
16093
16094 Note that the colon is still required here.
16095
16096 @item target remote @code{udp:@var{host}:@var{port}}
16097 @cindex @acronym{UDP} port, @code{target remote}
16098 Debug using @acronym{UDP} packets to @var{port} on @var{host}. For example, to
16099 connect to @acronym{UDP} port 2828 on a terminal server named @code{manyfarms}:
16100
16101 @smallexample
16102 target remote udp:manyfarms:2828
16103 @end smallexample
16104
16105 When using a @acronym{UDP} connection for remote debugging, you should
16106 keep in mind that the `U' stands for ``Unreliable''. @acronym{UDP}
16107 can silently drop packets on busy or unreliable networks, which will
16108 cause havoc with your debugging session.
16109
16110 @item target remote | @var{command}
16111 @cindex pipe, @code{target remote} to
16112 Run @var{command} in the background and communicate with it using a
16113 pipe. The @var{command} is a shell command, to be parsed and expanded
16114 by the system's command shell, @code{/bin/sh}; it should expect remote
16115 protocol packets on its standard input, and send replies on its
16116 standard output. You could use this to run a stand-alone simulator
16117 that speaks the remote debugging protocol, to make net connections
16118 using programs like @code{ssh}, or for other similar tricks.
16119
16120 If @var{command} closes its standard output (perhaps by exiting),
16121 @value{GDBN} will try to send it a @code{SIGTERM} signal. (If the
16122 program has already exited, this will have no effect.)
16123
16124 @end table
16125
16126 Once the connection has been established, you can use all the usual
16127 commands to examine and change data. The remote program is already
16128 running; you can use @kbd{step} and @kbd{continue}, and you do not
16129 need to use @kbd{run}.
16130
16131 @cindex interrupting remote programs
16132 @cindex remote programs, interrupting
16133 Whenever @value{GDBN} is waiting for the remote program, if you type the
16134 interrupt character (often @kbd{Ctrl-c}), @value{GDBN} attempts to stop the
16135 program. This may or may not succeed, depending in part on the hardware
16136 and the serial drivers the remote system uses. If you type the
16137 interrupt character once again, @value{GDBN} displays this prompt:
16138
16139 @smallexample
16140 Interrupted while waiting for the program.
16141 Give up (and stop debugging it)? (y or n)
16142 @end smallexample
16143
16144 If you type @kbd{y}, @value{GDBN} abandons the remote debugging session.
16145 (If you decide you want to try again later, you can use @samp{target
16146 remote} again to connect once more.) If you type @kbd{n}, @value{GDBN}
16147 goes back to waiting.
16148
16149 @table @code
16150 @kindex detach (remote)
16151 @item detach
16152 When you have finished debugging the remote program, you can use the
16153 @code{detach} command to release it from @value{GDBN} control.
16154 Detaching from the target normally resumes its execution, but the results
16155 will depend on your particular remote stub. After the @code{detach}
16156 command, @value{GDBN} is free to connect to another target.
16157
16158 @kindex disconnect
16159 @item disconnect
16160 The @code{disconnect} command behaves like @code{detach}, except that
16161 the target is generally not resumed. It will wait for @value{GDBN}
16162 (this instance or another one) to connect and continue debugging. After
16163 the @code{disconnect} command, @value{GDBN} is again free to connect to
16164 another target.
16165
16166 @cindex send command to remote monitor
16167 @cindex extend @value{GDBN} for remote targets
16168 @cindex add new commands for external monitor
16169 @kindex monitor
16170 @item monitor @var{cmd}
16171 This command allows you to send arbitrary commands directly to the
16172 remote monitor. Since @value{GDBN} doesn't care about the commands it
16173 sends like this, this command is the way to extend @value{GDBN}---you
16174 can add new commands that only the external monitor will understand
16175 and implement.
16176 @end table
16177
16178 @node File Transfer
16179 @section Sending files to a remote system
16180 @cindex remote target, file transfer
16181 @cindex file transfer
16182 @cindex sending files to remote systems
16183
16184 Some remote targets offer the ability to transfer files over the same
16185 connection used to communicate with @value{GDBN}. This is convenient
16186 for targets accessible through other means, e.g.@: @sc{gnu}/Linux systems
16187 running @code{gdbserver} over a network interface. For other targets,
16188 e.g.@: embedded devices with only a single serial port, this may be
16189 the only way to upload or download files.
16190
16191 Not all remote targets support these commands.
16192
16193 @table @code
16194 @kindex remote put
16195 @item remote put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
16196 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
16197 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
16198
16199 @kindex remote get
16200 @item remote get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
16201 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
16202 on the host system.
16203
16204 @kindex remote delete
16205 @item remote delete @var{targetfile}
16206 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
16207
16208 @end table
16209
16210 @node Server
16211 @section Using the @code{gdbserver} Program
16212
16213 @kindex gdbserver
16214 @cindex remote connection without stubs
16215 @code{gdbserver} is a control program for Unix-like systems, which
16216 allows you to connect your program with a remote @value{GDBN} via
16217 @code{target remote}---but without linking in the usual debugging stub.
16218
16219 @code{gdbserver} is not a complete replacement for the debugging stubs,
16220 because it requires essentially the same operating-system facilities
16221 that @value{GDBN} itself does. In fact, a system that can run
16222 @code{gdbserver} to connect to a remote @value{GDBN} could also run
16223 @value{GDBN} locally! @code{gdbserver} is sometimes useful nevertheless,
16224 because it is a much smaller program than @value{GDBN} itself. It is
16225 also easier to port than all of @value{GDBN}, so you may be able to get
16226 started more quickly on a new system by using @code{gdbserver}.
16227 Finally, if you develop code for real-time systems, you may find that
16228 the tradeoffs involved in real-time operation make it more convenient to
16229 do as much development work as possible on another system, for example
16230 by cross-compiling. You can use @code{gdbserver} to make a similar
16231 choice for debugging.
16232
16233 @value{GDBN} and @code{gdbserver} communicate via either a serial line
16234 or a TCP connection, using the standard @value{GDBN} remote serial
16235 protocol.
16236
16237 @quotation
16238 @emph{Warning:} @code{gdbserver} does not have any built-in security.
16239 Do not run @code{gdbserver} connected to any public network; a
16240 @value{GDBN} connection to @code{gdbserver} provides access to the
16241 target system with the same privileges as the user running
16242 @code{gdbserver}.
16243 @end quotation
16244
16245 @subsection Running @code{gdbserver}
16246 @cindex arguments, to @code{gdbserver}
16247 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, command-line arguments
16248
16249 Run @code{gdbserver} on the target system. You need a copy of the
16250 program you want to debug, including any libraries it requires.
16251 @code{gdbserver} does not need your program's symbol table, so you can
16252 strip the program if necessary to save space. @value{GDBN} on the host
16253 system does all the symbol handling.
16254
16255 To use the server, you must tell it how to communicate with @value{GDBN};
16256 the name of your program; and the arguments for your program. The usual
16257 syntax is:
16258
16259 @smallexample
16260 target> gdbserver @var{comm} @var{program} [ @var{args} @dots{} ]
16261 @end smallexample
16262
16263 @var{comm} is either a device name (to use a serial line) or a TCP
16264 hostname and portnumber. For example, to debug Emacs with the argument
16265 @samp{foo.txt} and communicate with @value{GDBN} over the serial port
16266 @file{/dev/com1}:
16267
16268 @smallexample
16269 target> gdbserver /dev/com1 emacs foo.txt
16270 @end smallexample
16271
16272 @code{gdbserver} waits passively for the host @value{GDBN} to communicate
16273 with it.
16274
16275 To use a TCP connection instead of a serial line:
16276
16277 @smallexample
16278 target> gdbserver host:2345 emacs foo.txt
16279 @end smallexample
16280
16281 The only difference from the previous example is the first argument,
16282 specifying that you are communicating with the host @value{GDBN} via
16283 TCP. The @samp{host:2345} argument means that @code{gdbserver} is to
16284 expect a TCP connection from machine @samp{host} to local TCP port 2345.
16285 (Currently, the @samp{host} part is ignored.) You can choose any number
16286 you want for the port number as long as it does not conflict with any
16287 TCP ports already in use on the target system (for example, @code{23} is
16288 reserved for @code{telnet}).@footnote{If you choose a port number that
16289 conflicts with another service, @code{gdbserver} prints an error message
16290 and exits.} You must use the same port number with the host @value{GDBN}
16291 @code{target remote} command.
16292
16293 @subsubsection Attaching to a Running Program
16294 @cindex attach to a program, @code{gdbserver}
16295 @cindex @option{--attach}, @code{gdbserver} option
16296
16297 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} can also attach to running programs.
16298 This is accomplished via the @code{--attach} argument. The syntax is:
16299
16300 @smallexample
16301 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} @var{pid}
16302 @end smallexample
16303
16304 @var{pid} is the process ID of a currently running process. It isn't necessary
16305 to point @code{gdbserver} at a binary for the running process.
16306
16307 @pindex pidof
16308 You can debug processes by name instead of process ID if your target has the
16309 @code{pidof} utility:
16310
16311 @smallexample
16312 target> gdbserver --attach @var{comm} `pidof @var{program}`
16313 @end smallexample
16314
16315 In case more than one copy of @var{program} is running, or @var{program}
16316 has multiple threads, most versions of @code{pidof} support the
16317 @code{-s} option to only return the first process ID.
16318
16319 @subsubsection Multi-Process Mode for @code{gdbserver}
16320 @cindex @code{gdbserver}, multiple processes
16321 @cindex multiple processes with @code{gdbserver}
16322
16323 When you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target remote},
16324 @code{gdbserver} debugs the specified program only once. When the
16325 program exits, or you detach from it, @value{GDBN} closes the connection
16326 and @code{gdbserver} exits.
16327
16328 If you connect using @kbd{target extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver}
16329 enters multi-process mode. When the debugged program exits, or you
16330 detach from it, @value{GDBN} stays connected to @code{gdbserver} even
16331 though no program is running. The @code{run} and @code{attach}
16332 commands instruct @code{gdbserver} to run or attach to a new program.
16333 The @code{run} command uses @code{set remote exec-file} (@pxref{set
16334 remote exec-file}) to select the program to run. Command line
16335 arguments are supported, except for wildcard expansion and I/O
16336 redirection (@pxref{Arguments}).
16337
16338 @cindex @option{--multi}, @code{gdbserver} option
16339 To start @code{gdbserver} without supplying an initial command to run
16340 or process ID to attach, use the @option{--multi} command line option.
16341 Then you can connect using @kbd{target extended-remote} and start
16342 the program you want to debug.
16343
16344 In multi-process mode @code{gdbserver} does not automatically exit unless you
16345 use the option @option{--once}. You can terminate it by using
16346 @code{monitor exit} (@pxref{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}). Note that the
16347 conditions under which @code{gdbserver} terminates depend on how @value{GDBN}
16348 connects to it (@kbd{target remote} or @kbd{target extended-remote}). The
16349 @option{--multi} option to @code{gdbserver} has no influence on that.
16350
16351 @subsubsection TCP port allocation lifecycle of @code{gdbserver}
16352
16353 This section applies only when @code{gdbserver} is run to listen on a TCP port.
16354
16355 @code{gdbserver} normally terminates after all of its debugged processes have
16356 terminated in @kbd{target remote} mode. On the other hand, for @kbd{target
16357 extended-remote}, @code{gdbserver} stays running even with no processes left.
16358 @value{GDBN} normally terminates the spawned debugged process on its exit,
16359 which normally also terminates @code{gdbserver} in the @kbd{target remote}
16360 mode. Therefore, when the connection drops unexpectedly, and @value{GDBN}
16361 cannot ask @code{gdbserver} to kill its debugged processes, @code{gdbserver}
16362 stays running even in the @kbd{target remote} mode.
16363
16364 When @code{gdbserver} stays running, @value{GDBN} can connect to it again later.
16365 Such reconnecting is useful for features like @ref{disconnected tracing}. For
16366 completeness, at most one @value{GDBN} can be connected at a time.
16367
16368 @cindex @option{--once}, @code{gdbserver} option
16369 By default, @code{gdbserver} keeps the listening TCP port open, so that
16370 additional connections are possible. However, if you start @code{gdbserver}
16371 with the @option{--once} option, it will stop listening for any further
16372 connection attempts after connecting to the first @value{GDBN} session. This
16373 means no further connections to @code{gdbserver} will be possible after the
16374 first one. It also means @code{gdbserver} will terminate after the first
16375 connection with remote @value{GDBN} has closed, even for unexpectedly closed
16376 connections and even in the @kbd{target extended-remote} mode. The
16377 @option{--once} option allows reusing the same port number for connecting to
16378 multiple instances of @code{gdbserver} running on the same host, since each
16379 instance closes its port after the first connection.
16380
16381 @subsubsection Other Command-Line Arguments for @code{gdbserver}
16382
16383 @cindex @option{--debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
16384 The @option{--debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display extra
16385 status information about the debugging process.
16386 @cindex @option{--remote-debug}, @code{gdbserver} option
16387 The @option{--remote-debug} option tells @code{gdbserver} to display
16388 remote protocol debug output. These options are intended for
16389 @code{gdbserver} development and for bug reports to the developers.
16390
16391 @cindex @option{--wrapper}, @code{gdbserver} option
16392 The @option{--wrapper} option specifies a wrapper to launch programs
16393 for debugging. The option should be followed by the name of the
16394 wrapper, then any command-line arguments to pass to the wrapper, then
16395 @kbd{--} indicating the end of the wrapper arguments.
16396
16397 @code{gdbserver} runs the specified wrapper program with a combined
16398 command line including the wrapper arguments, then the name of the
16399 program to debug, then any arguments to the program. The wrapper
16400 runs until it executes your program, and then @value{GDBN} gains control.
16401
16402 You can use any program that eventually calls @code{execve} with
16403 its arguments as a wrapper. Several standard Unix utilities do
16404 this, e.g.@: @code{env} and @code{nohup}. Any Unix shell script ending
16405 with @code{exec "$@@"} will also work.
16406
16407 For example, you can use @code{env} to pass an environment variable to
16408 the debugged program, without setting the variable in @code{gdbserver}'s
16409 environment:
16410
16411 @smallexample
16412 $ gdbserver --wrapper env LD_PRELOAD=libtest.so -- :2222 ./testprog
16413 @end smallexample
16414
16415 @subsection Connecting to @code{gdbserver}
16416
16417 Run @value{GDBN} on the host system.
16418
16419 First make sure you have the necessary symbol files. Load symbols for
16420 your application using the @code{file} command before you connect. Use
16421 @code{set sysroot} to locate target libraries (unless your @value{GDBN}
16422 was compiled with the correct sysroot using @code{--with-sysroot}).
16423
16424 The symbol file and target libraries must exactly match the executable
16425 and libraries on the target, with one exception: the files on the host
16426 system should not be stripped, even if the files on the target system
16427 are. Mismatched or missing files will lead to confusing results
16428 during debugging. On @sc{gnu}/Linux targets, mismatched or missing
16429 files may also prevent @code{gdbserver} from debugging multi-threaded
16430 programs.
16431
16432 Connect to your target (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
16433 For TCP connections, you must start up @code{gdbserver} prior to using
16434 the @code{target remote} command. Otherwise you may get an error whose
16435 text depends on the host system, but which usually looks something like
16436 @samp{Connection refused}. Don't use the @code{load}
16437 command in @value{GDBN} when using @code{gdbserver}, since the program is
16438 already on the target.
16439
16440 @subsection Monitor Commands for @code{gdbserver}
16441 @cindex monitor commands, for @code{gdbserver}
16442 @anchor{Monitor Commands for gdbserver}
16443
16444 During a @value{GDBN} session using @code{gdbserver}, you can use the
16445 @code{monitor} command to send special requests to @code{gdbserver}.
16446 Here are the available commands.
16447
16448 @table @code
16449 @item monitor help
16450 List the available monitor commands.
16451
16452 @item monitor set debug 0
16453 @itemx monitor set debug 1
16454 Disable or enable general debugging messages.
16455
16456 @item monitor set remote-debug 0
16457 @itemx monitor set remote-debug 1
16458 Disable or enable specific debugging messages associated with the remote
16459 protocol (@pxref{Remote Protocol}).
16460
16461 @item monitor set libthread-db-search-path [PATH]
16462 @cindex gdbserver, search path for @code{libthread_db}
16463 When this command is issued, @var{path} is a colon-separated list of
16464 directories to search for @code{libthread_db} (@pxref{Threads,,set
16465 libthread-db-search-path}). If you omit @var{path},
16466 @samp{libthread-db-search-path} will be reset to its default value.
16467
16468 The special entry @samp{$pdir} for @samp{libthread-db-search-path} is
16469 not supported in @code{gdbserver}.
16470
16471 @item monitor exit
16472 Tell gdbserver to exit immediately. This command should be followed by
16473 @code{disconnect} to close the debugging session. @code{gdbserver} will
16474 detach from any attached processes and kill any processes it created.
16475 Use @code{monitor exit} to terminate @code{gdbserver} at the end
16476 of a multi-process mode debug session.
16477
16478 @end table
16479
16480 @subsection Tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16481 @cindex tracepoints support in @code{gdbserver}
16482
16483 On some targets, @code{gdbserver} supports tracepoints, fast
16484 tracepoints and static tracepoints.
16485
16486 For fast or static tracepoints to work, a special library called the
16487 @dfn{in-process agent} (IPA), must be loaded in the inferior process.
16488 This library is built and distributed as an integral part of
16489 @code{gdbserver}. In addition, support for static tracepoints
16490 requires building the in-process agent library with static tracepoints
16491 support. At present, the UST (LTTng Userspace Tracer,
16492 @url{http://lttng.org/ust}) tracing engine is supported. This support
16493 is automatically available if UST development headers are found in the
16494 standard include path when @code{gdbserver} is built, or if
16495 @code{gdbserver} was explicitly configured using @option{--with-ust}
16496 to point at such headers. You can explicitly disable the support
16497 using @option{--with-ust=no}.
16498
16499 There are several ways to load the in-process agent in your program:
16500
16501 @table @code
16502 @item Specifying it as dependency at link time
16503
16504 You can link your program dynamically with the in-process agent
16505 library. On most systems, this is accomplished by adding
16506 @code{-linproctrace} to the link command.
16507
16508 @item Using the system's preloading mechanisms
16509
16510 You can force loading the in-process agent at startup time by using
16511 your system's support for preloading shared libraries. Many Unixes
16512 support the concept of preloading user defined libraries. In most
16513 cases, you do that by specifying @code{LD_PRELOAD=libinproctrace.so}
16514 in the environment. See also the description of @code{gdbserver}'s
16515 @option{--wrapper} command line option.
16516
16517 @item Using @value{GDBN} to force loading the agent at run time
16518
16519 On some systems, you can force the inferior to load a shared library,
16520 by calling a dynamic loader function in the inferior that takes care
16521 of dynamically looking up and loading a shared library. On most Unix
16522 systems, the function is @code{dlopen}. You'll use the @code{call}
16523 command for that. For example:
16524
16525 @smallexample
16526 (@value{GDBP}) call dlopen ("libinproctrace.so", ...)
16527 @end smallexample
16528
16529 Note that on most Unix systems, for the @code{dlopen} function to be
16530 available, the program needs to be linked with @code{-ldl}.
16531 @end table
16532
16533 On systems that have a userspace dynamic loader, like most Unix
16534 systems, when you connect to @code{gdbserver} using @code{target
16535 remote}, you'll find that the program is stopped at the dynamic
16536 loader's entry point, and no shared library has been loaded in the
16537 program's address space yet, including the in-process agent. In that
16538 case, before being able to use any of the fast or static tracepoints
16539 features, you need to let the loader run and load the shared
16540 libraries. The simplest way to do that is to run the program to the
16541 main procedure. E.g., if debugging a C or C@t{++} program, start
16542 @code{gdbserver} like so:
16543
16544 @smallexample
16545 $ gdbserver :9999 myprogram
16546 @end smallexample
16547
16548 Start GDB and connect to @code{gdbserver} like so, and run to main:
16549
16550 @smallexample
16551 $ gdb myprogram
16552 (@value{GDBP}) target remote myhost:9999
16553 0x00007f215893ba60 in ?? () from /lib64/ld-linux-x86-64.so.2
16554 (@value{GDBP}) b main
16555 (@value{GDBP}) continue
16556 @end smallexample
16557
16558 The in-process tracing agent library should now be loaded into the
16559 process; you can confirm it with the @code{info sharedlibrary}
16560 command, which will list @file{libinproctrace.so} as loaded in the
16561 process. You are now ready to install fast tracepoints, list static
16562 tracepoint markers, probe static tracepoints markers, and start
16563 tracing.
16564
16565 @node Remote Configuration
16566 @section Remote Configuration
16567
16568 @kindex set remote
16569 @kindex show remote
16570 This section documents the configuration options available when
16571 debugging remote programs. For the options related to the File I/O
16572 extensions of the remote protocol, see @ref{system,
16573 system-call-allowed}.
16574
16575 @table @code
16576 @item set remoteaddresssize @var{bits}
16577 @cindex address size for remote targets
16578 @cindex bits in remote address
16579 Set the maximum size of address in a memory packet to the specified
16580 number of bits. @value{GDBN} will mask off the address bits above
16581 that number, when it passes addresses to the remote target. The
16582 default value is the number of bits in the target's address.
16583
16584 @item show remoteaddresssize
16585 Show the current value of remote address size in bits.
16586
16587 @item set remotebaud @var{n}
16588 @cindex baud rate for remote targets
16589 Set the baud rate for the remote serial I/O to @var{n} baud. The
16590 value is used to set the speed of the serial port used for debugging
16591 remote targets.
16592
16593 @item show remotebaud
16594 Show the current speed of the remote connection.
16595
16596 @item set remotebreak
16597 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16598 @cindex BREAK signal instead of Ctrl-C
16599 @anchor{set remotebreak}
16600 If set to on, @value{GDBN} sends a @code{BREAK} signal to the remote
16601 when you type @kbd{Ctrl-c} to interrupt the program running
16602 on the remote. If set to off, @value{GDBN} sends the @samp{Ctrl-C}
16603 character instead. The default is off, since most remote systems
16604 expect to see @samp{Ctrl-C} as the interrupt signal.
16605
16606 @item show remotebreak
16607 Show whether @value{GDBN} sends @code{BREAK} or @samp{Ctrl-C} to
16608 interrupt the remote program.
16609
16610 @item set remoteflow on
16611 @itemx set remoteflow off
16612 @kindex set remoteflow
16613 Enable or disable hardware flow control (@code{RTS}/@code{CTS})
16614 on the serial port used to communicate to the remote target.
16615
16616 @item show remoteflow
16617 @kindex show remoteflow
16618 Show the current setting of hardware flow control.
16619
16620 @item set remotelogbase @var{base}
16621 Set the base (a.k.a.@: radix) of logging serial protocol
16622 communications to @var{base}. Supported values of @var{base} are:
16623 @code{ascii}, @code{octal}, and @code{hex}. The default is
16624 @code{ascii}.
16625
16626 @item show remotelogbase
16627 Show the current setting of the radix for logging remote serial
16628 protocol.
16629
16630 @item set remotelogfile @var{file}
16631 @cindex record serial communications on file
16632 Record remote serial communications on the named @var{file}. The
16633 default is not to record at all.
16634
16635 @item show remotelogfile.
16636 Show the current setting of the file name on which to record the
16637 serial communications.
16638
16639 @item set remotetimeout @var{num}
16640 @cindex timeout for serial communications
16641 @cindex remote timeout
16642 Set the timeout limit to wait for the remote target to respond to
16643 @var{num} seconds. The default is 2 seconds.
16644
16645 @item show remotetimeout
16646 Show the current number of seconds to wait for the remote target
16647 responses.
16648
16649 @cindex limit hardware breakpoints and watchpoints
16650 @cindex remote target, limit break- and watchpoints
16651 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit}
16652 @anchor{set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit}
16653 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-limit @var{limit}
16654 @itemx set remote hardware-breakpoint-limit @var{limit}
16655 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} remote hardware breakpoint or
16656 watchpoints. A limit of -1, the default, is treated as unlimited.
16657
16658 @cindex limit hardware watchpoints length
16659 @cindex remote target, limit watchpoints length
16660 @anchor{set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit}
16661 @item set remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit @var{limit}
16662 Restrict @value{GDBN} to using @var{limit} bytes for the maximum length of
16663 a remote hardware watchpoint. A limit of -1, the default, is treated
16664 as unlimited.
16665
16666 @item show remote hardware-watchpoint-length-limit
16667 Show the current limit (in bytes) of the maximum length of
16668 a remote hardware watchpoint.
16669
16670 @item set remote exec-file @var{filename}
16671 @itemx show remote exec-file
16672 @anchor{set remote exec-file}
16673 @cindex executable file, for remote target
16674 Select the file used for @code{run} with @code{target
16675 extended-remote}. This should be set to a filename valid on the
16676 target system. If it is not set, the target will use a default
16677 filename (e.g.@: the last program run).
16678
16679 @item set remote interrupt-sequence
16680 @cindex interrupt remote programs
16681 @cindex select Ctrl-C, BREAK or BREAK-g
16682 Allow the user to select one of @samp{Ctrl-C}, a @code{BREAK} or
16683 @samp{BREAK-g} as the
16684 sequence to the remote target in order to interrupt the execution.
16685 @samp{Ctrl-C} is a default. Some system prefers @code{BREAK} which
16686 is high level of serial line for some certain time.
16687 Linux kernel prefers @samp{BREAK-g}, a.k.a Magic SysRq g.
16688 It is @code{BREAK} signal followed by character @code{g}.
16689
16690 @item show interrupt-sequence
16691 Show which of @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or @code{BREAK-g}
16692 is sent by @value{GDBN} to interrupt the remote program.
16693 @code{BREAK-g} is BREAK signal followed by @code{g} and
16694 also known as Magic SysRq g.
16695
16696 @item set remote interrupt-on-connect
16697 @cindex send interrupt-sequence on start
16698 Specify whether interrupt-sequence is sent to remote target when
16699 @value{GDBN} connects to it. This is mostly needed when you debug
16700 Linux kernel. Linux kernel expects @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g}
16701 which is known as Magic SysRq g in order to connect @value{GDBN}.
16702
16703 @item show interrupt-on-connect
16704 Show whether interrupt-sequence is sent
16705 to remote target when @value{GDBN} connects to it.
16706
16707 @kindex set tcp
16708 @kindex show tcp
16709 @item set tcp auto-retry on
16710 @cindex auto-retry, for remote TCP target
16711 Enable auto-retry for remote TCP connections. This is useful if the remote
16712 debugging agent is launched in parallel with @value{GDBN}; there is a race
16713 condition because the agent may not become ready to accept the connection
16714 before @value{GDBN} attempts to connect. When auto-retry is
16715 enabled, if the initial attempt to connect fails, @value{GDBN} reattempts
16716 to establish the connection using the timeout specified by
16717 @code{set tcp connect-timeout}.
16718
16719 @item set tcp auto-retry off
16720 Do not auto-retry failed TCP connections.
16721
16722 @item show tcp auto-retry
16723 Show the current auto-retry setting.
16724
16725 @item set tcp connect-timeout @var{seconds}
16726 @cindex connection timeout, for remote TCP target
16727 @cindex timeout, for remote target connection
16728 Set the timeout for establishing a TCP connection to the remote target to
16729 @var{seconds}. The timeout affects both polling to retry failed connections
16730 (enabled by @code{set tcp auto-retry on}) and waiting for connections
16731 that are merely slow to complete, and represents an approximate cumulative
16732 value.
16733
16734 @item show tcp connect-timeout
16735 Show the current connection timeout setting.
16736 @end table
16737
16738 @cindex remote packets, enabling and disabling
16739 The @value{GDBN} remote protocol autodetects the packets supported by
16740 your debugging stub. If you need to override the autodetection, you
16741 can use these commands to enable or disable individual packets. Each
16742 packet can be set to @samp{on} (the remote target supports this
16743 packet), @samp{off} (the remote target does not support this packet),
16744 or @samp{auto} (detect remote target support for this packet). They
16745 all default to @samp{auto}. For more information about each packet,
16746 see @ref{Remote Protocol}.
16747
16748 During normal use, you should not have to use any of these commands.
16749 If you do, that may be a bug in your remote debugging stub, or a bug
16750 in @value{GDBN}. You may want to report the problem to the
16751 @value{GDBN} developers.
16752
16753 For each packet @var{name}, the command to enable or disable the
16754 packet is @code{set remote @var{name}-packet}. The available settings
16755 are:
16756
16757 @multitable @columnfractions 0.28 0.32 0.25
16758 @item Command Name
16759 @tab Remote Packet
16760 @tab Related Features
16761
16762 @item @code{fetch-register}
16763 @tab @code{p}
16764 @tab @code{info registers}
16765
16766 @item @code{set-register}
16767 @tab @code{P}
16768 @tab @code{set}
16769
16770 @item @code{binary-download}
16771 @tab @code{X}
16772 @tab @code{load}, @code{set}
16773
16774 @item @code{read-aux-vector}
16775 @tab @code{qXfer:auxv:read}
16776 @tab @code{info auxv}
16777
16778 @item @code{symbol-lookup}
16779 @tab @code{qSymbol}
16780 @tab Detecting multiple threads
16781
16782 @item @code{attach}
16783 @tab @code{vAttach}
16784 @tab @code{attach}
16785
16786 @item @code{verbose-resume}
16787 @tab @code{vCont}
16788 @tab Stepping or resuming multiple threads
16789
16790 @item @code{run}
16791 @tab @code{vRun}
16792 @tab @code{run}
16793
16794 @item @code{software-breakpoint}
16795 @tab @code{Z0}
16796 @tab @code{break}
16797
16798 @item @code{hardware-breakpoint}
16799 @tab @code{Z1}
16800 @tab @code{hbreak}
16801
16802 @item @code{write-watchpoint}
16803 @tab @code{Z2}
16804 @tab @code{watch}
16805
16806 @item @code{read-watchpoint}
16807 @tab @code{Z3}
16808 @tab @code{rwatch}
16809
16810 @item @code{access-watchpoint}
16811 @tab @code{Z4}
16812 @tab @code{awatch}
16813
16814 @item @code{target-features}
16815 @tab @code{qXfer:features:read}
16816 @tab @code{set architecture}
16817
16818 @item @code{library-info}
16819 @tab @code{qXfer:libraries:read}
16820 @tab @code{info sharedlibrary}
16821
16822 @item @code{memory-map}
16823 @tab @code{qXfer:memory-map:read}
16824 @tab @code{info mem}
16825
16826 @item @code{read-sdata-object}
16827 @tab @code{qXfer:sdata:read}
16828 @tab @code{print $_sdata}
16829
16830 @item @code{read-spu-object}
16831 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:read}
16832 @tab @code{info spu}
16833
16834 @item @code{write-spu-object}
16835 @tab @code{qXfer:spu:write}
16836 @tab @code{info spu}
16837
16838 @item @code{read-siginfo-object}
16839 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:read}
16840 @tab @code{print $_siginfo}
16841
16842 @item @code{write-siginfo-object}
16843 @tab @code{qXfer:siginfo:write}
16844 @tab @code{set $_siginfo}
16845
16846 @item @code{threads}
16847 @tab @code{qXfer:threads:read}
16848 @tab @code{info threads}
16849
16850 @item @code{get-thread-local-@*storage-address}
16851 @tab @code{qGetTLSAddr}
16852 @tab Displaying @code{__thread} variables
16853
16854 @item @code{get-thread-information-block-address}
16855 @tab @code{qGetTIBAddr}
16856 @tab Display MS-Windows Thread Information Block.
16857
16858 @item @code{search-memory}
16859 @tab @code{qSearch:memory}
16860 @tab @code{find}
16861
16862 @item @code{supported-packets}
16863 @tab @code{qSupported}
16864 @tab Remote communications parameters
16865
16866 @item @code{pass-signals}
16867 @tab @code{QPassSignals}
16868 @tab @code{handle @var{signal}}
16869
16870 @item @code{hostio-close-packet}
16871 @tab @code{vFile:close}
16872 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16873
16874 @item @code{hostio-open-packet}
16875 @tab @code{vFile:open}
16876 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16877
16878 @item @code{hostio-pread-packet}
16879 @tab @code{vFile:pread}
16880 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16881
16882 @item @code{hostio-pwrite-packet}
16883 @tab @code{vFile:pwrite}
16884 @tab @code{remote get}, @code{remote put}
16885
16886 @item @code{hostio-unlink-packet}
16887 @tab @code{vFile:unlink}
16888 @tab @code{remote delete}
16889
16890 @item @code{noack-packet}
16891 @tab @code{QStartNoAckMode}
16892 @tab Packet acknowledgment
16893
16894 @item @code{osdata}
16895 @tab @code{qXfer:osdata:read}
16896 @tab @code{info os}
16897
16898 @item @code{query-attached}
16899 @tab @code{qAttached}
16900 @tab Querying remote process attach state.
16901
16902 @item @code{traceframe-info}
16903 @tab @code{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
16904 @tab Traceframe info
16905 @end multitable
16906
16907 @node Remote Stub
16908 @section Implementing a Remote Stub
16909
16910 @cindex debugging stub, example
16911 @cindex remote stub, example
16912 @cindex stub example, remote debugging
16913 The stub files provided with @value{GDBN} implement the target side of the
16914 communication protocol, and the @value{GDBN} side is implemented in the
16915 @value{GDBN} source file @file{remote.c}. Normally, you can simply allow
16916 these subroutines to communicate, and ignore the details. (If you're
16917 implementing your own stub file, you can still ignore the details: start
16918 with one of the existing stub files. @file{sparc-stub.c} is the best
16919 organized, and therefore the easiest to read.)
16920
16921 @cindex remote serial debugging, overview
16922 To debug a program running on another machine (the debugging
16923 @dfn{target} machine), you must first arrange for all the usual
16924 prerequisites for the program to run by itself. For example, for a C
16925 program, you need:
16926
16927 @enumerate
16928 @item
16929 A startup routine to set up the C runtime environment; these usually
16930 have a name like @file{crt0}. The startup routine may be supplied by
16931 your hardware supplier, or you may have to write your own.
16932
16933 @item
16934 A C subroutine library to support your program's
16935 subroutine calls, notably managing input and output.
16936
16937 @item
16938 A way of getting your program to the other machine---for example, a
16939 download program. These are often supplied by the hardware
16940 manufacturer, but you may have to write your own from hardware
16941 documentation.
16942 @end enumerate
16943
16944 The next step is to arrange for your program to use a serial port to
16945 communicate with the machine where @value{GDBN} is running (the @dfn{host}
16946 machine). In general terms, the scheme looks like this:
16947
16948 @table @emph
16949 @item On the host,
16950 @value{GDBN} already understands how to use this protocol; when everything
16951 else is set up, you can simply use the @samp{target remote} command
16952 (@pxref{Targets,,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
16953
16954 @item On the target,
16955 you must link with your program a few special-purpose subroutines that
16956 implement the @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol. The file containing these
16957 subroutines is called a @dfn{debugging stub}.
16958
16959 On certain remote targets, you can use an auxiliary program
16960 @code{gdbserver} instead of linking a stub into your program.
16961 @xref{Server,,Using the @code{gdbserver} Program}, for details.
16962 @end table
16963
16964 The debugging stub is specific to the architecture of the remote
16965 machine; for example, use @file{sparc-stub.c} to debug programs on
16966 @sc{sparc} boards.
16967
16968 @cindex remote serial stub list
16969 These working remote stubs are distributed with @value{GDBN}:
16970
16971 @table @code
16972
16973 @item i386-stub.c
16974 @cindex @file{i386-stub.c}
16975 @cindex Intel
16976 @cindex i386
16977 For Intel 386 and compatible architectures.
16978
16979 @item m68k-stub.c
16980 @cindex @file{m68k-stub.c}
16981 @cindex Motorola 680x0
16982 @cindex m680x0
16983 For Motorola 680x0 architectures.
16984
16985 @item sh-stub.c
16986 @cindex @file{sh-stub.c}
16987 @cindex Renesas
16988 @cindex SH
16989 For Renesas SH architectures.
16990
16991 @item sparc-stub.c
16992 @cindex @file{sparc-stub.c}
16993 @cindex Sparc
16994 For @sc{sparc} architectures.
16995
16996 @item sparcl-stub.c
16997 @cindex @file{sparcl-stub.c}
16998 @cindex Fujitsu
16999 @cindex SparcLite
17000 For Fujitsu @sc{sparclite} architectures.
17001
17002 @end table
17003
17004 The @file{README} file in the @value{GDBN} distribution may list other
17005 recently added stubs.
17006
17007 @menu
17008 * Stub Contents:: What the stub can do for you
17009 * Bootstrapping:: What you must do for the stub
17010 * Debug Session:: Putting it all together
17011 @end menu
17012
17013 @node Stub Contents
17014 @subsection What the Stub Can Do for You
17015
17016 @cindex remote serial stub
17017 The debugging stub for your architecture supplies these three
17018 subroutines:
17019
17020 @table @code
17021 @item set_debug_traps
17022 @findex set_debug_traps
17023 @cindex remote serial stub, initialization
17024 This routine arranges for @code{handle_exception} to run when your
17025 program stops. You must call this subroutine explicitly near the
17026 beginning of your program.
17027
17028 @item handle_exception
17029 @findex handle_exception
17030 @cindex remote serial stub, main routine
17031 This is the central workhorse, but your program never calls it
17032 explicitly---the setup code arranges for @code{handle_exception} to
17033 run when a trap is triggered.
17034
17035 @code{handle_exception} takes control when your program stops during
17036 execution (for example, on a breakpoint), and mediates communications
17037 with @value{GDBN} on the host machine. This is where the communications
17038 protocol is implemented; @code{handle_exception} acts as the @value{GDBN}
17039 representative on the target machine. It begins by sending summary
17040 information on the state of your program, then continues to execute,
17041 retrieving and transmitting any information @value{GDBN} needs, until you
17042 execute a @value{GDBN} command that makes your program resume; at that point,
17043 @code{handle_exception} returns control to your own code on the target
17044 machine.
17045
17046 @item breakpoint
17047 @cindex @code{breakpoint} subroutine, remote
17048 Use this auxiliary subroutine to make your program contain a
17049 breakpoint. Depending on the particular situation, this may be the only
17050 way for @value{GDBN} to get control. For instance, if your target
17051 machine has some sort of interrupt button, you won't need to call this;
17052 pressing the interrupt button transfers control to
17053 @code{handle_exception}---in effect, to @value{GDBN}. On some machines,
17054 simply receiving characters on the serial port may also trigger a trap;
17055 again, in that situation, you don't need to call @code{breakpoint} from
17056 your own program---simply running @samp{target remote} from the host
17057 @value{GDBN} session gets control.
17058
17059 Call @code{breakpoint} if none of these is true, or if you simply want
17060 to make certain your program stops at a predetermined point for the
17061 start of your debugging session.
17062 @end table
17063
17064 @node Bootstrapping
17065 @subsection What You Must Do for the Stub
17066
17067 @cindex remote stub, support routines
17068 The debugging stubs that come with @value{GDBN} are set up for a particular
17069 chip architecture, but they have no information about the rest of your
17070 debugging target machine.
17071
17072 First of all you need to tell the stub how to communicate with the
17073 serial port.
17074
17075 @table @code
17076 @item int getDebugChar()
17077 @findex getDebugChar
17078 Write this subroutine to read a single character from the serial port.
17079 It may be identical to @code{getchar} for your target system; a
17080 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
17081
17082 @item void putDebugChar(int)
17083 @findex putDebugChar
17084 Write this subroutine to write a single character to the serial port.
17085 It may be identical to @code{putchar} for your target system; a
17086 different name is used to allow you to distinguish the two if you wish.
17087 @end table
17088
17089 @cindex control C, and remote debugging
17090 @cindex interrupting remote targets
17091 If you want @value{GDBN} to be able to stop your program while it is
17092 running, you need to use an interrupt-driven serial driver, and arrange
17093 for it to stop when it receives a @code{^C} (@samp{\003}, the control-C
17094 character). That is the character which @value{GDBN} uses to tell the
17095 remote system to stop.
17096
17097 Getting the debugging target to return the proper status to @value{GDBN}
17098 probably requires changes to the standard stub; one quick and dirty way
17099 is to just execute a breakpoint instruction (the ``dirty'' part is that
17100 @value{GDBN} reports a @code{SIGTRAP} instead of a @code{SIGINT}).
17101
17102 Other routines you need to supply are:
17103
17104 @table @code
17105 @item void exceptionHandler (int @var{exception_number}, void *@var{exception_address})
17106 @findex exceptionHandler
17107 Write this function to install @var{exception_address} in the exception
17108 handling tables. You need to do this because the stub does not have any
17109 way of knowing what the exception handling tables on your target system
17110 are like (for example, the processor's table might be in @sc{rom},
17111 containing entries which point to a table in @sc{ram}).
17112 @var{exception_number} is the exception number which should be changed;
17113 its meaning is architecture-dependent (for example, different numbers
17114 might represent divide by zero, misaligned access, etc). When this
17115 exception occurs, control should be transferred directly to
17116 @var{exception_address}, and the processor state (stack, registers,
17117 and so on) should be just as it is when a processor exception occurs. So if
17118 you want to use a jump instruction to reach @var{exception_address}, it
17119 should be a simple jump, not a jump to subroutine.
17120
17121 For the 386, @var{exception_address} should be installed as an interrupt
17122 gate so that interrupts are masked while the handler runs. The gate
17123 should be at privilege level 0 (the most privileged level). The
17124 @sc{sparc} and 68k stubs are able to mask interrupts themselves without
17125 help from @code{exceptionHandler}.
17126
17127 @item void flush_i_cache()
17128 @findex flush_i_cache
17129 On @sc{sparc} and @sc{sparclite} only, write this subroutine to flush the
17130 instruction cache, if any, on your target machine. If there is no
17131 instruction cache, this subroutine may be a no-op.
17132
17133 On target machines that have instruction caches, @value{GDBN} requires this
17134 function to make certain that the state of your program is stable.
17135 @end table
17136
17137 @noindent
17138 You must also make sure this library routine is available:
17139
17140 @table @code
17141 @item void *memset(void *, int, int)
17142 @findex memset
17143 This is the standard library function @code{memset} that sets an area of
17144 memory to a known value. If you have one of the free versions of
17145 @code{libc.a}, @code{memset} can be found there; otherwise, you must
17146 either obtain it from your hardware manufacturer, or write your own.
17147 @end table
17148
17149 If you do not use the GNU C compiler, you may need other standard
17150 library subroutines as well; this varies from one stub to another,
17151 but in general the stubs are likely to use any of the common library
17152 subroutines which @code{@value{NGCC}} generates as inline code.
17153
17154
17155 @node Debug Session
17156 @subsection Putting it All Together
17157
17158 @cindex remote serial debugging summary
17159 In summary, when your program is ready to debug, you must follow these
17160 steps.
17161
17162 @enumerate
17163 @item
17164 Make sure you have defined the supporting low-level routines
17165 (@pxref{Bootstrapping,,What You Must Do for the Stub}):
17166 @display
17167 @code{getDebugChar}, @code{putDebugChar},
17168 @code{flush_i_cache}, @code{memset}, @code{exceptionHandler}.
17169 @end display
17170
17171 @item
17172 Insert these lines near the top of your program:
17173
17174 @smallexample
17175 set_debug_traps();
17176 breakpoint();
17177 @end smallexample
17178
17179 @item
17180 For the 680x0 stub only, you need to provide a variable called
17181 @code{exceptionHook}. Normally you just use:
17182
17183 @smallexample
17184 void (*exceptionHook)() = 0;
17185 @end smallexample
17186
17187 @noindent
17188 but if before calling @code{set_debug_traps}, you set it to point to a
17189 function in your program, that function is called when
17190 @code{@value{GDBN}} continues after stopping on a trap (for example, bus
17191 error). The function indicated by @code{exceptionHook} is called with
17192 one parameter: an @code{int} which is the exception number.
17193
17194 @item
17195 Compile and link together: your program, the @value{GDBN} debugging stub for
17196 your target architecture, and the supporting subroutines.
17197
17198 @item
17199 Make sure you have a serial connection between your target machine and
17200 the @value{GDBN} host, and identify the serial port on the host.
17201
17202 @item
17203 @c The "remote" target now provides a `load' command, so we should
17204 @c document that. FIXME.
17205 Download your program to your target machine (or get it there by
17206 whatever means the manufacturer provides), and start it.
17207
17208 @item
17209 Start @value{GDBN} on the host, and connect to the target
17210 (@pxref{Connecting,,Connecting to a Remote Target}).
17211
17212 @end enumerate
17213
17214 @node Configurations
17215 @chapter Configuration-Specific Information
17216
17217 While nearly all @value{GDBN} commands are available for all native and
17218 cross versions of the debugger, there are some exceptions. This chapter
17219 describes things that are only available in certain configurations.
17220
17221 There are three major categories of configurations: native
17222 configurations, where the host and target are the same, embedded
17223 operating system configurations, which are usually the same for several
17224 different processor architectures, and bare embedded processors, which
17225 are quite different from each other.
17226
17227 @menu
17228 * Native::
17229 * Embedded OS::
17230 * Embedded Processors::
17231 * Architectures::
17232 @end menu
17233
17234 @node Native
17235 @section Native
17236
17237 This section describes details specific to particular native
17238 configurations.
17239
17240 @menu
17241 * HP-UX:: HP-UX
17242 * BSD libkvm Interface:: Debugging BSD kernel memory images
17243 * SVR4 Process Information:: SVR4 process information
17244 * DJGPP Native:: Features specific to the DJGPP port
17245 * Cygwin Native:: Features specific to the Cygwin port
17246 * Hurd Native:: Features specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd
17247 * Neutrino:: Features specific to QNX Neutrino
17248 * Darwin:: Features specific to Darwin
17249 @end menu
17250
17251 @node HP-UX
17252 @subsection HP-UX
17253
17254 On HP-UX systems, if you refer to a function or variable name that
17255 begins with a dollar sign, @value{GDBN} searches for a user or system
17256 name first, before it searches for a convenience variable.
17257
17258
17259 @node BSD libkvm Interface
17260 @subsection BSD libkvm Interface
17261
17262 @cindex libkvm
17263 @cindex kernel memory image
17264 @cindex kernel crash dump
17265
17266 BSD-derived systems (FreeBSD/NetBSD/OpenBSD) have a kernel memory
17267 interface that provides a uniform interface for accessing kernel virtual
17268 memory images, including live systems and crash dumps. @value{GDBN}
17269 uses this interface to allow you to debug live kernels and kernel crash
17270 dumps on many native BSD configurations. This is implemented as a
17271 special @code{kvm} debugging target. For debugging a live system, load
17272 the currently running kernel into @value{GDBN} and connect to the
17273 @code{kvm} target:
17274
17275 @smallexample
17276 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm}
17277 @end smallexample
17278
17279 For debugging crash dumps, provide the file name of the crash dump as an
17280 argument:
17281
17282 @smallexample
17283 (@value{GDBP}) @b{target kvm /var/crash/bsd.0}
17284 @end smallexample
17285
17286 Once connected to the @code{kvm} target, the following commands are
17287 available:
17288
17289 @table @code
17290 @kindex kvm
17291 @item kvm pcb
17292 Set current context from the @dfn{Process Control Block} (PCB) address.
17293
17294 @item kvm proc
17295 Set current context from proc address. This command isn't available on
17296 modern FreeBSD systems.
17297 @end table
17298
17299 @node SVR4 Process Information
17300 @subsection SVR4 Process Information
17301 @cindex /proc
17302 @cindex examine process image
17303 @cindex process info via @file{/proc}
17304
17305 Many versions of SVR4 and compatible systems provide a facility called
17306 @samp{/proc} that can be used to examine the image of a running
17307 process using file-system subroutines. If @value{GDBN} is configured
17308 for an operating system with this facility, the command @code{info
17309 proc} is available to report information about the process running
17310 your program, or about any process running on your system. @code{info
17311 proc} works only on SVR4 systems that include the @code{procfs} code.
17312 This includes, as of this writing, @sc{gnu}/Linux, OSF/1 (Digital
17313 Unix), Solaris, Irix, and Unixware, but not HP-UX, for example.
17314
17315 @table @code
17316 @kindex info proc
17317 @cindex process ID
17318 @item info proc
17319 @itemx info proc @var{process-id}
17320 Summarize available information about any running process. If a
17321 process ID is specified by @var{process-id}, display information about
17322 that process; otherwise display information about the program being
17323 debugged. The summary includes the debugged process ID, the command
17324 line used to invoke it, its current working directory, and its
17325 executable file's absolute file name.
17326
17327 On some systems, @var{process-id} can be of the form
17328 @samp{[@var{pid}]/@var{tid}} which specifies a certain thread ID
17329 within a process. If the optional @var{pid} part is missing, it means
17330 a thread from the process being debugged (the leading @samp{/} still
17331 needs to be present, or else @value{GDBN} will interpret the number as
17332 a process ID rather than a thread ID).
17333
17334 @item info proc mappings
17335 @cindex memory address space mappings
17336 Report the memory address space ranges accessible in the program, with
17337 information on whether the process has read, write, or execute access
17338 rights to each range. On @sc{gnu}/Linux systems, each memory range
17339 includes the object file which is mapped to that range, instead of the
17340 memory access rights to that range.
17341
17342 @item info proc stat
17343 @itemx info proc status
17344 @cindex process detailed status information
17345 These subcommands are specific to @sc{gnu}/Linux systems. They show
17346 the process-related information, including the user ID and group ID;
17347 how many threads are there in the process; its virtual memory usage;
17348 the signals that are pending, blocked, and ignored; its TTY; its
17349 consumption of system and user time; its stack size; its @samp{nice}
17350 value; etc. For more information, see the @samp{proc} man page
17351 (type @kbd{man 5 proc} from your shell prompt).
17352
17353 @item info proc all
17354 Show all the information about the process described under all of the
17355 above @code{info proc} subcommands.
17356
17357 @ignore
17358 @comment These sub-options of 'info proc' were not included when
17359 @comment procfs.c was re-written. Keep their descriptions around
17360 @comment against the day when someone finds the time to put them back in.
17361 @kindex info proc times
17362 @item info proc times
17363 Starting time, user CPU time, and system CPU time for your program and
17364 its children.
17365
17366 @kindex info proc id
17367 @item info proc id
17368 Report on the process IDs related to your program: its own process ID,
17369 the ID of its parent, the process group ID, and the session ID.
17370 @end ignore
17371
17372 @item set procfs-trace
17373 @kindex set procfs-trace
17374 @cindex @code{procfs} API calls
17375 This command enables and disables tracing of @code{procfs} API calls.
17376
17377 @item show procfs-trace
17378 @kindex show procfs-trace
17379 Show the current state of @code{procfs} API call tracing.
17380
17381 @item set procfs-file @var{file}
17382 @kindex set procfs-file
17383 Tell @value{GDBN} to write @code{procfs} API trace to the named
17384 @var{file}. @value{GDBN} appends the trace info to the previous
17385 contents of the file. The default is to display the trace on the
17386 standard output.
17387
17388 @item show procfs-file
17389 @kindex show procfs-file
17390 Show the file to which @code{procfs} API trace is written.
17391
17392 @item proc-trace-entry
17393 @itemx proc-trace-exit
17394 @itemx proc-untrace-entry
17395 @itemx proc-untrace-exit
17396 @kindex proc-trace-entry
17397 @kindex proc-trace-exit
17398 @kindex proc-untrace-entry
17399 @kindex proc-untrace-exit
17400 These commands enable and disable tracing of entries into and exits
17401 from the @code{syscall} interface.
17402
17403 @item info pidlist
17404 @kindex info pidlist
17405 @cindex process list, QNX Neutrino
17406 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all the
17407 processes and all the threads within each process.
17408
17409 @item info meminfo
17410 @kindex info meminfo
17411 @cindex mapinfo list, QNX Neutrino
17412 For QNX Neutrino only, this command displays the list of all mapinfos.
17413 @end table
17414
17415 @node DJGPP Native
17416 @subsection Features for Debugging @sc{djgpp} Programs
17417 @cindex @sc{djgpp} debugging
17418 @cindex native @sc{djgpp} debugging
17419 @cindex MS-DOS-specific commands
17420
17421 @cindex DPMI
17422 @sc{djgpp} is a port of the @sc{gnu} development tools to MS-DOS and
17423 MS-Windows. @sc{djgpp} programs are 32-bit protected-mode programs
17424 that use the @dfn{DPMI} (DOS Protected-Mode Interface) API to run on
17425 top of real-mode DOS systems and their emulations.
17426
17427 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of @sc{djgpp} programs, and
17428 defines a few commands specific to the @sc{djgpp} port. This
17429 subsection describes those commands.
17430
17431 @table @code
17432 @kindex info dos
17433 @item info dos
17434 This is a prefix of @sc{djgpp}-specific commands which print
17435 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17436
17437 @kindex sysinfo
17438 @cindex MS-DOS system info
17439 @cindex free memory information (MS-DOS)
17440 @item info dos sysinfo
17441 This command displays assorted information about the underlying
17442 platform: the CPU type and features, the OS version and flavor, the
17443 DPMI version, and the available conventional and DPMI memory.
17444
17445 @cindex GDT
17446 @cindex LDT
17447 @cindex IDT
17448 @cindex segment descriptor tables
17449 @cindex descriptor tables display
17450 @item info dos gdt
17451 @itemx info dos ldt
17452 @itemx info dos idt
17453 These 3 commands display entries from, respectively, Global, Local,
17454 and Interrupt Descriptor Tables (GDT, LDT, and IDT). The descriptor
17455 tables are data structures which store a descriptor for each segment
17456 that is currently in use. The segment's selector is an index into a
17457 descriptor table; the table entry for that index holds the
17458 descriptor's base address and limit, and its attributes and access
17459 rights.
17460
17461 A typical @sc{djgpp} program uses 3 segments: a code segment, a data
17462 segment (used for both data and the stack), and a DOS segment (which
17463 allows access to DOS/BIOS data structures and absolute addresses in
17464 conventional memory). However, the DPMI host will usually define
17465 additional segments in order to support the DPMI environment.
17466
17467 @cindex garbled pointers
17468 These commands allow to display entries from the descriptor tables.
17469 Without an argument, all entries from the specified table are
17470 displayed. An argument, which should be an integer expression, means
17471 display a single entry whose index is given by the argument. For
17472 example, here's a convenient way to display information about the
17473 debugged program's data segment:
17474
17475 @smallexample
17476 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos ldt $ds}
17477 @exdent @code{0x13f: base=0x11970000 limit=0x0009ffff 32-Bit Data (Read/Write, Exp-up)}
17478 @end smallexample
17479
17480 @noindent
17481 This comes in handy when you want to see whether a pointer is outside
17482 the data segment's limit (i.e.@: @dfn{garbled}).
17483
17484 @cindex page tables display (MS-DOS)
17485 @item info dos pde
17486 @itemx info dos pte
17487 These two commands display entries from, respectively, the Page
17488 Directory and the Page Tables. Page Directories and Page Tables are
17489 data structures which control how virtual memory addresses are mapped
17490 into physical addresses. A Page Table includes an entry for every
17491 page of memory that is mapped into the program's address space; there
17492 may be several Page Tables, each one holding up to 4096 entries. A
17493 Page Directory has up to 4096 entries, one each for every Page Table
17494 that is currently in use.
17495
17496 Without an argument, @kbd{info dos pde} displays the entire Page
17497 Directory, and @kbd{info dos pte} displays all the entries in all of
17498 the Page Tables. An argument, an integer expression, given to the
17499 @kbd{info dos pde} command means display only that entry from the Page
17500 Directory table. An argument given to the @kbd{info dos pte} command
17501 means display entries from a single Page Table, the one pointed to by
17502 the specified entry in the Page Directory.
17503
17504 @cindex direct memory access (DMA) on MS-DOS
17505 These commands are useful when your program uses @dfn{DMA} (Direct
17506 Memory Access), which needs physical addresses to program the DMA
17507 controller.
17508
17509 These commands are supported only with some DPMI servers.
17510
17511 @cindex physical address from linear address
17512 @item info dos address-pte @var{addr}
17513 This command displays the Page Table entry for a specified linear
17514 address. The argument @var{addr} is a linear address which should
17515 already have the appropriate segment's base address added to it,
17516 because this command accepts addresses which may belong to @emph{any}
17517 segment. For example, here's how to display the Page Table entry for
17518 the page where a variable @code{i} is stored:
17519
17520 @smallexample
17521 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte __djgpp_base_address + (char *)&i}
17522 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x11a00d30:}
17523 @exdent @code{Base=0x02698000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0xd30}
17524 @end smallexample
17525
17526 @noindent
17527 This says that @code{i} is stored at offset @code{0xd30} from the page
17528 whose physical base address is @code{0x02698000}, and shows all the
17529 attributes of that page.
17530
17531 Note that you must cast the addresses of variables to a @code{char *},
17532 since otherwise the value of @code{__djgpp_base_address}, the base
17533 address of all variables and functions in a @sc{djgpp} program, will
17534 be added using the rules of C pointer arithmetics: if @code{i} is
17535 declared an @code{int}, @value{GDBN} will add 4 times the value of
17536 @code{__djgpp_base_address} to the address of @code{i}.
17537
17538 Here's another example, it displays the Page Table entry for the
17539 transfer buffer:
17540
17541 @smallexample
17542 @exdent @code{(@value{GDBP}) info dos address-pte *((unsigned *)&_go32_info_block + 3)}
17543 @exdent @code{Page Table entry for address 0x29110:}
17544 @exdent @code{Base=0x00029000 Dirty Acc. Not-Cached Write-Back Usr Read-Write +0x110}
17545 @end smallexample
17546
17547 @noindent
17548 (The @code{+ 3} offset is because the transfer buffer's address is the
17549 3rd member of the @code{_go32_info_block} structure.) The output
17550 clearly shows that this DPMI server maps the addresses in conventional
17551 memory 1:1, i.e.@: the physical (@code{0x00029000} + @code{0x110}) and
17552 linear (@code{0x29110}) addresses are identical.
17553
17554 This command is supported only with some DPMI servers.
17555 @end table
17556
17557 @cindex DOS serial data link, remote debugging
17558 In addition to native debugging, the DJGPP port supports remote
17559 debugging via a serial data link. The following commands are specific
17560 to remote serial debugging in the DJGPP port of @value{GDBN}.
17561
17562 @table @code
17563 @kindex set com1base
17564 @kindex set com1irq
17565 @kindex set com2base
17566 @kindex set com2irq
17567 @kindex set com3base
17568 @kindex set com3irq
17569 @kindex set com4base
17570 @kindex set com4irq
17571 @item set com1base @var{addr}
17572 This command sets the base I/O port address of the @file{COM1} serial
17573 port.
17574
17575 @item set com1irq @var{irq}
17576 This command sets the @dfn{Interrupt Request} (@code{IRQ}) line to use
17577 for the @file{COM1} serial port.
17578
17579 There are similar commands @samp{set com2base}, @samp{set com3irq},
17580 etc.@: for setting the port address and the @code{IRQ} lines for the
17581 other 3 COM ports.
17582
17583 @kindex show com1base
17584 @kindex show com1irq
17585 @kindex show com2base
17586 @kindex show com2irq
17587 @kindex show com3base
17588 @kindex show com3irq
17589 @kindex show com4base
17590 @kindex show com4irq
17591 The related commands @samp{show com1base}, @samp{show com1irq} etc.@:
17592 display the current settings of the base address and the @code{IRQ}
17593 lines used by the COM ports.
17594
17595 @item info serial
17596 @kindex info serial
17597 @cindex DOS serial port status
17598 This command prints the status of the 4 DOS serial ports. For each
17599 port, it prints whether it's active or not, its I/O base address and
17600 IRQ number, whether it uses a 16550-style FIFO, its baudrate, and the
17601 counts of various errors encountered so far.
17602 @end table
17603
17604
17605 @node Cygwin Native
17606 @subsection Features for Debugging MS Windows PE Executables
17607 @cindex MS Windows debugging
17608 @cindex native Cygwin debugging
17609 @cindex Cygwin-specific commands
17610
17611 @value{GDBN} supports native debugging of MS Windows programs, including
17612 DLLs with and without symbolic debugging information.
17613
17614 @cindex Ctrl-BREAK, MS-Windows
17615 @cindex interrupt debuggee on MS-Windows
17616 MS-Windows programs that call @code{SetConsoleMode} to switch off the
17617 special meaning of the @samp{Ctrl-C} keystroke cannot be interrupted
17618 by typing @kbd{C-c}. For this reason, @value{GDBN} on MS-Windows
17619 supports @kbd{C-@key{BREAK}} as an alternative interrupt key
17620 sequence, which can be used to interrupt the debuggee even if it
17621 ignores @kbd{C-c}.
17622
17623 There are various additional Cygwin-specific commands, described in
17624 this section. Working with DLLs that have no debugging symbols is
17625 described in @ref{Non-debug DLL Symbols}.
17626
17627 @table @code
17628 @kindex info w32
17629 @item info w32
17630 This is a prefix of MS Windows-specific commands which print
17631 information about the target system and important OS structures.
17632
17633 @item info w32 selector
17634 This command displays information returned by
17635 the Win32 API @code{GetThreadSelectorEntry} function.
17636 It takes an optional argument that is evaluated to
17637 a long value to give the information about this given selector.
17638 Without argument, this command displays information
17639 about the six segment registers.
17640
17641 @item info w32 thread-information-block
17642 This command displays thread specific information stored in the
17643 Thread Information Block (readable on the X86 CPU family using @code{$fs}
17644 selector for 32-bit programs and @code{$gs} for 64-bit programs).
17645
17646 @kindex info dll
17647 @item info dll
17648 This is a Cygwin-specific alias of @code{info shared}.
17649
17650 @kindex dll-symbols
17651 @item dll-symbols
17652 This command loads symbols from a dll similarly to
17653 add-sym command but without the need to specify a base address.
17654
17655 @kindex set cygwin-exceptions
17656 @cindex debugging the Cygwin DLL
17657 @cindex Cygwin DLL, debugging
17658 @item set cygwin-exceptions @var{mode}
17659 If @var{mode} is @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that
17660 happen inside the Cygwin DLL. If @var{mode} is @code{off},
17661 @value{GDBN} will delay recognition of exceptions, and may ignore some
17662 exceptions which seem to be caused by internal Cygwin DLL
17663 ``bookkeeping''. This option is meant primarily for debugging the
17664 Cygwin DLL itself; the default value is @code{off} to avoid annoying
17665 @value{GDBN} users with false @code{SIGSEGV} signals.
17666
17667 @kindex show cygwin-exceptions
17668 @item show cygwin-exceptions
17669 Displays whether @value{GDBN} will break on exceptions that happen
17670 inside the Cygwin DLL itself.
17671
17672 @kindex set new-console
17673 @item set new-console @var{mode}
17674 If @var{mode} is @code{on} the debuggee will
17675 be started in a new console on next start.
17676 If @var{mode} is @code{off}, the debuggee will
17677 be started in the same console as the debugger.
17678
17679 @kindex show new-console
17680 @item show new-console
17681 Displays whether a new console is used
17682 when the debuggee is started.
17683
17684 @kindex set new-group
17685 @item set new-group @var{mode}
17686 This boolean value controls whether the debuggee should
17687 start a new group or stay in the same group as the debugger.
17688 This affects the way the Windows OS handles
17689 @samp{Ctrl-C}.
17690
17691 @kindex show new-group
17692 @item show new-group
17693 Displays current value of new-group boolean.
17694
17695 @kindex set debugevents
17696 @item set debugevents
17697 This boolean value adds debug output concerning kernel events related
17698 to the debuggee seen by the debugger. This includes events that
17699 signal thread and process creation and exit, DLL loading and
17700 unloading, console interrupts, and debugging messages produced by the
17701 Windows @code{OutputDebugString} API call.
17702
17703 @kindex set debugexec
17704 @item set debugexec
17705 This boolean value adds debug output concerning execute events
17706 (such as resume thread) seen by the debugger.
17707
17708 @kindex set debugexceptions
17709 @item set debugexceptions
17710 This boolean value adds debug output concerning exceptions in the
17711 debuggee seen by the debugger.
17712
17713 @kindex set debugmemory
17714 @item set debugmemory
17715 This boolean value adds debug output concerning debuggee memory reads
17716 and writes by the debugger.
17717
17718 @kindex set shell
17719 @item set shell
17720 This boolean values specifies whether the debuggee is called
17721 via a shell or directly (default value is on).
17722
17723 @kindex show shell
17724 @item show shell
17725 Displays if the debuggee will be started with a shell.
17726
17727 @end table
17728
17729 @menu
17730 * Non-debug DLL Symbols:: Support for DLLs without debugging symbols
17731 @end menu
17732
17733 @node Non-debug DLL Symbols
17734 @subsubsection Support for DLLs without Debugging Symbols
17735 @cindex DLLs with no debugging symbols
17736 @cindex Minimal symbols and DLLs
17737
17738 Very often on windows, some of the DLLs that your program relies on do
17739 not include symbolic debugging information (for example,
17740 @file{kernel32.dll}). When @value{GDBN} doesn't recognize any debugging
17741 symbols in a DLL, it relies on the minimal amount of symbolic
17742 information contained in the DLL's export table. This section
17743 describes working with such symbols, known internally to @value{GDBN} as
17744 ``minimal symbols''.
17745
17746 Note that before the debugged program has started execution, no DLLs
17747 will have been loaded. The easiest way around this problem is simply to
17748 start the program --- either by setting a breakpoint or letting the
17749 program run once to completion. It is also possible to force
17750 @value{GDBN} to load a particular DLL before starting the executable ---
17751 see the shared library information in @ref{Files}, or the
17752 @code{dll-symbols} command in @ref{Cygwin Native}. Currently,
17753 explicitly loading symbols from a DLL with no debugging information will
17754 cause the symbol names to be duplicated in @value{GDBN}'s lookup table,
17755 which may adversely affect symbol lookup performance.
17756
17757 @subsubsection DLL Name Prefixes
17758
17759 In keeping with the naming conventions used by the Microsoft debugging
17760 tools, DLL export symbols are made available with a prefix based on the
17761 DLL name, for instance @code{KERNEL32!CreateFileA}. The plain name is
17762 also entered into the symbol table, so @code{CreateFileA} is often
17763 sufficient. In some cases there will be name clashes within a program
17764 (particularly if the executable itself includes full debugging symbols)
17765 necessitating the use of the fully qualified name when referring to the
17766 contents of the DLL. Use single-quotes around the name to avoid the
17767 exclamation mark (``!'') being interpreted as a language operator.
17768
17769 Note that the internal name of the DLL may be all upper-case, even
17770 though the file name of the DLL is lower-case, or vice-versa. Since
17771 symbols within @value{GDBN} are @emph{case-sensitive} this may cause
17772 some confusion. If in doubt, try the @code{info functions} and
17773 @code{info variables} commands or even @code{maint print msymbols}
17774 (@pxref{Symbols}). Here's an example:
17775
17776 @smallexample
17777 (@value{GDBP}) info function CreateFileA
17778 All functions matching regular expression "CreateFileA":
17779
17780 Non-debugging symbols:
17781 0x77e885f4 CreateFileA
17782 0x77e885f4 KERNEL32!CreateFileA
17783 @end smallexample
17784
17785 @smallexample
17786 (@value{GDBP}) info function !
17787 All functions matching regular expression "!":
17788
17789 Non-debugging symbols:
17790 0x6100114c cygwin1!__assert
17791 0x61004034 cygwin1!_dll_crt0@@0
17792 0x61004240 cygwin1!dll_crt0(per_process *)
17793 [etc...]
17794 @end smallexample
17795
17796 @subsubsection Working with Minimal Symbols
17797
17798 Symbols extracted from a DLL's export table do not contain very much
17799 type information. All that @value{GDBN} can do is guess whether a symbol
17800 refers to a function or variable depending on the linker section that
17801 contains the symbol. Also note that the actual contents of the memory
17802 contained in a DLL are not available unless the program is running. This
17803 means that you cannot examine the contents of a variable or disassemble
17804 a function within a DLL without a running program.
17805
17806 Variables are generally treated as pointers and dereferenced
17807 automatically. For this reason, it is often necessary to prefix a
17808 variable name with the address-of operator (``&'') and provide explicit
17809 type information in the command. Here's an example of the type of
17810 problem:
17811
17812 @smallexample
17813 (@value{GDBP}) print 'cygwin1!__argv'
17814 $1 = 268572168
17815 @end smallexample
17816
17817 @smallexample
17818 (@value{GDBP}) x 'cygwin1!__argv'
17819 0x10021610: "\230y\""
17820 @end smallexample
17821
17822 And two possible solutions:
17823
17824 @smallexample
17825 (@value{GDBP}) print ((char **)'cygwin1!__argv')[0]
17826 $2 = 0x22fd98 "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17827 @end smallexample
17828
17829 @smallexample
17830 (@value{GDBP}) x/2x &'cygwin1!__argv'
17831 0x610c0aa8 <cygwin1!__argv>: 0x10021608 0x00000000
17832 (@value{GDBP}) x/x 0x10021608
17833 0x10021608: 0x0022fd98
17834 (@value{GDBP}) x/s 0x0022fd98
17835 0x22fd98: "/cygdrive/c/mydirectory/myprogram"
17836 @end smallexample
17837
17838 Setting a break point within a DLL is possible even before the program
17839 starts execution. However, under these circumstances, @value{GDBN} can't
17840 examine the initial instructions of the function in order to skip the
17841 function's frame set-up code. You can work around this by using ``*&''
17842 to set the breakpoint at a raw memory address:
17843
17844 @smallexample
17845 (@value{GDBP}) break *&'python22!PyOS_Readline'
17846 Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
17847 @end smallexample
17848
17849 The author of these extensions is not entirely convinced that setting a
17850 break point within a shared DLL like @file{kernel32.dll} is completely
17851 safe.
17852
17853 @node Hurd Native
17854 @subsection Commands Specific to @sc{gnu} Hurd Systems
17855 @cindex @sc{gnu} Hurd debugging
17856
17857 This subsection describes @value{GDBN} commands specific to the
17858 @sc{gnu} Hurd native debugging.
17859
17860 @table @code
17861 @item set signals
17862 @itemx set sigs
17863 @kindex set signals@r{, Hurd command}
17864 @kindex set sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17865 This command toggles the state of inferior signal interception by
17866 @value{GDBN}. Mach exceptions, such as breakpoint traps, are not
17867 affected by this command. @code{sigs} is a shorthand alias for
17868 @code{signals}.
17869
17870 @item show signals
17871 @itemx show sigs
17872 @kindex show signals@r{, Hurd command}
17873 @kindex show sigs@r{, Hurd command}
17874 Show the current state of intercepting inferior's signals.
17875
17876 @item set signal-thread
17877 @itemx set sigthread
17878 @kindex set signal-thread
17879 @kindex set sigthread
17880 This command tells @value{GDBN} which thread is the @code{libc} signal
17881 thread. That thread is run when a signal is delivered to a running
17882 process. @code{set sigthread} is the shorthand alias of @code{set
17883 signal-thread}.
17884
17885 @item show signal-thread
17886 @itemx show sigthread
17887 @kindex show signal-thread
17888 @kindex show sigthread
17889 These two commands show which thread will run when the inferior is
17890 delivered a signal.
17891
17892 @item set stopped
17893 @kindex set stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17894 This commands tells @value{GDBN} that the inferior process is stopped,
17895 as with the @code{SIGSTOP} signal. The stopped process can be
17896 continued by delivering a signal to it.
17897
17898 @item show stopped
17899 @kindex show stopped@r{, Hurd command}
17900 This command shows whether @value{GDBN} thinks the debuggee is
17901 stopped.
17902
17903 @item set exceptions
17904 @kindex set exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17905 Use this command to turn off trapping of exceptions in the inferior.
17906 When exception trapping is off, neither breakpoints nor
17907 single-stepping will work. To restore the default, set exception
17908 trapping on.
17909
17910 @item show exceptions
17911 @kindex show exceptions@r{, Hurd command}
17912 Show the current state of trapping exceptions in the inferior.
17913
17914 @item set task pause
17915 @kindex set task@r{, Hurd commands}
17916 @cindex task attributes (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17917 @cindex pause current task (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17918 This command toggles task suspension when @value{GDBN} has control.
17919 Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the task is suspended
17920 whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to off will take
17921 effect the next time the inferior is continued. If this option is set
17922 to off, you can use @code{set thread default pause on} or @code{set
17923 thread pause on} (see below) to pause individual threads.
17924
17925 @item show task pause
17926 @kindex show task@r{, Hurd commands}
17927 Show the current state of task suspension.
17928
17929 @item set task detach-suspend-count
17930 @cindex task suspend count
17931 @cindex detach from task, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17932 This command sets the suspend count the task will be left with when
17933 @value{GDBN} detaches from it.
17934
17935 @item show task detach-suspend-count
17936 Show the suspend count the task will be left with when detaching.
17937
17938 @item set task exception-port
17939 @itemx set task excp
17940 @cindex task exception port, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17941 This command sets the task exception port to which @value{GDBN} will
17942 forward exceptions. The argument should be the value of the @dfn{send
17943 rights} of the task. @code{set task excp} is a shorthand alias.
17944
17945 @item set noninvasive
17946 @cindex noninvasive task options
17947 This command switches @value{GDBN} to a mode that is the least
17948 invasive as far as interfering with the inferior is concerned. This
17949 is the same as using @code{set task pause}, @code{set exceptions}, and
17950 @code{set signals} to values opposite to the defaults.
17951
17952 @item info send-rights
17953 @itemx info receive-rights
17954 @itemx info port-rights
17955 @itemx info port-sets
17956 @itemx info dead-names
17957 @itemx info ports
17958 @itemx info psets
17959 @cindex send rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17960 @cindex receive rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17961 @cindex port rights, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17962 @cindex port sets, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17963 @cindex dead names, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17964 These commands display information about, respectively, send rights,
17965 receive rights, port rights, port sets, and dead names of a task.
17966 There are also shorthand aliases: @code{info ports} for @code{info
17967 port-rights} and @code{info psets} for @code{info port-sets}.
17968
17969 @item set thread pause
17970 @kindex set thread@r{, Hurd command}
17971 @cindex thread properties, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17972 @cindex pause current thread (@sc{gnu} Hurd)
17973 This command toggles current thread suspension when @value{GDBN} has
17974 control. Setting it to on takes effect immediately, and the current
17975 thread is suspended whenever @value{GDBN} gets control. Setting it to
17976 off will take effect the next time the inferior is continued.
17977 Normally, this command has no effect, since when @value{GDBN} has
17978 control, the whole task is suspended. However, if you used @code{set
17979 task pause off} (see above), this command comes in handy to suspend
17980 only the current thread.
17981
17982 @item show thread pause
17983 @kindex show thread@r{, Hurd command}
17984 This command shows the state of current thread suspension.
17985
17986 @item set thread run
17987 This command sets whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17988
17989 @item show thread run
17990 Show whether the current thread is allowed to run.
17991
17992 @item set thread detach-suspend-count
17993 @cindex thread suspend count, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17994 @cindex detach from thread, @sc{gnu} Hurd
17995 This command sets the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on a
17996 thread when detaching. This number is relative to the suspend count
17997 found by @value{GDBN} when it notices the thread; use @code{set thread
17998 takeover-suspend-count} to force it to an absolute value.
17999
18000 @item show thread detach-suspend-count
18001 Show the suspend count @value{GDBN} will leave on the thread when
18002 detaching.
18003
18004 @item set thread exception-port
18005 @itemx set thread excp
18006 Set the thread exception port to which to forward exceptions. This
18007 overrides the port set by @code{set task exception-port} (see above).
18008 @code{set thread excp} is the shorthand alias.
18009
18010 @item set thread takeover-suspend-count
18011 Normally, @value{GDBN}'s thread suspend counts are relative to the
18012 value @value{GDBN} finds when it notices each thread. This command
18013 changes the suspend counts to be absolute instead.
18014
18015 @item set thread default
18016 @itemx show thread default
18017 @cindex thread default settings, @sc{gnu} Hurd
18018 Each of the above @code{set thread} commands has a @code{set thread
18019 default} counterpart (e.g., @code{set thread default pause}, @code{set
18020 thread default exception-port}, etc.). The @code{thread default}
18021 variety of commands sets the default thread properties for all
18022 threads; you can then change the properties of individual threads with
18023 the non-default commands.
18024 @end table
18025
18026
18027 @node Neutrino
18028 @subsection QNX Neutrino
18029 @cindex QNX Neutrino
18030
18031 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the QNX
18032 Neutrino target:
18033
18034 @table @code
18035 @item set debug nto-debug
18036 @kindex set debug nto-debug
18037 When set to on, enables debugging messages specific to the QNX
18038 Neutrino support.
18039
18040 @item show debug nto-debug
18041 @kindex show debug nto-debug
18042 Show the current state of QNX Neutrino messages.
18043 @end table
18044
18045 @node Darwin
18046 @subsection Darwin
18047 @cindex Darwin
18048
18049 @value{GDBN} provides the following commands specific to the Darwin target:
18050
18051 @table @code
18052 @item set debug darwin @var{num}
18053 @kindex set debug darwin
18054 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages specific to
18055 the Darwin support. Higher values produce more verbose output.
18056
18057 @item show debug darwin
18058 @kindex show debug darwin
18059 Show the current state of Darwin messages.
18060
18061 @item set debug mach-o @var{num}
18062 @kindex set debug mach-o
18063 When set to a non zero value, enables debugging messages while
18064 @value{GDBN} is reading Darwin object files. (@dfn{Mach-O} is the
18065 file format used on Darwin for object and executable files.) Higher
18066 values produce more verbose output. This is a command to diagnose
18067 problems internal to @value{GDBN} and should not be needed in normal
18068 usage.
18069
18070 @item show debug mach-o
18071 @kindex show debug mach-o
18072 Show the current state of Mach-O file messages.
18073
18074 @item set mach-exceptions on
18075 @itemx set mach-exceptions off
18076 @kindex set mach-exceptions
18077 On Darwin, faults are first reported as a Mach exception and are then
18078 mapped to a Posix signal. Use this command to turn on trapping of
18079 Mach exceptions in the inferior. This might be sometimes useful to
18080 better understand the cause of a fault. The default is off.
18081
18082 @item show mach-exceptions
18083 @kindex show mach-exceptions
18084 Show the current state of exceptions trapping.
18085 @end table
18086
18087
18088 @node Embedded OS
18089 @section Embedded Operating Systems
18090
18091 This section describes configurations involving the debugging of
18092 embedded operating systems that are available for several different
18093 architectures.
18094
18095 @menu
18096 * VxWorks:: Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
18097 @end menu
18098
18099 @value{GDBN} includes the ability to debug programs running on
18100 various real-time operating systems.
18101
18102 @node VxWorks
18103 @subsection Using @value{GDBN} with VxWorks
18104
18105 @cindex VxWorks
18106
18107 @table @code
18108
18109 @kindex target vxworks
18110 @item target vxworks @var{machinename}
18111 A VxWorks system, attached via TCP/IP. The argument @var{machinename}
18112 is the target system's machine name or IP address.
18113
18114 @end table
18115
18116 On VxWorks, @code{load} links @var{filename} dynamically on the
18117 current target system as well as adding its symbols in @value{GDBN}.
18118
18119 @value{GDBN} enables developers to spawn and debug tasks running on networked
18120 VxWorks targets from a Unix host. Already-running tasks spawned from
18121 the VxWorks shell can also be debugged. @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
18122 both the Unix host and on the VxWorks target. The program
18123 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host. (It may be
18124 installed with the name @code{vxgdb}, to distinguish it from a
18125 @value{GDBN} for debugging programs on the host itself.)
18126
18127 @table @code
18128 @item VxWorks-timeout @var{args}
18129 @kindex vxworks-timeout
18130 All VxWorks-based targets now support the option @code{vxworks-timeout}.
18131 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
18132 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses to rpc's. You might use this if
18133 your VxWorks target is a slow software simulator or is on the far side
18134 of a thin network line.
18135 @end table
18136
18137 The following information on connecting to VxWorks was current when
18138 this manual was produced; newer releases of VxWorks may use revised
18139 procedures.
18140
18141 @findex INCLUDE_RDB
18142 To use @value{GDBN} with VxWorks, you must rebuild your VxWorks kernel
18143 to include the remote debugging interface routines in the VxWorks
18144 library @file{rdb.a}. To do this, define @code{INCLUDE_RDB} in the
18145 VxWorks configuration file @file{configAll.h} and rebuild your VxWorks
18146 kernel. The resulting kernel contains @file{rdb.a}, and spawns the
18147 source debugging task @code{tRdbTask} when VxWorks is booted. For more
18148 information on configuring and remaking VxWorks, see the manufacturer's
18149 manual.
18150 @c VxWorks, see the @cite{VxWorks Programmer's Guide}.
18151
18152 Once you have included @file{rdb.a} in your VxWorks system image and set
18153 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
18154 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}} (or
18155 @code{vxgdb}, depending on your installation).
18156
18157 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
18158
18159 @smallexample
18160 (vxgdb)
18161 @end smallexample
18162
18163 @menu
18164 * VxWorks Connection:: Connecting to VxWorks
18165 * VxWorks Download:: VxWorks download
18166 * VxWorks Attach:: Running tasks
18167 @end menu
18168
18169 @node VxWorks Connection
18170 @subsubsection Connecting to VxWorks
18171
18172 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a VxWorks target on the
18173 network. To connect to a target whose host name is ``@code{tt}'', type:
18174
18175 @smallexample
18176 (vxgdb) target vxworks tt
18177 @end smallexample
18178
18179 @need 750
18180 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
18181
18182 @smallexample
18183 Attaching remote machine across net...
18184 Connected to tt.
18185 @end smallexample
18186
18187 @need 1000
18188 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol tables of any object modules
18189 loaded into the VxWorks target since it was last booted. @value{GDBN} locates
18190 these files by searching the directories listed in the command search
18191 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}); if it fails
18192 to find an object file, it displays a message such as:
18193
18194 @smallexample
18195 prog.o: No such file or directory.
18196 @end smallexample
18197
18198 When this happens, add the appropriate directory to the search path with
18199 the @value{GDBN} command @code{path}, and execute the @code{target}
18200 command again.
18201
18202 @node VxWorks Download
18203 @subsubsection VxWorks Download
18204
18205 @cindex download to VxWorks
18206 If you have connected to the VxWorks target and you want to debug an
18207 object that has not yet been loaded, you can use the @value{GDBN}
18208 @code{load} command to download a file from Unix to VxWorks
18209 incrementally. The object file given as an argument to the @code{load}
18210 command is actually opened twice: first by the VxWorks target in order
18211 to download the code, then by @value{GDBN} in order to read the symbol
18212 table. This can lead to problems if the current working directories on
18213 the two systems differ. If both systems have NFS mounted the same
18214 filesystems, you can avoid these problems by using absolute paths.
18215 Otherwise, it is simplest to set the working directory on both systems
18216 to the directory in which the object file resides, and then to reference
18217 the file by its name, without any path. For instance, a program
18218 @file{prog.o} may reside in @file{@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb} in VxWorks
18219 and in @file{@var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb} on the host. To load this
18220 program, type this on VxWorks:
18221
18222 @smallexample
18223 -> cd "@var{vxpath}/vw/demo/rdb"
18224 @end smallexample
18225
18226 @noindent
18227 Then, in @value{GDBN}, type:
18228
18229 @smallexample
18230 (vxgdb) cd @var{hostpath}/vw/demo/rdb
18231 (vxgdb) load prog.o
18232 @end smallexample
18233
18234 @value{GDBN} displays a response similar to this:
18235
18236 @smallexample
18237 Reading symbol data from wherever/vw/demo/rdb/prog.o... done.
18238 @end smallexample
18239
18240 You can also use the @code{load} command to reload an object module
18241 after editing and recompiling the corresponding source file. Note that
18242 this makes @value{GDBN} delete all currently-defined breakpoints,
18243 auto-displays, and convenience variables, and to clear the value
18244 history. (This is necessary in order to preserve the integrity of
18245 debugger's data structures that reference the target system's symbol
18246 table.)
18247
18248 @node VxWorks Attach
18249 @subsubsection Running Tasks
18250
18251 @cindex running VxWorks tasks
18252 You can also attach to an existing task using the @code{attach} command as
18253 follows:
18254
18255 @smallexample
18256 (vxgdb) attach @var{task}
18257 @end smallexample
18258
18259 @noindent
18260 where @var{task} is the VxWorks hexadecimal task ID. The task can be running
18261 or suspended when you attach to it. Running tasks are suspended at
18262 the time of attachment.
18263
18264 @node Embedded Processors
18265 @section Embedded Processors
18266
18267 This section goes into details specific to particular embedded
18268 configurations.
18269
18270 @cindex send command to simulator
18271 Whenever a specific embedded processor has a simulator, @value{GDBN}
18272 allows to send an arbitrary command to the simulator.
18273
18274 @table @code
18275 @item sim @var{command}
18276 @kindex sim@r{, a command}
18277 Send an arbitrary @var{command} string to the simulator. Consult the
18278 documentation for the specific simulator in use for information about
18279 acceptable commands.
18280 @end table
18281
18282
18283 @menu
18284 * ARM:: ARM RDI
18285 * M32R/D:: Renesas M32R/D
18286 * M68K:: Motorola M68K
18287 * MicroBlaze:: Xilinx MicroBlaze
18288 * MIPS Embedded:: MIPS Embedded
18289 * OpenRISC 1000:: OpenRisc 1000
18290 * PA:: HP PA Embedded
18291 * PowerPC Embedded:: PowerPC Embedded
18292 * Sparclet:: Tsqware Sparclet
18293 * Sparclite:: Fujitsu Sparclite
18294 * Z8000:: Zilog Z8000
18295 * AVR:: Atmel AVR
18296 * CRIS:: CRIS
18297 * Super-H:: Renesas Super-H
18298 @end menu
18299
18300 @node ARM
18301 @subsection ARM
18302 @cindex ARM RDI
18303
18304 @table @code
18305 @kindex target rdi
18306 @item target rdi @var{dev}
18307 ARM Angel monitor, via RDI library interface to ADP protocol. You may
18308 use this target to communicate with both boards running the Angel
18309 monitor, or with the EmbeddedICE JTAG debug device.
18310
18311 @kindex target rdp
18312 @item target rdp @var{dev}
18313 ARM Demon monitor.
18314
18315 @end table
18316
18317 @value{GDBN} provides the following ARM-specific commands:
18318
18319 @table @code
18320 @item set arm disassembler
18321 @kindex set arm
18322 This commands selects from a list of disassembly styles. The
18323 @code{"std"} style is the standard style.
18324
18325 @item show arm disassembler
18326 @kindex show arm
18327 Show the current disassembly style.
18328
18329 @item set arm apcs32
18330 @cindex ARM 32-bit mode
18331 This command toggles ARM operation mode between 32-bit and 26-bit.
18332
18333 @item show arm apcs32
18334 Display the current usage of the ARM 32-bit mode.
18335
18336 @item set arm fpu @var{fputype}
18337 This command sets the ARM floating-point unit (FPU) type. The
18338 argument @var{fputype} can be one of these:
18339
18340 @table @code
18341 @item auto
18342 Determine the FPU type by querying the OS ABI.
18343 @item softfpa
18344 Software FPU, with mixed-endian doubles on little-endian ARM
18345 processors.
18346 @item fpa
18347 GCC-compiled FPA co-processor.
18348 @item softvfp
18349 Software FPU with pure-endian doubles.
18350 @item vfp
18351 VFP co-processor.
18352 @end table
18353
18354 @item show arm fpu
18355 Show the current type of the FPU.
18356
18357 @item set arm abi
18358 This command forces @value{GDBN} to use the specified ABI.
18359
18360 @item show arm abi
18361 Show the currently used ABI.
18362
18363 @item set arm fallback-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18364 @value{GDBN} uses the symbol table, when available, to determine
18365 whether instructions are ARM or Thumb. This command controls
18366 @value{GDBN}'s default behavior when the symbol table is not
18367 available. The default is @samp{auto}, which causes @value{GDBN} to
18368 use the current execution mode (from the @code{T} bit in the @code{CPSR}
18369 register).
18370
18371 @item show arm fallback-mode
18372 Show the current fallback instruction mode.
18373
18374 @item set arm force-mode (arm|thumb|auto)
18375 This command overrides use of the symbol table to determine whether
18376 instructions are ARM or Thumb. The default is @samp{auto}, which
18377 causes @value{GDBN} to use the symbol table and then the setting
18378 of @samp{set arm fallback-mode}.
18379
18380 @item show arm force-mode
18381 Show the current forced instruction mode.
18382
18383 @item set debug arm
18384 Toggle whether to display ARM-specific debugging messages from the ARM
18385 target support subsystem.
18386
18387 @item show debug arm
18388 Show whether ARM-specific debugging messages are enabled.
18389 @end table
18390
18391 The following commands are available when an ARM target is debugged
18392 using the RDI interface:
18393
18394 @table @code
18395 @item rdilogfile @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18396 @kindex rdilogfile
18397 @cindex ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) logging
18398 Set the filename for the ADP (Angel Debugger Protocol) packet log.
18399 With an argument, sets the log file to the specified @var{file}. With
18400 no argument, show the current log file name. The default log file is
18401 @file{rdi.log}.
18402
18403 @item rdilogenable @r{[}@var{arg}@r{]}
18404 @kindex rdilogenable
18405 Control logging of ADP packets. With an argument of 1 or @code{"yes"}
18406 enables logging, with an argument 0 or @code{"no"} disables it. With
18407 no arguments displays the current setting. When logging is enabled,
18408 ADP packets exchanged between @value{GDBN} and the RDI target device
18409 are logged to a file.
18410
18411 @item set rdiromatzero
18412 @kindex set rdiromatzero
18413 @cindex ROM at zero address, RDI
18414 Tell @value{GDBN} whether the target has ROM at address 0. If on,
18415 vector catching is disabled, so that zero address can be used. If off
18416 (the default), vector catching is enabled. For this command to take
18417 effect, it needs to be invoked prior to the @code{target rdi} command.
18418
18419 @item show rdiromatzero
18420 @kindex show rdiromatzero
18421 Show the current setting of ROM at zero address.
18422
18423 @item set rdiheartbeat
18424 @kindex set rdiheartbeat
18425 @cindex RDI heartbeat
18426 Enable or disable RDI heartbeat packets. It is not recommended to
18427 turn on this option, since it confuses ARM and EPI JTAG interface, as
18428 well as the Angel monitor.
18429
18430 @item show rdiheartbeat
18431 @kindex show rdiheartbeat
18432 Show the setting of RDI heartbeat packets.
18433 @end table
18434
18435 @table @code
18436 @item target sim @r{[}@var{simargs}@r{]} @dots{}
18437 The @value{GDBN} ARM simulator accepts the following optional arguments.
18438
18439 @table @code
18440 @item --swi-support=@var{type}
18441 Tell the simulator which SWI interfaces to support.
18442 @var{type} may be a comma separated list of the following values.
18443 The default value is @code{all}.
18444
18445 @table @code
18446 @item none
18447 @item demon
18448 @item angel
18449 @item redboot
18450 @item all
18451 @end table
18452 @end table
18453 @end table
18454
18455 @node M32R/D
18456 @subsection Renesas M32R/D and M32R/SDI
18457
18458 @table @code
18459 @kindex target m32r
18460 @item target m32r @var{dev}
18461 Renesas M32R/D ROM monitor.
18462
18463 @kindex target m32rsdi
18464 @item target m32rsdi @var{dev}
18465 Renesas M32R SDI server, connected via parallel port to the board.
18466 @end table
18467
18468 The following @value{GDBN} commands are specific to the M32R monitor:
18469
18470 @table @code
18471 @item set download-path @var{path}
18472 @kindex set download-path
18473 @cindex find downloadable @sc{srec} files (M32R)
18474 Set the default path for finding downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18475
18476 @item show download-path
18477 @kindex show download-path
18478 Show the default path for downloadable @sc{srec} files.
18479
18480 @item set board-address @var{addr}
18481 @kindex set board-address
18482 @cindex M32-EVA target board address
18483 Set the IP address for the M32R-EVA target board.
18484
18485 @item show board-address
18486 @kindex show board-address
18487 Show the current IP address of the target board.
18488
18489 @item set server-address @var{addr}
18490 @kindex set server-address
18491 @cindex download server address (M32R)
18492 Set the IP address for the download server, which is the @value{GDBN}'s
18493 host machine.
18494
18495 @item show server-address
18496 @kindex show server-address
18497 Display the IP address of the download server.
18498
18499 @item upload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18500 @kindex upload@r{, M32R}
18501 Upload the specified @sc{srec} @var{file} via the monitor's Ethernet
18502 upload capability. If no @var{file} argument is given, the current
18503 executable file is uploaded.
18504
18505 @item tload @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
18506 @kindex tload@r{, M32R}
18507 Test the @code{upload} command.
18508 @end table
18509
18510 The following commands are available for M32R/SDI:
18511
18512 @table @code
18513 @item sdireset
18514 @kindex sdireset
18515 @cindex reset SDI connection, M32R
18516 This command resets the SDI connection.
18517
18518 @item sdistatus
18519 @kindex sdistatus
18520 This command shows the SDI connection status.
18521
18522 @item debug_chaos
18523 @kindex debug_chaos
18524 @cindex M32R/Chaos debugging
18525 Instructs the remote that M32R/Chaos debugging is to be used.
18526
18527 @item use_debug_dma
18528 @kindex use_debug_dma
18529 Instructs the remote to use the DEBUG_DMA method of accessing memory.
18530
18531 @item use_mon_code
18532 @kindex use_mon_code
18533 Instructs the remote to use the MON_CODE method of accessing memory.
18534
18535 @item use_ib_break
18536 @kindex use_ib_break
18537 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by IB break.
18538
18539 @item use_dbt_break
18540 @kindex use_dbt_break
18541 Instructs the remote to set breakpoints by DBT.
18542 @end table
18543
18544 @node M68K
18545 @subsection M68k
18546
18547 The Motorola m68k configuration includes ColdFire support, and a
18548 target command for the following ROM monitor.
18549
18550 @table @code
18551
18552 @kindex target dbug
18553 @item target dbug @var{dev}
18554 dBUG ROM monitor for Motorola ColdFire.
18555
18556 @end table
18557
18558 @node MicroBlaze
18559 @subsection MicroBlaze
18560 @cindex Xilinx MicroBlaze
18561 @cindex XMD, Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger
18562
18563 The MicroBlaze is a soft-core processor supported on various Xilinx
18564 FPGAs, such as Spartan or Virtex series. Boards with these processors
18565 usually have JTAG ports which connect to a host system running the Xilinx
18566 Embedded Development Kit (EDK) or Software Development Kit (SDK).
18567 This host system is used to download the configuration bitstream to
18568 the target FPGA. The Xilinx Microprocessor Debugger (XMD) program
18569 communicates with the target board using the JTAG interface and
18570 presents a @code{gdbserver} interface to the board. By default
18571 @code{xmd} uses port @code{1234}. (While it is possible to change
18572 this default port, it requires the use of undocumented @code{xmd}
18573 commands. Contact Xilinx support if you need to do this.)
18574
18575 Use these GDB commands to connect to the MicroBlaze target processor.
18576
18577 @table @code
18578 @item target remote :1234
18579 Use this command to connect to the target if you are running @value{GDBN}
18580 on the same system as @code{xmd}.
18581
18582 @item target remote @var{xmd-host}:1234
18583 Use this command to connect to the target if it is connected to @code{xmd}
18584 running on a different system named @var{xmd-host}.
18585
18586 @item load
18587 Use this command to download a program to the MicroBlaze target.
18588
18589 @item set debug microblaze @var{n}
18590 Enable MicroBlaze-specific debugging messages if non-zero.
18591
18592 @item show debug microblaze @var{n}
18593 Show MicroBlaze-specific debugging level.
18594 @end table
18595
18596 @node MIPS Embedded
18597 @subsection MIPS Embedded
18598
18599 @cindex MIPS boards
18600 @value{GDBN} can use the MIPS remote debugging protocol to talk to a
18601 MIPS board attached to a serial line. This is available when
18602 you configure @value{GDBN} with @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.
18603
18604 @need 1000
18605 Use these @value{GDBN} commands to specify the connection to your target board:
18606
18607 @table @code
18608 @item target mips @var{port}
18609 @kindex target mips @var{port}
18610 To run a program on the board, start up @code{@value{GDBP}} with the
18611 name of your program as the argument. To connect to the board, use the
18612 command @samp{target mips @var{port}}, where @var{port} is the name of
18613 the serial port connected to the board. If the program has not already
18614 been downloaded to the board, you may use the @code{load} command to
18615 download it. You can then use all the usual @value{GDBN} commands.
18616
18617 For example, this sequence connects to the target board through a serial
18618 port, and loads and runs a program called @var{prog} through the
18619 debugger:
18620
18621 @smallexample
18622 host$ @value{GDBP} @var{prog}
18623 @value{GDBN} is free software and @dots{}
18624 (@value{GDBP}) target mips /dev/ttyb
18625 (@value{GDBP}) load @var{prog}
18626 (@value{GDBP}) run
18627 @end smallexample
18628
18629 @item target mips @var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}
18630 On some @value{GDBN} host configurations, you can specify a TCP
18631 connection (for instance, to a serial line managed by a terminal
18632 concentrator) instead of a serial port, using the syntax
18633 @samp{@var{hostname}:@var{portnumber}}.
18634
18635 @item target pmon @var{port}
18636 @kindex target pmon @var{port}
18637 PMON ROM monitor.
18638
18639 @item target ddb @var{port}
18640 @kindex target ddb @var{port}
18641 NEC's DDB variant of PMON for Vr4300.
18642
18643 @item target lsi @var{port}
18644 @kindex target lsi @var{port}
18645 LSI variant of PMON.
18646
18647 @kindex target r3900
18648 @item target r3900 @var{dev}
18649 Densan DVE-R3900 ROM monitor for Toshiba R3900 Mips.
18650
18651 @kindex target array
18652 @item target array @var{dev}
18653 Array Tech LSI33K RAID controller board.
18654
18655 @end table
18656
18657
18658 @noindent
18659 @value{GDBN} also supports these special commands for MIPS targets:
18660
18661 @table @code
18662 @item set mipsfpu double
18663 @itemx set mipsfpu single
18664 @itemx set mipsfpu none
18665 @itemx set mipsfpu auto
18666 @itemx show mipsfpu
18667 @kindex set mipsfpu
18668 @kindex show mipsfpu
18669 @cindex MIPS remote floating point
18670 @cindex floating point, MIPS remote
18671 If your target board does not support the MIPS floating point
18672 coprocessor, you should use the command @samp{set mipsfpu none} (if you
18673 need this, you may wish to put the command in your @value{GDBN} init
18674 file). This tells @value{GDBN} how to find the return value of
18675 functions which return floating point values. It also allows
18676 @value{GDBN} to avoid saving the floating point registers when calling
18677 functions on the board. If you are using a floating point coprocessor
18678 with only single precision floating point support, as on the @sc{r4650}
18679 processor, use the command @samp{set mipsfpu single}. The default
18680 double precision floating point coprocessor may be selected using
18681 @samp{set mipsfpu double}.
18682
18683 In previous versions the only choices were double precision or no
18684 floating point, so @samp{set mipsfpu on} will select double precision
18685 and @samp{set mipsfpu off} will select no floating point.
18686
18687 As usual, you can inquire about the @code{mipsfpu} variable with
18688 @samp{show mipsfpu}.
18689
18690 @item set timeout @var{seconds}
18691 @itemx set retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}
18692 @itemx show timeout
18693 @itemx show retransmit-timeout
18694 @cindex @code{timeout}, MIPS protocol
18695 @cindex @code{retransmit-timeout}, MIPS protocol
18696 @kindex set timeout
18697 @kindex show timeout
18698 @kindex set retransmit-timeout
18699 @kindex show retransmit-timeout
18700 You can control the timeout used while waiting for a packet, in the MIPS
18701 remote protocol, with the @code{set timeout @var{seconds}} command. The
18702 default is 5 seconds. Similarly, you can control the timeout used while
18703 waiting for an acknowledgment of a packet with the @code{set
18704 retransmit-timeout @var{seconds}} command. The default is 3 seconds.
18705 You can inspect both values with @code{show timeout} and @code{show
18706 retransmit-timeout}. (These commands are @emph{only} available when
18707 @value{GDBN} is configured for @samp{--target=mips-idt-ecoff}.)
18708
18709 The timeout set by @code{set timeout} does not apply when @value{GDBN}
18710 is waiting for your program to stop. In that case, @value{GDBN} waits
18711 forever because it has no way of knowing how long the program is going
18712 to run before stopping.
18713
18714 @item set syn-garbage-limit @var{num}
18715 @kindex set syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18716 @cindex synchronize with remote MIPS target
18717 Limit the maximum number of characters @value{GDBN} should ignore when
18718 it tries to synchronize with the remote target. The default is 10
18719 characters. Setting the limit to -1 means there's no limit.
18720
18721 @item show syn-garbage-limit
18722 @kindex show syn-garbage-limit@r{, MIPS remote}
18723 Show the current limit on the number of characters to ignore when
18724 trying to synchronize with the remote system.
18725
18726 @item set monitor-prompt @var{prompt}
18727 @kindex set monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18728 @cindex remote monitor prompt
18729 Tell @value{GDBN} to expect the specified @var{prompt} string from the
18730 remote monitor. The default depends on the target:
18731 @table @asis
18732 @item pmon target
18733 @samp{PMON}
18734 @item ddb target
18735 @samp{NEC010}
18736 @item lsi target
18737 @samp{PMON>}
18738 @end table
18739
18740 @item show monitor-prompt
18741 @kindex show monitor-prompt@r{, MIPS remote}
18742 Show the current strings @value{GDBN} expects as the prompt from the
18743 remote monitor.
18744
18745 @item set monitor-warnings
18746 @kindex set monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18747 Enable or disable monitor warnings about hardware breakpoints. This
18748 has effect only for the @code{lsi} target. When on, @value{GDBN} will
18749 display warning messages whose codes are returned by the @code{lsi}
18750 PMON monitor for breakpoint commands.
18751
18752 @item show monitor-warnings
18753 @kindex show monitor-warnings@r{, MIPS remote}
18754 Show the current setting of printing monitor warnings.
18755
18756 @item pmon @var{command}
18757 @kindex pmon@r{, MIPS remote}
18758 @cindex send PMON command
18759 This command allows sending an arbitrary @var{command} string to the
18760 monitor. The monitor must be in debug mode for this to work.
18761 @end table
18762
18763 @node OpenRISC 1000
18764 @subsection OpenRISC 1000
18765 @cindex OpenRISC 1000
18766
18767 @cindex or1k boards
18768 See OR1k Architecture document (@uref{www.opencores.org}) for more information
18769 about platform and commands.
18770
18771 @table @code
18772
18773 @kindex target jtag
18774 @item target jtag jtag://@var{host}:@var{port}
18775
18776 Connects to remote JTAG server.
18777 JTAG remote server can be either an or1ksim or JTAG server,
18778 connected via parallel port to the board.
18779
18780 Example: @code{target jtag jtag://localhost:9999}
18781
18782 @kindex or1ksim
18783 @item or1ksim @var{command}
18784 If connected to @code{or1ksim} OpenRISC 1000 Architectural
18785 Simulator, proprietary commands can be executed.
18786
18787 @kindex info or1k spr
18788 @item info or1k spr
18789 Displays spr groups.
18790
18791 @item info or1k spr @var{group}
18792 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno}
18793 Displays register names in selected group.
18794
18795 @item info or1k spr @var{group} @var{register}
18796 @itemx info or1k spr @var{register}
18797 @itemx info or1k spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno}
18798 @itemx info or1k spr @var{registerno}
18799 Shows information about specified spr register.
18800
18801 @kindex spr
18802 @item spr @var{group} @var{register} @var{value}
18803 @itemx spr @var{register @var{value}}
18804 @itemx spr @var{groupno} @var{registerno @var{value}}
18805 @itemx spr @var{registerno @var{value}}
18806 Writes @var{value} to specified spr register.
18807 @end table
18808
18809 Some implementations of OpenRISC 1000 Architecture also have hardware trace.
18810 It is very similar to @value{GDBN} trace, except it does not interfere with normal
18811 program execution and is thus much faster. Hardware breakpoints/watchpoint
18812 triggers can be set using:
18813 @table @code
18814 @item $LEA/$LDATA
18815 Load effective address/data
18816 @item $SEA/$SDATA
18817 Store effective address/data
18818 @item $AEA/$ADATA
18819 Access effective address ($SEA or $LEA) or data ($SDATA/$LDATA)
18820 @item $FETCH
18821 Fetch data
18822 @end table
18823
18824 When triggered, it can capture low level data, like: @code{PC}, @code{LSEA},
18825 @code{LDATA}, @code{SDATA}, @code{READSPR}, @code{WRITESPR}, @code{INSTR}.
18826
18827 @code{htrace} commands:
18828 @cindex OpenRISC 1000 htrace
18829 @table @code
18830 @kindex hwatch
18831 @item hwatch @var{conditional}
18832 Set hardware watchpoint on combination of Load/Store Effective Address(es)
18833 or Data. For example:
18834
18835 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18836
18837 @code{hwatch ($LEA == my_var) && ($LDATA < 50) || ($SEA == my_var) && ($SDATA >= 50)}
18838
18839 @kindex htrace
18840 @item htrace info
18841 Display information about current HW trace configuration.
18842
18843 @item htrace trigger @var{conditional}
18844 Set starting criteria for HW trace.
18845
18846 @item htrace qualifier @var{conditional}
18847 Set acquisition qualifier for HW trace.
18848
18849 @item htrace stop @var{conditional}
18850 Set HW trace stopping criteria.
18851
18852 @item htrace record [@var{data}]*
18853 Selects the data to be recorded, when qualifier is met and HW trace was
18854 triggered.
18855
18856 @item htrace enable
18857 @itemx htrace disable
18858 Enables/disables the HW trace.
18859
18860 @item htrace rewind [@var{filename}]
18861 Clears currently recorded trace data.
18862
18863 If filename is specified, new trace file is made and any newly collected data
18864 will be written there.
18865
18866 @item htrace print [@var{start} [@var{len}]]
18867 Prints trace buffer, using current record configuration.
18868
18869 @item htrace mode continuous
18870 Set continuous trace mode.
18871
18872 @item htrace mode suspend
18873 Set suspend trace mode.
18874
18875 @end table
18876
18877 @node PowerPC Embedded
18878 @subsection PowerPC Embedded
18879
18880 @cindex DVC register
18881 @value{GDBN} supports using the DVC (Data Value Compare) register to
18882 implement in hardware simple hardware watchpoint conditions of the form:
18883
18884 @smallexample
18885 (@value{GDBP}) watch @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} \
18886 if @var{ADDRESS|VARIABLE} == @var{CONSTANT EXPRESSION}
18887 @end smallexample
18888
18889 The DVC register will be automatically used when @value{GDBN} detects
18890 such pattern in a condition expression, and the created watchpoint uses one
18891 debug register (either the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on and the
18892 variable is scalar, or the variable has a length of one byte). This feature
18893 is available in native @value{GDBN} running on a Linux kernel version 2.6.34
18894 or newer.
18895
18896 When running on PowerPC embedded processors, @value{GDBN} automatically uses
18897 ranged hardware watchpoints, unless the @code{exact-watchpoints} option is on,
18898 in which case watchpoints using only one debug register are created when
18899 watching variables of scalar types.
18900
18901 You can create an artificial array to watch an arbitrary memory
18902 region using one of the following commands (@pxref{Expressions}):
18903
18904 @smallexample
18905 (@value{GDBP}) watch *((char *) @var{address})@@@var{length}
18906 (@value{GDBP}) watch @{char[@var{length}]@} @var{address}
18907 @end smallexample
18908
18909 PowerPC embedded processors support masked watchpoints. See the discussion
18910 about the @code{mask} argument in @ref{Set Watchpoints}.
18911
18912 @cindex ranged breakpoint
18913 PowerPC embedded processors support hardware accelerated
18914 @dfn{ranged breakpoints}. A ranged breakpoint stops execution of
18915 the inferior whenever it executes an instruction at any address within
18916 the range it specifies. To set a ranged breakpoint in @value{GDBN},
18917 use the @code{break-range} command.
18918
18919 @value{GDBN} provides the following PowerPC-specific commands:
18920
18921 @table @code
18922 @kindex break-range
18923 @item break-range @var{start-location}, @var{end-location}
18924 Set a breakpoint for an address range.
18925 @var{start-location} and @var{end-location} can specify a function name,
18926 a line number, an offset of lines from the current line or from the start
18927 location, or an address of an instruction (see @ref{Specify Location},
18928 for a list of all the possible ways to specify a @var{location}.)
18929 The breakpoint will stop execution of the inferior whenever it
18930 executes an instruction at any address within the specified range,
18931 (including @var{start-location} and @var{end-location}.)
18932
18933 @kindex set powerpc
18934 @item set powerpc soft-float
18935 @itemx show powerpc soft-float
18936 Force @value{GDBN} to use (or not use) a software floating point calling
18937 convention. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention based
18938 on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18939
18940 @item set powerpc vector-abi
18941 @itemx show powerpc vector-abi
18942 Force @value{GDBN} to use the specified calling convention for vector
18943 arguments and return values. The valid options are @samp{auto};
18944 @samp{generic}, to avoid vector registers even if they are present;
18945 @samp{altivec}, to use AltiVec registers; and @samp{spe} to use SPE
18946 registers. By default, @value{GDBN} selects the calling convention
18947 based on the selected architecture and the provided executable file.
18948
18949 @item set powerpc exact-watchpoints
18950 @itemx show powerpc exact-watchpoints
18951 Allow @value{GDBN} to use only one debug register when watching a variable
18952 of scalar type, thus assuming that the variable is accessed through the
18953 address of its first byte.
18954
18955 @kindex target dink32
18956 @item target dink32 @var{dev}
18957 DINK32 ROM monitor.
18958
18959 @kindex target ppcbug
18960 @item target ppcbug @var{dev}
18961 @kindex target ppcbug1
18962 @item target ppcbug1 @var{dev}
18963 PPCBUG ROM monitor for PowerPC.
18964
18965 @kindex target sds
18966 @item target sds @var{dev}
18967 SDS monitor, running on a PowerPC board (such as Motorola's ADS).
18968 @end table
18969
18970 @cindex SDS protocol
18971 The following commands specific to the SDS protocol are supported
18972 by @value{GDBN}:
18973
18974 @table @code
18975 @item set sdstimeout @var{nsec}
18976 @kindex set sdstimeout
18977 Set the timeout for SDS protocol reads to be @var{nsec} seconds. The
18978 default is 2 seconds.
18979
18980 @item show sdstimeout
18981 @kindex show sdstimeout
18982 Show the current value of the SDS timeout.
18983
18984 @item sds @var{command}
18985 @kindex sds@r{, a command}
18986 Send the specified @var{command} string to the SDS monitor.
18987 @end table
18988
18989
18990 @node PA
18991 @subsection HP PA Embedded
18992
18993 @table @code
18994
18995 @kindex target op50n
18996 @item target op50n @var{dev}
18997 OP50N monitor, running on an OKI HPPA board.
18998
18999 @kindex target w89k
19000 @item target w89k @var{dev}
19001 W89K monitor, running on a Winbond HPPA board.
19002
19003 @end table
19004
19005 @node Sparclet
19006 @subsection Tsqware Sparclet
19007
19008 @cindex Sparclet
19009
19010 @value{GDBN} enables developers to debug tasks running on
19011 Sparclet targets from a Unix host.
19012 @value{GDBN} uses code that runs on
19013 both the Unix host and on the Sparclet target. The program
19014 @code{@value{GDBP}} is installed and executed on the Unix host.
19015
19016 @table @code
19017 @item remotetimeout @var{args}
19018 @kindex remotetimeout
19019 @value{GDBN} supports the option @code{remotetimeout}.
19020 This option is set by the user, and @var{args} represents the number of
19021 seconds @value{GDBN} waits for responses.
19022 @end table
19023
19024 @cindex compiling, on Sparclet
19025 When compiling for debugging, include the options @samp{-g} to get debug
19026 information and @samp{-Ttext} to relocate the program to where you wish to
19027 load it on the target. You may also want to add the options @samp{-n} or
19028 @samp{-N} in order to reduce the size of the sections. Example:
19029
19030 @smallexample
19031 sparclet-aout-gcc prog.c -Ttext 0x12010000 -g -o prog -N
19032 @end smallexample
19033
19034 You can use @code{objdump} to verify that the addresses are what you intended:
19035
19036 @smallexample
19037 sparclet-aout-objdump --headers --syms prog
19038 @end smallexample
19039
19040 @cindex running, on Sparclet
19041 Once you have set
19042 your Unix execution search path to find @value{GDBN}, you are ready to
19043 run @value{GDBN}. From your Unix host, run @code{@value{GDBP}}
19044 (or @code{sparclet-aout-gdb}, depending on your installation).
19045
19046 @value{GDBN} comes up showing the prompt:
19047
19048 @smallexample
19049 (gdbslet)
19050 @end smallexample
19051
19052 @menu
19053 * Sparclet File:: Setting the file to debug
19054 * Sparclet Connection:: Connecting to Sparclet
19055 * Sparclet Download:: Sparclet download
19056 * Sparclet Execution:: Running and debugging
19057 @end menu
19058
19059 @node Sparclet File
19060 @subsubsection Setting File to Debug
19061
19062 The @value{GDBN} command @code{file} lets you choose with program to debug.
19063
19064 @smallexample
19065 (gdbslet) file prog
19066 @end smallexample
19067
19068 @need 1000
19069 @value{GDBN} then attempts to read the symbol table of @file{prog}.
19070 @value{GDBN} locates
19071 the file by searching the directories listed in the command search
19072 path.
19073 If the file was compiled with debug information (option @samp{-g}), source
19074 files will be searched as well.
19075 @value{GDBN} locates
19076 the source files by searching the directories listed in the directory search
19077 path (@pxref{Environment, ,Your Program's Environment}).
19078 If it fails
19079 to find a file, it displays a message such as:
19080
19081 @smallexample
19082 prog: No such file or directory.
19083 @end smallexample
19084
19085 When this happens, add the appropriate directories to the search paths with
19086 the @value{GDBN} commands @code{path} and @code{dir}, and execute the
19087 @code{target} command again.
19088
19089 @node Sparclet Connection
19090 @subsubsection Connecting to Sparclet
19091
19092 The @value{GDBN} command @code{target} lets you connect to a Sparclet target.
19093 To connect to a target on serial port ``@code{ttya}'', type:
19094
19095 @smallexample
19096 (gdbslet) target sparclet /dev/ttya
19097 Remote target sparclet connected to /dev/ttya
19098 main () at ../prog.c:3
19099 @end smallexample
19100
19101 @need 750
19102 @value{GDBN} displays messages like these:
19103
19104 @smallexample
19105 Connected to ttya.
19106 @end smallexample
19107
19108 @node Sparclet Download
19109 @subsubsection Sparclet Download
19110
19111 @cindex download to Sparclet
19112 Once connected to the Sparclet target,
19113 you can use the @value{GDBN}
19114 @code{load} command to download the file from the host to the target.
19115 The file name and load offset should be given as arguments to the @code{load}
19116 command.
19117 Since the file format is aout, the program must be loaded to the starting
19118 address. You can use @code{objdump} to find out what this value is. The load
19119 offset is an offset which is added to the VMA (virtual memory address)
19120 of each of the file's sections.
19121 For instance, if the program
19122 @file{prog} was linked to text address 0x1201000, with data at 0x12010160
19123 and bss at 0x12010170, in @value{GDBN}, type:
19124
19125 @smallexample
19126 (gdbslet) load prog 0x12010000
19127 Loading section .text, size 0xdb0 vma 0x12010000
19128 @end smallexample
19129
19130 If the code is loaded at a different address then what the program was linked
19131 to, you may need to use the @code{section} and @code{add-symbol-file} commands
19132 to tell @value{GDBN} where to map the symbol table.
19133
19134 @node Sparclet Execution
19135 @subsubsection Running and Debugging
19136
19137 @cindex running and debugging Sparclet programs
19138 You can now begin debugging the task using @value{GDBN}'s execution control
19139 commands, @code{b}, @code{step}, @code{run}, etc. See the @value{GDBN}
19140 manual for the list of commands.
19141
19142 @smallexample
19143 (gdbslet) b main
19144 Breakpoint 1 at 0x12010000: file prog.c, line 3.
19145 (gdbslet) run
19146 Starting program: prog
19147 Breakpoint 1, main (argc=1, argv=0xeffff21c) at prog.c:3
19148 3 char *symarg = 0;
19149 (gdbslet) step
19150 4 char *execarg = "hello!";
19151 (gdbslet)
19152 @end smallexample
19153
19154 @node Sparclite
19155 @subsection Fujitsu Sparclite
19156
19157 @table @code
19158
19159 @kindex target sparclite
19160 @item target sparclite @var{dev}
19161 Fujitsu sparclite boards, used only for the purpose of loading.
19162 You must use an additional command to debug the program.
19163 For example: target remote @var{dev} using @value{GDBN} standard
19164 remote protocol.
19165
19166 @end table
19167
19168 @node Z8000
19169 @subsection Zilog Z8000
19170
19171 @cindex Z8000
19172 @cindex simulator, Z8000
19173 @cindex Zilog Z8000 simulator
19174
19175 When configured for debugging Zilog Z8000 targets, @value{GDBN} includes
19176 a Z8000 simulator.
19177
19178 For the Z8000 family, @samp{target sim} simulates either the Z8002 (the
19179 unsegmented variant of the Z8000 architecture) or the Z8001 (the
19180 segmented variant). The simulator recognizes which architecture is
19181 appropriate by inspecting the object code.
19182
19183 @table @code
19184 @item target sim @var{args}
19185 @kindex sim
19186 @kindex target sim@r{, with Z8000}
19187 Debug programs on a simulated CPU. If the simulator supports setup
19188 options, specify them via @var{args}.
19189 @end table
19190
19191 @noindent
19192 After specifying this target, you can debug programs for the simulated
19193 CPU in the same style as programs for your host computer; use the
19194 @code{file} command to load a new program image, the @code{run} command
19195 to run your program, and so on.
19196
19197 As well as making available all the usual machine registers
19198 (@pxref{Registers, ,Registers}), the Z8000 simulator provides three
19199 additional items of information as specially named registers:
19200
19201 @table @code
19202
19203 @item cycles
19204 Counts clock-ticks in the simulator.
19205
19206 @item insts
19207 Counts instructions run in the simulator.
19208
19209 @item time
19210 Execution time in 60ths of a second.
19211
19212 @end table
19213
19214 You can refer to these values in @value{GDBN} expressions with the usual
19215 conventions; for example, @w{@samp{b fputc if $cycles>5000}} sets a
19216 conditional breakpoint that suspends only after at least 5000
19217 simulated clock ticks.
19218
19219 @node AVR
19220 @subsection Atmel AVR
19221 @cindex AVR
19222
19223 When configured for debugging the Atmel AVR, @value{GDBN} supports the
19224 following AVR-specific commands:
19225
19226 @table @code
19227 @item info io_registers
19228 @kindex info io_registers@r{, AVR}
19229 @cindex I/O registers (Atmel AVR)
19230 This command displays information about the AVR I/O registers. For
19231 each register, @value{GDBN} prints its number and value.
19232 @end table
19233
19234 @node CRIS
19235 @subsection CRIS
19236 @cindex CRIS
19237
19238 When configured for debugging CRIS, @value{GDBN} provides the
19239 following CRIS-specific commands:
19240
19241 @table @code
19242 @item set cris-version @var{ver}
19243 @cindex CRIS version
19244 Set the current CRIS version to @var{ver}, either @samp{10} or @samp{32}.
19245 The CRIS version affects register names and sizes. This command is useful in
19246 case autodetection of the CRIS version fails.
19247
19248 @item show cris-version
19249 Show the current CRIS version.
19250
19251 @item set cris-dwarf2-cfi
19252 @cindex DWARF-2 CFI and CRIS
19253 Set the usage of DWARF-2 CFI for CRIS debugging. The default is @samp{on}.
19254 Change to @samp{off} when using @code{gcc-cris} whose version is below
19255 @code{R59}.
19256
19257 @item show cris-dwarf2-cfi
19258 Show the current state of using DWARF-2 CFI.
19259
19260 @item set cris-mode @var{mode}
19261 @cindex CRIS mode
19262 Set the current CRIS mode to @var{mode}. It should only be changed when
19263 debugging in guru mode, in which case it should be set to
19264 @samp{guru} (the default is @samp{normal}).
19265
19266 @item show cris-mode
19267 Show the current CRIS mode.
19268 @end table
19269
19270 @node Super-H
19271 @subsection Renesas Super-H
19272 @cindex Super-H
19273
19274 For the Renesas Super-H processor, @value{GDBN} provides these
19275 commands:
19276
19277 @table @code
19278 @item regs
19279 @kindex regs@r{, Super-H}
19280 Show the values of all Super-H registers.
19281
19282 @item set sh calling-convention @var{convention}
19283 @kindex set sh calling-convention
19284 Set the calling-convention used when calling functions from @value{GDBN}.
19285 Allowed values are @samp{gcc}, which is the default setting, and @samp{renesas}.
19286 With the @samp{gcc} setting, functions are called using the @value{NGCC} calling
19287 convention. If the DWARF-2 information of the called function specifies
19288 that the function follows the Renesas calling convention, the function
19289 is called using the Renesas calling convention. If the calling convention
19290 is set to @samp{renesas}, the Renesas calling convention is always used,
19291 regardless of the DWARF-2 information. This can be used to override the
19292 default of @samp{gcc} if debug information is missing, or the compiler
19293 does not emit the DWARF-2 calling convention entry for a function.
19294
19295 @item show sh calling-convention
19296 @kindex show sh calling-convention
19297 Show the current calling convention setting.
19298
19299 @end table
19300
19301
19302 @node Architectures
19303 @section Architectures
19304
19305 This section describes characteristics of architectures that affect
19306 all uses of @value{GDBN} with the architecture, both native and cross.
19307
19308 @menu
19309 * i386::
19310 * A29K::
19311 * Alpha::
19312 * MIPS::
19313 * HPPA:: HP PA architecture
19314 * SPU:: Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19315 * PowerPC::
19316 @end menu
19317
19318 @node i386
19319 @subsection x86 Architecture-specific Issues
19320
19321 @table @code
19322 @item set struct-convention @var{mode}
19323 @kindex set struct-convention
19324 @cindex struct return convention
19325 @cindex struct/union returned in registers
19326 Set the convention used by the inferior to return @code{struct}s and
19327 @code{union}s from functions to @var{mode}. Possible values of
19328 @var{mode} are @code{"pcc"}, @code{"reg"}, and @code{"default"} (the
19329 default). @code{"default"} or @code{"pcc"} means that @code{struct}s
19330 are returned on the stack, while @code{"reg"} means that a
19331 @code{struct} or a @code{union} whose size is 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes will
19332 be returned in a register.
19333
19334 @item show struct-convention
19335 @kindex show struct-convention
19336 Show the current setting of the convention to return @code{struct}s
19337 from functions.
19338 @end table
19339
19340 @node A29K
19341 @subsection A29K
19342
19343 @table @code
19344
19345 @kindex set rstack_high_address
19346 @cindex AMD 29K register stack
19347 @cindex register stack, AMD29K
19348 @item set rstack_high_address @var{address}
19349 On AMD 29000 family processors, registers are saved in a separate
19350 @dfn{register stack}. There is no way for @value{GDBN} to determine the
19351 extent of this stack. Normally, @value{GDBN} just assumes that the
19352 stack is ``large enough''. This may result in @value{GDBN} referencing
19353 memory locations that do not exist. If necessary, you can get around
19354 this problem by specifying the ending address of the register stack with
19355 the @code{set rstack_high_address} command. The argument should be an
19356 address, which you probably want to precede with @samp{0x} to specify in
19357 hexadecimal.
19358
19359 @kindex show rstack_high_address
19360 @item show rstack_high_address
19361 Display the current limit of the register stack, on AMD 29000 family
19362 processors.
19363
19364 @end table
19365
19366 @node Alpha
19367 @subsection Alpha
19368
19369 See the following section.
19370
19371 @node MIPS
19372 @subsection MIPS
19373
19374 @cindex stack on Alpha
19375 @cindex stack on MIPS
19376 @cindex Alpha stack
19377 @cindex MIPS stack
19378 Alpha- and MIPS-based computers use an unusual stack frame, which
19379 sometimes requires @value{GDBN} to search backward in the object code to
19380 find the beginning of a function.
19381
19382 @cindex response time, MIPS debugging
19383 To improve response time (especially for embedded applications, where
19384 @value{GDBN} may be restricted to a slow serial line for this search)
19385 you may want to limit the size of this search, using one of these
19386 commands:
19387
19388 @table @code
19389 @cindex @code{heuristic-fence-post} (Alpha, MIPS)
19390 @item set heuristic-fence-post @var{limit}
19391 Restrict @value{GDBN} to examining at most @var{limit} bytes in its
19392 search for the beginning of a function. A value of @var{0} (the
19393 default) means there is no limit. However, except for @var{0}, the
19394 larger the limit the more bytes @code{heuristic-fence-post} must search
19395 and therefore the longer it takes to run. You should only need to use
19396 this command when debugging a stripped executable.
19397
19398 @item show heuristic-fence-post
19399 Display the current limit.
19400 @end table
19401
19402 @noindent
19403 These commands are available @emph{only} when @value{GDBN} is configured
19404 for debugging programs on Alpha or MIPS processors.
19405
19406 Several MIPS-specific commands are available when debugging MIPS
19407 programs:
19408
19409 @table @code
19410 @item set mips abi @var{arg}
19411 @kindex set mips abi
19412 @cindex set ABI for MIPS
19413 Tell @value{GDBN} which MIPS ABI is used by the inferior. Possible
19414 values of @var{arg} are:
19415
19416 @table @samp
19417 @item auto
19418 The default ABI associated with the current binary (this is the
19419 default).
19420 @item o32
19421 @item o64
19422 @item n32
19423 @item n64
19424 @item eabi32
19425 @item eabi64
19426 @item auto
19427 @end table
19428
19429 @item show mips abi
19430 @kindex show mips abi
19431 Show the MIPS ABI used by @value{GDBN} to debug the inferior.
19432
19433 @item set mipsfpu
19434 @itemx show mipsfpu
19435 @xref{MIPS Embedded, set mipsfpu}.
19436
19437 @item set mips mask-address @var{arg}
19438 @kindex set mips mask-address
19439 @cindex MIPS addresses, masking
19440 This command determines whether the most-significant 32 bits of 64-bit
19441 MIPS addresses are masked off. The argument @var{arg} can be
19442 @samp{on}, @samp{off}, or @samp{auto}. The latter is the default
19443 setting, which lets @value{GDBN} determine the correct value.
19444
19445 @item show mips mask-address
19446 @kindex show mips mask-address
19447 Show whether the upper 32 bits of MIPS addresses are masked off or
19448 not.
19449
19450 @item set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19451 @kindex set remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19452 This command controls compatibility with 64-bit MIPS targets that
19453 transfer data in 32-bit quantities. If you have an old MIPS 64 target
19454 that transfers 32 bits for some registers, like @sc{sr} and @sc{fsr},
19455 and 64 bits for other registers, set this option to @samp{on}.
19456
19457 @item show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19458 @kindex show remote-mips64-transfers-32bit-regs
19459 Show the current setting of compatibility with older MIPS 64 targets.
19460
19461 @item set debug mips
19462 @kindex set debug mips
19463 This command turns on and off debugging messages for the MIPS-specific
19464 target code in @value{GDBN}.
19465
19466 @item show debug mips
19467 @kindex show debug mips
19468 Show the current setting of MIPS debugging messages.
19469 @end table
19470
19471
19472 @node HPPA
19473 @subsection HPPA
19474 @cindex HPPA support
19475
19476 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the HP PA architecture, it provides the
19477 following special commands:
19478
19479 @table @code
19480 @item set debug hppa
19481 @kindex set debug hppa
19482 This command determines whether HPPA architecture-specific debugging
19483 messages are to be displayed.
19484
19485 @item show debug hppa
19486 Show whether HPPA debugging messages are displayed.
19487
19488 @item maint print unwind @var{address}
19489 @kindex maint print unwind@r{, HPPA}
19490 This command displays the contents of the unwind table entry at the
19491 given @var{address}.
19492
19493 @end table
19494
19495
19496 @node SPU
19497 @subsection Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture
19498 @cindex Cell Broadband Engine
19499 @cindex SPU
19500
19501 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the Cell Broadband Engine SPU architecture,
19502 it provides the following special commands:
19503
19504 @table @code
19505 @item info spu event
19506 @kindex info spu
19507 Display SPU event facility status. Shows current event mask
19508 and pending event status.
19509
19510 @item info spu signal
19511 Display SPU signal notification facility status. Shows pending
19512 signal-control word and signal notification mode of both signal
19513 notification channels.
19514
19515 @item info spu mailbox
19516 Display SPU mailbox facility status. Shows all pending entries,
19517 in order of processing, in each of the SPU Write Outbound,
19518 SPU Write Outbound Interrupt, and SPU Read Inbound mailboxes.
19519
19520 @item info spu dma
19521 Display MFC DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19522 DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19523 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19524
19525 @item info spu proxydma
19526 Display MFC Proxy-DMA status. Shows all pending commands in the MFC
19527 Proxy-DMA queue. For each entry, opcode, tag, class IDs, effective
19528 and local store addresses and transfer size are shown.
19529
19530 @end table
19531
19532 When @value{GDBN} is debugging a combined PowerPC/SPU application
19533 on the Cell Broadband Engine, it provides in addition the following
19534 special commands:
19535
19536 @table @code
19537 @item set spu stop-on-load @var{arg}
19538 @kindex set spu
19539 Set whether to stop for new SPE threads. When set to @code{on}, @value{GDBN}
19540 will give control to the user when a new SPE thread enters its @code{main}
19541 function. The default is @code{off}.
19542
19543 @item show spu stop-on-load
19544 @kindex show spu
19545 Show whether to stop for new SPE threads.
19546
19547 @item set spu auto-flush-cache @var{arg}
19548 Set whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache. When set to
19549 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will automatically cause the SPE software-managed
19550 cache to be flushed whenever SPE execution stops. This provides a consistent
19551 view of PowerPC memory that is accessed via the cache. If an application
19552 does not use the software-managed cache, this option has no effect.
19553
19554 @item show spu auto-flush-cache
19555 Show whether to automatically flush the software-managed cache.
19556
19557 @end table
19558
19559 @node PowerPC
19560 @subsection PowerPC
19561 @cindex PowerPC architecture
19562
19563 When @value{GDBN} is debugging the PowerPC architecture, it provides a set of
19564 pseudo-registers to enable inspection of 128-bit wide Decimal Floating Point
19565 numbers stored in the floating point registers. These values must be stored
19566 in two consecutive registers, always starting at an even register like
19567 @code{f0} or @code{f2}.
19568
19569 The pseudo-registers go from @code{$dl0} through @code{$dl15}, and are formed
19570 by joining the even/odd register pairs @code{f0} and @code{f1} for @code{$dl0},
19571 @code{f2} and @code{f3} for @code{$dl1} and so on.
19572
19573 For POWER7 processors, @value{GDBN} provides a set of pseudo-registers, the 64-bit
19574 wide Extended Floating Point Registers (@samp{f32} through @samp{f63}).
19575
19576
19577 @node Controlling GDB
19578 @chapter Controlling @value{GDBN}
19579
19580 You can alter the way @value{GDBN} interacts with you by using the
19581 @code{set} command. For commands controlling how @value{GDBN} displays
19582 data, see @ref{Print Settings, ,Print Settings}. Other settings are
19583 described here.
19584
19585 @menu
19586 * Prompt:: Prompt
19587 * Editing:: Command editing
19588 * Command History:: Command history
19589 * Screen Size:: Screen size
19590 * Numbers:: Numbers
19591 * ABI:: Configuring the current ABI
19592 * Messages/Warnings:: Optional warnings and messages
19593 * Debugging Output:: Optional messages about internal happenings
19594 * Other Misc Settings:: Other Miscellaneous Settings
19595 @end menu
19596
19597 @node Prompt
19598 @section Prompt
19599
19600 @cindex prompt
19601
19602 @value{GDBN} indicates its readiness to read a command by printing a string
19603 called the @dfn{prompt}. This string is normally @samp{(@value{GDBP})}. You
19604 can change the prompt string with the @code{set prompt} command. For
19605 instance, when debugging @value{GDBN} with @value{GDBN}, it is useful to change
19606 the prompt in one of the @value{GDBN} sessions so that you can always tell
19607 which one you are talking to.
19608
19609 @emph{Note:} @code{set prompt} does not add a space for you after the
19610 prompt you set. This allows you to set a prompt which ends in a space
19611 or a prompt that does not.
19612
19613 @table @code
19614 @kindex set prompt
19615 @item set prompt @var{newprompt}
19616 Directs @value{GDBN} to use @var{newprompt} as its prompt string henceforth.
19617
19618 @kindex show prompt
19619 @item show prompt
19620 Prints a line of the form: @samp{Gdb's prompt is: @var{your-prompt}}
19621 @end table
19622
19623 @node Editing
19624 @section Command Editing
19625 @cindex readline
19626 @cindex command line editing
19627
19628 @value{GDBN} reads its input commands via the @dfn{Readline} interface. This
19629 @sc{gnu} library provides consistent behavior for programs which provide a
19630 command line interface to the user. Advantages are @sc{gnu} Emacs-style
19631 or @dfn{vi}-style inline editing of commands, @code{csh}-like history
19632 substitution, and a storage and recall of command history across
19633 debugging sessions.
19634
19635 You may control the behavior of command line editing in @value{GDBN} with the
19636 command @code{set}.
19637
19638 @table @code
19639 @kindex set editing
19640 @cindex editing
19641 @item set editing
19642 @itemx set editing on
19643 Enable command line editing (enabled by default).
19644
19645 @item set editing off
19646 Disable command line editing.
19647
19648 @kindex show editing
19649 @item show editing
19650 Show whether command line editing is enabled.
19651 @end table
19652
19653 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19654 @xref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library},
19655 @end ifset
19656 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19657 @xref{Command Line Editing},
19658 @end ifclear
19659 for more details about the Readline
19660 interface. Users unfamiliar with @sc{gnu} Emacs or @code{vi} are
19661 encouraged to read that chapter.
19662
19663 @node Command History
19664 @section Command History
19665 @cindex command history
19666
19667 @value{GDBN} can keep track of the commands you type during your
19668 debugging sessions, so that you can be certain of precisely what
19669 happened. Use these commands to manage the @value{GDBN} command
19670 history facility.
19671
19672 @value{GDBN} uses the @sc{gnu} History library, a part of the Readline
19673 package, to provide the history facility.
19674 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19675 @xref{Using History Interactively, , , history, GNU History Library},
19676 @end ifset
19677 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19678 @xref{Using History Interactively},
19679 @end ifclear
19680 for the detailed description of the History library.
19681
19682 To issue a command to @value{GDBN} without affecting certain aspects of
19683 the state which is seen by users, prefix it with @samp{server }
19684 (@pxref{Server Prefix}). This
19685 means that this command will not affect the command history, nor will it
19686 affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which command to repeat if @key{RET} is
19687 pressed on a line by itself.
19688
19689 @cindex @code{server}, command prefix
19690 The server prefix does not affect the recording of values into the value
19691 history; to print a value without recording it into the value history,
19692 use the @code{output} command instead of the @code{print} command.
19693
19694 Here is the description of @value{GDBN} commands related to command
19695 history.
19696
19697 @table @code
19698 @cindex history substitution
19699 @cindex history file
19700 @kindex set history filename
19701 @cindex @env{GDBHISTFILE}, environment variable
19702 @item set history filename @var{fname}
19703 Set the name of the @value{GDBN} command history file to @var{fname}.
19704 This is the file where @value{GDBN} reads an initial command history
19705 list, and where it writes the command history from this session when it
19706 exits. You can access this list through history expansion or through
19707 the history command editing characters listed below. This file defaults
19708 to the value of the environment variable @code{GDBHISTFILE}, or to
19709 @file{./.gdb_history} (@file{./_gdb_history} on MS-DOS) if this variable
19710 is not set.
19711
19712 @cindex save command history
19713 @kindex set history save
19714 @item set history save
19715 @itemx set history save on
19716 Record command history in a file, whose name may be specified with the
19717 @code{set history filename} command. By default, this option is disabled.
19718
19719 @item set history save off
19720 Stop recording command history in a file.
19721
19722 @cindex history size
19723 @kindex set history size
19724 @cindex @env{HISTSIZE}, environment variable
19725 @item set history size @var{size}
19726 Set the number of commands which @value{GDBN} keeps in its history list.
19727 This defaults to the value of the environment variable
19728 @code{HISTSIZE}, or to 256 if this variable is not set.
19729 @end table
19730
19731 History expansion assigns special meaning to the character @kbd{!}.
19732 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
19733 @xref{Event Designators, , , history, GNU History Library},
19734 @end ifset
19735 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
19736 @xref{Event Designators},
19737 @end ifclear
19738 for more details.
19739
19740 @cindex history expansion, turn on/off
19741 Since @kbd{!} is also the logical not operator in C, history expansion
19742 is off by default. If you decide to enable history expansion with the
19743 @code{set history expansion on} command, you may sometimes need to
19744 follow @kbd{!} (when it is used as logical not, in an expression) with
19745 a space or a tab to prevent it from being expanded. The readline
19746 history facilities do not attempt substitution on the strings
19747 @kbd{!=} and @kbd{!(}, even when history expansion is enabled.
19748
19749 The commands to control history expansion are:
19750
19751 @table @code
19752 @item set history expansion on
19753 @itemx set history expansion
19754 @kindex set history expansion
19755 Enable history expansion. History expansion is off by default.
19756
19757 @item set history expansion off
19758 Disable history expansion.
19759
19760 @c @group
19761 @kindex show history
19762 @item show history
19763 @itemx show history filename
19764 @itemx show history save
19765 @itemx show history size
19766 @itemx show history expansion
19767 These commands display the state of the @value{GDBN} history parameters.
19768 @code{show history} by itself displays all four states.
19769 @c @end group
19770 @end table
19771
19772 @table @code
19773 @kindex show commands
19774 @cindex show last commands
19775 @cindex display command history
19776 @item show commands
19777 Display the last ten commands in the command history.
19778
19779 @item show commands @var{n}
19780 Print ten commands centered on command number @var{n}.
19781
19782 @item show commands +
19783 Print ten commands just after the commands last printed.
19784 @end table
19785
19786 @node Screen Size
19787 @section Screen Size
19788 @cindex size of screen
19789 @cindex pauses in output
19790
19791 Certain commands to @value{GDBN} may produce large amounts of
19792 information output to the screen. To help you read all of it,
19793 @value{GDBN} pauses and asks you for input at the end of each page of
19794 output. Type @key{RET} when you want to continue the output, or @kbd{q}
19795 to discard the remaining output. Also, the screen width setting
19796 determines when to wrap lines of output. Depending on what is being
19797 printed, @value{GDBN} tries to break the line at a readable place,
19798 rather than simply letting it overflow onto the following line.
19799
19800 Normally @value{GDBN} knows the size of the screen from the terminal
19801 driver software. For example, on Unix @value{GDBN} uses the termcap data base
19802 together with the value of the @code{TERM} environment variable and the
19803 @code{stty rows} and @code{stty cols} settings. If this is not correct,
19804 you can override it with the @code{set height} and @code{set
19805 width} commands:
19806
19807 @table @code
19808 @kindex set height
19809 @kindex set width
19810 @kindex show width
19811 @kindex show height
19812 @item set height @var{lpp}
19813 @itemx show height
19814 @itemx set width @var{cpl}
19815 @itemx show width
19816 These @code{set} commands specify a screen height of @var{lpp} lines and
19817 a screen width of @var{cpl} characters. The associated @code{show}
19818 commands display the current settings.
19819
19820 If you specify a height of zero lines, @value{GDBN} does not pause during
19821 output no matter how long the output is. This is useful if output is to a
19822 file or to an editor buffer.
19823
19824 Likewise, you can specify @samp{set width 0} to prevent @value{GDBN}
19825 from wrapping its output.
19826
19827 @item set pagination on
19828 @itemx set pagination off
19829 @kindex set pagination
19830 Turn the output pagination on or off; the default is on. Turning
19831 pagination off is the alternative to @code{set height 0}. Note that
19832 running @value{GDBN} with the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode
19833 Options, -batch}) also automatically disables pagination.
19834
19835 @item show pagination
19836 @kindex show pagination
19837 Show the current pagination mode.
19838 @end table
19839
19840 @node Numbers
19841 @section Numbers
19842 @cindex number representation
19843 @cindex entering numbers
19844
19845 You can always enter numbers in octal, decimal, or hexadecimal in
19846 @value{GDBN} by the usual conventions: octal numbers begin with
19847 @samp{0}, decimal numbers end with @samp{.}, and hexadecimal numbers
19848 begin with @samp{0x}. Numbers that neither begin with @samp{0} or
19849 @samp{0x}, nor end with a @samp{.} are, by default, entered in base
19850 10; likewise, the default display for numbers---when no particular
19851 format is specified---is base 10. You can change the default base for
19852 both input and output with the commands described below.
19853
19854 @table @code
19855 @kindex set input-radix
19856 @item set input-radix @var{base}
19857 Set the default base for numeric input. Supported choices
19858 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19859 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix; for
19860 example, any of
19861
19862 @smallexample
19863 set input-radix 012
19864 set input-radix 10.
19865 set input-radix 0xa
19866 @end smallexample
19867
19868 @noindent
19869 sets the input base to decimal. On the other hand, @samp{set input-radix 10}
19870 leaves the input radix unchanged, no matter what it was, since
19871 @samp{10}, being without any leading or trailing signs of its base, is
19872 interpreted in the current radix. Thus, if the current radix is 16,
19873 @samp{10} is interpreted in hex, i.e.@: as 16 decimal, which doesn't
19874 change the radix.
19875
19876 @kindex set output-radix
19877 @item set output-radix @var{base}
19878 Set the default base for numeric display. Supported choices
19879 for @var{base} are decimal 8, 10, or 16. @var{base} must itself be
19880 specified either unambiguously or using the current input radix.
19881
19882 @kindex show input-radix
19883 @item show input-radix
19884 Display the current default base for numeric input.
19885
19886 @kindex show output-radix
19887 @item show output-radix
19888 Display the current default base for numeric display.
19889
19890 @item set radix @r{[}@var{base}@r{]}
19891 @itemx show radix
19892 @kindex set radix
19893 @kindex show radix
19894 These commands set and show the default base for both input and output
19895 of numbers. @code{set radix} sets the radix of input and output to
19896 the same base; without an argument, it resets the radix back to its
19897 default value of 10.
19898
19899 @end table
19900
19901 @node ABI
19902 @section Configuring the Current ABI
19903
19904 @value{GDBN} can determine the @dfn{ABI} (Application Binary Interface) of your
19905 application automatically. However, sometimes you need to override its
19906 conclusions. Use these commands to manage @value{GDBN}'s view of the
19907 current ABI.
19908
19909 @cindex OS ABI
19910 @kindex set osabi
19911 @kindex show osabi
19912
19913 One @value{GDBN} configuration can debug binaries for multiple operating
19914 system targets, either via remote debugging or native emulation.
19915 @value{GDBN} will autodetect the @dfn{OS ABI} (Operating System ABI) in use,
19916 but you can override its conclusion using the @code{set osabi} command.
19917 One example where this is useful is in debugging of binaries which use
19918 an alternate C library (e.g.@: @sc{uClibc} for @sc{gnu}/Linux) which does
19919 not have the same identifying marks that the standard C library for your
19920 platform provides.
19921
19922 @table @code
19923 @item show osabi
19924 Show the OS ABI currently in use.
19925
19926 @item set osabi
19927 With no argument, show the list of registered available OS ABI's.
19928
19929 @item set osabi @var{abi}
19930 Set the current OS ABI to @var{abi}.
19931 @end table
19932
19933 @cindex float promotion
19934
19935 Generally, the way that an argument of type @code{float} is passed to a
19936 function depends on whether the function is prototyped. For a prototyped
19937 (i.e.@: ANSI/ISO style) function, @code{float} arguments are passed unchanged,
19938 according to the architecture's convention for @code{float}. For unprototyped
19939 (i.e.@: K&R style) functions, @code{float} arguments are first promoted to type
19940 @code{double} and then passed.
19941
19942 Unfortunately, some forms of debug information do not reliably indicate whether
19943 a function is prototyped. If @value{GDBN} calls a function that is not marked
19944 as prototyped, it consults @kbd{set coerce-float-to-double}.
19945
19946 @table @code
19947 @kindex set coerce-float-to-double
19948 @item set coerce-float-to-double
19949 @itemx set coerce-float-to-double on
19950 Arguments of type @code{float} will be promoted to @code{double} when passed
19951 to an unprototyped function. This is the default setting.
19952
19953 @item set coerce-float-to-double off
19954 Arguments of type @code{float} will be passed directly to unprototyped
19955 functions.
19956
19957 @kindex show coerce-float-to-double
19958 @item show coerce-float-to-double
19959 Show the current setting of promoting @code{float} to @code{double}.
19960 @end table
19961
19962 @kindex set cp-abi
19963 @kindex show cp-abi
19964 @value{GDBN} needs to know the ABI used for your program's C@t{++}
19965 objects. The correct C@t{++} ABI depends on which C@t{++} compiler was
19966 used to build your application. @value{GDBN} only fully supports
19967 programs with a single C@t{++} ABI; if your program contains code using
19968 multiple C@t{++} ABI's or if @value{GDBN} can not identify your
19969 program's ABI correctly, you can tell @value{GDBN} which ABI to use.
19970 Currently supported ABI's include ``gnu-v2'', for @code{g++} versions
19971 before 3.0, ``gnu-v3'', for @code{g++} versions 3.0 and later, and
19972 ``hpaCC'' for the HP ANSI C@t{++} compiler. Other C@t{++} compilers may
19973 use the ``gnu-v2'' or ``gnu-v3'' ABI's as well. The default setting is
19974 ``auto''.
19975
19976 @table @code
19977 @item show cp-abi
19978 Show the C@t{++} ABI currently in use.
19979
19980 @item set cp-abi
19981 With no argument, show the list of supported C@t{++} ABI's.
19982
19983 @item set cp-abi @var{abi}
19984 @itemx set cp-abi auto
19985 Set the current C@t{++} ABI to @var{abi}, or return to automatic detection.
19986 @end table
19987
19988 @node Messages/Warnings
19989 @section Optional Warnings and Messages
19990
19991 @cindex verbose operation
19992 @cindex optional warnings
19993 By default, @value{GDBN} is silent about its inner workings. If you are
19994 running on a slow machine, you may want to use the @code{set verbose}
19995 command. This makes @value{GDBN} tell you when it does a lengthy
19996 internal operation, so you will not think it has crashed.
19997
19998 Currently, the messages controlled by @code{set verbose} are those
19999 which announce that the symbol table for a source file is being read;
20000 see @code{symbol-file} in @ref{Files, ,Commands to Specify Files}.
20001
20002 @table @code
20003 @kindex set verbose
20004 @item set verbose on
20005 Enables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
20006
20007 @item set verbose off
20008 Disables @value{GDBN} output of certain informational messages.
20009
20010 @kindex show verbose
20011 @item show verbose
20012 Displays whether @code{set verbose} is on or off.
20013 @end table
20014
20015 By default, if @value{GDBN} encounters bugs in the symbol table of an
20016 object file, it is silent; but if you are debugging a compiler, you may
20017 find this information useful (@pxref{Symbol Errors, ,Errors Reading
20018 Symbol Files}).
20019
20020 @table @code
20021
20022 @kindex set complaints
20023 @item set complaints @var{limit}
20024 Permits @value{GDBN} to output @var{limit} complaints about each type of
20025 unusual symbols before becoming silent about the problem. Set
20026 @var{limit} to zero to suppress all complaints; set it to a large number
20027 to prevent complaints from being suppressed.
20028
20029 @kindex show complaints
20030 @item show complaints
20031 Displays how many symbol complaints @value{GDBN} is permitted to produce.
20032
20033 @end table
20034
20035 @anchor{confirmation requests}
20036 By default, @value{GDBN} is cautious, and asks what sometimes seems to be a
20037 lot of stupid questions to confirm certain commands. For example, if
20038 you try to run a program which is already running:
20039
20040 @smallexample
20041 (@value{GDBP}) run
20042 The program being debugged has been started already.
20043 Start it from the beginning? (y or n)
20044 @end smallexample
20045
20046 If you are willing to unflinchingly face the consequences of your own
20047 commands, you can disable this ``feature'':
20048
20049 @table @code
20050
20051 @kindex set confirm
20052 @cindex flinching
20053 @cindex confirmation
20054 @cindex stupid questions
20055 @item set confirm off
20056 Disables confirmation requests. Note that running @value{GDBN} with
20057 the @option{--batch} option (@pxref{Mode Options, -batch}) also
20058 automatically disables confirmation requests.
20059
20060 @item set confirm on
20061 Enables confirmation requests (the default).
20062
20063 @kindex show confirm
20064 @item show confirm
20065 Displays state of confirmation requests.
20066
20067 @end table
20068
20069 @cindex command tracing
20070 If you need to debug user-defined commands or sourced files you may find it
20071 useful to enable @dfn{command tracing}. In this mode each command will be
20072 printed as it is executed, prefixed with one or more @samp{+} symbols, the
20073 quantity denoting the call depth of each command.
20074
20075 @table @code
20076 @kindex set trace-commands
20077 @cindex command scripts, debugging
20078 @item set trace-commands on
20079 Enable command tracing.
20080 @item set trace-commands off
20081 Disable command tracing.
20082 @item show trace-commands
20083 Display the current state of command tracing.
20084 @end table
20085
20086 @node Debugging Output
20087 @section Optional Messages about Internal Happenings
20088 @cindex optional debugging messages
20089
20090 @value{GDBN} has commands that enable optional debugging messages from
20091 various @value{GDBN} subsystems; normally these commands are of
20092 interest to @value{GDBN} maintainers, or when reporting a bug. This
20093 section documents those commands.
20094
20095 @table @code
20096 @kindex set exec-done-display
20097 @item set exec-done-display
20098 Turns on or off the notification of asynchronous commands'
20099 completion. When on, @value{GDBN} will print a message when an
20100 asynchronous command finishes its execution. The default is off.
20101 @kindex show exec-done-display
20102 @item show exec-done-display
20103 Displays the current setting of asynchronous command completion
20104 notification.
20105 @kindex set debug
20106 @cindex gdbarch debugging info
20107 @cindex architecture debugging info
20108 @item set debug arch
20109 Turns on or off display of gdbarch debugging info. The default is off
20110 @kindex show debug
20111 @item show debug arch
20112 Displays the current state of displaying gdbarch debugging info.
20113 @item set debug aix-thread
20114 @cindex AIX threads
20115 Display debugging messages about inner workings of the AIX thread
20116 module.
20117 @item show debug aix-thread
20118 Show the current state of AIX thread debugging info display.
20119 @item set debug check-physname
20120 @cindex physname
20121 Check the results of the ``physname'' computation. When reading DWARF
20122 debugging information for C@t{++}, @value{GDBN} attempts to compute
20123 each entity's name. @value{GDBN} can do this computation in two
20124 different ways, depending on exactly what information is present.
20125 When enabled, this setting causes @value{GDBN} to compute the names
20126 both ways and display any discrepancies.
20127 @item show debug check-physname
20128 Show the current state of ``physname'' checking.
20129 @item set debug dwarf2-die
20130 @cindex DWARF2 DIEs
20131 Dump DWARF2 DIEs after they are read in.
20132 The value is the number of nesting levels to print.
20133 A value of zero turns off the display.
20134 @item show debug dwarf2-die
20135 Show the current state of DWARF2 DIE debugging.
20136 @item set debug displaced
20137 @cindex displaced stepping debugging info
20138 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for the
20139 displaced stepping support. The default is off.
20140 @item show debug displaced
20141 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} debugging info
20142 related to displaced stepping.
20143 @item set debug event
20144 @cindex event debugging info
20145 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} event debugging info. The
20146 default is off.
20147 @item show debug event
20148 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} event debugging
20149 info.
20150 @item set debug expression
20151 @cindex expression debugging info
20152 Turns on or off display of debugging info about @value{GDBN}
20153 expression parsing. The default is off.
20154 @item show debug expression
20155 Displays the current state of displaying debugging info about
20156 @value{GDBN} expression parsing.
20157 @item set debug frame
20158 @cindex frame debugging info
20159 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} frame debugging info. The
20160 default is off.
20161 @item show debug frame
20162 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} frame debugging
20163 info.
20164 @item set debug gnu-nat
20165 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug messages
20166 Turns on or off debugging messages from the @sc{gnu}/Hurd debug support.
20167 @item show debug gnu-nat
20168 Show the current state of @sc{gnu}/Hurd debugging messages.
20169 @item set debug infrun
20170 @cindex inferior debugging info
20171 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} debugging info for running the inferior.
20172 The default is off. @file{infrun.c} contains GDB's runtime state machine used
20173 for implementing operations such as single-stepping the inferior.
20174 @item show debug infrun
20175 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} inferior debugging.
20176 @item set debug jit
20177 @cindex just-in-time compilation, debugging messages
20178 Turns on or off debugging messages from JIT debug support.
20179 @item show debug jit
20180 Displays the current state of @value{GDBN} JIT debugging.
20181 @item set debug lin-lwp
20182 @cindex @sc{gnu}/Linux LWP debug messages
20183 @cindex Linux lightweight processes
20184 Turns on or off debugging messages from the Linux LWP debug support.
20185 @item show debug lin-lwp
20186 Show the current state of Linux LWP debugging messages.
20187 @item set debug observer
20188 @cindex observer debugging info
20189 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} observer debugging. This
20190 includes info such as the notification of observable events.
20191 @item show debug observer
20192 Displays the current state of observer debugging.
20193 @item set debug overload
20194 @cindex C@t{++} overload debugging info
20195 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload debugging
20196 info. This includes info such as ranking of functions, etc. The default
20197 is off.
20198 @item show debug overload
20199 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} C@t{++} overload
20200 debugging info.
20201 @cindex expression parser, debugging info
20202 @cindex debug expression parser
20203 @item set debug parser
20204 Turns on or off the display of expression parser debugging output.
20205 Internally, this sets the @code{yydebug} variable in the expression
20206 parser. @xref{Tracing, , Tracing Your Parser, bison, Bison}, for
20207 details. The default is off.
20208 @item show debug parser
20209 Show the current state of expression parser debugging.
20210 @cindex packets, reporting on stdout
20211 @cindex serial connections, debugging
20212 @cindex debug remote protocol
20213 @cindex remote protocol debugging
20214 @cindex display remote packets
20215 @item set debug remote
20216 Turns on or off display of reports on all packets sent back and forth across
20217 the serial line to the remote machine. The info is printed on the
20218 @value{GDBN} standard output stream. The default is off.
20219 @item show debug remote
20220 Displays the state of display of remote packets.
20221 @item set debug serial
20222 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} serial debugging info. The
20223 default is off.
20224 @item show debug serial
20225 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} serial debugging
20226 info.
20227 @item set debug solib-frv
20228 @cindex FR-V shared-library debugging
20229 Turns on or off debugging messages for FR-V shared-library code.
20230 @item show debug solib-frv
20231 Display the current state of FR-V shared-library code debugging
20232 messages.
20233 @item set debug target
20234 @cindex target debugging info
20235 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} target debugging info. This info
20236 includes what is going on at the target level of GDB, as it happens. The
20237 default is 0. Set it to 1 to track events, and to 2 to also track the
20238 value of large memory transfers. Changes to this flag do not take effect
20239 until the next time you connect to a target or use the @code{run} command.
20240 @item show debug target
20241 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} target debugging
20242 info.
20243 @item set debug timestamp
20244 @cindex timestampping debugging info
20245 Turns on or off display of timestamps with @value{GDBN} debugging info.
20246 When enabled, seconds and microseconds are displayed before each debugging
20247 message.
20248 @item show debug timestamp
20249 Displays the current state of displaying timestamps with @value{GDBN}
20250 debugging info.
20251 @item set debugvarobj
20252 @cindex variable object debugging info
20253 Turns on or off display of @value{GDBN} variable object debugging
20254 info. The default is off.
20255 @item show debugvarobj
20256 Displays the current state of displaying @value{GDBN} variable object
20257 debugging info.
20258 @item set debug xml
20259 @cindex XML parser debugging
20260 Turns on or off debugging messages for built-in XML parsers.
20261 @item show debug xml
20262 Displays the current state of XML debugging messages.
20263 @end table
20264
20265 @node Other Misc Settings
20266 @section Other Miscellaneous Settings
20267 @cindex miscellaneous settings
20268
20269 @table @code
20270 @kindex set interactive-mode
20271 @item set interactive-mode
20272 If @code{on}, forces @value{GDBN} to assume that GDB was started
20273 in a terminal. In practice, this means that @value{GDBN} should wait
20274 for the user to answer queries generated by commands entered at
20275 the command prompt. If @code{off}, forces @value{GDBN} to operate
20276 in the opposite mode, and it uses the default answers to all queries.
20277 If @code{auto} (the default), @value{GDBN} tries to determine whether
20278 its standard input is a terminal, and works in interactive-mode if it
20279 is, non-interactively otherwise.
20280
20281 In the vast majority of cases, the debugger should be able to guess
20282 correctly which mode should be used. But this setting can be useful
20283 in certain specific cases, such as running a MinGW @value{GDBN}
20284 inside a cygwin window.
20285
20286 @kindex show interactive-mode
20287 @item show interactive-mode
20288 Displays whether the debugger is operating in interactive mode or not.
20289 @end table
20290
20291 @node Extending GDB
20292 @chapter Extending @value{GDBN}
20293 @cindex extending GDB
20294
20295 @value{GDBN} provides two mechanisms for extension. The first is based
20296 on composition of @value{GDBN} commands, and the second is based on the
20297 Python scripting language.
20298
20299 To facilitate the use of these extensions, @value{GDBN} is capable
20300 of evaluating the contents of a file. When doing so, @value{GDBN}
20301 can recognize which scripting language is being used by looking at
20302 the filename extension. Files with an unrecognized filename extension
20303 are always treated as a @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20304 @xref{Command Files,, Command files}.
20305
20306 You can control how @value{GDBN} evaluates these files with the following
20307 setting:
20308
20309 @table @code
20310 @kindex set script-extension
20311 @kindex show script-extension
20312 @item set script-extension off
20313 All scripts are always evaluated as @value{GDBN} Command Files.
20314
20315 @item set script-extension soft
20316 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20317 extension. If this scripting language is supported, @value{GDBN}
20318 evaluates the script using that language. Otherwise, it evaluates
20319 the file as a @value{GDBN} Command File.
20320
20321 @item set script-extension strict
20322 The debugger determines the scripting language based on filename
20323 extension, and evaluates the script using that language. If the
20324 language is not supported, then the evaluation fails.
20325
20326 @item show script-extension
20327 Display the current value of the @code{script-extension} option.
20328
20329 @end table
20330
20331 @menu
20332 * Sequences:: Canned Sequences of Commands
20333 * Python:: Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20334 @end menu
20335
20336 @node Sequences
20337 @section Canned Sequences of Commands
20338
20339 Aside from breakpoint commands (@pxref{Break Commands, ,Breakpoint
20340 Command Lists}), @value{GDBN} provides two ways to store sequences of
20341 commands for execution as a unit: user-defined commands and command
20342 files.
20343
20344 @menu
20345 * Define:: How to define your own commands
20346 * Hooks:: Hooks for user-defined commands
20347 * Command Files:: How to write scripts of commands to be stored in a file
20348 * Output:: Commands for controlled output
20349 @end menu
20350
20351 @node Define
20352 @subsection User-defined Commands
20353
20354 @cindex user-defined command
20355 @cindex arguments, to user-defined commands
20356 A @dfn{user-defined command} is a sequence of @value{GDBN} commands to
20357 which you assign a new name as a command. This is done with the
20358 @code{define} command. User commands may accept up to 10 arguments
20359 separated by whitespace. Arguments are accessed within the user command
20360 via @code{$arg0@dots{}$arg9}. A trivial example:
20361
20362 @smallexample
20363 define adder
20364 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20365 end
20366 @end smallexample
20367
20368 @noindent
20369 To execute the command use:
20370
20371 @smallexample
20372 adder 1 2 3
20373 @end smallexample
20374
20375 @noindent
20376 This defines the command @code{adder}, which prints the sum of
20377 its three arguments. Note the arguments are text substitutions, so they may
20378 reference variables, use complex expressions, or even perform inferior
20379 functions calls.
20380
20381 @cindex argument count in user-defined commands
20382 @cindex how many arguments (user-defined commands)
20383 In addition, @code{$argc} may be used to find out how many arguments have
20384 been passed. This expands to a number in the range 0@dots{}10.
20385
20386 @smallexample
20387 define adder
20388 if $argc == 2
20389 print $arg0 + $arg1
20390 end
20391 if $argc == 3
20392 print $arg0 + $arg1 + $arg2
20393 end
20394 end
20395 @end smallexample
20396
20397 @table @code
20398
20399 @kindex define
20400 @item define @var{commandname}
20401 Define a command named @var{commandname}. If there is already a command
20402 by that name, you are asked to confirm that you want to redefine it.
20403 @var{commandname} may be a bare command name consisting of letters,
20404 numbers, dashes, and underscores. It may also start with any predefined
20405 prefix command. For example, @samp{define target my-target} creates
20406 a user-defined @samp{target my-target} command.
20407
20408 The definition of the command is made up of other @value{GDBN} command lines,
20409 which are given following the @code{define} command. The end of these
20410 commands is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20411
20412 @kindex document
20413 @kindex end@r{ (user-defined commands)}
20414 @item document @var{commandname}
20415 Document the user-defined command @var{commandname}, so that it can be
20416 accessed by @code{help}. The command @var{commandname} must already be
20417 defined. This command reads lines of documentation just as @code{define}
20418 reads the lines of the command definition, ending with @code{end}.
20419 After the @code{document} command is finished, @code{help} on command
20420 @var{commandname} displays the documentation you have written.
20421
20422 You may use the @code{document} command again to change the
20423 documentation of a command. Redefining the command with @code{define}
20424 does not change the documentation.
20425
20426 @kindex dont-repeat
20427 @cindex don't repeat command
20428 @item dont-repeat
20429 Used inside a user-defined command, this tells @value{GDBN} that this
20430 command should not be repeated when the user hits @key{RET}
20431 (@pxref{Command Syntax, repeat last command}).
20432
20433 @kindex help user-defined
20434 @item help user-defined
20435 List all user-defined commands, with the first line of the documentation
20436 (if any) for each.
20437
20438 @kindex show user
20439 @item show user
20440 @itemx show user @var{commandname}
20441 Display the @value{GDBN} commands used to define @var{commandname} (but
20442 not its documentation). If no @var{commandname} is given, display the
20443 definitions for all user-defined commands.
20444
20445 @cindex infinite recursion in user-defined commands
20446 @kindex show max-user-call-depth
20447 @kindex set max-user-call-depth
20448 @item show max-user-call-depth
20449 @itemx set max-user-call-depth
20450 The value of @code{max-user-call-depth} controls how many recursion
20451 levels are allowed in user-defined commands before @value{GDBN} suspects an
20452 infinite recursion and aborts the command.
20453 @end table
20454
20455 In addition to the above commands, user-defined commands frequently
20456 use control flow commands, described in @ref{Command Files}.
20457
20458 When user-defined commands are executed, the
20459 commands of the definition are not printed. An error in any command
20460 stops execution of the user-defined command.
20461
20462 If used interactively, commands that would ask for confirmation proceed
20463 without asking when used inside a user-defined command. Many @value{GDBN}
20464 commands that normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the
20465 messages when used in a user-defined command.
20466
20467 @node Hooks
20468 @subsection User-defined Command Hooks
20469 @cindex command hooks
20470 @cindex hooks, for commands
20471 @cindex hooks, pre-command
20472
20473 @kindex hook
20474 You may define @dfn{hooks}, which are a special kind of user-defined
20475 command. Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined
20476 command @samp{hook-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments)
20477 before that command.
20478
20479 @cindex hooks, post-command
20480 @kindex hookpost
20481 A hook may also be defined which is run after the command you executed.
20482 Whenever you run the command @samp{foo}, if the user-defined command
20483 @samp{hookpost-foo} exists, it is executed (with no arguments) after
20484 that command. Post-execution hooks may exist simultaneously with
20485 pre-execution hooks, for the same command.
20486
20487 It is valid for a hook to call the command which it hooks. If this
20488 occurs, the hook is not re-executed, thereby avoiding infinite recursion.
20489
20490 @c It would be nice if hookpost could be passed a parameter indicating
20491 @c if the command it hooks executed properly or not. FIXME!
20492
20493 @kindex stop@r{, a pseudo-command}
20494 In addition, a pseudo-command, @samp{stop} exists. Defining
20495 (@samp{hook-stop}) makes the associated commands execute every time
20496 execution stops in your program: before breakpoint commands are run,
20497 displays are printed, or the stack frame is printed.
20498
20499 For example, to ignore @code{SIGALRM} signals while
20500 single-stepping, but treat them normally during normal execution,
20501 you could define:
20502
20503 @smallexample
20504 define hook-stop
20505 handle SIGALRM nopass
20506 end
20507
20508 define hook-run
20509 handle SIGALRM pass
20510 end
20511
20512 define hook-continue
20513 handle SIGALRM pass
20514 end
20515 @end smallexample
20516
20517 As a further example, to hook at the beginning and end of the @code{echo}
20518 command, and to add extra text to the beginning and end of the message,
20519 you could define:
20520
20521 @smallexample
20522 define hook-echo
20523 echo <<<---
20524 end
20525
20526 define hookpost-echo
20527 echo --->>>\n
20528 end
20529
20530 (@value{GDBP}) echo Hello World
20531 <<<---Hello World--->>>
20532 (@value{GDBP})
20533
20534 @end smallexample
20535
20536 You can define a hook for any single-word command in @value{GDBN}, but
20537 not for command aliases; you should define a hook for the basic command
20538 name, e.g.@: @code{backtrace} rather than @code{bt}.
20539 @c FIXME! So how does Joe User discover whether a command is an alias
20540 @c or not?
20541 You can hook a multi-word command by adding @code{hook-} or
20542 @code{hookpost-} to the last word of the command, e.g.@:
20543 @samp{define target hook-remote} to add a hook to @samp{target remote}.
20544
20545 If an error occurs during the execution of your hook, execution of
20546 @value{GDBN} commands stops and @value{GDBN} issues a prompt
20547 (before the command that you actually typed had a chance to run).
20548
20549 If you try to define a hook which does not match any known command, you
20550 get a warning from the @code{define} command.
20551
20552 @node Command Files
20553 @subsection Command Files
20554
20555 @cindex command files
20556 @cindex scripting commands
20557 A command file for @value{GDBN} is a text file made of lines that are
20558 @value{GDBN} commands. Comments (lines starting with @kbd{#}) may
20559 also be included. An empty line in a command file does nothing; it
20560 does not mean to repeat the last command, as it would from the
20561 terminal.
20562
20563 You can request the execution of a command file with the @code{source}
20564 command. Note that the @code{source} command is also used to evaluate
20565 scripts that are not Command Files. The exact behavior can be configured
20566 using the @code{script-extension} setting.
20567 @xref{Extending GDB,, Extending GDB}.
20568
20569 @table @code
20570 @kindex source
20571 @cindex execute commands from a file
20572 @item source [-s] [-v] @var{filename}
20573 Execute the command file @var{filename}.
20574 @end table
20575
20576 The lines in a command file are generally executed sequentially,
20577 unless the order of execution is changed by one of the
20578 @emph{flow-control commands} described below. The commands are not
20579 printed as they are executed. An error in any command terminates
20580 execution of the command file and control is returned to the console.
20581
20582 @value{GDBN} first searches for @var{filename} in the current directory.
20583 If the file is not found there, and @var{filename} does not specify a
20584 directory, then @value{GDBN} also looks for the file on the source search path
20585 (specified with the @samp{directory} command);
20586 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched because the compilation directory
20587 is not relevant to scripts.
20588
20589 If @code{-s} is specified, then @value{GDBN} searches for @var{filename}
20590 on the search path even if @var{filename} specifies a directory.
20591 The search is done by appending @var{filename} to each element of the
20592 search path. So, for example, if @var{filename} is @file{mylib/myscript}
20593 and the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20594 look for the script @file{/home/user/mylib/myscript}.
20595 The search is also done if @var{filename} is an absolute path.
20596 For example, if @var{filename} is @file{/tmp/myscript} and
20597 the search path contains @file{/home/user} then @value{GDBN} will
20598 look for the script @file{/home/user/tmp/myscript}.
20599 For DOS-like systems, if @var{filename} contains a drive specification,
20600 it is stripped before concatenation. For example, if @var{filename} is
20601 @file{d:myscript} and the search path contains @file{c:/tmp} then @value{GDBN}
20602 will look for the script @file{c:/tmp/myscript}.
20603
20604 If @code{-v}, for verbose mode, is given then @value{GDBN} displays
20605 each command as it is executed. The option must be given before
20606 @var{filename}, and is interpreted as part of the filename anywhere else.
20607
20608 Commands that would ask for confirmation if used interactively proceed
20609 without asking when used in a command file. Many @value{GDBN} commands that
20610 normally print messages to say what they are doing omit the messages
20611 when called from command files.
20612
20613 @value{GDBN} also accepts command input from standard input. In this
20614 mode, normal output goes to standard output and error output goes to
20615 standard error. Errors in a command file supplied on standard input do
20616 not terminate execution of the command file---execution continues with
20617 the next command.
20618
20619 @smallexample
20620 gdb < cmds > log 2>&1
20621 @end smallexample
20622
20623 (The syntax above will vary depending on the shell used.) This example
20624 will execute commands from the file @file{cmds}. All output and errors
20625 would be directed to @file{log}.
20626
20627 Since commands stored on command files tend to be more general than
20628 commands typed interactively, they frequently need to deal with
20629 complicated situations, such as different or unexpected values of
20630 variables and symbols, changes in how the program being debugged is
20631 built, etc. @value{GDBN} provides a set of flow-control commands to
20632 deal with these complexities. Using these commands, you can write
20633 complex scripts that loop over data structures, execute commands
20634 conditionally, etc.
20635
20636 @table @code
20637 @kindex if
20638 @kindex else
20639 @item if
20640 @itemx else
20641 This command allows to include in your script conditionally executed
20642 commands. The @code{if} command takes a single argument, which is an
20643 expression to evaluate. It is followed by a series of commands that
20644 are executed only if the expression is true (its value is nonzero).
20645 There can then optionally be an @code{else} line, followed by a series
20646 of commands that are only executed if the expression was false. The
20647 end of the list is marked by a line containing @code{end}.
20648
20649 @kindex while
20650 @item while
20651 This command allows to write loops. Its syntax is similar to
20652 @code{if}: the command takes a single argument, which is an expression
20653 to evaluate, and must be followed by the commands to execute, one per
20654 line, terminated by an @code{end}. These commands are called the
20655 @dfn{body} of the loop. The commands in the body of @code{while} are
20656 executed repeatedly as long as the expression evaluates to true.
20657
20658 @kindex loop_break
20659 @item loop_break
20660 This command exits the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included.
20661 Execution of the script continues after that @code{while}s @code{end}
20662 line.
20663
20664 @kindex loop_continue
20665 @item loop_continue
20666 This command skips the execution of the rest of the body of commands
20667 in the @code{while} loop in whose body it is included. Execution
20668 branches to the beginning of the @code{while} loop, where it evaluates
20669 the controlling expression.
20670
20671 @kindex end@r{ (if/else/while commands)}
20672 @item end
20673 Terminate the block of commands that are the body of @code{if},
20674 @code{else}, or @code{while} flow-control commands.
20675 @end table
20676
20677
20678 @node Output
20679 @subsection Commands for Controlled Output
20680
20681 During the execution of a command file or a user-defined command, normal
20682 @value{GDBN} output is suppressed; the only output that appears is what is
20683 explicitly printed by the commands in the definition. This section
20684 describes three commands useful for generating exactly the output you
20685 want.
20686
20687 @table @code
20688 @kindex echo
20689 @item echo @var{text}
20690 @c I do not consider backslash-space a standard C escape sequence
20691 @c because it is not in ANSI.
20692 Print @var{text}. Nonprinting characters can be included in
20693 @var{text} using C escape sequences, such as @samp{\n} to print a
20694 newline. @strong{No newline is printed unless you specify one.}
20695 In addition to the standard C escape sequences, a backslash followed
20696 by a space stands for a space. This is useful for displaying a
20697 string with spaces at the beginning or the end, since leading and
20698 trailing spaces are otherwise trimmed from all arguments.
20699 To print @samp{@w{ }and foo =@w{ }}, use the command
20700 @samp{echo \@w{ }and foo = \@w{ }}.
20701
20702 A backslash at the end of @var{text} can be used, as in C, to continue
20703 the command onto subsequent lines. For example,
20704
20705 @smallexample
20706 echo This is some text\n\
20707 which is continued\n\
20708 onto several lines.\n
20709 @end smallexample
20710
20711 produces the same output as
20712
20713 @smallexample
20714 echo This is some text\n
20715 echo which is continued\n
20716 echo onto several lines.\n
20717 @end smallexample
20718
20719 @kindex output
20720 @item output @var{expression}
20721 Print the value of @var{expression} and nothing but that value: no
20722 newlines, no @samp{$@var{nn} = }. The value is not entered in the
20723 value history either. @xref{Expressions, ,Expressions}, for more information
20724 on expressions.
20725
20726 @item output/@var{fmt} @var{expression}
20727 Print the value of @var{expression} in format @var{fmt}. You can use
20728 the same formats as for @code{print}. @xref{Output Formats,,Output
20729 Formats}, for more information.
20730
20731 @kindex printf
20732 @item printf @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20733 Print the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20734 the string @var{template}. To print several values, make
20735 @var{expressions} be a comma-separated list of individual expressions,
20736 which may be either numbers or pointers. Their values are printed as
20737 specified by @var{template}, exactly as a C program would do by
20738 executing the code below:
20739
20740 @smallexample
20741 printf (@var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{});
20742 @end smallexample
20743
20744 As in @code{C} @code{printf}, ordinary characters in @var{template}
20745 are printed verbatim, while @dfn{conversion specification} introduced
20746 by the @samp{%} character cause subsequent @var{expressions} to be
20747 evaluated, their values converted and formatted according to type and
20748 style information encoded in the conversion specifications, and then
20749 printed.
20750
20751 For example, you can print two values in hex like this:
20752
20753 @smallexample
20754 printf "foo, bar-foo = 0x%x, 0x%x\n", foo, bar-foo
20755 @end smallexample
20756
20757 @code{printf} supports all the standard @code{C} conversion
20758 specifications, including the flags and modifiers between the @samp{%}
20759 character and the conversion letter, with the following exceptions:
20760
20761 @itemize @bullet
20762 @item
20763 The argument-ordering modifiers, such as @samp{2$}, are not supported.
20764
20765 @item
20766 The modifier @samp{*} is not supported for specifying precision or
20767 width.
20768
20769 @item
20770 The @samp{'} flag (for separation of digits into groups according to
20771 @code{LC_NUMERIC'}) is not supported.
20772
20773 @item
20774 The type modifiers @samp{hh}, @samp{j}, @samp{t}, and @samp{z} are not
20775 supported.
20776
20777 @item
20778 The conversion letter @samp{n} (as in @samp{%n}) is not supported.
20779
20780 @item
20781 The conversion letters @samp{a} and @samp{A} are not supported.
20782 @end itemize
20783
20784 @noindent
20785 Note that the @samp{ll} type modifier is supported only if the
20786 underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} supports
20787 the @code{long long int} type, and the @samp{L} type modifier is
20788 supported only if @code{long double} type is available.
20789
20790 As in @code{C}, @code{printf} supports simple backslash-escape
20791 sequences, such as @code{\n}, @samp{\t}, @samp{\\}, @samp{\"},
20792 @samp{\a}, and @samp{\f}, that consist of backslash followed by a
20793 single character. Octal and hexadecimal escape sequences are not
20794 supported.
20795
20796 Additionally, @code{printf} supports conversion specifications for DFP
20797 (@dfn{Decimal Floating Point}) types using the following length modifiers
20798 together with a floating point specifier.
20799 letters:
20800
20801 @itemize @bullet
20802 @item
20803 @samp{H} for printing @code{Decimal32} types.
20804
20805 @item
20806 @samp{D} for printing @code{Decimal64} types.
20807
20808 @item
20809 @samp{DD} for printing @code{Decimal128} types.
20810 @end itemize
20811
20812 If the underlying @code{C} implementation used to build @value{GDBN} has
20813 support for the three length modifiers for DFP types, other modifiers
20814 such as width and precision will also be available for @value{GDBN} to use.
20815
20816 In case there is no such @code{C} support, no additional modifiers will be
20817 available and the value will be printed in the standard way.
20818
20819 Here's an example of printing DFP types using the above conversion letters:
20820 @smallexample
20821 printf "D32: %Hf - D64: %Df - D128: %DDf\n",1.2345df,1.2E10dd,1.2E1dl
20822 @end smallexample
20823
20824 @kindex eval
20825 @item eval @var{template}, @var{expressions}@dots{}
20826 Convert the values of one or more @var{expressions} under the control of
20827 the string @var{template} to a command line, and call it.
20828
20829 @end table
20830
20831 @node Python
20832 @section Scripting @value{GDBN} using Python
20833 @cindex python scripting
20834 @cindex scripting with python
20835
20836 You can script @value{GDBN} using the @uref{http://www.python.org/,
20837 Python programming language}. This feature is available only if
20838 @value{GDBN} was configured using @option{--with-python}.
20839
20840 @cindex python directory
20841 Python scripts used by @value{GDBN} should be installed in
20842 @file{@var{data-directory}/python}, where @var{data-directory} is
20843 the data directory as determined at @value{GDBN} startup (@pxref{Data Files}).
20844 This directory, known as the @dfn{python directory},
20845 is automatically added to the Python Search Path in order to allow
20846 the Python interpreter to locate all scripts installed at this location.
20847
20848 Additionally, @value{GDBN} commands and convenience functions which
20849 are written in Python and are located in the
20850 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/command} or
20851 @file{@var{data-directory}/python/gdb/function} directories are
20852 automatically imported when @value{GDBN} starts.
20853
20854 @menu
20855 * Python Commands:: Accessing Python from @value{GDBN}.
20856 * Python API:: Accessing @value{GDBN} from Python.
20857 * Auto-loading:: Automatically loading Python code.
20858 * Python modules:: Python modules provided by @value{GDBN}.
20859 @end menu
20860
20861 @node Python Commands
20862 @subsection Python Commands
20863 @cindex python commands
20864 @cindex commands to access python
20865
20866 @value{GDBN} provides one command for accessing the Python interpreter,
20867 and one related setting:
20868
20869 @table @code
20870 @kindex python
20871 @item python @r{[}@var{code}@r{]}
20872 The @code{python} command can be used to evaluate Python code.
20873
20874 If given an argument, the @code{python} command will evaluate the
20875 argument as a Python command. For example:
20876
20877 @smallexample
20878 (@value{GDBP}) python print 23
20879 23
20880 @end smallexample
20881
20882 If you do not provide an argument to @code{python}, it will act as a
20883 multi-line command, like @code{define}. In this case, the Python
20884 script is made up of subsequent command lines, given after the
20885 @code{python} command. This command list is terminated using a line
20886 containing @code{end}. For example:
20887
20888 @smallexample
20889 (@value{GDBP}) python
20890 Type python script
20891 End with a line saying just "end".
20892 >print 23
20893 >end
20894 23
20895 @end smallexample
20896
20897 @kindex maint set python print-stack
20898 @item maint set python print-stack
20899 This command is now deprecated. Instead use @code{set python
20900 print-stack}
20901
20902 @kindex set python print-stack
20903 @item set python print-stack
20904 By default, @value{GDBN} will not print a stack trace when an error
20905 occurs in a Python script. This can be controlled using @code{set
20906 python print-stack}: if @code{on}, then Python stack printing is
20907 enabled; if @code{off}, the default, then Python stack printing is
20908 disabled.
20909 @end table
20910
20911 It is also possible to execute a Python script from the @value{GDBN}
20912 interpreter:
20913
20914 @table @code
20915 @item source @file{script-name}
20916 The script name must end with @samp{.py} and @value{GDBN} must be configured
20917 to recognize the script language based on filename extension using
20918 the @code{script-extension} setting. @xref{Extending GDB, ,Extending GDB}.
20919
20920 @item python execfile ("script-name")
20921 This method is based on the @code{execfile} Python built-in function,
20922 and thus is always available.
20923 @end table
20924
20925 @node Python API
20926 @subsection Python API
20927 @cindex python api
20928 @cindex programming in python
20929
20930 @cindex python stdout
20931 @cindex python pagination
20932 At startup, @value{GDBN} overrides Python's @code{sys.stdout} and
20933 @code{sys.stderr} to print using @value{GDBN}'s output-paging streams.
20934 A Python program which outputs to one of these streams may have its
20935 output interrupted by the user (@pxref{Screen Size}). In this
20936 situation, a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception is thrown.
20937
20938 @menu
20939 * Basic Python:: Basic Python Functions.
20940 * Exception Handling:: How Python exceptions are translated.
20941 * Values From Inferior:: Python representation of values.
20942 * Types In Python:: Python representation of types.
20943 * Pretty Printing API:: Pretty-printing values.
20944 * Selecting Pretty-Printers:: How GDB chooses a pretty-printer.
20945 * Writing a Pretty-Printer:: Writing a Pretty-Printer.
20946 * Inferiors In Python:: Python representation of inferiors (processes)
20947 * Events In Python:: Listening for events from @value{GDBN}.
20948 * Threads In Python:: Accessing inferior threads from Python.
20949 * Commands In Python:: Implementing new commands in Python.
20950 * Parameters In Python:: Adding new @value{GDBN} parameters.
20951 * Functions In Python:: Writing new convenience functions.
20952 * Progspaces In Python:: Program spaces.
20953 * Objfiles In Python:: Object files.
20954 * Frames In Python:: Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
20955 * Blocks In Python:: Accessing frame blocks from Python.
20956 * Symbols In Python:: Python representation of symbols.
20957 * Symbol Tables In Python:: Python representation of symbol tables.
20958 * Lazy Strings In Python:: Python representation of lazy strings.
20959 * Breakpoints In Python:: Manipulating breakpoints using Python.
20960 @end menu
20961
20962 @node Basic Python
20963 @subsubsection Basic Python
20964
20965 @cindex python functions
20966 @cindex python module
20967 @cindex gdb module
20968 @value{GDBN} introduces a new Python module, named @code{gdb}. All
20969 methods and classes added by @value{GDBN} are placed in this module.
20970 @value{GDBN} automatically @code{import}s the @code{gdb} module for
20971 use in all scripts evaluated by the @code{python} command.
20972
20973 @findex gdb.PYTHONDIR
20974 @defvar PYTHONDIR
20975 A string containing the python directory (@pxref{Python}).
20976 @end defvar
20977
20978 @findex gdb.execute
20979 @defun execute command [from_tty] [to_string]
20980 Evaluate @var{command}, a string, as a @value{GDBN} CLI command.
20981 If a GDB exception happens while @var{command} runs, it is
20982 translated as described in @ref{Exception Handling,,Exception Handling}.
20983
20984 @var{from_tty} specifies whether @value{GDBN} ought to consider this
20985 command as having originated from the user invoking it interactively.
20986 It must be a boolean value. If omitted, it defaults to @code{False}.
20987
20988 By default, any output produced by @var{command} is sent to
20989 @value{GDBN}'s standard output. If the @var{to_string} parameter is
20990 @code{True}, then output will be collected by @code{gdb.execute} and
20991 returned as a string. The default is @code{False}, in which case the
20992 return value is @code{None}. If @var{to_string} is @code{True}, the
20993 @value{GDBN} virtual terminal will be temporarily set to unlimited width
20994 and height, and its pagination will be disabled; @pxref{Screen Size}.
20995 @end defun
20996
20997 @findex gdb.breakpoints
20998 @defun breakpoints
20999 Return a sequence holding all of @value{GDBN}'s breakpoints.
21000 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for more information.
21001 @end defun
21002
21003 @findex gdb.parameter
21004 @defun parameter parameter
21005 Return the value of a @value{GDBN} parameter. @var{parameter} is a
21006 string naming the parameter to look up; @var{parameter} may contain
21007 spaces if the parameter has a multi-part name. For example,
21008 @samp{print object} is a valid parameter name.
21009
21010 If the named parameter does not exist, this function throws a
21011 @code{gdb.error} (@pxref{Exception Handling}). Otherwise, the
21012 parameter's value is converted to a Python value of the appropriate
21013 type, and returned.
21014 @end defun
21015
21016 @findex gdb.history
21017 @defun history number
21018 Return a value from @value{GDBN}'s value history (@pxref{Value
21019 History}). @var{number} indicates which history element to return.
21020 If @var{number} is negative, then @value{GDBN} will take its absolute value
21021 and count backward from the last element (i.e., the most recent element) to
21022 find the value to return. If @var{number} is zero, then @value{GDBN} will
21023 return the most recent element. If the element specified by @var{number}
21024 doesn't exist in the value history, a @code{gdb.error} exception will be
21025 raised.
21026
21027 If no exception is raised, the return value is always an instance of
21028 @code{gdb.Value} (@pxref{Values From Inferior}).
21029 @end defun
21030
21031 @findex gdb.parse_and_eval
21032 @defun parse_and_eval expression
21033 Parse @var{expression} as an expression in the current language,
21034 evaluate it, and return the result as a @code{gdb.Value}.
21035 @var{expression} must be a string.
21036
21037 This function can be useful when implementing a new command
21038 (@pxref{Commands In Python}), as it provides a way to parse the
21039 command's argument as an expression. It is also useful simply to
21040 compute values, for example, it is the only way to get the value of a
21041 convenience variable (@pxref{Convenience Vars}) as a @code{gdb.Value}.
21042 @end defun
21043
21044 @findex gdb.post_event
21045 @defun post_event event
21046 Put @var{event}, a callable object taking no arguments, into
21047 @value{GDBN}'s internal event queue. This callable will be invoked at
21048 some later point, during @value{GDBN}'s event processing. Events
21049 posted using @code{post_event} will be run in the order in which they
21050 were posted; however, there is no way to know when they will be
21051 processed relative to other events inside @value{GDBN}.
21052
21053 @value{GDBN} is not thread-safe. If your Python program uses multiple
21054 threads, you must be careful to only call @value{GDBN}-specific
21055 functions in the main @value{GDBN} thread. @code{post_event} ensures
21056 this. For example:
21057
21058 @smallexample
21059 (@value{GDBP}) python
21060 >import threading
21061 >
21062 >class Writer():
21063 > def __init__(self, message):
21064 > self.message = message;
21065 > def __call__(self):
21066 > gdb.write(self.message)
21067 >
21068 >class MyThread1 (threading.Thread):
21069 > def run (self):
21070 > gdb.post_event(Writer("Hello "))
21071 >
21072 >class MyThread2 (threading.Thread):
21073 > def run (self):
21074 > gdb.post_event(Writer("World\n"))
21075 >
21076 >MyThread1().start()
21077 >MyThread2().start()
21078 >end
21079 (@value{GDBP}) Hello World
21080 @end smallexample
21081 @end defun
21082
21083 @findex gdb.write
21084 @defun write string @r{[}stream{]}
21085 Print a string to @value{GDBN}'s paginated output stream. The
21086 optional @var{stream} determines the stream to print to. The default
21087 stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible stream
21088 values are:
21089
21090 @table @code
21091 @findex STDOUT
21092 @findex gdb.STDOUT
21093 @item STDOUT
21094 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
21095
21096 @findex STDERR
21097 @findex gdb.STDERR
21098 @item STDERR
21099 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
21100
21101 @findex STDLOG
21102 @findex gdb.STDLOG
21103 @item STDLOG
21104 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
21105 @end table
21106
21107 Writing to @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
21108 call this function and will automatically direct the output to the
21109 relevant stream.
21110 @end defun
21111
21112 @findex gdb.flush
21113 @defun flush
21114 Flush the buffer of a @value{GDBN} paginated stream so that the
21115 contents are displayed immediately. @value{GDBN} will flush the
21116 contents of a stream automatically when it encounters a newline in the
21117 buffer. The optional @var{stream} determines the stream to flush. The
21118 default stream is @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream. Possible
21119 stream values are:
21120
21121 @table @code
21122 @findex STDOUT
21123 @findex gdb.STDOUT
21124 @item STDOUT
21125 @value{GDBN}'s standard output stream.
21126
21127 @findex STDERR
21128 @findex gdb.STDERR
21129 @item STDERR
21130 @value{GDBN}'s standard error stream.
21131
21132 @findex STDLOG
21133 @findex gdb.STDLOG
21134 @item STDLOG
21135 @value{GDBN}'s log stream (@pxref{Logging Output}).
21136
21137 @end table
21138
21139 Flushing @code{sys.stdout} or @code{sys.stderr} will automatically
21140 call this function for the relevant stream.
21141 @end defun
21142
21143 @findex gdb.target_charset
21144 @defun target_charset
21145 Return the name of the current target character set (@pxref{Character
21146 Sets}). This differs from @code{gdb.parameter('target-charset')} in
21147 that @samp{auto} is never returned.
21148 @end defun
21149
21150 @findex gdb.target_wide_charset
21151 @defun target_wide_charset
21152 Return the name of the current target wide character set
21153 (@pxref{Character Sets}). This differs from
21154 @code{gdb.parameter('target-wide-charset')} in that @samp{auto} is
21155 never returned.
21156 @end defun
21157
21158 @findex gdb.solib_name
21159 @defun solib_name address
21160 Return the name of the shared library holding the given @var{address}
21161 as a string, or @code{None}.
21162 @end defun
21163
21164 @findex gdb.decode_line
21165 @defun decode_line @r{[}expression@r{]}
21166 Return locations of the line specified by @var{expression}, or of the
21167 current line if no argument was given. This function returns a Python
21168 tuple containing two elements. The first element contains a string
21169 holding any unparsed section of @var{expression} (or @code{None} if
21170 the expression has been fully parsed). The second element contains
21171 either @code{None} or another tuple that contains all the locations
21172 that match the expression represented as @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line}
21173 objects (@pxref{Symbol Tables In Python}). If @var{expression} is
21174 provided, it is decoded the way that @value{GDBN}'s inbuilt
21175 @code{break} or @code{edit} commands do (@pxref{Specify Location}).
21176 @end defun
21177
21178 @defop Operation {@value{GDBN}} prompt_hook current_prompt
21179 If @var{prompt_hook} is callable, @value{GDBN} will call the method
21180 assigned to this operation before a prompt is displayed by
21181 @value{GDBN}.
21182
21183 The parameter @code{current_prompt} contains the current @value{GDBN}
21184 prompt. This method must return a Python string, or @code{None}. If
21185 a string is returned, the @value{GDBN} prompt will be set to that
21186 string. If @code{None} is returned, @value{GDBN} will continue to use
21187 the current prompt.
21188
21189 Some prompts cannot be substituted in @value{GDBN}. Secondary prompts
21190 such as those used by readline for command input, and annotation
21191 related prompts are prohibited from being changed.
21192 @end defop
21193
21194 @node Exception Handling
21195 @subsubsection Exception Handling
21196 @cindex python exceptions
21197 @cindex exceptions, python
21198
21199 When executing the @code{python} command, Python exceptions
21200 uncaught within the Python code are translated to calls to
21201 @value{GDBN} error-reporting mechanism. If the command that called
21202 @code{python} does not handle the error, @value{GDBN} will
21203 terminate it and print an error message containing the Python
21204 exception name, the associated value, and the Python call stack
21205 backtrace at the point where the exception was raised. Example:
21206
21207 @smallexample
21208 (@value{GDBP}) python print foo
21209 Traceback (most recent call last):
21210 File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
21211 NameError: name 'foo' is not defined
21212 @end smallexample
21213
21214 @value{GDBN} errors that happen in @value{GDBN} commands invoked by
21215 Python code are converted to Python exceptions. The type of the
21216 Python exception depends on the error.
21217
21218 @ftable @code
21219 @item gdb.error
21220 This is the base class for most exceptions generated by @value{GDBN}.
21221 It is derived from @code{RuntimeError}, for compatibility with earlier
21222 versions of @value{GDBN}.
21223
21224 If an error occurring in @value{GDBN} does not fit into some more
21225 specific category, then the generated exception will have this type.
21226
21227 @item gdb.MemoryError
21228 This is a subclass of @code{gdb.error} which is thrown when an
21229 operation tried to access invalid memory in the inferior.
21230
21231 @item KeyboardInterrupt
21232 User interrupt (via @kbd{C-c} or by typing @kbd{q} at a pagination
21233 prompt) is translated to a Python @code{KeyboardInterrupt} exception.
21234 @end ftable
21235
21236 In all cases, your exception handler will see the @value{GDBN} error
21237 message as its value and the Python call stack backtrace at the Python
21238 statement closest to where the @value{GDBN} error occured as the
21239 traceback.
21240
21241 @findex gdb.GdbError
21242 When implementing @value{GDBN} commands in Python via @code{gdb.Command},
21243 it is useful to be able to throw an exception that doesn't cause a
21244 traceback to be printed. For example, the user may have invoked the
21245 command incorrectly. Use the @code{gdb.GdbError} exception
21246 to handle this case. Example:
21247
21248 @smallexample
21249 (gdb) python
21250 >class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
21251 > """Greet the whole world."""
21252 > def __init__ (self):
21253 > super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
21254 > def invoke (self, args, from_tty):
21255 > argv = gdb.string_to_argv (args)
21256 > if len (argv) != 0:
21257 > raise gdb.GdbError ("hello-world takes no arguments")
21258 > print "Hello, World!"
21259 >HelloWorld ()
21260 >end
21261 (gdb) hello-world 42
21262 hello-world takes no arguments
21263 @end smallexample
21264
21265 @node Values From Inferior
21266 @subsubsection Values From Inferior
21267 @cindex values from inferior, with Python
21268 @cindex python, working with values from inferior
21269
21270 @cindex @code{gdb.Value}
21271 @value{GDBN} provides values it obtains from the inferior program in
21272 an object of type @code{gdb.Value}. @value{GDBN} uses this object
21273 for its internal bookkeeping of the inferior's values, and for
21274 fetching values when necessary.
21275
21276 Inferior values that are simple scalars can be used directly in
21277 Python expressions that are valid for the value's data type. Here's
21278 an example for an integer or floating-point value @code{some_val}:
21279
21280 @smallexample
21281 bar = some_val + 2
21282 @end smallexample
21283
21284 @noindent
21285 As result of this, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object
21286 whose values are of the same type as those of @code{some_val}.
21287
21288 Inferior values that are structures or instances of some class can
21289 be accessed using the Python @dfn{dictionary syntax}. For example, if
21290 @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance holding a structure, you
21291 can access its @code{foo} element with:
21292
21293 @smallexample
21294 bar = some_val['foo']
21295 @end smallexample
21296
21297 Again, @code{bar} will also be a @code{gdb.Value} object.
21298
21299 A @code{gdb.Value} that represents a function can be executed via
21300 inferior function call. Any arguments provided to the call must match
21301 the function's prototype, and must be provided in the order specified
21302 by that prototype.
21303
21304 For example, @code{some_val} is a @code{gdb.Value} instance
21305 representing a function that takes two integers as arguments. To
21306 execute this function, call it like so:
21307
21308 @smallexample
21309 result = some_val (10,20)
21310 @end smallexample
21311
21312 Any values returned from a function call will be stored as a
21313 @code{gdb.Value}.
21314
21315 The following attributes are provided:
21316
21317 @table @code
21318 @defivar Value address
21319 If this object is addressable, this read-only attribute holds a
21320 @code{gdb.Value} object representing the address. Otherwise,
21321 this attribute holds @code{None}.
21322 @end defivar
21323
21324 @cindex optimized out value in Python
21325 @defivar Value is_optimized_out
21326 This read-only boolean attribute is true if the compiler optimized out
21327 this value, thus it is not available for fetching from the inferior.
21328 @end defivar
21329
21330 @defivar Value type
21331 The type of this @code{gdb.Value}. The value of this attribute is a
21332 @code{gdb.Type} object (@pxref{Types In Python}).
21333 @end defivar
21334
21335 @defivar Value dynamic_type
21336 The dynamic type of this @code{gdb.Value}. This uses C@t{++} run-time
21337 type information (@acronym{RTTI}) to determine the dynamic type of the
21338 value. If this value is of class type, it will return the class in
21339 which the value is embedded, if any. If this value is of pointer or
21340 reference to a class type, it will compute the dynamic type of the
21341 referenced object, and return a pointer or reference to that type,
21342 respectively. In all other cases, it will return the value's static
21343 type.
21344
21345 Note that this feature will only work when debugging a C@t{++} program
21346 that includes @acronym{RTTI} for the object in question. Otherwise,
21347 it will just return the static type of the value as in @kbd{ptype foo}
21348 (@pxref{Symbols, ptype}).
21349 @end defivar
21350 @end table
21351
21352 The following methods are provided:
21353
21354 @table @code
21355 @defmethod Value __init__ @var{val}
21356 Many Python values can be converted directly to a @code{gdb.Value} via
21357 this object initializer. Specifically:
21358
21359 @table @asis
21360 @item Python boolean
21361 A Python boolean is converted to the boolean type from the current
21362 language.
21363
21364 @item Python integer
21365 A Python integer is converted to the C @code{long} type for the
21366 current architecture.
21367
21368 @item Python long
21369 A Python long is converted to the C @code{long long} type for the
21370 current architecture.
21371
21372 @item Python float
21373 A Python float is converted to the C @code{double} type for the
21374 current architecture.
21375
21376 @item Python string
21377 A Python string is converted to a target string, using the current
21378 target encoding.
21379
21380 @item @code{gdb.Value}
21381 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.Value}, then a copy of the value is made.
21382
21383 @item @code{gdb.LazyString}
21384 If @code{val} is a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings In
21385 Python}), then the lazy string's @code{value} method is called, and
21386 its result is used.
21387 @end table
21388 @end defmethod
21389
21390 @defmethod Value cast type
21391 Return a new instance of @code{gdb.Value} that is the result of
21392 casting this instance to the type described by @var{type}, which must
21393 be a @code{gdb.Type} object. If the cast cannot be performed for some
21394 reason, this method throws an exception.
21395 @end defmethod
21396
21397 @defmethod Value dereference
21398 For pointer data types, this method returns a new @code{gdb.Value} object
21399 whose contents is the object pointed to by the pointer. For example, if
21400 @code{foo} is a C pointer to an @code{int}, declared in your C program as
21401
21402 @smallexample
21403 int *foo;
21404 @end smallexample
21405
21406 @noindent
21407 then you can use the corresponding @code{gdb.Value} to access what
21408 @code{foo} points to like this:
21409
21410 @smallexample
21411 bar = foo.dereference ()
21412 @end smallexample
21413
21414 The result @code{bar} will be a @code{gdb.Value} object holding the
21415 value pointed to by @code{foo}.
21416 @end defmethod
21417
21418 @defmethod Value dynamic_cast type
21419 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{dynamic_cast}
21420 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21421 @end defmethod
21422
21423 @defmethod Value reinterpret_cast type
21424 Like @code{Value.cast}, but works as if the C@t{++} @code{reinterpret_cast}
21425 operator were used. Consult a C@t{++} reference for details.
21426 @end defmethod
21427
21428 @defmethod Value string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}errors@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21429 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21430 converts the contents to a Python string. Otherwise, this method will
21431 throw an exception.
21432
21433 Strings are recognized in a language-specific way; whether a given
21434 @code{gdb.Value} represents a string is determined by the current
21435 language.
21436
21437 For C-like languages, a value is a string if it is a pointer to or an
21438 array of characters or ints. The string is assumed to be terminated
21439 by a zero of the appropriate width. However if the optional length
21440 argument is given, the string will be converted to that given length,
21441 ignoring any embedded zeros that the string may contain.
21442
21443 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21444 naming the encoding of the string in the @code{gdb.Value}, such as
21445 @code{"ascii"}, @code{"iso-8859-6"} or @code{"utf-8"}. It accepts
21446 the same encodings as the corresponding argument to Python's
21447 @code{string.decode} method, and the Python codec machinery will be used
21448 to convert the string. If @var{encoding} is not given, or if
21449 @var{encoding} is the empty string, then either the @code{target-charset}
21450 (@pxref{Character Sets}) will be used, or a language-specific encoding
21451 will be used, if the current language is able to supply one.
21452
21453 The optional @var{errors} argument is the same as the corresponding
21454 argument to Python's @code{string.decode} method.
21455
21456 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21457 fetched and converted to the given length.
21458 @end defmethod
21459
21460 @defmethod Value lazy_string @r{[}encoding@r{]} @r{[}length@r{]}
21461 If this @code{gdb.Value} represents a string, then this method
21462 converts the contents to a @code{gdb.LazyString} (@pxref{Lazy Strings
21463 In Python}). Otherwise, this method will throw an exception.
21464
21465 If the optional @var{encoding} argument is given, it must be a string
21466 naming the encoding of the @code{gdb.LazyString}. Some examples are:
21467 @samp{ascii}, @samp{iso-8859-6} or @samp{utf-8}. If the
21468 @var{encoding} argument is an encoding that @value{GDBN} does
21469 recognize, @value{GDBN} will raise an error.
21470
21471 When a lazy string is printed, the @value{GDBN} encoding machinery is
21472 used to convert the string during printing. If the optional
21473 @var{encoding} argument is not provided, or is an empty string,
21474 @value{GDBN} will automatically select the encoding most suitable for
21475 the string type. For further information on encoding in @value{GDBN}
21476 please see @ref{Character Sets}.
21477
21478 If the optional @var{length} argument is given, the string will be
21479 fetched and encoded to the length of characters specified. If
21480 the @var{length} argument is not provided, the string will be fetched
21481 and encoded until a null of appropriate width is found.
21482 @end defmethod
21483 @end table
21484
21485 @node Types In Python
21486 @subsubsection Types In Python
21487 @cindex types in Python
21488 @cindex Python, working with types
21489
21490 @tindex gdb.Type
21491 @value{GDBN} represents types from the inferior using the class
21492 @code{gdb.Type}.
21493
21494 The following type-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
21495 module:
21496
21497 @findex gdb.lookup_type
21498 @defun lookup_type name [block]
21499 This function looks up a type by name. @var{name} is the name of the
21500 type to look up. It must be a string.
21501
21502 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21503 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21504
21505 Ordinarily, this function will return an instance of @code{gdb.Type}.
21506 If the named type cannot be found, it will throw an exception.
21507 @end defun
21508
21509 An instance of @code{Type} has the following attributes:
21510
21511 @table @code
21512 @defivar Type code
21513 The type code for this type. The type code will be one of the
21514 @code{TYPE_CODE_} constants defined below.
21515 @end defivar
21516
21517 @defivar Type sizeof
21518 The size of this type, in target @code{char} units. Usually, a
21519 target's @code{char} type will be an 8-bit byte. However, on some
21520 unusual platforms, this type may have a different size.
21521 @end defivar
21522
21523 @defivar Type tag
21524 The tag name for this type. The tag name is the name after
21525 @code{struct}, @code{union}, or @code{enum} in C and C@t{++}; not all
21526 languages have this concept. If this type has no tag name, then
21527 @code{None} is returned.
21528 @end defivar
21529 @end table
21530
21531 The following methods are provided:
21532
21533 @table @code
21534 @defmethod Type fields
21535 For structure and union types, this method returns the fields. Range
21536 types have two fields, the minimum and maximum values. Enum types
21537 have one field per enum constant. Function and method types have one
21538 field per parameter. The base types of C@t{++} classes are also
21539 represented as fields. If the type has no fields, or does not fit
21540 into one of these categories, an empty sequence will be returned.
21541
21542 Each field is an object, with some pre-defined attributes:
21543 @table @code
21544 @item bitpos
21545 This attribute is not available for @code{static} fields (as in
21546 C@t{++} or Java). For non-@code{static} fields, the value is the bit
21547 position of the field.
21548
21549 @item name
21550 The name of the field, or @code{None} for anonymous fields.
21551
21552 @item artificial
21553 This is @code{True} if the field is artificial, usually meaning that
21554 it was provided by the compiler and not the user. This attribute is
21555 always provided, and is @code{False} if the field is not artificial.
21556
21557 @item is_base_class
21558 This is @code{True} if the field represents a base class of a C@t{++}
21559 structure. This attribute is always provided, and is @code{False}
21560 if the field is not a base class of the type that is the argument of
21561 @code{fields}, or if that type was not a C@t{++} class.
21562
21563 @item bitsize
21564 If the field is packed, or is a bitfield, then this will have a
21565 non-zero value, which is the size of the field in bits. Otherwise,
21566 this will be zero; in this case the field's size is given by its type.
21567
21568 @item type
21569 The type of the field. This is usually an instance of @code{Type},
21570 but it can be @code{None} in some situations.
21571 @end table
21572 @end defmethod
21573
21574 @defmethod Type array @var{n1} @r{[}@var{n2}@r{]}
21575 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an array of this
21576 type. If one argument is given, it is the inclusive upper bound of
21577 the array; in this case the lower bound is zero. If two arguments are
21578 given, the first argument is the lower bound of the array, and the
21579 second argument is the upper bound of the array. An array's length
21580 must not be negative, but the bounds can be.
21581 @end defmethod
21582
21583 @defmethod Type const
21584 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21585 @code{const}-qualified variant of this type.
21586 @end defmethod
21587
21588 @defmethod Type volatile
21589 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a
21590 @code{volatile}-qualified variant of this type.
21591 @end defmethod
21592
21593 @defmethod Type unqualified
21594 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents an unqualified
21595 variant of this type. That is, the result is neither @code{const} nor
21596 @code{volatile}.
21597 @end defmethod
21598
21599 @defmethod Type range
21600 Return a Python @code{Tuple} object that contains two elements: the
21601 low bound of the argument type and the high bound of that type. If
21602 the type does not have a range, @value{GDBN} will raise a
21603 @code{gdb.error} exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
21604 @end defmethod
21605
21606 @defmethod Type reference
21607 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a reference to this
21608 type.
21609 @end defmethod
21610
21611 @defmethod Type pointer
21612 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents a pointer to this
21613 type.
21614 @end defmethod
21615
21616 @defmethod Type strip_typedefs
21617 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} that represents the real type,
21618 after removing all layers of typedefs.
21619 @end defmethod
21620
21621 @defmethod Type target
21622 Return a new @code{gdb.Type} object which represents the target type
21623 of this type.
21624
21625 For a pointer type, the target type is the type of the pointed-to
21626 object. For an array type (meaning C-like arrays), the target type is
21627 the type of the elements of the array. For a function or method type,
21628 the target type is the type of the return value. For a complex type,
21629 the target type is the type of the elements. For a typedef, the
21630 target type is the aliased type.
21631
21632 If the type does not have a target, this method will throw an
21633 exception.
21634 @end defmethod
21635
21636 @defmethod Type template_argument n [block]
21637 If this @code{gdb.Type} is an instantiation of a template, this will
21638 return a new @code{gdb.Type} which represents the type of the
21639 @var{n}th template argument.
21640
21641 If this @code{gdb.Type} is not a template type, this will throw an
21642 exception. Ordinarily, only C@t{++} code will have template types.
21643
21644 If @var{block} is given, then @var{name} is looked up in that scope.
21645 Otherwise, it is searched for globally.
21646 @end defmethod
21647 @end table
21648
21649
21650 Each type has a code, which indicates what category this type falls
21651 into. The available type categories are represented by constants
21652 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
21653
21654 @table @code
21655 @findex TYPE_CODE_PTR
21656 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_PTR
21657 @item TYPE_CODE_PTR
21658 The type is a pointer.
21659
21660 @findex TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21661 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21662 @item TYPE_CODE_ARRAY
21663 The type is an array.
21664
21665 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21666 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21667 @item TYPE_CODE_STRUCT
21668 The type is a structure.
21669
21670 @findex TYPE_CODE_UNION
21671 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_UNION
21672 @item TYPE_CODE_UNION
21673 The type is a union.
21674
21675 @findex TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21676 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21677 @item TYPE_CODE_ENUM
21678 The type is an enum.
21679
21680 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21681 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21682 @item TYPE_CODE_FLAGS
21683 A bit flags type, used for things such as status registers.
21684
21685 @findex TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21686 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21687 @item TYPE_CODE_FUNC
21688 The type is a function.
21689
21690 @findex TYPE_CODE_INT
21691 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INT
21692 @item TYPE_CODE_INT
21693 The type is an integer type.
21694
21695 @findex TYPE_CODE_FLT
21696 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_FLT
21697 @item TYPE_CODE_FLT
21698 A floating point type.
21699
21700 @findex TYPE_CODE_VOID
21701 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_VOID
21702 @item TYPE_CODE_VOID
21703 The special type @code{void}.
21704
21705 @findex TYPE_CODE_SET
21706 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_SET
21707 @item TYPE_CODE_SET
21708 A Pascal set type.
21709
21710 @findex TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21711 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21712 @item TYPE_CODE_RANGE
21713 A range type, that is, an integer type with bounds.
21714
21715 @findex TYPE_CODE_STRING
21716 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_STRING
21717 @item TYPE_CODE_STRING
21718 A string type. Note that this is only used for certain languages with
21719 language-defined string types; C strings are not represented this way.
21720
21721 @findex TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21722 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21723 @item TYPE_CODE_BITSTRING
21724 A string of bits.
21725
21726 @findex TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21727 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21728 @item TYPE_CODE_ERROR
21729 An unknown or erroneous type.
21730
21731 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21732 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21733 @item TYPE_CODE_METHOD
21734 A method type, as found in C@t{++} or Java.
21735
21736 @findex TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21737 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21738 @item TYPE_CODE_METHODPTR
21739 A pointer-to-member-function.
21740
21741 @findex TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21742 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21743 @item TYPE_CODE_MEMBERPTR
21744 A pointer-to-member.
21745
21746 @findex TYPE_CODE_REF
21747 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_REF
21748 @item TYPE_CODE_REF
21749 A reference type.
21750
21751 @findex TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21752 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21753 @item TYPE_CODE_CHAR
21754 A character type.
21755
21756 @findex TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21757 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21758 @item TYPE_CODE_BOOL
21759 A boolean type.
21760
21761 @findex TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21762 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21763 @item TYPE_CODE_COMPLEX
21764 A complex float type.
21765
21766 @findex TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21767 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21768 @item TYPE_CODE_TYPEDEF
21769 A typedef to some other type.
21770
21771 @findex TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21772 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21773 @item TYPE_CODE_NAMESPACE
21774 A C@t{++} namespace.
21775
21776 @findex TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21777 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21778 @item TYPE_CODE_DECFLOAT
21779 A decimal floating point type.
21780
21781 @findex TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21782 @findex gdb.TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21783 @item TYPE_CODE_INTERNAL_FUNCTION
21784 A function internal to @value{GDBN}. This is the type used to represent
21785 convenience functions.
21786 @end table
21787
21788 Further support for types is provided in the @code{gdb.types}
21789 Python module (@pxref{gdb.types}).
21790
21791 @node Pretty Printing API
21792 @subsubsection Pretty Printing API
21793
21794 An example output is provided (@pxref{Pretty Printing}).
21795
21796 A pretty-printer is just an object that holds a value and implements a
21797 specific interface, defined here.
21798
21799 @defop Operation {pretty printer} children (self)
21800 @value{GDBN} will call this method on a pretty-printer to compute the
21801 children of the pretty-printer's value.
21802
21803 This method must return an object conforming to the Python iterator
21804 protocol. Each item returned by the iterator must be a tuple holding
21805 two elements. The first element is the ``name'' of the child; the
21806 second element is the child's value. The value can be any Python
21807 object which is convertible to a @value{GDBN} value.
21808
21809 This method is optional. If it does not exist, @value{GDBN} will act
21810 as though the value has no children.
21811 @end defop
21812
21813 @defop Operation {pretty printer} display_hint (self)
21814 The CLI may call this method and use its result to change the
21815 formatting of a value. The result will also be supplied to an MI
21816 consumer as a @samp{displayhint} attribute of the variable being
21817 printed.
21818
21819 This method is optional. If it does exist, this method must return a
21820 string.
21821
21822 Some display hints are predefined by @value{GDBN}:
21823
21824 @table @samp
21825 @item array
21826 Indicate that the object being printed is ``array-like''. The CLI
21827 uses this to respect parameters such as @code{set print elements} and
21828 @code{set print array}.
21829
21830 @item map
21831 Indicate that the object being printed is ``map-like'', and that the
21832 children of this value can be assumed to alternate between keys and
21833 values.
21834
21835 @item string
21836 Indicate that the object being printed is ``string-like''. If the
21837 printer's @code{to_string} method returns a Python string of some
21838 kind, then @value{GDBN} will call its internal language-specific
21839 string-printing function to format the string. For the CLI this means
21840 adding quotation marks, possibly escaping some characters, respecting
21841 @code{set print elements}, and the like.
21842 @end table
21843 @end defop
21844
21845 @defop Operation {pretty printer} to_string (self)
21846 @value{GDBN} will call this method to display the string
21847 representation of the value passed to the object's constructor.
21848
21849 When printing from the CLI, if the @code{to_string} method exists,
21850 then @value{GDBN} will prepend its result to the values returned by
21851 @code{children}. Exactly how this formatting is done is dependent on
21852 the display hint, and may change as more hints are added. Also,
21853 depending on the print settings (@pxref{Print Settings}), the CLI may
21854 print just the result of @code{to_string} in a stack trace, omitting
21855 the result of @code{children}.
21856
21857 If this method returns a string, it is printed verbatim.
21858
21859 Otherwise, if this method returns an instance of @code{gdb.Value},
21860 then @value{GDBN} prints this value. This may result in a call to
21861 another pretty-printer.
21862
21863 If instead the method returns a Python value which is convertible to a
21864 @code{gdb.Value}, then @value{GDBN} performs the conversion and prints
21865 the resulting value. Again, this may result in a call to another
21866 pretty-printer. Python scalars (integers, floats, and booleans) and
21867 strings are convertible to @code{gdb.Value}; other types are not.
21868
21869 Finally, if this method returns @code{None} then no further operations
21870 are peformed in this method and nothing is printed.
21871
21872 If the result is not one of these types, an exception is raised.
21873 @end defop
21874
21875 @value{GDBN} provides a function which can be used to look up the
21876 default pretty-printer for a @code{gdb.Value}:
21877
21878 @findex gdb.default_visualizer
21879 @defun default_visualizer value
21880 This function takes a @code{gdb.Value} object as an argument. If a
21881 pretty-printer for this value exists, then it is returned. If no such
21882 printer exists, then this returns @code{None}.
21883 @end defun
21884
21885 @node Selecting Pretty-Printers
21886 @subsubsection Selecting Pretty-Printers
21887
21888 The Python list @code{gdb.pretty_printers} contains an array of
21889 functions or callable objects that have been registered via addition
21890 as a pretty-printer. Printers in this list are called @code{global}
21891 printers, they're available when debugging all inferiors.
21892 Each @code{gdb.Progspace} contains a @code{pretty_printers} attribute.
21893 Each @code{gdb.Objfile} also contains a @code{pretty_printers}
21894 attribute.
21895
21896 Each function on these lists is passed a single @code{gdb.Value}
21897 argument and should return a pretty-printer object conforming to the
21898 interface definition above (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}). If a function
21899 cannot create a pretty-printer for the value, it should return
21900 @code{None}.
21901
21902 @value{GDBN} first checks the @code{pretty_printers} attribute of each
21903 @code{gdb.Objfile} in the current program space and iteratively calls
21904 each enabled lookup routine in the list for that @code{gdb.Objfile}
21905 until it receives a pretty-printer object.
21906 If no pretty-printer is found in the objfile lists, @value{GDBN} then
21907 searches the pretty-printer list of the current program space,
21908 calling each enabled function until an object is returned.
21909 After these lists have been exhausted, it tries the global
21910 @code{gdb.pretty_printers} list, again calling each enabled function until an
21911 object is returned.
21912
21913 The order in which the objfiles are searched is not specified. For a
21914 given list, functions are always invoked from the head of the list,
21915 and iterated over sequentially until the end of the list, or a printer
21916 object is returned.
21917
21918 For various reasons a pretty-printer may not work.
21919 For example, the underlying data structure may have changed and
21920 the pretty-printer is out of date.
21921
21922 The consequences of a broken pretty-printer are severe enough that
21923 @value{GDBN} provides support for enabling and disabling individual
21924 printers. For example, if @code{print frame-arguments} is on,
21925 a backtrace can become highly illegible if any argument is printed
21926 with a broken printer.
21927
21928 Pretty-printers are enabled and disabled by attaching an @code{enabled}
21929 attribute to the registered function or callable object. If this attribute
21930 is present and its value is @code{False}, the printer is disabled, otherwise
21931 the printer is enabled.
21932
21933 @node Writing a Pretty-Printer
21934 @subsubsection Writing a Pretty-Printer
21935 @cindex writing a pretty-printer
21936
21937 A pretty-printer consists of two parts: a lookup function to detect
21938 if the type is supported, and the printer itself.
21939
21940 Here is an example showing how a @code{std::string} printer might be
21941 written. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for details on the API this class
21942 must provide.
21943
21944 @smallexample
21945 class StdStringPrinter(object):
21946 "Print a std::string"
21947
21948 def __init__(self, val):
21949 self.val = val
21950
21951 def to_string(self):
21952 return self.val['_M_dataplus']['_M_p']
21953
21954 def display_hint(self):
21955 return 'string'
21956 @end smallexample
21957
21958 And here is an example showing how a lookup function for the printer
21959 example above might be written.
21960
21961 @smallexample
21962 def str_lookup_function(val):
21963 lookup_tag = val.type.tag
21964 if lookup_tag == None:
21965 return None
21966 regex = re.compile("^std::basic_string<char,.*>$")
21967 if regex.match(lookup_tag):
21968 return StdStringPrinter(val)
21969 return None
21970 @end smallexample
21971
21972 The example lookup function extracts the value's type, and attempts to
21973 match it to a type that it can pretty-print. If it is a type the
21974 printer can pretty-print, it will return a printer object. If not, it
21975 returns @code{None}.
21976
21977 We recommend that you put your core pretty-printers into a Python
21978 package. If your pretty-printers are for use with a library, we
21979 further recommend embedding a version number into the package name.
21980 This practice will enable @value{GDBN} to load multiple versions of
21981 your pretty-printers at the same time, because they will have
21982 different names.
21983
21984 You should write auto-loaded code (@pxref{Auto-loading}) such that it
21985 can be evaluated multiple times without changing its meaning. An
21986 ideal auto-load file will consist solely of @code{import}s of your
21987 printer modules, followed by a call to a register pretty-printers with
21988 the current objfile.
21989
21990 Taken as a whole, this approach will scale nicely to multiple
21991 inferiors, each potentially using a different library version.
21992 Embedding a version number in the Python package name will ensure that
21993 @value{GDBN} is able to load both sets of printers simultaneously.
21994 Then, because the search for pretty-printers is done by objfile, and
21995 because your auto-loaded code took care to register your library's
21996 printers with a specific objfile, @value{GDBN} will find the correct
21997 printers for the specific version of the library used by each
21998 inferior.
21999
22000 To continue the @code{std::string} example (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}),
22001 this code might appear in @code{gdb.libstdcxx.v6}:
22002
22003 @smallexample
22004 def register_printers(objfile):
22005 objfile.pretty_printers.add(str_lookup_function)
22006 @end smallexample
22007
22008 @noindent
22009 And then the corresponding contents of the auto-load file would be:
22010
22011 @smallexample
22012 import gdb.libstdcxx.v6
22013 gdb.libstdcxx.v6.register_printers(gdb.current_objfile())
22014 @end smallexample
22015
22016 The previous example illustrates a basic pretty-printer.
22017 There are a few things that can be improved on.
22018 The printer doesn't have a name, making it hard to identify in a
22019 list of installed printers. The lookup function has a name, but
22020 lookup functions can have arbitrary, even identical, names.
22021
22022 Second, the printer only handles one type, whereas a library typically has
22023 several types. One could install a lookup function for each desired type
22024 in the library, but one could also have a single lookup function recognize
22025 several types. The latter is the conventional way this is handled.
22026 If a pretty-printer can handle multiple data types, then its
22027 @dfn{subprinters} are the printers for the individual data types.
22028
22029 The @code{gdb.printing} module provides a formal way of solving these
22030 problems (@pxref{gdb.printing}).
22031 Here is another example that handles multiple types.
22032
22033 These are the types we are going to pretty-print:
22034
22035 @smallexample
22036 struct foo @{ int a, b; @};
22037 struct bar @{ struct foo x, y; @};
22038 @end smallexample
22039
22040 Here are the printers:
22041
22042 @smallexample
22043 class fooPrinter:
22044 """Print a foo object."""
22045
22046 def __init__(self, val):
22047 self.val = val
22048
22049 def to_string(self):
22050 return ("a=<" + str(self.val["a"]) +
22051 "> b=<" + str(self.val["b"]) + ">")
22052
22053 class barPrinter:
22054 """Print a bar object."""
22055
22056 def __init__(self, val):
22057 self.val = val
22058
22059 def to_string(self):
22060 return ("x=<" + str(self.val["x"]) +
22061 "> y=<" + str(self.val["y"]) + ">")
22062 @end smallexample
22063
22064 This example doesn't need a lookup function, that is handled by the
22065 @code{gdb.printing} module. Instead a function is provided to build up
22066 the object that handles the lookup.
22067
22068 @smallexample
22069 import gdb.printing
22070
22071 def build_pretty_printer():
22072 pp = gdb.printing.RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter(
22073 "my_library")
22074 pp.add_printer('foo', '^foo$', fooPrinter)
22075 pp.add_printer('bar', '^bar$', barPrinter)
22076 return pp
22077 @end smallexample
22078
22079 And here is the autoload support:
22080
22081 @smallexample
22082 import gdb.printing
22083 import my_library
22084 gdb.printing.register_pretty_printer(
22085 gdb.current_objfile(),
22086 my_library.build_pretty_printer())
22087 @end smallexample
22088
22089 Finally, when this printer is loaded into @value{GDBN}, here is the
22090 corresponding output of @samp{info pretty-printer}:
22091
22092 @smallexample
22093 (gdb) info pretty-printer
22094 my_library.so:
22095 my_library
22096 foo
22097 bar
22098 @end smallexample
22099
22100 @node Inferiors In Python
22101 @subsubsection Inferiors In Python
22102 @cindex inferiors in Python
22103
22104 @findex gdb.Inferior
22105 Programs which are being run under @value{GDBN} are called inferiors
22106 (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). Python scripts can access
22107 information about and manipulate inferiors controlled by @value{GDBN}
22108 via objects of the @code{gdb.Inferior} class.
22109
22110 The following inferior-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22111 module:
22112
22113 @defun inferiors
22114 Return a tuple containing all inferior objects.
22115 @end defun
22116
22117 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following attributes:
22118
22119 @table @code
22120 @defivar Inferior num
22121 ID of inferior, as assigned by GDB.
22122 @end defivar
22123
22124 @defivar Inferior pid
22125 Process ID of the inferior, as assigned by the underlying operating
22126 system.
22127 @end defivar
22128
22129 @defivar Inferior was_attached
22130 Boolean signaling whether the inferior was created using `attach', or
22131 started by @value{GDBN} itself.
22132 @end defivar
22133 @end table
22134
22135 A @code{gdb.Inferior} object has the following methods:
22136
22137 @table @code
22138 @defmethod Inferior is_valid
22139 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Inferior} object is valid,
22140 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Inferior} object will become invalid
22141 if the inferior no longer exists within @value{GDBN}. All other
22142 @code{gdb.Inferior} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid
22143 at the time the method is called.
22144 @end defmethod
22145
22146 @defmethod Inferior threads
22147 This method returns a tuple holding all the threads which are valid
22148 when it is called. If there are no valid threads, the method will
22149 return an empty tuple.
22150 @end defmethod
22151
22152 @findex gdb.read_memory
22153 @defmethod Inferior read_memory address length
22154 Read @var{length} bytes of memory from the inferior, starting at
22155 @var{address}. Returns a buffer object, which behaves much like an array
22156 or a string. It can be modified and given to the @code{gdb.write_memory}
22157 function.
22158 @end defmethod
22159
22160 @findex gdb.write_memory
22161 @defmethod Inferior write_memory address buffer @r{[}length@r{]}
22162 Write the contents of @var{buffer} to the inferior, starting at
22163 @var{address}. The @var{buffer} parameter must be a Python object
22164 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
22165 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. If given, @var{length}
22166 determines the number of bytes from @var{buffer} to be written.
22167 @end defmethod
22168
22169 @findex gdb.search_memory
22170 @defmethod Inferior search_memory address length pattern
22171 Search a region of the inferior memory starting at @var{address} with
22172 the given @var{length} using the search pattern supplied in
22173 @var{pattern}. The @var{pattern} parameter must be a Python object
22174 which supports the buffer protocol, i.e., a string, an array or the
22175 object returned from @code{gdb.read_memory}. Returns a Python @code{Long}
22176 containing the address where the pattern was found, or @code{None} if
22177 the pattern could not be found.
22178 @end defmethod
22179 @end table
22180
22181 @node Events In Python
22182 @subsubsection Events In Python
22183 @cindex inferior events in Python
22184
22185 @value{GDBN} provides a general event facility so that Python code can be
22186 notified of various state changes, particularly changes that occur in
22187 the inferior.
22188
22189 An @dfn{event} is just an object that describes some state change. The
22190 type of the object and its attributes will vary depending on the details
22191 of the change. All the existing events are described below.
22192
22193 In order to be notified of an event, you must register an event handler
22194 with an @dfn{event registry}. An event registry is an object in the
22195 @code{gdb.events} module which dispatches particular events. A registry
22196 provides methods to register and unregister event handlers:
22197
22198 @table @code
22199 @defmethod EventRegistry connect object
22200 Add the given callable @var{object} to the registry. This object will be
22201 called when an event corresponding to this registry occurs.
22202 @end defmethod
22203
22204 @defmethod EventRegistry disconnect object
22205 Remove the given @var{object} from the registry. Once removed, the object
22206 will no longer receive notifications of events.
22207 @end defmethod
22208 @end table
22209
22210 Here is an example:
22211
22212 @smallexample
22213 def exit_handler (event):
22214 print "event type: exit"
22215 print "exit code: %d" % (event.exit_code)
22216
22217 gdb.events.exited.connect (exit_handler)
22218 @end smallexample
22219
22220 In the above example we connect our handler @code{exit_handler} to the
22221 registry @code{events.exited}. Once connected, @code{exit_handler} gets
22222 called when the inferior exits. The argument @dfn{event} in this example is
22223 of type @code{gdb.ExitedEvent}. As you can see in the example the
22224 @code{ExitedEvent} object has an attribute which indicates the exit code of
22225 the inferior.
22226
22227 The following is a listing of the event registries that are available and
22228 details of the events they emit:
22229
22230 @table @code
22231
22232 @item events.cont
22233 Emits @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22234
22235 Some events can be thread specific when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22236 mode. When represented in Python, these events all extend
22237 @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}. Note, this event is not emitted directly; instead,
22238 events which are emitted by this or other modules might extend this event.
22239 Examples of these events are @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} and
22240 @code{gdb.ContinueEvent}.
22241
22242 @table @code
22243 @defivar ThreadEvent inferior_thread
22244 In non-stop mode this attribute will be set to the specific thread which was
22245 involved in the emitted event. Otherwise, it will be set to @code{None}.
22246 @end defivar
22247 @end table
22248
22249 Emits @code{gdb.ContinueEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22250
22251 This event indicates that the inferior has been continued after a stop. For
22252 inherited attribute refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above.
22253
22254 @item events.exited
22255 Emits @code{events.ExitedEvent} which indicates that the inferior has exited.
22256 @code{events.ExitedEvent} has one optional attribute. This attribute
22257 will exist only in the case that the inferior exited with some
22258 status.
22259 @table @code
22260 @defivar ExitedEvent exit_code
22261 An integer representing the exit code which the inferior has returned.
22262 @end defivar
22263 @end table
22264
22265 @item events.stop
22266 Emits @code{gdb.StopEvent} which extends @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}.
22267
22268 Indicates that the inferior has stopped. All events emitted by this registry
22269 extend StopEvent. As a child of @code{gdb.ThreadEvent}, @code{gdb.StopEvent}
22270 will indicate the stopped thread when @value{GDBN} is running in non-stop
22271 mode. Refer to @code{gdb.ThreadEvent} above for more details.
22272
22273 Emits @code{gdb.SignalEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22274
22275 This event indicates that the inferior or one of its threads has received as
22276 signal. @code{gdb.SignalEvent} has the following attributes:
22277
22278 @table @code
22279 @defivar SignalEvent stop_signal
22280 A string representing the signal received by the inferior. A list of possible
22281 signal values can be obtained by running the command @code{info signals} in
22282 the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
22283 @end defivar
22284 @end table
22285
22286 Also emits @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} which extends @code{gdb.StopEvent}.
22287
22288 @code{gdb.BreakpointEvent} event indicates that a breakpoint has been hit, and
22289 has the following attributes:
22290
22291 @table @code
22292 @defivar BreakpointEvent breakpoint
22293 A reference to the breakpoint that was hit of type @code{gdb.Breakpoint}.
22294 @xref{Breakpoints In Python}, for details of the @code{gdb.Breakpoint} object.
22295 @end defivar
22296 @end table
22297
22298 @end table
22299
22300 @node Threads In Python
22301 @subsubsection Threads In Python
22302 @cindex threads in python
22303
22304 @findex gdb.InferiorThread
22305 Python scripts can access information about, and manipulate inferior threads
22306 controlled by @value{GDBN}, via objects of the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} class.
22307
22308 The following thread-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
22309 module:
22310
22311 @findex gdb.selected_thread
22312 @defun selected_thread
22313 This function returns the thread object for the selected thread. If there
22314 is no selected thread, this will return @code{None}.
22315 @end defun
22316
22317 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following attributes:
22318
22319 @table @code
22320 @defivar InferiorThread name
22321 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using
22322 @code{thread name}, then this returns that name. Otherwise, if an
22323 OS-supplied name is available, then it is returned. Otherwise, this
22324 returns @code{None}.
22325
22326 This attribute can be assigned to. The new value must be a string
22327 object, which sets the new name, or @code{None}, which removes any
22328 user-specified thread name.
22329 @end defivar
22330
22331 @defivar InferiorThread num
22332 ID of the thread, as assigned by GDB.
22333 @end defivar
22334
22335 @defivar InferiorThread ptid
22336 ID of the thread, as assigned by the operating system. This attribute is a
22337 tuple containing three integers. The first is the Process ID (PID); the second
22338 is the Lightweight Process ID (LWPID), and the third is the Thread ID (TID).
22339 Either the LWPID or TID may be 0, which indicates that the operating system
22340 does not use that identifier.
22341 @end defivar
22342 @end table
22343
22344 A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object has the following methods:
22345
22346 @table @code
22347 @defmethod InferiorThread is_valid
22348 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object is valid,
22349 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.InferiorThread} object will become
22350 invalid if the thread exits, or the inferior that the thread belongs
22351 is deleted. All other @code{gdb.InferiorThread} methods will throw an
22352 exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22353 @end defmethod
22354
22355 @defmethod InferiorThread switch
22356 This changes @value{GDBN}'s currently selected thread to the one represented
22357 by this object.
22358 @end defmethod
22359
22360 @defmethod InferiorThread is_stopped
22361 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is stopped.
22362 @end defmethod
22363
22364 @defmethod InferiorThread is_running
22365 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is running.
22366 @end defmethod
22367
22368 @defmethod InferiorThread is_exited
22369 Return a Boolean indicating whether the thread is exited.
22370 @end defmethod
22371 @end table
22372
22373 @node Commands In Python
22374 @subsubsection Commands In Python
22375
22376 @cindex commands in python
22377 @cindex python commands
22378 You can implement new @value{GDBN} CLI commands in Python. A CLI
22379 command is implemented using an instance of the @code{gdb.Command}
22380 class, most commonly using a subclass.
22381
22382 @defmethod Command __init__ name @var{command_class} @r{[}@var{completer_class}@r{]} @r{[}@var{prefix}@r{]}
22383 The object initializer for @code{Command} registers the new command
22384 with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked from the
22385 subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22386
22387 @var{name} is the name of the command. If @var{name} consists of
22388 multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22389 commands. In this case, if one of the prefix commands does not exist,
22390 an exception is raised.
22391
22392 There is no support for multi-line commands.
22393
22394 @var{command_class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22395 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to categorize the
22396 new command in the help system.
22397
22398 @var{completer_class} is an optional argument. If given, it should be
22399 one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined below. This argument
22400 tells @value{GDBN} how to perform completion for this command. If not
22401 given, @value{GDBN} will attempt to complete using the object's
22402 @code{complete} method (see below); if no such method is found, an
22403 error will occur when completion is attempted.
22404
22405 @var{prefix} is an optional argument. If @code{True}, then the new
22406 command is a prefix command; sub-commands of this command may be
22407 registered.
22408
22409 The help text for the new command is taken from the Python
22410 documentation string for the command's class, if there is one. If no
22411 documentation string is provided, the default value ``This command is
22412 not documented.'' is used.
22413 @end defmethod
22414
22415 @cindex don't repeat Python command
22416 @defmethod Command dont_repeat
22417 By default, a @value{GDBN} command is repeated when the user enters a
22418 blank line at the command prompt. A command can suppress this
22419 behavior by invoking the @code{dont_repeat} method. This is similar
22420 to the user command @code{dont-repeat}, see @ref{Define, dont-repeat}.
22421 @end defmethod
22422
22423 @defmethod Command invoke argument from_tty
22424 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when this command is invoked.
22425
22426 @var{argument} is a string. It is the argument to the command, after
22427 leading and trailing whitespace has been stripped.
22428
22429 @var{from_tty} is a boolean argument. When true, this means that the
22430 command was entered by the user at the terminal; when false it means
22431 that the command came from elsewhere.
22432
22433 If this method throws an exception, it is turned into a @value{GDBN}
22434 @code{error} call. Otherwise, the return value is ignored.
22435
22436 @findex gdb.string_to_argv
22437 To break @var{argument} up into an argv-like string use
22438 @code{gdb.string_to_argv}. This function behaves identically to
22439 @value{GDBN}'s internal argument lexer @code{buildargv}.
22440 It is recommended to use this for consistency.
22441 Arguments are separated by spaces and may be quoted.
22442 Example:
22443
22444 @smallexample
22445 print gdb.string_to_argv ("1 2\ \\\"3 '4 \"5' \"6 '7\"")
22446 ['1', '2 "3', '4 "5', "6 '7"]
22447 @end smallexample
22448
22449 @end defmethod
22450
22451 @cindex completion of Python commands
22452 @defmethod Command complete text word
22453 This method is called by @value{GDBN} when the user attempts
22454 completion on this command. All forms of completion are handled by
22455 this method, that is, the @key{TAB} and @key{M-?} key bindings
22456 (@pxref{Completion}), and the @code{complete} command (@pxref{Help,
22457 complete}).
22458
22459 The arguments @var{text} and @var{word} are both strings. @var{text}
22460 holds the complete command line up to the cursor's location.
22461 @var{word} holds the last word of the command line; this is computed
22462 using a word-breaking heuristic.
22463
22464 The @code{complete} method can return several values:
22465 @itemize @bullet
22466 @item
22467 If the return value is a sequence, the contents of the sequence are
22468 used as the completions. It is up to @code{complete} to ensure that the
22469 contents actually do complete the word. A zero-length sequence is
22470 allowed, it means that there were no completions available. Only
22471 string elements of the sequence are used; other elements in the
22472 sequence are ignored.
22473
22474 @item
22475 If the return value is one of the @samp{COMPLETE_} constants defined
22476 below, then the corresponding @value{GDBN}-internal completion
22477 function is invoked, and its result is used.
22478
22479 @item
22480 All other results are treated as though there were no available
22481 completions.
22482 @end itemize
22483 @end defmethod
22484
22485 When a new command is registered, it must be declared as a member of
22486 some general class of commands. This is used to classify top-level
22487 commands in the on-line help system; note that prefix commands are not
22488 listed under their own category but rather that of their top-level
22489 command. The available classifications are represented by constants
22490 defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22491
22492 @table @code
22493 @findex COMMAND_NONE
22494 @findex gdb.COMMAND_NONE
22495 @item COMMAND_NONE
22496 The command does not belong to any particular class. A command in
22497 this category will not be displayed in any of the help categories.
22498
22499 @findex COMMAND_RUNNING
22500 @findex gdb.COMMAND_RUNNING
22501 @item COMMAND_RUNNING
22502 The command is related to running the inferior. For example,
22503 @code{start}, @code{step}, and @code{continue} are in this category.
22504 Type @kbd{help running} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22505 commands in this category.
22506
22507 @findex COMMAND_DATA
22508 @findex gdb.COMMAND_DATA
22509 @item COMMAND_DATA
22510 The command is related to data or variables. For example,
22511 @code{call}, @code{find}, and @code{print} are in this category. Type
22512 @kbd{help data} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands
22513 in this category.
22514
22515 @findex COMMAND_STACK
22516 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STACK
22517 @item COMMAND_STACK
22518 The command has to do with manipulation of the stack. For example,
22519 @code{backtrace}, @code{frame}, and @code{return} are in this
22520 category. Type @kbd{help stack} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a
22521 list of commands in this category.
22522
22523 @findex COMMAND_FILES
22524 @findex gdb.COMMAND_FILES
22525 @item COMMAND_FILES
22526 This class is used for file-related commands. For example,
22527 @code{file}, @code{list} and @code{section} are in this category.
22528 Type @kbd{help files} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22529 commands in this category.
22530
22531 @findex COMMAND_SUPPORT
22532 @findex gdb.COMMAND_SUPPORT
22533 @item COMMAND_SUPPORT
22534 This should be used for ``support facilities'', generally meaning
22535 things that are useful to the user when interacting with @value{GDBN},
22536 but not related to the state of the inferior. For example,
22537 @code{help}, @code{make}, and @code{shell} are in this category. Type
22538 @kbd{help support} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22539 commands in this category.
22540
22541 @findex COMMAND_STATUS
22542 @findex gdb.COMMAND_STATUS
22543 @item COMMAND_STATUS
22544 The command is an @samp{info}-related command, that is, related to the
22545 state of @value{GDBN} itself. For example, @code{info}, @code{macro},
22546 and @code{show} are in this category. Type @kbd{help status} at the
22547 @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this category.
22548
22549 @findex COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22550 @findex gdb.COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22551 @item COMMAND_BREAKPOINTS
22552 The command has to do with breakpoints. For example, @code{break},
22553 @code{clear}, and @code{delete} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22554 breakpoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in
22555 this category.
22556
22557 @findex COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22558 @findex gdb.COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22559 @item COMMAND_TRACEPOINTS
22560 The command has to do with tracepoints. For example, @code{trace},
22561 @code{actions}, and @code{tfind} are in this category. Type
22562 @kbd{help tracepoints} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22563 commands in this category.
22564
22565 @findex COMMAND_OBSCURE
22566 @findex gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE
22567 @item COMMAND_OBSCURE
22568 The command is only used in unusual circumstances, or is not of
22569 general interest to users. For example, @code{checkpoint},
22570 @code{fork}, and @code{stop} are in this category. Type @kbd{help
22571 obscure} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of commands in this
22572 category.
22573
22574 @findex COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22575 @findex gdb.COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22576 @item COMMAND_MAINTENANCE
22577 The command is only useful to @value{GDBN} maintainers. The
22578 @code{maintenance} and @code{flushregs} commands are in this category.
22579 Type @kbd{help internals} at the @value{GDBN} prompt to see a list of
22580 commands in this category.
22581 @end table
22582
22583 A new command can use a predefined completion function, either by
22584 specifying it via an argument at initialization, or by returning it
22585 from the @code{complete} method. These predefined completion
22586 constants are all defined in the @code{gdb} module:
22587
22588 @table @code
22589 @findex COMPLETE_NONE
22590 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_NONE
22591 @item COMPLETE_NONE
22592 This constant means that no completion should be done.
22593
22594 @findex COMPLETE_FILENAME
22595 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_FILENAME
22596 @item COMPLETE_FILENAME
22597 This constant means that filename completion should be performed.
22598
22599 @findex COMPLETE_LOCATION
22600 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_LOCATION
22601 @item COMPLETE_LOCATION
22602 This constant means that location completion should be done.
22603 @xref{Specify Location}.
22604
22605 @findex COMPLETE_COMMAND
22606 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_COMMAND
22607 @item COMPLETE_COMMAND
22608 This constant means that completion should examine @value{GDBN}
22609 command names.
22610
22611 @findex COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22612 @findex gdb.COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22613 @item COMPLETE_SYMBOL
22614 This constant means that completion should be done using symbol names
22615 as the source.
22616 @end table
22617
22618 The following code snippet shows how a trivial CLI command can be
22619 implemented in Python:
22620
22621 @smallexample
22622 class HelloWorld (gdb.Command):
22623 """Greet the whole world."""
22624
22625 def __init__ (self):
22626 super (HelloWorld, self).__init__ ("hello-world", gdb.COMMAND_OBSCURE)
22627
22628 def invoke (self, arg, from_tty):
22629 print "Hello, World!"
22630
22631 HelloWorld ()
22632 @end smallexample
22633
22634 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22635 registration of the command with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22636 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22637 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22638
22639 @node Parameters In Python
22640 @subsubsection Parameters In Python
22641
22642 @cindex parameters in python
22643 @cindex python parameters
22644 @tindex gdb.Parameter
22645 @tindex Parameter
22646 You can implement new @value{GDBN} parameters using Python. A new
22647 parameter is implemented as an instance of the @code{gdb.Parameter}
22648 class.
22649
22650 Parameters are exposed to the user via the @code{set} and
22651 @code{show} commands. @xref{Help}.
22652
22653 There are many parameters that already exist and can be set in
22654 @value{GDBN}. Two examples are: @code{set follow fork} and
22655 @code{set charset}. Setting these parameters influences certain
22656 behavior in @value{GDBN}. Similarly, you can define parameters that
22657 can be used to influence behavior in custom Python scripts and commands.
22658
22659 @defmethod Parameter __init__ name @var{command-class} @var{parameter-class} @r{[}@var{enum-sequence}@r{]}
22660 The object initializer for @code{Parameter} registers the new
22661 parameter with @value{GDBN}. This initializer is normally invoked
22662 from the subclass' own @code{__init__} method.
22663
22664 @var{name} is the name of the new parameter. If @var{name} consists
22665 of multiple words, then the initial words are looked for as prefix
22666 parameters. An example of this can be illustrated with the
22667 @code{set print} set of parameters. If @var{name} is
22668 @code{print foo}, then @code{print} will be searched as the prefix
22669 parameter. In this case the parameter can subsequently be accessed in
22670 @value{GDBN} as @code{set print foo}.
22671
22672 If @var{name} consists of multiple words, and no prefix parameter group
22673 can be found, an exception is raised.
22674
22675 @var{command-class} should be one of the @samp{COMMAND_} constants
22676 (@pxref{Commands In Python}). This argument tells @value{GDBN} how to
22677 categorize the new parameter in the help system.
22678
22679 @var{parameter-class} should be one of the @samp{PARAM_} constants
22680 defined below. This argument tells @value{GDBN} the type of the new
22681 parameter; this information is used for input validation and
22682 completion.
22683
22684 If @var{parameter-class} is @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then
22685 @var{enum-sequence} must be a sequence of strings. These strings
22686 represent the possible values for the parameter.
22687
22688 If @var{parameter-class} is not @code{PARAM_ENUM}, then the presence
22689 of a fourth argument will cause an exception to be thrown.
22690
22691 The help text for the new parameter is taken from the Python
22692 documentation string for the parameter's class, if there is one. If
22693 there is no documentation string, a default value is used.
22694 @end defmethod
22695
22696 @defivar Parameter set_doc
22697 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22698 the help text for this parameter's @code{set} command. The value is
22699 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22700 have no effect.
22701 @end defivar
22702
22703 @defivar Parameter show_doc
22704 If this attribute exists, and is a string, then its value is used as
22705 the help text for this parameter's @code{show} command. The value is
22706 examined when @code{Parameter.__init__} is invoked; subsequent changes
22707 have no effect.
22708 @end defivar
22709
22710 @defivar Parameter value
22711 The @code{value} attribute holds the underlying value of the
22712 parameter. It can be read and assigned to just as any other
22713 attribute. @value{GDBN} does validation when assignments are made.
22714 @end defivar
22715
22716 There are two methods that should be implemented in any
22717 @code{Parameter} class. These are:
22718
22719 @defop Operation {parameter} get_set_string self
22720 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s value has
22721 been changed via the @code{set} API (for example, @kbd{set foo off}).
22722 The @code{value} attribute has already been populated with the new
22723 value and may be used in output. This method must return a string.
22724 @end defop
22725
22726 @defop Operation {parameter} get_show_string self svalue
22727 @value{GDBN} will call this method when a @var{parameter}'s
22728 @code{show} API has been invoked (for example, @kbd{show foo}). The
22729 argument @code{svalue} receives the string representation of the
22730 current value. This method must return a string.
22731 @end defop
22732
22733 When a new parameter is defined, its type must be specified. The
22734 available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
22735 module:
22736
22737 @table @code
22738 @findex PARAM_BOOLEAN
22739 @findex gdb.PARAM_BOOLEAN
22740 @item PARAM_BOOLEAN
22741 The value is a plain boolean. The Python boolean values, @code{True}
22742 and @code{False} are the only valid values.
22743
22744 @findex PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22745 @findex gdb.PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22746 @item PARAM_AUTO_BOOLEAN
22747 The value has three possible states: true, false, and @samp{auto}. In
22748 Python, true and false are represented using boolean constants, and
22749 @samp{auto} is represented using @code{None}.
22750
22751 @findex PARAM_UINTEGER
22752 @findex gdb.PARAM_UINTEGER
22753 @item PARAM_UINTEGER
22754 The value is an unsigned integer. The value of 0 should be
22755 interpreted to mean ``unlimited''.
22756
22757 @findex PARAM_INTEGER
22758 @findex gdb.PARAM_INTEGER
22759 @item PARAM_INTEGER
22760 The value is a signed integer. The value of 0 should be interpreted
22761 to mean ``unlimited''.
22762
22763 @findex PARAM_STRING
22764 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING
22765 @item PARAM_STRING
22766 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, any escape
22767 sequences, such as @samp{\t}, @samp{\f}, and octal escapes, are
22768 translated into corresponding characters and encoded into the current
22769 host charset.
22770
22771 @findex PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22772 @findex gdb.PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22773 @item PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE
22774 The value is a string. When the user modifies the string, escapes are
22775 passed through untranslated.
22776
22777 @findex PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22778 @findex gdb.PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22779 @item PARAM_OPTIONAL_FILENAME
22780 The value is a either a filename (a string), or @code{None}.
22781
22782 @findex PARAM_FILENAME
22783 @findex gdb.PARAM_FILENAME
22784 @item PARAM_FILENAME
22785 The value is a filename. This is just like
22786 @code{PARAM_STRING_NOESCAPE}, but uses file names for completion.
22787
22788 @findex PARAM_ZINTEGER
22789 @findex gdb.PARAM_ZINTEGER
22790 @item PARAM_ZINTEGER
22791 The value is an integer. This is like @code{PARAM_INTEGER}, except 0
22792 is interpreted as itself.
22793
22794 @findex PARAM_ENUM
22795 @findex gdb.PARAM_ENUM
22796 @item PARAM_ENUM
22797 The value is a string, which must be one of a collection string
22798 constants provided when the parameter is created.
22799 @end table
22800
22801 @node Functions In Python
22802 @subsubsection Writing new convenience functions
22803
22804 @cindex writing convenience functions
22805 @cindex convenience functions in python
22806 @cindex python convenience functions
22807 @tindex gdb.Function
22808 @tindex Function
22809 You can implement new convenience functions (@pxref{Convenience Vars})
22810 in Python. A convenience function is an instance of a subclass of the
22811 class @code{gdb.Function}.
22812
22813 @defmethod Function __init__ name
22814 The initializer for @code{Function} registers the new function with
22815 @value{GDBN}. The argument @var{name} is the name of the function,
22816 a string. The function will be visible to the user as a convenience
22817 variable of type @code{internal function}, whose name is the same as
22818 the given @var{name}.
22819
22820 The documentation for the new function is taken from the documentation
22821 string for the new class.
22822 @end defmethod
22823
22824 @defmethod Function invoke @var{*args}
22825 When a convenience function is evaluated, its arguments are converted
22826 to instances of @code{gdb.Value}, and then the function's
22827 @code{invoke} method is called. Note that @value{GDBN} does not
22828 predetermine the arity of convenience functions. Instead, all
22829 available arguments are passed to @code{invoke}, following the
22830 standard Python calling convention. In particular, a convenience
22831 function can have default values for parameters without ill effect.
22832
22833 The return value of this method is used as its value in the enclosing
22834 expression. If an ordinary Python value is returned, it is converted
22835 to a @code{gdb.Value} following the usual rules.
22836 @end defmethod
22837
22838 The following code snippet shows how a trivial convenience function can
22839 be implemented in Python:
22840
22841 @smallexample
22842 class Greet (gdb.Function):
22843 """Return string to greet someone.
22844 Takes a name as argument."""
22845
22846 def __init__ (self):
22847 super (Greet, self).__init__ ("greet")
22848
22849 def invoke (self, name):
22850 return "Hello, %s!" % name.string ()
22851
22852 Greet ()
22853 @end smallexample
22854
22855 The last line instantiates the class, and is necessary to trigger the
22856 registration of the function with @value{GDBN}. Depending on how the
22857 Python code is read into @value{GDBN}, you may need to import the
22858 @code{gdb} module explicitly.
22859
22860 @node Progspaces In Python
22861 @subsubsection Program Spaces In Python
22862
22863 @cindex progspaces in python
22864 @tindex gdb.Progspace
22865 @tindex Progspace
22866 A program space, or @dfn{progspace}, represents a symbolic view
22867 of an address space.
22868 It consists of all of the objfiles of the program.
22869 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22870 @xref{Inferiors and Programs, program spaces}, for more details
22871 about program spaces.
22872
22873 The following progspace-related functions are available in the
22874 @code{gdb} module:
22875
22876 @findex gdb.current_progspace
22877 @defun current_progspace
22878 This function returns the program space of the currently selected inferior.
22879 @xref{Inferiors and Programs}.
22880 @end defun
22881
22882 @findex gdb.progspaces
22883 @defun progspaces
22884 Return a sequence of all the progspaces currently known to @value{GDBN}.
22885 @end defun
22886
22887 Each progspace is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Progspace}
22888 class.
22889
22890 @defivar Progspace filename
22891 The file name of the progspace as a string.
22892 @end defivar
22893
22894 @defivar Progspace pretty_printers
22895 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22896 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22897 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22898 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22899 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22900 information.
22901 @end defivar
22902
22903 @node Objfiles In Python
22904 @subsubsection Objfiles In Python
22905
22906 @cindex objfiles in python
22907 @tindex gdb.Objfile
22908 @tindex Objfile
22909 @value{GDBN} loads symbols for an inferior from various
22910 symbol-containing files (@pxref{Files}). These include the primary
22911 executable file, any shared libraries used by the inferior, and any
22912 separate debug info files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}).
22913 @value{GDBN} calls these symbol-containing files @dfn{objfiles}.
22914
22915 The following objfile-related functions are available in the
22916 @code{gdb} module:
22917
22918 @findex gdb.current_objfile
22919 @defun current_objfile
22920 When auto-loading a Python script (@pxref{Auto-loading}), @value{GDBN}
22921 sets the ``current objfile'' to the corresponding objfile. This
22922 function returns the current objfile. If there is no current objfile,
22923 this function returns @code{None}.
22924 @end defun
22925
22926 @findex gdb.objfiles
22927 @defun objfiles
22928 Return a sequence of all the objfiles current known to @value{GDBN}.
22929 @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
22930 @end defun
22931
22932 Each objfile is represented by an instance of the @code{gdb.Objfile}
22933 class.
22934
22935 @defivar Objfile filename
22936 The file name of the objfile as a string.
22937 @end defivar
22938
22939 @defivar Objfile pretty_printers
22940 The @code{pretty_printers} attribute is a list of functions. It is
22941 used to look up pretty-printers. A @code{Value} is passed to each
22942 function in order; if the function returns @code{None}, then the
22943 search continues. Otherwise, the return value should be an object
22944 which is used to format the value. @xref{Pretty Printing API}, for more
22945 information.
22946 @end defivar
22947
22948 A @code{gdb.Objfile} object has the following methods:
22949
22950 @defmethod Objfile is_valid
22951 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Objfile} object is valid,
22952 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Objfile} object can become invalid
22953 if the object file it refers to is not loaded in @value{GDBN} any
22954 longer. All other @code{gdb.Objfile} methods will throw an exception
22955 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
22956 @end defmethod
22957
22958 @node Frames In Python
22959 @subsubsection Accessing inferior stack frames from Python.
22960
22961 @cindex frames in python
22962 When the debugged program stops, @value{GDBN} is able to analyze its call
22963 stack (@pxref{Frames,,Stack frames}). The @code{gdb.Frame} class
22964 represents a frame in the stack. A @code{gdb.Frame} object is only valid
22965 while its corresponding frame exists in the inferior's stack. If you try
22966 to use an invalid frame object, @value{GDBN} will throw a @code{gdb.error}
22967 exception (@pxref{Exception Handling}).
22968
22969 Two @code{gdb.Frame} objects can be compared for equality with the @code{==}
22970 operator, like:
22971
22972 @smallexample
22973 (@value{GDBP}) python print gdb.newest_frame() == gdb.selected_frame ()
22974 True
22975 @end smallexample
22976
22977 The following frame-related functions are available in the @code{gdb} module:
22978
22979 @findex gdb.selected_frame
22980 @defun selected_frame
22981 Return the selected frame object. (@pxref{Selection,,Selecting a Frame}).
22982 @end defun
22983
22984 @findex gdb.newest_frame
22985 @defun newest_frame
22986 Return the newest frame object for the selected thread.
22987 @end defun
22988
22989 @defun frame_stop_reason_string reason
22990 Return a string explaining the reason why @value{GDBN} stopped unwinding
22991 frames, as expressed by the given @var{reason} code (an integer, see the
22992 @code{unwind_stop_reason} method further down in this section).
22993 @end defun
22994
22995 A @code{gdb.Frame} object has the following methods:
22996
22997 @table @code
22998 @defmethod Frame is_valid
22999 Returns true if the @code{gdb.Frame} object is valid, false if not.
23000 A frame object can become invalid if the frame it refers to doesn't
23001 exist anymore in the inferior. All @code{gdb.Frame} methods will throw
23002 an exception if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23003 @end defmethod
23004
23005 @defmethod Frame name
23006 Returns the function name of the frame, or @code{None} if it can't be
23007 obtained.
23008 @end defmethod
23009
23010 @defmethod Frame type
23011 Returns the type of the frame. The value can be one of:
23012 @table @code
23013 @item gdb.NORMAL_FRAME
23014 An ordinary stack frame.
23015
23016 @item gdb.DUMMY_FRAME
23017 A fake stack frame that was created by @value{GDBN} when performing an
23018 inferior function call.
23019
23020 @item gdb.INLINE_FRAME
23021 A frame representing an inlined function. The function was inlined
23022 into a @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME} that is older than this one.
23023
23024 @item gdb.SIGTRAMP_FRAME
23025 A signal trampoline frame. This is the frame created by the OS when
23026 it calls into a signal handler.
23027
23028 @item gdb.ARCH_FRAME
23029 A fake stack frame representing a cross-architecture call.
23030
23031 @item gdb.SENTINEL_FRAME
23032 This is like @code{gdb.NORMAL_FRAME}, but it is only used for the
23033 newest frame.
23034 @end table
23035 @end defmethod
23036
23037 @defmethod Frame unwind_stop_reason
23038 Return an integer representing the reason why it's not possible to find
23039 more frames toward the outermost frame. Use
23040 @code{gdb.frame_stop_reason_string} to convert the value returned by this
23041 function to a string.
23042 @end defmethod
23043
23044 @defmethod Frame pc
23045 Returns the frame's resume address.
23046 @end defmethod
23047
23048 @defmethod Frame block
23049 Return the frame's code block. @xref{Blocks In Python}.
23050 @end defmethod
23051
23052 @defmethod Frame function
23053 Return the symbol for the function corresponding to this frame.
23054 @xref{Symbols In Python}.
23055 @end defmethod
23056
23057 @defmethod Frame older
23058 Return the frame that called this frame.
23059 @end defmethod
23060
23061 @defmethod Frame newer
23062 Return the frame called by this frame.
23063 @end defmethod
23064
23065 @defmethod Frame find_sal
23066 Return the frame's symtab and line object.
23067 @xref{Symbol Tables In Python}.
23068 @end defmethod
23069
23070 @defmethod Frame read_var variable @r{[}block@r{]}
23071 Return the value of @var{variable} in this frame. If the optional
23072 argument @var{block} is provided, search for the variable from that
23073 block; otherwise start at the frame's current block (which is
23074 determined by the frame's current program counter). @var{variable}
23075 must be a string or a @code{gdb.Symbol} object. @var{block} must be a
23076 @code{gdb.Block} object.
23077 @end defmethod
23078
23079 @defmethod Frame select
23080 Set this frame to be the selected frame. @xref{Stack, ,Examining the
23081 Stack}.
23082 @end defmethod
23083 @end table
23084
23085 @node Blocks In Python
23086 @subsubsection Accessing frame blocks from Python.
23087
23088 @cindex blocks in python
23089 @tindex gdb.Block
23090
23091 Within each frame, @value{GDBN} maintains information on each block
23092 stored in that frame. These blocks are organized hierarchically, and
23093 are represented individually in Python as a @code{gdb.Block}.
23094 Please see @ref{Frames In Python}, for a more in-depth discussion on
23095 frames. Furthermore, see @ref{Stack, ,Examining the Stack}, for more
23096 detailed technical information on @value{GDBN}'s book-keeping of the
23097 stack.
23098
23099 The following block-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23100 module:
23101
23102 @findex gdb.block_for_pc
23103 @defun block_for_pc pc
23104 Return the @code{gdb.Block} containing the given @var{pc} value. If the
23105 block cannot be found for the @var{pc} value specified, the function
23106 will return @code{None}.
23107 @end defun
23108
23109 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following methods:
23110
23111 @table @code
23112 @defmethod Block is_valid
23113 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Block} object is valid,
23114 @code{False} if not. A block object can become invalid if the block it
23115 refers to doesn't exist anymore in the inferior. All other
23116 @code{gdb.Block} methods will throw an exception if it is invalid at
23117 the time the method is called. This method is also made available to
23118 the Python iterator object that @code{gdb.Block} provides in an iteration
23119 context and via the Python @code{iter} built-in function.
23120 @end defmethod
23121 @end table
23122
23123 A @code{gdb.Block} object has the following attributes:
23124
23125 @table @code
23126 @defivar Block start
23127 The start address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
23128 @end defivar
23129
23130 @defivar Block end
23131 The end address of the block. This attribute is not writable.
23132 @end defivar
23133
23134 @defivar Block function
23135 The name of the block represented as a @code{gdb.Symbol}. If the
23136 block is not named, then this attribute holds @code{None}. This
23137 attribute is not writable.
23138 @end defivar
23139
23140 @defivar Block superblock
23141 The block containing this block. If this parent block does not exist,
23142 this attribute holds @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23143 @end defivar
23144 @end table
23145
23146 @node Symbols In Python
23147 @subsubsection Python representation of Symbols.
23148
23149 @cindex symbols in python
23150 @tindex gdb.Symbol
23151
23152 @value{GDBN} represents every variable, function and type as an
23153 entry in a symbol table. @xref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}.
23154 Similarly, Python represents these symbols in @value{GDBN} with the
23155 @code{gdb.Symbol} object.
23156
23157 The following symbol-related functions are available in the @code{gdb}
23158 module:
23159
23160 @findex gdb.lookup_symbol
23161 @defun lookup_symbol name @r{[}block@r{]} @r{[}domain@r{]}
23162 This function searches for a symbol by name. The search scope can be
23163 restricted to the parameters defined in the optional domain and block
23164 arguments.
23165
23166 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string. The
23167 optional @var{block} argument restricts the search to symbols visible
23168 in that @var{block}. The @var{block} argument must be a
23169 @code{gdb.Block} object. If omitted, the block for the current frame
23170 is used. The optional @var{domain} argument restricts
23171 the search to the domain type. The @var{domain} argument must be a
23172 domain constant defined in the @code{gdb} module and described later
23173 in this chapter.
23174
23175 The result is a tuple of two elements.
23176 The first element is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
23177 is not found.
23178 If the symbol is found, the second element is @code{True} if the symbol
23179 is a field of a method's object (e.g., @code{this} in C@t{++}),
23180 otherwise it is @code{False}.
23181 If the symbol is not found, the second element is @code{False}.
23182 @end defun
23183
23184 @findex gdb.lookup_global_symbol
23185 @defun lookup_global_symbol name @r{[}domain@r{]}
23186 This function searches for a global symbol by name.
23187 The search scope can be restricted to by the domain argument.
23188
23189 @var{name} is the name of the symbol. It must be a string.
23190 The optional @var{domain} argument restricts the search to the domain type.
23191 The @var{domain} argument must be a domain constant defined in the @code{gdb}
23192 module and described later in this chapter.
23193
23194 The result is a @code{gdb.Symbol} object or @code{None} if the symbol
23195 is not found.
23196 @end defun
23197
23198 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following attributes:
23199
23200 @table @code
23201 @defivar Symbol symtab
23202 The symbol table in which the symbol appears. This attribute is
23203 represented as a @code{gdb.Symtab} object. @xref{Symbol Tables In
23204 Python}. This attribute is not writable.
23205 @end defivar
23206
23207 @defivar Symbol name
23208 The name of the symbol as a string. This attribute is not writable.
23209 @end defivar
23210
23211 @defivar Symbol linkage_name
23212 The name of the symbol, as used by the linker (i.e., may be mangled).
23213 This attribute is not writable.
23214 @end defivar
23215
23216 @defivar Symbol print_name
23217 The name of the symbol in a form suitable for output. This is either
23218 @code{name} or @code{linkage_name}, depending on whether the user
23219 asked @value{GDBN} to display demangled or mangled names.
23220 @end defivar
23221
23222 @defivar Symbol addr_class
23223 The address class of the symbol. This classifies how to find the value
23224 of a symbol. Each address class is a constant defined in the
23225 @code{gdb} module and described later in this chapter.
23226 @end defivar
23227
23228 @defivar Symbol is_argument
23229 @code{True} if the symbol is an argument of a function.
23230 @end defivar
23231
23232 @defivar Symbol is_constant
23233 @code{True} if the symbol is a constant.
23234 @end defivar
23235
23236 @defivar Symbol is_function
23237 @code{True} if the symbol is a function or a method.
23238 @end defivar
23239
23240 @defivar Symbol is_variable
23241 @code{True} if the symbol is a variable.
23242 @end defivar
23243 @end table
23244
23245 A @code{gdb.Symbol} object has the following methods:
23246
23247 @table @code
23248 @defmethod Symbol is_valid
23249 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symbol} object is valid,
23250 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symbol} object can become invalid if
23251 the symbol it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any longer.
23252 All other @code{gdb.Symbol} methods will throw an exception if it is
23253 invalid at the time the method is called.
23254 @end defmethod
23255 @end table
23256
23257 The available domain categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23258 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23259
23260 @table @code
23261 @findex SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23262 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23263 @item SYMBOL_UNDEF_DOMAIN
23264 This is used when a domain has not been discovered or none of the
23265 following domains apply. This usually indicates an error either
23266 in the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23267 @findex SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23268 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23269 @item SYMBOL_VAR_DOMAIN
23270 This domain contains variables, function names, typedef names and enum
23271 type values.
23272 @findex SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23273 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23274 @item SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN
23275 This domain holds struct, union and enum type names.
23276 @findex SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23277 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23278 @item SYMBOL_LABEL_DOMAIN
23279 This domain contains names of labels (for gotos).
23280 @findex SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23281 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23282 @item SYMBOL_VARIABLES_DOMAIN
23283 This domain holds a subset of the @code{SYMBOLS_VAR_DOMAIN}; it
23284 contains everything minus functions and types.
23285 @findex SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23286 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_FUNCTIONS_DOMAIN
23287 @item SYMBOL_FUNCTION_DOMAIN
23288 This domain contains all functions.
23289 @findex SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23290 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23291 @item SYMBOL_TYPES_DOMAIN
23292 This domain contains all types.
23293 @end table
23294
23295 The available address class categories in @code{gdb.Symbol} are represented
23296 as constants in the @code{gdb} module:
23297
23298 @table @code
23299 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23300 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23301 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNDEF
23302 If this is returned by address class, it indicates an error either in
23303 the symbol information or in @value{GDBN}'s handling of symbols.
23304 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23305 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23306 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST
23307 Value is constant int.
23308 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23309 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23310 @item SYMBOL_LOC_STATIC
23311 Value is at a fixed address.
23312 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23313 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23314 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGISTER
23315 Value is in a register.
23316 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23317 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23318 @item SYMBOL_LOC_ARG
23319 Value is an argument. This value is at the offset stored within the
23320 symbol inside the frame's argument list.
23321 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23322 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23323 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REF_ARG
23324 Value address is stored in the frame's argument list. Just like
23325 @code{LOC_ARG} except that the value's address is stored at the
23326 offset, not the value itself.
23327 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23328 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23329 @item SYMBOL_LOC_REGPARM_ADDR
23330 Value is a specified register. Just like @code{LOC_REGISTER} except
23331 the register holds the address of the argument instead of the argument
23332 itself.
23333 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23334 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23335 @item SYMBOL_LOC_LOCAL
23336 Value is a local variable.
23337 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23338 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23339 @item SYMBOL_LOC_TYPEDEF
23340 Value not used. Symbols in the domain @code{SYMBOL_STRUCT_DOMAIN} all
23341 have this class.
23342 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23343 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23344 @item SYMBOL_LOC_BLOCK
23345 Value is a block.
23346 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23347 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23348 @item SYMBOL_LOC_CONST_BYTES
23349 Value is a byte-sequence.
23350 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23351 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23352 @item SYMBOL_LOC_UNRESOLVED
23353 Value is at a fixed address, but the address of the variable has to be
23354 determined from the minimal symbol table whenever the variable is
23355 referenced.
23356 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23357 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23358 @item SYMBOL_LOC_OPTIMIZED_OUT
23359 The value does not actually exist in the program.
23360 @findex SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23361 @findex gdb.SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23362 @item SYMBOL_LOC_COMPUTED
23363 The value's address is a computed location.
23364 @end table
23365
23366 @node Symbol Tables In Python
23367 @subsubsection Symbol table representation in Python.
23368
23369 @cindex symbol tables in python
23370 @tindex gdb.Symtab
23371 @tindex gdb.Symtab_and_line
23372
23373 Access to symbol table data maintained by @value{GDBN} on the inferior
23374 is exposed to Python via two objects: @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} and
23375 @code{gdb.Symtab}. Symbol table and line data for a frame is returned
23376 from the @code{find_sal} method in @code{gdb.Frame} object.
23377 @xref{Frames In Python}.
23378
23379 For more information on @value{GDBN}'s symbol table management, see
23380 @ref{Symbols, ,Examining the Symbol Table}, for more information.
23381
23382 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following attributes:
23383
23384 @table @code
23385 @defivar Symtab_and_line symtab
23386 The symbol table object (@code{gdb.Symtab}) for this frame.
23387 This attribute is not writable.
23388 @end defivar
23389
23390 @defivar Symtab_and_line pc
23391 Indicates the current program counter address. This attribute is not
23392 writable.
23393 @end defivar
23394
23395 @defivar Symtab_and_line line
23396 Indicates the current line number for this object. This
23397 attribute is not writable.
23398 @end defivar
23399 @end table
23400
23401 A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object has the following methods:
23402
23403 @table @code
23404 @defmethod Symtab_and_line is_valid
23405 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object is valid,
23406 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} object can become
23407 invalid if the Symbol table and line object it refers to does not
23408 exist in @value{GDBN} any longer. All other
23409 @code{gdb.Symtab_and_line} methods will throw an exception if it is
23410 invalid at the time the method is called.
23411 @end defmethod
23412 @end table
23413
23414 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following attributes:
23415
23416 @table @code
23417 @defivar Symtab filename
23418 The symbol table's source filename. This attribute is not writable.
23419 @end defivar
23420
23421 @defivar Symtab objfile
23422 The symbol table's backing object file. @xref{Objfiles In Python}.
23423 This attribute is not writable.
23424 @end defivar
23425 @end table
23426
23427 A @code{gdb.Symtab} object has the following methods:
23428
23429 @table @code
23430 @defmethod Symtab is_valid
23431 Returns @code{True} if the @code{gdb.Symtab} object is valid,
23432 @code{False} if not. A @code{gdb.Symtab} object can become invalid if
23433 the symbol table it refers to does not exist in @value{GDBN} any
23434 longer. All other @code{gdb.Symtab} methods will throw an exception
23435 if it is invalid at the time the method is called.
23436 @end defmethod
23437
23438 @defmethod Symtab fullname
23439 Return the symbol table's source absolute file name.
23440 @end defmethod
23441 @end table
23442
23443 @node Breakpoints In Python
23444 @subsubsection Manipulating breakpoints using Python
23445
23446 @cindex breakpoints in python
23447 @tindex gdb.Breakpoint
23448
23449 Python code can manipulate breakpoints via the @code{gdb.Breakpoint}
23450 class.
23451
23452 @defmethod Breakpoint __init__ spec @r{[}type@r{]} @r{[}wp_class@r{]} @r{[}internal@r{]}
23453 Create a new breakpoint. @var{spec} is a string naming the
23454 location of the breakpoint, or an expression that defines a
23455 watchpoint. The contents can be any location recognized by the
23456 @code{break} command, or in the case of a watchpoint, by the @code{watch}
23457 command. The optional @var{type} denotes the breakpoint to create
23458 from the types defined later in this chapter. This argument can be
23459 either: @code{BP_BREAKPOINT} or @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. @var{type}
23460 defaults to @code{BP_BREAKPOINT}. The optional @var{internal} argument
23461 allows the breakpoint to become invisible to the user. The breakpoint
23462 will neither be reported when created, nor will it be listed in the
23463 output from @code{info breakpoints} (but will be listed with the
23464 @code{maint info breakpoints} command). The optional @var{wp_class}
23465 argument defines the class of watchpoint to create, if @var{type} is
23466 @code{BP_WATCHPOINT}. If a watchpoint class is not provided, it is
23467 assumed to be a @var{WP_WRITE} class.
23468 @end defmethod
23469
23470 @defop Operation {gdb.Breakpoint} stop (self)
23471 The @code{gdb.Breakpoint} class can be sub-classed and, in
23472 particular, you may choose to implement the @code{stop} method.
23473 If this method is defined as a sub-class of @code{gdb.Breakpoint},
23474 it will be called when the inferior reaches any location of a
23475 breakpoint which instantiates that sub-class. If the method returns
23476 @code{True}, the inferior will be stopped at the location of the
23477 breakpoint, otherwise the inferior will continue.
23478
23479 If there are multiple breakpoints at the same location with a
23480 @code{stop} method, each one will be called regardless of the
23481 return status of the previous. This ensures that all @code{stop}
23482 methods have a chance to execute at that location. In this scenario
23483 if one of the methods returns @code{True} but the others return
23484 @code{False}, the inferior will still be stopped.
23485
23486 Example @code{stop} implementation:
23487
23488 @smallexample
23489 class MyBreakpoint (gdb.Breakpoint):
23490 def stop (self):
23491 inf_val = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo")
23492 if inf_val == 3:
23493 return True
23494 return False
23495 @end smallexample
23496 @end defop
23497
23498 The available watchpoint types represented by constants are defined in the
23499 @code{gdb} module:
23500
23501 @table @code
23502 @findex WP_READ
23503 @findex gdb.WP_READ
23504 @item WP_READ
23505 Read only watchpoint.
23506
23507 @findex WP_WRITE
23508 @findex gdb.WP_WRITE
23509 @item WP_WRITE
23510 Write only watchpoint.
23511
23512 @findex WP_ACCESS
23513 @findex gdb.WP_ACCESS
23514 @item WP_ACCESS
23515 Read/Write watchpoint.
23516 @end table
23517
23518 @defmethod Breakpoint is_valid
23519 Return @code{True} if this @code{Breakpoint} object is valid,
23520 @code{False} otherwise. A @code{Breakpoint} object can become invalid
23521 if the user deletes the breakpoint. In this case, the object still
23522 exists, but the underlying breakpoint does not. In the cases of
23523 watchpoint scope, the watchpoint remains valid even if execution of the
23524 inferior leaves the scope of that watchpoint.
23525 @end defmethod
23526
23527 @defmethod Breakpoint delete
23528 Permanently deletes the @value{GDBN} breakpoint. This also
23529 invalidates the Python @code{Breakpoint} object. Any further access
23530 to this object's attributes or methods will raise an error.
23531 @end defmethod
23532
23533 @defivar Breakpoint enabled
23534 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is enabled, and
23535 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23536 @end defivar
23537
23538 @defivar Breakpoint silent
23539 This attribute is @code{True} if the breakpoint is silent, and
23540 @code{False} otherwise. This attribute is writable.
23541
23542 Note that a breakpoint can also be silent if it has commands and the
23543 first command is @code{silent}. This is not reported by the
23544 @code{silent} attribute.
23545 @end defivar
23546
23547 @defivar Breakpoint thread
23548 If the breakpoint is thread-specific, this attribute holds the thread
23549 id. If the breakpoint is not thread-specific, this attribute is
23550 @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23551 @end defivar
23552
23553 @defivar Breakpoint task
23554 If the breakpoint is Ada task-specific, this attribute holds the Ada task
23555 id. If the breakpoint is not task-specific (or the underlying
23556 language is not Ada), this attribute is @code{None}. This attribute
23557 is writable.
23558 @end defivar
23559
23560 @defivar Breakpoint ignore_count
23561 This attribute holds the ignore count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23562 This attribute is writable.
23563 @end defivar
23564
23565 @defivar Breakpoint number
23566 This attribute holds the breakpoint's number --- the identifier used by
23567 the user to manipulate the breakpoint. This attribute is not writable.
23568 @end defivar
23569
23570 @defivar Breakpoint type
23571 This attribute holds the breakpoint's type --- the identifier used to
23572 determine the actual breakpoint type or use-case. This attribute is not
23573 writable.
23574 @end defivar
23575
23576 @defivar Breakpoint visible
23577 This attribute tells whether the breakpoint is visible to the user
23578 when set, or when the @samp{info breakpoints} command is run. This
23579 attribute is not writable.
23580 @end defivar
23581
23582 The available types are represented by constants defined in the @code{gdb}
23583 module:
23584
23585 @table @code
23586 @findex BP_BREAKPOINT
23587 @findex gdb.BP_BREAKPOINT
23588 @item BP_BREAKPOINT
23589 Normal code breakpoint.
23590
23591 @findex BP_WATCHPOINT
23592 @findex gdb.BP_WATCHPOINT
23593 @item BP_WATCHPOINT
23594 Watchpoint breakpoint.
23595
23596 @findex BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23597 @findex gdb.BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23598 @item BP_HARDWARE_WATCHPOINT
23599 Hardware assisted watchpoint.
23600
23601 @findex BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23602 @findex gdb.BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23603 @item BP_READ_WATCHPOINT
23604 Hardware assisted read watchpoint.
23605
23606 @findex BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23607 @findex gdb.BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23608 @item BP_ACCESS_WATCHPOINT
23609 Hardware assisted access watchpoint.
23610 @end table
23611
23612 @defivar Breakpoint hit_count
23613 This attribute holds the hit count for the breakpoint, an integer.
23614 This attribute is writable, but currently it can only be set to zero.
23615 @end defivar
23616
23617 @defivar Breakpoint location
23618 This attribute holds the location of the breakpoint, as specified by
23619 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have a location
23620 (that is, it is a watchpoint) the attribute's value is @code{None}. This
23621 attribute is not writable.
23622 @end defivar
23623
23624 @defivar Breakpoint expression
23625 This attribute holds a breakpoint expression, as specified by
23626 the user. It is a string. If the breakpoint does not have an
23627 expression (the breakpoint is not a watchpoint) the attribute's value
23628 is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23629 @end defivar
23630
23631 @defivar Breakpoint condition
23632 This attribute holds the condition of the breakpoint, as specified by
23633 the user. It is a string. If there is no condition, this attribute's
23634 value is @code{None}. This attribute is writable.
23635 @end defivar
23636
23637 @defivar Breakpoint commands
23638 This attribute holds the commands attached to the breakpoint. If
23639 there are commands, this attribute's value is a string holding all the
23640 commands, separated by newlines. If there are no commands, this
23641 attribute is @code{None}. This attribute is not writable.
23642 @end defivar
23643
23644 @node Lazy Strings In Python
23645 @subsubsection Python representation of lazy strings.
23646
23647 @cindex lazy strings in python
23648 @tindex gdb.LazyString
23649
23650 A @dfn{lazy string} is a string whose contents is not retrieved or
23651 encoded until it is needed.
23652
23653 A @code{gdb.LazyString} is represented in @value{GDBN} as an
23654 @code{address} that points to a region of memory, an @code{encoding}
23655 that will be used to encode that region of memory, and a @code{length}
23656 to delimit the region of memory that represents the string. The
23657 difference between a @code{gdb.LazyString} and a string wrapped within
23658 a @code{gdb.Value} is that a @code{gdb.LazyString} will be treated
23659 differently by @value{GDBN} when printing. A @code{gdb.LazyString} is
23660 retrieved and encoded during printing, while a @code{gdb.Value}
23661 wrapping a string is immediately retrieved and encoded on creation.
23662
23663 A @code{gdb.LazyString} object has the following functions:
23664
23665 @defmethod LazyString value
23666 Convert the @code{gdb.LazyString} to a @code{gdb.Value}. This value
23667 will point to the string in memory, but will lose all the delayed
23668 retrieval, encoding and handling that @value{GDBN} applies to a
23669 @code{gdb.LazyString}.
23670 @end defmethod
23671
23672 @defivar LazyString address
23673 This attribute holds the address of the string. This attribute is not
23674 writable.
23675 @end defivar
23676
23677 @defivar LazyString length
23678 This attribute holds the length of the string in characters. If the
23679 length is -1, then the string will be fetched and encoded up to the
23680 first null of appropriate width. This attribute is not writable.
23681 @end defivar
23682
23683 @defivar LazyString encoding
23684 This attribute holds the encoding that will be applied to the string
23685 when the string is printed by @value{GDBN}. If the encoding is not
23686 set, or contains an empty string, then @value{GDBN} will select the
23687 most appropriate encoding when the string is printed. This attribute
23688 is not writable.
23689 @end defivar
23690
23691 @defivar LazyString type
23692 This attribute holds the type that is represented by the lazy string's
23693 type. For a lazy string this will always be a pointer type. To
23694 resolve this to the lazy string's character type, use the type's
23695 @code{target} method. @xref{Types In Python}. This attribute is not
23696 writable.
23697 @end defivar
23698
23699 @node Auto-loading
23700 @subsection Auto-loading
23701 @cindex auto-loading, Python
23702
23703 When a new object file is read (for example, due to the @code{file}
23704 command, or because the inferior has loaded a shared library),
23705 @value{GDBN} will look for Python support scripts in several ways:
23706 @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} and @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section.
23707
23708 @menu
23709 * objfile-gdb.py file:: The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23710 * .debug_gdb_scripts section:: The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23711 * Which flavor to choose?::
23712 @end menu
23713
23714 The auto-loading feature is useful for supplying application-specific
23715 debugging commands and scripts.
23716
23717 Auto-loading can be enabled or disabled,
23718 and the list of auto-loaded scripts can be printed.
23719
23720 @table @code
23721 @kindex set auto-load-scripts
23722 @item set auto-load-scripts [yes|no]
23723 Enable or disable the auto-loading of Python scripts.
23724
23725 @kindex show auto-load-scripts
23726 @item show auto-load-scripts
23727 Show whether auto-loading of Python scripts is enabled or disabled.
23728
23729 @kindex info auto-load-scripts
23730 @cindex print list of auto-loaded scripts
23731 @item info auto-load-scripts [@var{regexp}]
23732 Print the list of all scripts that @value{GDBN} auto-loaded.
23733
23734 Also printed is the list of scripts that were mentioned in
23735 the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section and were not found
23736 (@pxref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}).
23737 This is useful because their names are not printed when @value{GDBN}
23738 tries to load them and fails. There may be many of them, and printing
23739 an error message for each one is problematic.
23740
23741 If @var{regexp} is supplied only scripts with matching names are printed.
23742
23743 Example:
23744
23745 @smallexample
23746 (gdb) info auto-load-scripts
23747 Loaded Script
23748 Yes py-section-script.py
23749 full name: /tmp/py-section-script.py
23750 Missing my-foo-pretty-printers.py
23751 @end smallexample
23752 @end table
23753
23754 When reading an auto-loaded file, @value{GDBN} sets the
23755 @dfn{current objfile}. This is available via the @code{gdb.current_objfile}
23756 function (@pxref{Objfiles In Python}). This can be useful for
23757 registering objfile-specific pretty-printers.
23758
23759 @node objfile-gdb.py file
23760 @subsubsection The @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py} file
23761 @cindex @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py}
23762
23763 When a new object file is read, @value{GDBN} looks for
23764 a file named @file{@var{objfile}-gdb.py},
23765 where @var{objfile} is the object file's real name, formed by ensuring
23766 that the file name is absolute, following all symlinks, and resolving
23767 @code{.} and @code{..} components. If this file exists and is
23768 readable, @value{GDBN} will evaluate it as a Python script.
23769
23770 If this file does not exist, and if the parameter
23771 @code{debug-file-directory} is set (@pxref{Separate Debug Files}),
23772 then @value{GDBN} will look for @var{real-name} in all of the
23773 directories mentioned in the value of @code{debug-file-directory}.
23774
23775 Finally, if this file does not exist, then @value{GDBN} will look for
23776 a file named @file{@var{data-directory}/python/auto-load/@var{real-name}}, where
23777 @var{data-directory} is @value{GDBN}'s data directory (available via
23778 @code{show data-directory}, @pxref{Data Files}), and @var{real-name}
23779 is the object file's real name, as described above.
23780
23781 @value{GDBN} does not track which files it has already auto-loaded this way.
23782 @value{GDBN} will load the associated script every time the corresponding
23783 @var{objfile} is opened.
23784 So your @file{-gdb.py} file should be careful to avoid errors if it
23785 is evaluated more than once.
23786
23787 @node .debug_gdb_scripts section
23788 @subsubsection The @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23789 @cindex @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section
23790
23791 For systems using file formats like ELF and COFF,
23792 when @value{GDBN} loads a new object file
23793 it will look for a special section named @samp{.debug_gdb_scripts}.
23794 If this section exists, its contents is a list of names of scripts to load.
23795
23796 @value{GDBN} will look for each specified script file first in the
23797 current directory and then along the source search path
23798 (@pxref{Source Path, ,Specifying Source Directories}),
23799 except that @file{$cdir} is not searched, since the compilation
23800 directory is not relevant to scripts.
23801
23802 Entries can be placed in section @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} with,
23803 for example, this GCC macro:
23804
23805 @example
23806 /* Note: The "MS" section flags are to remove duplicates. */
23807 #define DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT(script_name) \
23808 asm("\
23809 .pushsection \".debug_gdb_scripts\", \"MS\",@@progbits,1\n\
23810 .byte 1\n\
23811 .asciz \"" script_name "\"\n\
23812 .popsection \n\
23813 ");
23814 @end example
23815
23816 @noindent
23817 Then one can reference the macro in a header or source file like this:
23818
23819 @example
23820 DEFINE_GDB_SCRIPT ("my-app-scripts.py")
23821 @end example
23822
23823 The script name may include directories if desired.
23824
23825 If the macro is put in a header, any application or library
23826 using this header will get a reference to the specified script.
23827
23828 @node Which flavor to choose?
23829 @subsubsection Which flavor to choose?
23830
23831 Given the multiple ways of auto-loading Python scripts, it might not always
23832 be clear which one to choose. This section provides some guidance.
23833
23834 Benefits of the @file{-gdb.py} way:
23835
23836 @itemize @bullet
23837 @item
23838 Can be used with file formats that don't support multiple sections.
23839
23840 @item
23841 Ease of finding scripts for public libraries.
23842
23843 Scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section are searched for
23844 in the source search path.
23845 For publicly installed libraries, e.g., @file{libstdc++}, there typically
23846 isn't a source directory in which to find the script.
23847
23848 @item
23849 Doesn't require source code additions.
23850 @end itemize
23851
23852 Benefits of the @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} way:
23853
23854 @itemize @bullet
23855 @item
23856 Works with static linking.
23857
23858 Scripts for libraries done the @file{-gdb.py} way require an objfile to
23859 trigger their loading. When an application is statically linked the only
23860 objfile available is the executable, and it is cumbersome to attach all the
23861 scripts from all the input libraries to the executable's @file{-gdb.py} script.
23862
23863 @item
23864 Works with classes that are entirely inlined.
23865
23866 Some classes can be entirely inlined, and thus there may not be an associated
23867 shared library to attach a @file{-gdb.py} script to.
23868
23869 @item
23870 Scripts needn't be copied out of the source tree.
23871
23872 In some circumstances, apps can be built out of large collections of internal
23873 libraries, and the build infrastructure necessary to install the
23874 @file{-gdb.py} scripts in a place where @value{GDBN} can find them is
23875 cumbersome. It may be easier to specify the scripts in the
23876 @code{.debug_gdb_scripts} section as relative paths, and add a path to the
23877 top of the source tree to the source search path.
23878 @end itemize
23879
23880 @node Python modules
23881 @subsection Python modules
23882 @cindex python modules
23883
23884 @value{GDBN} comes with a module to assist writing Python code.
23885
23886 @menu
23887 * gdb.printing:: Building and registering pretty-printers.
23888 * gdb.types:: Utilities for working with types.
23889 @end menu
23890
23891 @node gdb.printing
23892 @subsubsection gdb.printing
23893 @cindex gdb.printing
23894
23895 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23896 pretty-printers.
23897
23898 @table @code
23899 @item PrettyPrinter (@var{name}, @var{subprinters}=None)
23900 This class specifies the API that makes @samp{info pretty-printer},
23901 @samp{enable pretty-printer} and @samp{disable pretty-printer} work.
23902 Pretty-printers should generally inherit from this class.
23903
23904 @item SubPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23905 For printers that handle multiple types, this class specifies the
23906 corresponding API for the subprinters.
23907
23908 @item RegexpCollectionPrettyPrinter (@var{name})
23909 Utility class for handling multiple printers, all recognized via
23910 regular expressions.
23911 @xref{Writing a Pretty-Printer}, for an example.
23912
23913 @item register_pretty_printer (@var{obj}, @var{printer})
23914 Register @var{printer} with the pretty-printer list of @var{obj}.
23915 @end table
23916
23917 @node gdb.types
23918 @subsubsection gdb.types
23919 @cindex gdb.types
23920
23921 This module provides a collection of utilities for working with
23922 @code{gdb.Types} objects.
23923
23924 @table @code
23925 @item get_basic_type (@var{type})
23926 Return @var{type} with const and volatile qualifiers stripped,
23927 and with typedefs and C@t{++} references converted to the underlying type.
23928
23929 C@t{++} example:
23930
23931 @smallexample
23932 typedef const int const_int;
23933 const_int foo (3);
23934 const_int& foo_ref (foo);
23935 int main () @{ return 0; @}
23936 @end smallexample
23937
23938 Then in gdb:
23939
23940 @smallexample
23941 (gdb) start
23942 (gdb) python import gdb.types
23943 (gdb) python foo_ref = gdb.parse_and_eval("foo_ref")
23944 (gdb) python print gdb.types.get_basic_type(foo_ref.type)
23945 int
23946 @end smallexample
23947
23948 @item has_field (@var{type}, @var{field})
23949 Return @code{True} if @var{type}, assumed to be a type with fields
23950 (e.g., a structure or union), has field @var{field}.
23951
23952 @item make_enum_dict (@var{enum_type})
23953 Return a Python @code{dictionary} type produced from @var{enum_type}.
23954 @end table
23955
23956 @node Interpreters
23957 @chapter Command Interpreters
23958 @cindex command interpreters
23959
23960 @value{GDBN} supports multiple command interpreters, and some command
23961 infrastructure to allow users or user interface writers to switch
23962 between interpreters or run commands in other interpreters.
23963
23964 @value{GDBN} currently supports two command interpreters, the console
23965 interpreter (sometimes called the command-line interpreter or @sc{cli})
23966 and the machine interface interpreter (or @sc{gdb/mi}). This manual
23967 describes both of these interfaces in great detail.
23968
23969 By default, @value{GDBN} will start with the console interpreter.
23970 However, the user may choose to start @value{GDBN} with another
23971 interpreter by specifying the @option{-i} or @option{--interpreter}
23972 startup options. Defined interpreters include:
23973
23974 @table @code
23975 @item console
23976 @cindex console interpreter
23977 The traditional console or command-line interpreter. This is the most often
23978 used interpreter with @value{GDBN}. With no interpreter specified at runtime,
23979 @value{GDBN} will use this interpreter.
23980
23981 @item mi
23982 @cindex mi interpreter
23983 The newest @sc{gdb/mi} interface (currently @code{mi2}). Used primarily
23984 by programs wishing to use @value{GDBN} as a backend for a debugger GUI
23985 or an IDE. For more information, see @ref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi}
23986 Interface}.
23987
23988 @item mi2
23989 @cindex mi2 interpreter
23990 The current @sc{gdb/mi} interface.
23991
23992 @item mi1
23993 @cindex mi1 interpreter
23994 The @sc{gdb/mi} interface included in @value{GDBN} 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3.
23995
23996 @end table
23997
23998 @cindex invoke another interpreter
23999 The interpreter being used by @value{GDBN} may not be dynamically
24000 switched at runtime. Although possible, this could lead to a very
24001 precarious situation. Consider an IDE using @sc{gdb/mi}. If a user
24002 enters the command "interpreter-set console" in a console view,
24003 @value{GDBN} would switch to using the console interpreter, rendering
24004 the IDE inoperable!
24005
24006 @kindex interpreter-exec
24007 Although you may only choose a single interpreter at startup, you may execute
24008 commands in any interpreter from the current interpreter using the appropriate
24009 command. If you are running the console interpreter, simply use the
24010 @code{interpreter-exec} command:
24011
24012 @smallexample
24013 interpreter-exec mi "-data-list-register-names"
24014 @end smallexample
24015
24016 @sc{gdb/mi} has a similar command, although it is only available in versions of
24017 @value{GDBN} which support @sc{gdb/mi} version 2 (or greater).
24018
24019 @node TUI
24020 @chapter @value{GDBN} Text User Interface
24021 @cindex TUI
24022 @cindex Text User Interface
24023
24024 @menu
24025 * TUI Overview:: TUI overview
24026 * TUI Keys:: TUI key bindings
24027 * TUI Single Key Mode:: TUI single key mode
24028 * TUI Commands:: TUI-specific commands
24029 * TUI Configuration:: TUI configuration variables
24030 @end menu
24031
24032 The @value{GDBN} Text User Interface (TUI) is a terminal
24033 interface which uses the @code{curses} library to show the source
24034 file, the assembly output, the program registers and @value{GDBN}
24035 commands in separate text windows. The TUI mode is supported only
24036 on platforms where a suitable version of the @code{curses} library
24037 is available.
24038
24039 @pindex @value{GDBTUI}
24040 The TUI mode is enabled by default when you invoke @value{GDBN} as
24041 either @samp{@value{GDBTUI}} or @samp{@value{GDBP} -tui}.
24042 You can also switch in and out of TUI mode while @value{GDBN} runs by
24043 using various TUI commands and key bindings, such as @kbd{C-x C-a}.
24044 @xref{TUI Keys, ,TUI Key Bindings}.
24045
24046 @node TUI Overview
24047 @section TUI Overview
24048
24049 In TUI mode, @value{GDBN} can display several text windows:
24050
24051 @table @emph
24052 @item command
24053 This window is the @value{GDBN} command window with the @value{GDBN}
24054 prompt and the @value{GDBN} output. The @value{GDBN} input is still
24055 managed using readline.
24056
24057 @item source
24058 The source window shows the source file of the program. The current
24059 line and active breakpoints are displayed in this window.
24060
24061 @item assembly
24062 The assembly window shows the disassembly output of the program.
24063
24064 @item register
24065 This window shows the processor registers. Registers are highlighted
24066 when their values change.
24067 @end table
24068
24069 The source and assembly windows show the current program position
24070 by highlighting the current line and marking it with a @samp{>} marker.
24071 Breakpoints are indicated with two markers. The first marker
24072 indicates the breakpoint type:
24073
24074 @table @code
24075 @item B
24076 Breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24077
24078 @item b
24079 Breakpoint which was never hit.
24080
24081 @item H
24082 Hardware breakpoint which was hit at least once.
24083
24084 @item h
24085 Hardware breakpoint which was never hit.
24086 @end table
24087
24088 The second marker indicates whether the breakpoint is enabled or not:
24089
24090 @table @code
24091 @item +
24092 Breakpoint is enabled.
24093
24094 @item -
24095 Breakpoint is disabled.
24096 @end table
24097
24098 The source, assembly and register windows are updated when the current
24099 thread changes, when the frame changes, or when the program counter
24100 changes.
24101
24102 These windows are not all visible at the same time. The command
24103 window is always visible. The others can be arranged in several
24104 layouts:
24105
24106 @itemize @bullet
24107 @item
24108 source only,
24109
24110 @item
24111 assembly only,
24112
24113 @item
24114 source and assembly,
24115
24116 @item
24117 source and registers, or
24118
24119 @item
24120 assembly and registers.
24121 @end itemize
24122
24123 A status line above the command window shows the following information:
24124
24125 @table @emph
24126 @item target
24127 Indicates the current @value{GDBN} target.
24128 (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
24129
24130 @item process
24131 Gives the current process or thread number.
24132 When no process is being debugged, this field is set to @code{No process}.
24133
24134 @item function
24135 Gives the current function name for the selected frame.
24136 The name is demangled if demangling is turned on (@pxref{Print Settings}).
24137 When there is no symbol corresponding to the current program counter,
24138 the string @code{??} is displayed.
24139
24140 @item line
24141 Indicates the current line number for the selected frame.
24142 When the current line number is not known, the string @code{??} is displayed.
24143
24144 @item pc
24145 Indicates the current program counter address.
24146 @end table
24147
24148 @node TUI Keys
24149 @section TUI Key Bindings
24150 @cindex TUI key bindings
24151
24152 The TUI installs several key bindings in the readline keymaps
24153 @ifset SYSTEM_READLINE
24154 (@pxref{Command Line Editing, , , rluserman, GNU Readline Library}).
24155 @end ifset
24156 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
24157 (@pxref{Command Line Editing}).
24158 @end ifclear
24159 The following key bindings are installed for both TUI mode and the
24160 @value{GDBN} standard mode.
24161
24162 @table @kbd
24163 @kindex C-x C-a
24164 @item C-x C-a
24165 @kindex C-x a
24166 @itemx C-x a
24167 @kindex C-x A
24168 @itemx C-x A
24169 Enter or leave the TUI mode. When leaving the TUI mode,
24170 the curses window management stops and @value{GDBN} operates using
24171 its standard mode, writing on the terminal directly. When reentering
24172 the TUI mode, control is given back to the curses windows.
24173 The screen is then refreshed.
24174
24175 @kindex C-x 1
24176 @item C-x 1
24177 Use a TUI layout with only one window. The layout will
24178 either be @samp{source} or @samp{assembly}. When the TUI mode
24179 is not active, it will switch to the TUI mode.
24180
24181 Think of this key binding as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 1} binding.
24182
24183 @kindex C-x 2
24184 @item C-x 2
24185 Use a TUI layout with at least two windows. When the current
24186 layout already has two windows, the next layout with two windows is used.
24187 When a new layout is chosen, one window will always be common to the
24188 previous layout and the new one.
24189
24190 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x 2} binding.
24191
24192 @kindex C-x o
24193 @item C-x o
24194 Change the active window. The TUI associates several key bindings
24195 (like scrolling and arrow keys) with the active window. This command
24196 gives the focus to the next TUI window.
24197
24198 Think of it as the Emacs @kbd{C-x o} binding.
24199
24200 @kindex C-x s
24201 @item C-x s
24202 Switch in and out of the TUI SingleKey mode that binds single
24203 keys to @value{GDBN} commands (@pxref{TUI Single Key Mode}).
24204 @end table
24205
24206 The following key bindings only work in the TUI mode:
24207
24208 @table @asis
24209 @kindex PgUp
24210 @item @key{PgUp}
24211 Scroll the active window one page up.
24212
24213 @kindex PgDn
24214 @item @key{PgDn}
24215 Scroll the active window one page down.
24216
24217 @kindex Up
24218 @item @key{Up}
24219 Scroll the active window one line up.
24220
24221 @kindex Down
24222 @item @key{Down}
24223 Scroll the active window one line down.
24224
24225 @kindex Left
24226 @item @key{Left}
24227 Scroll the active window one column left.
24228
24229 @kindex Right
24230 @item @key{Right}
24231 Scroll the active window one column right.
24232
24233 @kindex C-L
24234 @item @kbd{C-L}
24235 Refresh the screen.
24236 @end table
24237
24238 Because the arrow keys scroll the active window in the TUI mode, they
24239 are not available for their normal use by readline unless the command
24240 window has the focus. When another window is active, you must use
24241 other readline key bindings such as @kbd{C-p}, @kbd{C-n}, @kbd{C-b}
24242 and @kbd{C-f} to control the command window.
24243
24244 @node TUI Single Key Mode
24245 @section TUI Single Key Mode
24246 @cindex TUI single key mode
24247
24248 The TUI also provides a @dfn{SingleKey} mode, which binds several
24249 frequently used @value{GDBN} commands to single keys. Type @kbd{C-x s} to
24250 switch into this mode, where the following key bindings are used:
24251
24252 @table @kbd
24253 @kindex c @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24254 @item c
24255 continue
24256
24257 @kindex d @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24258 @item d
24259 down
24260
24261 @kindex f @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24262 @item f
24263 finish
24264
24265 @kindex n @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24266 @item n
24267 next
24268
24269 @kindex q @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24270 @item q
24271 exit the SingleKey mode.
24272
24273 @kindex r @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24274 @item r
24275 run
24276
24277 @kindex s @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24278 @item s
24279 step
24280
24281 @kindex u @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24282 @item u
24283 up
24284
24285 @kindex v @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24286 @item v
24287 info locals
24288
24289 @kindex w @r{(SingleKey TUI key)}
24290 @item w
24291 where
24292 @end table
24293
24294 Other keys temporarily switch to the @value{GDBN} command prompt.
24295 The key that was pressed is inserted in the editing buffer so that
24296 it is possible to type most @value{GDBN} commands without interaction
24297 with the TUI SingleKey mode. Once the command is entered the TUI
24298 SingleKey mode is restored. The only way to permanently leave
24299 this mode is by typing @kbd{q} or @kbd{C-x s}.
24300
24301
24302 @node TUI Commands
24303 @section TUI-specific Commands
24304 @cindex TUI commands
24305
24306 The TUI has specific commands to control the text windows.
24307 These commands are always available, even when @value{GDBN} is not in
24308 the TUI mode. When @value{GDBN} is in the standard mode, most
24309 of these commands will automatically switch to the TUI mode.
24310
24311 Note that if @value{GDBN}'s @code{stdout} is not connected to a
24312 terminal, or @value{GDBN} has been started with the machine interface
24313 interpreter (@pxref{GDB/MI, ,The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface}), most of
24314 these commands will fail with an error, because it would not be
24315 possible or desirable to enable curses window management.
24316
24317 @table @code
24318 @item info win
24319 @kindex info win
24320 List and give the size of all displayed windows.
24321
24322 @item layout next
24323 @kindex layout
24324 Display the next layout.
24325
24326 @item layout prev
24327 Display the previous layout.
24328
24329 @item layout src
24330 Display the source window only.
24331
24332 @item layout asm
24333 Display the assembly window only.
24334
24335 @item layout split
24336 Display the source and assembly window.
24337
24338 @item layout regs
24339 Display the register window together with the source or assembly window.
24340
24341 @item focus next
24342 @kindex focus
24343 Make the next window active for scrolling.
24344
24345 @item focus prev
24346 Make the previous window active for scrolling.
24347
24348 @item focus src
24349 Make the source window active for scrolling.
24350
24351 @item focus asm
24352 Make the assembly window active for scrolling.
24353
24354 @item focus regs
24355 Make the register window active for scrolling.
24356
24357 @item focus cmd
24358 Make the command window active for scrolling.
24359
24360 @item refresh
24361 @kindex refresh
24362 Refresh the screen. This is similar to typing @kbd{C-L}.
24363
24364 @item tui reg float
24365 @kindex tui reg
24366 Show the floating point registers in the register window.
24367
24368 @item tui reg general
24369 Show the general registers in the register window.
24370
24371 @item tui reg next
24372 Show the next register group. The list of register groups as well as
24373 their order is target specific. The predefined register groups are the
24374 following: @code{general}, @code{float}, @code{system}, @code{vector},
24375 @code{all}, @code{save}, @code{restore}.
24376
24377 @item tui reg system
24378 Show the system registers in the register window.
24379
24380 @item update
24381 @kindex update
24382 Update the source window and the current execution point.
24383
24384 @item winheight @var{name} +@var{count}
24385 @itemx winheight @var{name} -@var{count}
24386 @kindex winheight
24387 Change the height of the window @var{name} by @var{count}
24388 lines. Positive counts increase the height, while negative counts
24389 decrease it.
24390
24391 @item tabset @var{nchars}
24392 @kindex tabset
24393 Set the width of tab stops to be @var{nchars} characters.
24394 @end table
24395
24396 @node TUI Configuration
24397 @section TUI Configuration Variables
24398 @cindex TUI configuration variables
24399
24400 Several configuration variables control the appearance of TUI windows.
24401
24402 @table @code
24403 @item set tui border-kind @var{kind}
24404 @kindex set tui border-kind
24405 Select the border appearance for the source, assembly and register windows.
24406 The possible values are the following:
24407 @table @code
24408 @item space
24409 Use a space character to draw the border.
24410
24411 @item ascii
24412 Use @sc{ascii} characters @samp{+}, @samp{-} and @samp{|} to draw the border.
24413
24414 @item acs
24415 Use the Alternate Character Set to draw the border. The border is
24416 drawn using character line graphics if the terminal supports them.
24417 @end table
24418
24419 @item set tui border-mode @var{mode}
24420 @kindex set tui border-mode
24421 @itemx set tui active-border-mode @var{mode}
24422 @kindex set tui active-border-mode
24423 Select the display attributes for the borders of the inactive windows
24424 or the active window. The @var{mode} can be one of the following:
24425 @table @code
24426 @item normal
24427 Use normal attributes to display the border.
24428
24429 @item standout
24430 Use standout mode.
24431
24432 @item reverse
24433 Use reverse video mode.
24434
24435 @item half
24436 Use half bright mode.
24437
24438 @item half-standout
24439 Use half bright and standout mode.
24440
24441 @item bold
24442 Use extra bright or bold mode.
24443
24444 @item bold-standout
24445 Use extra bright or bold and standout mode.
24446 @end table
24447 @end table
24448
24449 @node Emacs
24450 @chapter Using @value{GDBN} under @sc{gnu} Emacs
24451
24452 @cindex Emacs
24453 @cindex @sc{gnu} Emacs
24454 A special interface allows you to use @sc{gnu} Emacs to view (and
24455 edit) the source files for the program you are debugging with
24456 @value{GDBN}.
24457
24458 To use this interface, use the command @kbd{M-x gdb} in Emacs. Give the
24459 executable file you want to debug as an argument. This command starts
24460 @value{GDBN} as a subprocess of Emacs, with input and output through a newly
24461 created Emacs buffer.
24462 @c (Do not use the @code{-tui} option to run @value{GDBN} from Emacs.)
24463
24464 Running @value{GDBN} under Emacs can be just like running @value{GDBN} normally except for two
24465 things:
24466
24467 @itemize @bullet
24468 @item
24469 All ``terminal'' input and output goes through an Emacs buffer, called
24470 the GUD buffer.
24471
24472 This applies both to @value{GDBN} commands and their output, and to the input
24473 and output done by the program you are debugging.
24474
24475 This is useful because it means that you can copy the text of previous
24476 commands and input them again; you can even use parts of the output
24477 in this way.
24478
24479 All the facilities of Emacs' Shell mode are available for interacting
24480 with your program. In particular, you can send signals the usual
24481 way---for example, @kbd{C-c C-c} for an interrupt, @kbd{C-c C-z} for a
24482 stop.
24483
24484 @item
24485 @value{GDBN} displays source code through Emacs.
24486
24487 Each time @value{GDBN} displays a stack frame, Emacs automatically finds the
24488 source file for that frame and puts an arrow (@samp{=>}) at the
24489 left margin of the current line. Emacs uses a separate buffer for
24490 source display, and splits the screen to show both your @value{GDBN} session
24491 and the source.
24492
24493 Explicit @value{GDBN} @code{list} or search commands still produce output as
24494 usual, but you probably have no reason to use them from Emacs.
24495 @end itemize
24496
24497 We call this @dfn{text command mode}. Emacs 22.1, and later, also uses
24498 a graphical mode, enabled by default, which provides further buffers
24499 that can control the execution and describe the state of your program.
24500 @xref{GDB Graphical Interface,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}.
24501
24502 If you specify an absolute file name when prompted for the @kbd{M-x
24503 gdb} argument, then Emacs sets your current working directory to where
24504 your program resides. If you only specify the file name, then Emacs
24505 sets your current working directory to the directory associated
24506 with the previous buffer. In this case, @value{GDBN} may find your
24507 program by searching your environment's @code{PATH} variable, but on
24508 some operating systems it might not find the source. So, although the
24509 @value{GDBN} input and output session proceeds normally, the auxiliary
24510 buffer does not display the current source and line of execution.
24511
24512 The initial working directory of @value{GDBN} is printed on the top
24513 line of the GUD buffer and this serves as a default for the commands
24514 that specify files for @value{GDBN} to operate on. @xref{Files,
24515 ,Commands to Specify Files}.
24516
24517 By default, @kbd{M-x gdb} calls the program called @file{gdb}. If you
24518 need to call @value{GDBN} by a different name (for example, if you
24519 keep several configurations around, with different names) you can
24520 customize the Emacs variable @code{gud-gdb-command-name} to run the
24521 one you want.
24522
24523 In the GUD buffer, you can use these special Emacs commands in
24524 addition to the standard Shell mode commands:
24525
24526 @table @kbd
24527 @item C-h m
24528 Describe the features of Emacs' GUD Mode.
24529
24530 @item C-c C-s
24531 Execute to another source line, like the @value{GDBN} @code{step} command; also
24532 update the display window to show the current file and location.
24533
24534 @item C-c C-n
24535 Execute to next source line in this function, skipping all function
24536 calls, like the @value{GDBN} @code{next} command. Then update the display window
24537 to show the current file and location.
24538
24539 @item C-c C-i
24540 Execute one instruction, like the @value{GDBN} @code{stepi} command; update
24541 display window accordingly.
24542
24543 @item C-c C-f
24544 Execute until exit from the selected stack frame, like the @value{GDBN}
24545 @code{finish} command.
24546
24547 @item C-c C-r
24548 Continue execution of your program, like the @value{GDBN} @code{continue}
24549 command.
24550
24551 @item C-c <
24552 Go up the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument
24553 (@pxref{Arguments, , Numeric Arguments, Emacs, The @sc{gnu} Emacs Manual}),
24554 like the @value{GDBN} @code{up} command.
24555
24556 @item C-c >
24557 Go down the number of frames indicated by the numeric argument, like the
24558 @value{GDBN} @code{down} command.
24559 @end table
24560
24561 In any source file, the Emacs command @kbd{C-x @key{SPC}} (@code{gud-break})
24562 tells @value{GDBN} to set a breakpoint on the source line point is on.
24563
24564 In text command mode, if you type @kbd{M-x speedbar}, Emacs displays a
24565 separate frame which shows a backtrace when the GUD buffer is current.
24566 Move point to any frame in the stack and type @key{RET} to make it
24567 become the current frame and display the associated source in the
24568 source buffer. Alternatively, click @kbd{Mouse-2} to make the
24569 selected frame become the current one. In graphical mode, the
24570 speedbar displays watch expressions.
24571
24572 If you accidentally delete the source-display buffer, an easy way to get
24573 it back is to type the command @code{f} in the @value{GDBN} buffer, to
24574 request a frame display; when you run under Emacs, this recreates
24575 the source buffer if necessary to show you the context of the current
24576 frame.
24577
24578 The source files displayed in Emacs are in ordinary Emacs buffers
24579 which are visiting the source files in the usual way. You can edit
24580 the files with these buffers if you wish; but keep in mind that @value{GDBN}
24581 communicates with Emacs in terms of line numbers. If you add or
24582 delete lines from the text, the line numbers that @value{GDBN} knows cease
24583 to correspond properly with the code.
24584
24585 A more detailed description of Emacs' interaction with @value{GDBN} is
24586 given in the Emacs manual (@pxref{Debuggers,,, Emacs, The @sc{gnu}
24587 Emacs Manual}).
24588
24589 @c The following dropped because Epoch is nonstandard. Reactivate
24590 @c if/when v19 does something similar. ---doc@cygnus.com 19dec1990
24591 @ignore
24592 @kindex Emacs Epoch environment
24593 @kindex Epoch
24594 @kindex inspect
24595
24596 Version 18 of @sc{gnu} Emacs has a built-in window system
24597 called the @code{epoch}
24598 environment. Users of this environment can use a new command,
24599 @code{inspect} which performs identically to @code{print} except that
24600 each value is printed in its own window.
24601 @end ignore
24602
24603
24604 @node GDB/MI
24605 @chapter The @sc{gdb/mi} Interface
24606
24607 @unnumberedsec Function and Purpose
24608
24609 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, its purpose
24610 @sc{gdb/mi} is a line based machine oriented text interface to
24611 @value{GDBN} and is activated by specifying using the
24612 @option{--interpreter} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}). It
24613 is specifically intended to support the development of systems which
24614 use the debugger as just one small component of a larger system.
24615
24616 This chapter is a specification of the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. It is written
24617 in the form of a reference manual.
24618
24619 Note that @sc{gdb/mi} is still under construction, so some of the
24620 features described below are incomplete and subject to change
24621 (@pxref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, , @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends}).
24622
24623 @unnumberedsec Notation and Terminology
24624
24625 @cindex notational conventions, for @sc{gdb/mi}
24626 This chapter uses the following notation:
24627
24628 @itemize @bullet
24629 @item
24630 @code{|} separates two alternatives.
24631
24632 @item
24633 @code{[ @var{something} ]} indicates that @var{something} is optional:
24634 it may or may not be given.
24635
24636 @item
24637 @code{( @var{group} )*} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24638 may repeat zero or more times.
24639
24640 @item
24641 @code{( @var{group} )+} means that @var{group} inside the parentheses
24642 may repeat one or more times.
24643
24644 @item
24645 @code{"@var{string}"} means a literal @var{string}.
24646 @end itemize
24647
24648 @ignore
24649 @heading Dependencies
24650 @end ignore
24651
24652 @menu
24653 * GDB/MI General Design::
24654 * GDB/MI Command Syntax::
24655 * GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI::
24656 * GDB/MI Development and Front Ends::
24657 * GDB/MI Output Records::
24658 * GDB/MI Simple Examples::
24659 * GDB/MI Command Description Format::
24660 * GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands::
24661 * GDB/MI Program Context::
24662 * GDB/MI Thread Commands::
24663 * GDB/MI Program Execution::
24664 * GDB/MI Stack Manipulation::
24665 * GDB/MI Variable Objects::
24666 * GDB/MI Data Manipulation::
24667 * GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands::
24668 * GDB/MI Symbol Query::
24669 * GDB/MI File Commands::
24670 @ignore
24671 * GDB/MI Kod Commands::
24672 * GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands::
24673 * GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands::
24674 @end ignore
24675 * GDB/MI Target Manipulation::
24676 * GDB/MI File Transfer Commands::
24677 * GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands::
24678 @end menu
24679
24680 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24681 @node GDB/MI General Design
24682 @section @sc{gdb/mi} General Design
24683 @cindex GDB/MI General Design
24684
24685 Interaction of a @sc{GDB/MI} frontend with @value{GDBN} involves three
24686 parts---commands sent to @value{GDBN}, responses to those commands
24687 and notifications. Each command results in exactly one response,
24688 indicating either successful completion of the command, or an error.
24689 For the commands that do not resume the target, the response contains the
24690 requested information. For the commands that resume the target, the
24691 response only indicates whether the target was successfully resumed.
24692 Notifications is the mechanism for reporting changes in the state of the
24693 target, or in @value{GDBN} state, that cannot conveniently be associated with
24694 a command and reported as part of that command response.
24695
24696 The important examples of notifications are:
24697 @itemize @bullet
24698
24699 @item
24700 Exec notifications. These are used to report changes in
24701 target state---when a target is resumed, or stopped. It would not
24702 be feasible to include this information in response of resuming
24703 commands, because one resume commands can result in multiple events in
24704 different threads. Also, quite some time may pass before any event
24705 happens in the target, while a frontend needs to know whether the resuming
24706 command itself was successfully executed.
24707
24708 @item
24709 Console output, and status notifications. Console output
24710 notifications are used to report output of CLI commands, as well as
24711 diagnostics for other commands. Status notifications are used to
24712 report the progress of a long-running operation. Naturally, including
24713 this information in command response would mean no output is produced
24714 until the command is finished, which is undesirable.
24715
24716 @item
24717 General notifications. Commands may have various side effects on
24718 the @value{GDBN} or target state beyond their official purpose. For example,
24719 a command may change the selected thread. Although such changes can
24720 be included in command response, using notification allows for more
24721 orthogonal frontend design.
24722
24723 @end itemize
24724
24725 There's no guarantee that whenever an MI command reports an error,
24726 @value{GDBN} or the target are in any specific state, and especially,
24727 the state is not reverted to the state before the MI command was
24728 processed. Therefore, whenever an MI command results in an error,
24729 we recommend that the frontend refreshes all the information shown in
24730 the user interface.
24731
24732
24733 @menu
24734 * Context management::
24735 * Asynchronous and non-stop modes::
24736 * Thread groups::
24737 @end menu
24738
24739 @node Context management
24740 @subsection Context management
24741
24742 In most cases when @value{GDBN} accesses the target, this access is
24743 done in context of a specific thread and frame (@pxref{Frames}).
24744 Often, even when accessing global data, the target requires that a thread
24745 be specified. The CLI interface maintains the selected thread and frame,
24746 and supplies them to target on each command. This is convenient,
24747 because a command line user would not want to specify that information
24748 explicitly on each command, and because user interacts with
24749 @value{GDBN} via a single terminal, so no confusion is possible as
24750 to what thread and frame are the current ones.
24751
24752 In the case of MI, the concept of selected thread and frame is less
24753 useful. First, a frontend can easily remember this information
24754 itself. Second, a graphical frontend can have more than one window,
24755 each one used for debugging a different thread, and the frontend might
24756 want to access additional threads for internal purposes. This
24757 increases the risk that by relying on implicitly selected thread, the
24758 frontend may be operating on a wrong one. Therefore, each MI command
24759 should explicitly specify which thread and frame to operate on. To
24760 make it possible, each MI command accepts the @samp{--thread} and
24761 @samp{--frame} options, the value to each is @value{GDBN} identifier
24762 for thread and frame to operate on.
24763
24764 Usually, each top-level window in a frontend allows the user to select
24765 a thread and a frame, and remembers the user selection for further
24766 operations. However, in some cases @value{GDBN} may suggest that the
24767 current thread be changed. For example, when stopping on a breakpoint
24768 it is reasonable to switch to the thread where breakpoint is hit. For
24769 another example, if the user issues the CLI @samp{thread} command via
24770 the frontend, it is desirable to change the frontend's selected thread to the
24771 one specified by user. @value{GDBN} communicates the suggestion to
24772 change current thread using the @samp{=thread-selected} notification.
24773 No such notification is available for the selected frame at the moment.
24774
24775 Note that historically, MI shares the selected thread with CLI, so
24776 frontends used the @code{-thread-select} to execute commands in the
24777 right context. However, getting this to work right is cumbersome. The
24778 simplest way is for frontend to emit @code{-thread-select} command
24779 before every command. This doubles the number of commands that need
24780 to be sent. The alternative approach is to suppress @code{-thread-select}
24781 if the selected thread in @value{GDBN} is supposed to be identical to the
24782 thread the frontend wants to operate on. However, getting this
24783 optimization right can be tricky. In particular, if the frontend
24784 sends several commands to @value{GDBN}, and one of the commands changes the
24785 selected thread, then the behaviour of subsequent commands will
24786 change. So, a frontend should either wait for response from such
24787 problematic commands, or explicitly add @code{-thread-select} for
24788 all subsequent commands. No frontend is known to do this exactly
24789 right, so it is suggested to just always pass the @samp{--thread} and
24790 @samp{--frame} options.
24791
24792 @node Asynchronous and non-stop modes
24793 @subsection Asynchronous command execution and non-stop mode
24794
24795 On some targets, @value{GDBN} is capable of processing MI commands
24796 even while the target is running. This is called @dfn{asynchronous
24797 command execution} (@pxref{Background Execution}). The frontend may
24798 specify a preferrence for asynchronous execution using the
24799 @code{-gdb-set target-async 1} command, which should be emitted before
24800 either running the executable or attaching to the target. After the
24801 frontend has started the executable or attached to the target, it can
24802 find if asynchronous execution is enabled using the
24803 @code{-list-target-features} command.
24804
24805 Even if @value{GDBN} can accept a command while target is running,
24806 many commands that access the target do not work when the target is
24807 running. Therefore, asynchronous command execution is most useful
24808 when combined with non-stop mode (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}). Then,
24809 it is possible to examine the state of one thread, while other threads
24810 are running.
24811
24812 When a given thread is running, MI commands that try to access the
24813 target in the context of that thread may not work, or may work only on
24814 some targets. In particular, commands that try to operate on thread's
24815 stack will not work, on any target. Commands that read memory, or
24816 modify breakpoints, may work or not work, depending on the target. Note
24817 that even commands that operate on global state, such as @code{print},
24818 @code{set}, and breakpoint commands, still access the target in the
24819 context of a specific thread, so frontend should try to find a
24820 stopped thread and perform the operation on that thread (using the
24821 @samp{--thread} option).
24822
24823 Which commands will work in the context of a running thread is
24824 highly target dependent. However, the two commands
24825 @code{-exec-interrupt}, to stop a thread, and @code{-thread-info},
24826 to find the state of a thread, will always work.
24827
24828 @node Thread groups
24829 @subsection Thread groups
24830 @value{GDBN} may be used to debug several processes at the same time.
24831 On some platfroms, @value{GDBN} may support debugging of several
24832 hardware systems, each one having several cores with several different
24833 processes running on each core. This section describes the MI
24834 mechanism to support such debugging scenarios.
24835
24836 The key observation is that regardless of the structure of the
24837 target, MI can have a global list of threads, because most commands that
24838 accept the @samp{--thread} option do not need to know what process that
24839 thread belongs to. Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce
24840 neither additional @samp{--process} option, nor an notion of the
24841 current process in the MI interface. The only strictly new feature
24842 that is required is the ability to find how the threads are grouped
24843 into processes.
24844
24845 To allow the user to discover such grouping, and to support arbitrary
24846 hierarchy of machines/cores/processes, MI introduces the concept of a
24847 @dfn{thread group}. Thread group is a collection of threads and other
24848 thread groups. A thread group always has a string identifier, a type,
24849 and may have additional attributes specific to the type. A new
24850 command, @code{-list-thread-groups}, returns the list of top-level
24851 thread groups, which correspond to processes that @value{GDBN} is
24852 debugging at the moment. By passing an identifier of a thread group
24853 to the @code{-list-thread-groups} command, it is possible to obtain
24854 the members of specific thread group.
24855
24856 To allow the user to easily discover processes, and other objects, he
24857 wishes to debug, a concept of @dfn{available thread group} is
24858 introduced. Available thread group is an thread group that
24859 @value{GDBN} is not debugging, but that can be attached to, using the
24860 @code{-target-attach} command. The list of available top-level thread
24861 groups can be obtained using @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}.
24862 In general, the content of a thread group may be only retrieved only
24863 after attaching to that thread group.
24864
24865 Thread groups are related to inferiors (@pxref{Inferiors and
24866 Programs}). Each inferior corresponds to a thread group of a special
24867 type @samp{process}, and some additional operations are permitted on
24868 such thread groups.
24869
24870 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
24871 @node GDB/MI Command Syntax
24872 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Syntax
24873
24874 @menu
24875 * GDB/MI Input Syntax::
24876 * GDB/MI Output Syntax::
24877 @end menu
24878
24879 @node GDB/MI Input Syntax
24880 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Input Syntax
24881
24882 @cindex input syntax for @sc{gdb/mi}
24883 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, input syntax
24884 @table @code
24885 @item @var{command} @expansion{}
24886 @code{@var{cli-command} | @var{mi-command}}
24887
24888 @item @var{cli-command} @expansion{}
24889 @code{[ @var{token} ] @var{cli-command} @var{nl}}, where
24890 @var{cli-command} is any existing @value{GDBN} CLI command.
24891
24892 @item @var{mi-command} @expansion{}
24893 @code{[ @var{token} ] "-" @var{operation} ( " " @var{option} )*
24894 @code{[} " --" @code{]} ( " " @var{parameter} )* @var{nl}}
24895
24896 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
24897 "any sequence of digits"
24898
24899 @item @var{option} @expansion{}
24900 @code{"-" @var{parameter} [ " " @var{parameter} ]}
24901
24902 @item @var{parameter} @expansion{}
24903 @code{@var{non-blank-sequence} | @var{c-string}}
24904
24905 @item @var{operation} @expansion{}
24906 @emph{any of the operations described in this chapter}
24907
24908 @item @var{non-blank-sequence} @expansion{}
24909 @emph{anything, provided it doesn't contain special characters such as
24910 "-", @var{nl}, """ and of course " "}
24911
24912 @item @var{c-string} @expansion{}
24913 @code{""" @var{seven-bit-iso-c-string-content} """}
24914
24915 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
24916 @code{CR | CR-LF}
24917 @end table
24918
24919 @noindent
24920 Notes:
24921
24922 @itemize @bullet
24923 @item
24924 The CLI commands are still handled by the @sc{mi} interpreter; their
24925 output is described below.
24926
24927 @item
24928 The @code{@var{token}}, when present, is passed back when the command
24929 finishes.
24930
24931 @item
24932 Some @sc{mi} commands accept optional arguments as part of the parameter
24933 list. Each option is identified by a leading @samp{-} (dash) and may be
24934 followed by an optional argument parameter. Options occur first in the
24935 parameter list and can be delimited from normal parameters using
24936 @samp{--} (this is useful when some parameters begin with a dash).
24937 @end itemize
24938
24939 Pragmatics:
24940
24941 @itemize @bullet
24942 @item
24943 We want easy access to the existing CLI syntax (for debugging).
24944
24945 @item
24946 We want it to be easy to spot a @sc{mi} operation.
24947 @end itemize
24948
24949 @node GDB/MI Output Syntax
24950 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax
24951
24952 @cindex output syntax of @sc{gdb/mi}
24953 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, output syntax
24954 The output from @sc{gdb/mi} consists of zero or more out-of-band records
24955 followed, optionally, by a single result record. This result record
24956 is for the most recent command. The sequence of output records is
24957 terminated by @samp{(gdb)}.
24958
24959 If an input command was prefixed with a @code{@var{token}} then the
24960 corresponding output for that command will also be prefixed by that same
24961 @var{token}.
24962
24963 @table @code
24964 @item @var{output} @expansion{}
24965 @code{( @var{out-of-band-record} )* [ @var{result-record} ] "(gdb)" @var{nl}}
24966
24967 @item @var{result-record} @expansion{}
24968 @code{ [ @var{token} ] "^" @var{result-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24969
24970 @item @var{out-of-band-record} @expansion{}
24971 @code{@var{async-record} | @var{stream-record}}
24972
24973 @item @var{async-record} @expansion{}
24974 @code{@var{exec-async-output} | @var{status-async-output} | @var{notify-async-output}}
24975
24976 @item @var{exec-async-output} @expansion{}
24977 @code{[ @var{token} ] "*" @var{async-output}}
24978
24979 @item @var{status-async-output} @expansion{}
24980 @code{[ @var{token} ] "+" @var{async-output}}
24981
24982 @item @var{notify-async-output} @expansion{}
24983 @code{[ @var{token} ] "=" @var{async-output}}
24984
24985 @item @var{async-output} @expansion{}
24986 @code{@var{async-class} ( "," @var{result} )* @var{nl}}
24987
24988 @item @var{result-class} @expansion{}
24989 @code{"done" | "running" | "connected" | "error" | "exit"}
24990
24991 @item @var{async-class} @expansion{}
24992 @code{"stopped" | @var{others}} (where @var{others} will be added
24993 depending on the needs---this is still in development).
24994
24995 @item @var{result} @expansion{}
24996 @code{ @var{variable} "=" @var{value}}
24997
24998 @item @var{variable} @expansion{}
24999 @code{ @var{string} }
25000
25001 @item @var{value} @expansion{}
25002 @code{ @var{const} | @var{tuple} | @var{list} }
25003
25004 @item @var{const} @expansion{}
25005 @code{@var{c-string}}
25006
25007 @item @var{tuple} @expansion{}
25008 @code{ "@{@}" | "@{" @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "@}" }
25009
25010 @item @var{list} @expansion{}
25011 @code{ "[]" | "[" @var{value} ( "," @var{value} )* "]" | "["
25012 @var{result} ( "," @var{result} )* "]" }
25013
25014 @item @var{stream-record} @expansion{}
25015 @code{@var{console-stream-output} | @var{target-stream-output} | @var{log-stream-output}}
25016
25017 @item @var{console-stream-output} @expansion{}
25018 @code{"~" @var{c-string}}
25019
25020 @item @var{target-stream-output} @expansion{}
25021 @code{"@@" @var{c-string}}
25022
25023 @item @var{log-stream-output} @expansion{}
25024 @code{"&" @var{c-string}}
25025
25026 @item @var{nl} @expansion{}
25027 @code{CR | CR-LF}
25028
25029 @item @var{token} @expansion{}
25030 @emph{any sequence of digits}.
25031 @end table
25032
25033 @noindent
25034 Notes:
25035
25036 @itemize @bullet
25037 @item
25038 All output sequences end in a single line containing a period.
25039
25040 @item
25041 The @code{@var{token}} is from the corresponding request. Note that
25042 for all async output, while the token is allowed by the grammar and
25043 may be output by future versions of @value{GDBN} for select async
25044 output messages, it is generally omitted. Frontends should treat
25045 all async output as reporting general changes in the state of the
25046 target and there should be no need to associate async output to any
25047 prior command.
25048
25049 @item
25050 @cindex status output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25051 @var{status-async-output} contains on-going status information about the
25052 progress of a slow operation. It can be discarded. All status output is
25053 prefixed by @samp{+}.
25054
25055 @item
25056 @cindex async output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25057 @var{exec-async-output} contains asynchronous state change on the target
25058 (stopped, started, disappeared). All async output is prefixed by
25059 @samp{*}.
25060
25061 @item
25062 @cindex notify output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25063 @var{notify-async-output} contains supplementary information that the
25064 client should handle (e.g., a new breakpoint information). All notify
25065 output is prefixed by @samp{=}.
25066
25067 @item
25068 @cindex console output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25069 @var{console-stream-output} is output that should be displayed as is in the
25070 console. It is the textual response to a CLI command. All the console
25071 output is prefixed by @samp{~}.
25072
25073 @item
25074 @cindex target output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25075 @var{target-stream-output} is the output produced by the target program.
25076 All the target output is prefixed by @samp{@@}.
25077
25078 @item
25079 @cindex log output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25080 @var{log-stream-output} is output text coming from @value{GDBN}'s internals, for
25081 instance messages that should be displayed as part of an error log. All
25082 the log output is prefixed by @samp{&}.
25083
25084 @item
25085 @cindex list output in @sc{gdb/mi}
25086 New @sc{gdb/mi} commands should only output @var{lists} containing
25087 @var{values}.
25088
25089
25090 @end itemize
25091
25092 @xref{GDB/MI Stream Records, , @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records}, for more
25093 details about the various output records.
25094
25095 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25096 @node GDB/MI Compatibility with CLI
25097 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Compatibility with CLI
25098
25099 @cindex compatibility, @sc{gdb/mi} and CLI
25100 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, compatibility with CLI
25101
25102 For the developers convenience CLI commands can be entered directly,
25103 but there may be some unexpected behaviour. For example, commands
25104 that query the user will behave as if the user replied yes, breakpoint
25105 command lists are not executed and some CLI commands, such as
25106 @code{if}, @code{when} and @code{define}, prompt for further input with
25107 @samp{>}, which is not valid MI output.
25108
25109 This feature may be removed at some stage in the future and it is
25110 recommended that front ends use the @code{-interpreter-exec} command
25111 (@pxref{-interpreter-exec}).
25112
25113 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25114 @node GDB/MI Development and Front Ends
25115 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Development and Front Ends
25116 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi} development
25117
25118 The application which takes the MI output and presents the state of the
25119 program being debugged to the user is called a @dfn{front end}.
25120
25121 Although @sc{gdb/mi} is still incomplete, it is currently being used
25122 by a variety of front ends to @value{GDBN}. This makes it difficult
25123 to introduce new functionality without breaking existing usage. This
25124 section tries to minimize the problems by describing how the protocol
25125 might change.
25126
25127 Some changes in MI need not break a carefully designed front end, and
25128 for these the MI version will remain unchanged. The following is a
25129 list of changes that may occur within one level, so front ends should
25130 parse MI output in a way that can handle them:
25131
25132 @itemize @bullet
25133 @item
25134 New MI commands may be added.
25135
25136 @item
25137 New fields may be added to the output of any MI command.
25138
25139 @item
25140 The range of values for fields with specified values, e.g.,
25141 @code{in_scope} (@pxref{-var-update}) may be extended.
25142
25143 @c The format of field's content e.g type prefix, may change so parse it
25144 @c at your own risk. Yes, in general?
25145
25146 @c The order of fields may change? Shouldn't really matter but it might
25147 @c resolve inconsistencies.
25148 @end itemize
25149
25150 If the changes are likely to break front ends, the MI version level
25151 will be increased by one. This will allow the front end to parse the
25152 output according to the MI version. Apart from mi0, new versions of
25153 @value{GDBN} will not support old versions of MI and it will be the
25154 responsibility of the front end to work with the new one.
25155
25156 @c Starting with mi3, add a new command -mi-version that prints the MI
25157 @c version?
25158
25159 The best way to avoid unexpected changes in MI that might break your front
25160 end is to make your project known to @value{GDBN} developers and
25161 follow development on @email{gdb@@sourceware.org} and
25162 @email{gdb-patches@@sourceware.org}.
25163 @cindex mailing lists
25164
25165 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25166 @node GDB/MI Output Records
25167 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Output Records
25168
25169 @menu
25170 * GDB/MI Result Records::
25171 * GDB/MI Stream Records::
25172 * GDB/MI Async Records::
25173 * GDB/MI Frame Information::
25174 * GDB/MI Thread Information::
25175 * GDB/MI Ada Exception Information::
25176 @end menu
25177
25178 @node GDB/MI Result Records
25179 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Result Records
25180
25181 @cindex result records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25182 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, result records
25183 In addition to a number of out-of-band notifications, the response to a
25184 @sc{gdb/mi} command includes one of the following result indications:
25185
25186 @table @code
25187 @findex ^done
25188 @item "^done" [ "," @var{results} ]
25189 The synchronous operation was successful, @code{@var{results}} are the return
25190 values.
25191
25192 @item "^running"
25193 @findex ^running
25194 This result record is equivalent to @samp{^done}. Historically, it
25195 was output instead of @samp{^done} if the command has resumed the
25196 target. This behaviour is maintained for backward compatibility, but
25197 all frontends should treat @samp{^done} and @samp{^running}
25198 identically and rely on the @samp{*running} output record to determine
25199 which threads are resumed.
25200
25201 @item "^connected"
25202 @findex ^connected
25203 @value{GDBN} has connected to a remote target.
25204
25205 @item "^error" "," @var{c-string}
25206 @findex ^error
25207 The operation failed. The @code{@var{c-string}} contains the corresponding
25208 error message.
25209
25210 @item "^exit"
25211 @findex ^exit
25212 @value{GDBN} has terminated.
25213
25214 @end table
25215
25216 @node GDB/MI Stream Records
25217 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Stream Records
25218
25219 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, stream records
25220 @cindex stream records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25221 @value{GDBN} internally maintains a number of output streams: the console, the
25222 target, and the log. The output intended for each of these streams is
25223 funneled through the @sc{gdb/mi} interface using @dfn{stream records}.
25224
25225 Each stream record begins with a unique @dfn{prefix character} which
25226 identifies its stream (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, , @sc{gdb/mi} Output
25227 Syntax}). In addition to the prefix, each stream record contains a
25228 @code{@var{string-output}}. This is either raw text (with an implicit new
25229 line) or a quoted C string (which does not contain an implicit newline).
25230
25231 @table @code
25232 @item "~" @var{string-output}
25233 The console output stream contains text that should be displayed in the
25234 CLI console window. It contains the textual responses to CLI commands.
25235
25236 @item "@@" @var{string-output}
25237 The target output stream contains any textual output from the running
25238 target. This is only present when GDB's event loop is truly
25239 asynchronous, which is currently only the case for remote targets.
25240
25241 @item "&" @var{string-output}
25242 The log stream contains debugging messages being produced by @value{GDBN}'s
25243 internals.
25244 @end table
25245
25246 @node GDB/MI Async Records
25247 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Async Records
25248
25249 @cindex async records in @sc{gdb/mi}
25250 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, async records
25251 @dfn{Async} records are used to notify the @sc{gdb/mi} client of
25252 additional changes that have occurred. Those changes can either be a
25253 consequence of @sc{gdb/mi} commands (e.g., a breakpoint modified) or a result of
25254 target activity (e.g., target stopped).
25255
25256 The following is the list of possible async records:
25257
25258 @table @code
25259
25260 @item *running,thread-id="@var{thread}"
25261 The target is now running. The @var{thread} field tells which
25262 specific thread is now running, and can be @samp{all} if all threads
25263 are running. The frontend should assume that no interaction with a
25264 running thread is possible after this notification is produced.
25265 The frontend should not assume that this notification is output
25266 only once for any command. @value{GDBN} may emit this notification
25267 several times, either for different threads, because it cannot resume
25268 all threads together, or even for a single thread, if the thread must
25269 be stepped though some code before letting it run freely.
25270
25271 @item *stopped,reason="@var{reason}",thread-id="@var{id}",stopped-threads="@var{stopped}",core="@var{core}"
25272 The target has stopped. The @var{reason} field can have one of the
25273 following values:
25274
25275 @table @code
25276 @item breakpoint-hit
25277 A breakpoint was reached.
25278 @item watchpoint-trigger
25279 A watchpoint was triggered.
25280 @item read-watchpoint-trigger
25281 A read watchpoint was triggered.
25282 @item access-watchpoint-trigger
25283 An access watchpoint was triggered.
25284 @item function-finished
25285 An -exec-finish or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25286 @item location-reached
25287 An -exec-until or similar CLI command was accomplished.
25288 @item watchpoint-scope
25289 A watchpoint has gone out of scope.
25290 @item end-stepping-range
25291 An -exec-next, -exec-next-instruction, -exec-step, -exec-step-instruction or
25292 similar CLI command was accomplished.
25293 @item exited-signalled
25294 The inferior exited because of a signal.
25295 @item exited
25296 The inferior exited.
25297 @item exited-normally
25298 The inferior exited normally.
25299 @item signal-received
25300 A signal was received by the inferior.
25301 @end table
25302
25303 The @var{id} field identifies the thread that directly caused the stop
25304 -- for example by hitting a breakpoint. Depending on whether all-stop
25305 mode is in effect (@pxref{All-Stop Mode}), @value{GDBN} may either
25306 stop all threads, or only the thread that directly triggered the stop.
25307 If all threads are stopped, the @var{stopped} field will have the
25308 value of @code{"all"}. Otherwise, the value of the @var{stopped}
25309 field will be a list of thread identifiers. Presently, this list will
25310 always include a single thread, but frontend should be prepared to see
25311 several threads in the list. The @var{core} field reports the
25312 processor core on which the stop event has happened. This field may be absent
25313 if such information is not available.
25314
25315 @item =thread-group-added,id="@var{id}"
25316 @itemx =thread-group-removed,id="@var{id}"
25317 A thread group was either added or removed. The @var{id} field
25318 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. When a thread
25319 group is added, it generally might not be associated with a running
25320 process. When a thread group is removed, its id becomes invalid and
25321 cannot be used in any way.
25322
25323 @item =thread-group-started,id="@var{id}",pid="@var{pid}"
25324 A thread group became associated with a running program,
25325 either because the program was just started or the thread group
25326 was attached to a program. The @var{id} field contains the
25327 @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread group. The @var{pid} field
25328 contains process identifier, specific to the operating system.
25329
25330 @item =thread-group-exited,id="@var{id}"[,exit-code="@var{code}"]
25331 A thread group is no longer associated with a running program,
25332 either because the program has exited, or because it was detached
25333 from. The @var{id} field contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the
25334 thread group. @var{code} is the exit code of the inferior; it exists
25335 only when the inferior exited with some code.
25336
25337 @item =thread-created,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25338 @itemx =thread-exited,id="@var{id}",group-id="@var{gid}"
25339 A thread either was created, or has exited. The @var{id} field
25340 contains the @value{GDBN} identifier of the thread. The @var{gid}
25341 field identifies the thread group this thread belongs to.
25342
25343 @item =thread-selected,id="@var{id}"
25344 Informs that the selected thread was changed as result of the last
25345 command. This notification is not emitted as result of @code{-thread-select}
25346 command but is emitted whenever an MI command that is not documented
25347 to change the selected thread actually changes it. In particular,
25348 invoking, directly or indirectly (via user-defined command), the CLI
25349 @code{thread} command, will generate this notification.
25350
25351 We suggest that in response to this notification, front ends
25352 highlight the selected thread and cause subsequent commands to apply to
25353 that thread.
25354
25355 @item =library-loaded,...
25356 Reports that a new library file was loaded by the program. This
25357 notification has 4 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name},
25358 @var{host-name}, and @var{symbols-loaded}. The @var{id} field is an
25359 opaque identifier of the library. For remote debugging case,
25360 @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} fields give the name of the
25361 library file on the target, and on the host respectively. For native
25362 debugging, both those fields have the same value. The
25363 @var{symbols-loaded} field is emitted only for backward compatibility
25364 and should not be relied on to convey any useful information. The
25365 @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the thread
25366 group in whose context the library was loaded. If the field is
25367 absent, it means the library was loaded in the context of all present
25368 thread groups.
25369
25370 @item =library-unloaded,...
25371 Reports that a library was unloaded by the program. This notification
25372 has 3 fields---@var{id}, @var{target-name} and @var{host-name} with
25373 the same meaning as for the @code{=library-loaded} notification.
25374 The @var{thread-group} field, if present, specifies the id of the
25375 thread group in whose context the library was unloaded. If the field is
25376 absent, it means the library was unloaded in the context of all present
25377 thread groups.
25378
25379 @item =breakpoint-created,bkpt=@{...@}
25380 @itemx =breakpoint-modified,bkpt=@{...@}
25381 @itemx =breakpoint-deleted,bkpt=@{...@}
25382 Reports that a breakpoint was created, modified, or deleted,
25383 respectively. Only user-visible breakpoints are reported to the MI
25384 user.
25385
25386 The @var{bkpt} argument is of the same form as returned by the various
25387 breakpoint commands; @xref{GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands}.
25388
25389 Note that if a breakpoint is emitted in the result record of a
25390 command, then it will not also be emitted in an async record.
25391
25392 @end table
25393
25394 @node GDB/MI Frame Information
25395 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Frame Information
25396
25397 Response from many MI commands includes an information about stack
25398 frame. This information is a tuple that may have the following
25399 fields:
25400
25401 @table @code
25402 @item level
25403 The level of the stack frame. The innermost frame has the level of
25404 zero. This field is always present.
25405
25406 @item func
25407 The name of the function corresponding to the frame. This field may
25408 be absent if @value{GDBN} is unable to determine the function name.
25409
25410 @item addr
25411 The code address for the frame. This field is always present.
25412
25413 @item file
25414 The name of the source files that correspond to the frame's code
25415 address. This field may be absent.
25416
25417 @item line
25418 The source line corresponding to the frames' code address. This field
25419 may be absent.
25420
25421 @item from
25422 The name of the binary file (either executable or shared library) the
25423 corresponds to the frame's code address. This field may be absent.
25424
25425 @end table
25426
25427 @node GDB/MI Thread Information
25428 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Information
25429
25430 Whenever @value{GDBN} has to report an information about a thread, it
25431 uses a tuple with the following fields:
25432
25433 @table @code
25434 @item id
25435 The numeric id assigned to the thread by @value{GDBN}. This field is
25436 always present.
25437
25438 @item target-id
25439 Target-specific string identifying the thread. This field is always present.
25440
25441 @item details
25442 Additional information about the thread provided by the target.
25443 It is supposed to be human-readable and not interpreted by the
25444 frontend. This field is optional.
25445
25446 @item state
25447 Either @samp{stopped} or @samp{running}, depending on whether the
25448 thread is presently running. This field is always present.
25449
25450 @item core
25451 The value of this field is an integer number of the processor core the
25452 thread was last seen on. This field is optional.
25453 @end table
25454
25455 @node GDB/MI Ada Exception Information
25456 @subsection @sc{gdb/mi} Ada Exception Information
25457
25458 Whenever a @code{*stopped} record is emitted because the program
25459 stopped after hitting an exception catchpoint (@pxref{Set Catchpoints}),
25460 @value{GDBN} provides the name of the exception that was raised via
25461 the @code{exception-name} field.
25462
25463 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25464 @node GDB/MI Simple Examples
25465 @section Simple Examples of @sc{gdb/mi} Interaction
25466 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, simple examples
25467
25468 This subsection presents several simple examples of interaction using
25469 the @sc{gdb/mi} interface. In these examples, @samp{->} means that the
25470 following line is passed to @sc{gdb/mi} as input, while @samp{<-} means
25471 the output received from @sc{gdb/mi}.
25472
25473 Note the line breaks shown in the examples are here only for
25474 readability, they don't appear in the real output.
25475
25476 @subheading Setting a Breakpoint
25477
25478 Setting a breakpoint generates synchronous output which contains detailed
25479 information of the breakpoint.
25480
25481 @smallexample
25482 -> -break-insert main
25483 <- ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25484 enabled="y",addr="0x08048564",func="main",file="myprog.c",
25485 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68",times="0"@}
25486 <- (gdb)
25487 @end smallexample
25488
25489 @subheading Program Execution
25490
25491 Program execution generates asynchronous records and MI gives the
25492 reason that execution stopped.
25493
25494 @smallexample
25495 -> -exec-run
25496 <- ^running
25497 <- (gdb)
25498 <- *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
25499 frame=@{addr="0x08048564",func="main",
25500 args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},@{name="argv",value="0xbfc4d4d4"@}],
25501 file="myprog.c",fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="68"@}
25502 <- (gdb)
25503 -> -exec-continue
25504 <- ^running
25505 <- (gdb)
25506 <- *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
25507 <- (gdb)
25508 @end smallexample
25509
25510 @subheading Quitting @value{GDBN}
25511
25512 Quitting @value{GDBN} just prints the result class @samp{^exit}.
25513
25514 @smallexample
25515 -> (gdb)
25516 <- -gdb-exit
25517 <- ^exit
25518 @end smallexample
25519
25520 Please note that @samp{^exit} is printed immediately, but it might
25521 take some time for @value{GDBN} to actually exit. During that time, @value{GDBN}
25522 performs necessary cleanups, including killing programs being debugged
25523 or disconnecting from debug hardware, so the frontend should wait till
25524 @value{GDBN} exits and should only forcibly kill @value{GDBN} if it
25525 fails to exit in reasonable time.
25526
25527 @subheading A Bad Command
25528
25529 Here's what happens if you pass a non-existent command:
25530
25531 @smallexample
25532 -> -rubbish
25533 <- ^error,msg="Undefined MI command: rubbish"
25534 <- (gdb)
25535 @end smallexample
25536
25537
25538 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25539 @node GDB/MI Command Description Format
25540 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Command Description Format
25541
25542 The remaining sections describe blocks of commands. Each block of
25543 commands is laid out in a fashion similar to this section.
25544
25545 @subheading Motivation
25546
25547 The motivation for this collection of commands.
25548
25549 @subheading Introduction
25550
25551 A brief introduction to this collection of commands as a whole.
25552
25553 @subheading Commands
25554
25555 For each command in the block, the following is described:
25556
25557 @subsubheading Synopsis
25558
25559 @smallexample
25560 -command @var{args}@dots{}
25561 @end smallexample
25562
25563 @subsubheading Result
25564
25565 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25566
25567 The corresponding @value{GDBN} CLI command(s), if any.
25568
25569 @subsubheading Example
25570
25571 Example(s) formatted for readability. Some of the described commands have
25572 not been implemented yet and these are labeled N.A.@: (not available).
25573
25574
25575 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
25576 @node GDB/MI Breakpoint Commands
25577 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Breakpoint Commands
25578
25579 @cindex breakpoint commands for @sc{gdb/mi}
25580 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, breakpoint commands
25581 This section documents @sc{gdb/mi} commands for manipulating
25582 breakpoints.
25583
25584 @subheading The @code{-break-after} Command
25585 @findex -break-after
25586
25587 @subsubheading Synopsis
25588
25589 @smallexample
25590 -break-after @var{number} @var{count}
25591 @end smallexample
25592
25593 The breakpoint number @var{number} is not in effect until it has been
25594 hit @var{count} times. To see how this is reflected in the output of
25595 the @samp{-break-list} command, see the description of the
25596 @samp{-break-list} command below.
25597
25598 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25599
25600 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ignore}.
25601
25602 @subsubheading Example
25603
25604 @smallexample
25605 (gdb)
25606 -break-insert main
25607 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25608 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25609 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25610 (gdb)
25611 -break-after 1 3
25612 ~
25613 ^done
25614 (gdb)
25615 -break-list
25616 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25617 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25618 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25619 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25620 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25621 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25622 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25623 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25624 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25625 line="5",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25626 (gdb)
25627 @end smallexample
25628
25629 @ignore
25630 @subheading The @code{-break-catch} Command
25631 @findex -break-catch
25632 @end ignore
25633
25634 @subheading The @code{-break-commands} Command
25635 @findex -break-commands
25636
25637 @subsubheading Synopsis
25638
25639 @smallexample
25640 -break-commands @var{number} [ @var{command1} ... @var{commandN} ]
25641 @end smallexample
25642
25643 Specifies the CLI commands that should be executed when breakpoint
25644 @var{number} is hit. The parameters @var{command1} to @var{commandN}
25645 are the commands. If no command is specified, any previously-set
25646 commands are cleared. @xref{Break Commands}. Typical use of this
25647 functionality is tracing a program, that is, printing of values of
25648 some variables whenever breakpoint is hit and then continuing.
25649
25650 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25651
25652 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{commands}.
25653
25654 @subsubheading Example
25655
25656 @smallexample
25657 (gdb)
25658 -break-insert main
25659 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",
25660 enabled="y",addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",
25661 fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",line="5",times="0"@}
25662 (gdb)
25663 -break-commands 1 "print v" "continue"
25664 ^done
25665 (gdb)
25666 @end smallexample
25667
25668 @subheading The @code{-break-condition} Command
25669 @findex -break-condition
25670
25671 @subsubheading Synopsis
25672
25673 @smallexample
25674 -break-condition @var{number} @var{expr}
25675 @end smallexample
25676
25677 Breakpoint @var{number} will stop the program only if the condition in
25678 @var{expr} is true. The condition becomes part of the
25679 @samp{-break-list} output (see the description of the @samp{-break-list}
25680 command below).
25681
25682 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25683
25684 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{condition}.
25685
25686 @subsubheading Example
25687
25688 @smallexample
25689 (gdb)
25690 -break-condition 1 1
25691 ^done
25692 (gdb)
25693 -break-list
25694 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25695 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25696 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25697 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25698 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25699 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25700 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25701 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25702 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25703 line="5",cond="1",times="0",ignore="3"@}]@}
25704 (gdb)
25705 @end smallexample
25706
25707 @subheading The @code{-break-delete} Command
25708 @findex -break-delete
25709
25710 @subsubheading Synopsis
25711
25712 @smallexample
25713 -break-delete ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25714 @end smallexample
25715
25716 Delete the breakpoint(s) whose number(s) are specified in the argument
25717 list. This is obviously reflected in the breakpoint list.
25718
25719 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25720
25721 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{delete}.
25722
25723 @subsubheading Example
25724
25725 @smallexample
25726 (gdb)
25727 -break-delete 1
25728 ^done
25729 (gdb)
25730 -break-list
25731 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
25732 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25733 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25734 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25735 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25736 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25737 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25738 body=[]@}
25739 (gdb)
25740 @end smallexample
25741
25742 @subheading The @code{-break-disable} Command
25743 @findex -break-disable
25744
25745 @subsubheading Synopsis
25746
25747 @smallexample
25748 -break-disable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25749 @end smallexample
25750
25751 Disable the named @var{breakpoint}(s). The field @samp{enabled} in the
25752 break list is now set to @samp{n} for the named @var{breakpoint}(s).
25753
25754 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25755
25756 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disable}.
25757
25758 @subsubheading Example
25759
25760 @smallexample
25761 (gdb)
25762 -break-disable 2
25763 ^done
25764 (gdb)
25765 -break-list
25766 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25767 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25768 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25769 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25770 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25771 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25772 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25773 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="n",
25774 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25775 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25776 (gdb)
25777 @end smallexample
25778
25779 @subheading The @code{-break-enable} Command
25780 @findex -break-enable
25781
25782 @subsubheading Synopsis
25783
25784 @smallexample
25785 -break-enable ( @var{breakpoint} )+
25786 @end smallexample
25787
25788 Enable (previously disabled) @var{breakpoint}(s).
25789
25790 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25791
25792 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{enable}.
25793
25794 @subsubheading Example
25795
25796 @smallexample
25797 (gdb)
25798 -break-enable 2
25799 ^done
25800 (gdb)
25801 -break-list
25802 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
25803 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25804 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25805 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25806 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25807 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25808 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25809 body=[bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25810 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25811 line="5",times="0"@}]@}
25812 (gdb)
25813 @end smallexample
25814
25815 @subheading The @code{-break-info} Command
25816 @findex -break-info
25817
25818 @subsubheading Synopsis
25819
25820 @smallexample
25821 -break-info @var{breakpoint}
25822 @end smallexample
25823
25824 @c REDUNDANT???
25825 Get information about a single breakpoint.
25826
25827 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25828
25829 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break @var{breakpoint}}.
25830
25831 @subsubheading Example
25832 N.A.
25833
25834 @subheading The @code{-break-insert} Command
25835 @findex -break-insert
25836
25837 @subsubheading Synopsis
25838
25839 @smallexample
25840 -break-insert [ -t ] [ -h ] [ -f ] [ -d ] [ -a ]
25841 [ -c @var{condition} ] [ -i @var{ignore-count} ]
25842 [ -p @var{thread} ] [ @var{location} ]
25843 @end smallexample
25844
25845 @noindent
25846 If specified, @var{location}, can be one of:
25847
25848 @itemize @bullet
25849 @item function
25850 @c @item +offset
25851 @c @item -offset
25852 @c @item linenum
25853 @item filename:linenum
25854 @item filename:function
25855 @item *address
25856 @end itemize
25857
25858 The possible optional parameters of this command are:
25859
25860 @table @samp
25861 @item -t
25862 Insert a temporary breakpoint.
25863 @item -h
25864 Insert a hardware breakpoint.
25865 @item -c @var{condition}
25866 Make the breakpoint conditional on @var{condition}.
25867 @item -i @var{ignore-count}
25868 Initialize the @var{ignore-count}.
25869 @item -f
25870 If @var{location} cannot be parsed (for example if it
25871 refers to unknown files or functions), create a pending
25872 breakpoint. Without this flag, @value{GDBN} will report
25873 an error, and won't create a breakpoint, if @var{location}
25874 cannot be parsed.
25875 @item -d
25876 Create a disabled breakpoint.
25877 @item -a
25878 Create a tracepoint. @xref{Tracepoints}. When this parameter
25879 is used together with @samp{-h}, a fast tracepoint is created.
25880 @end table
25881
25882 @subsubheading Result
25883
25884 The result is in the form:
25885
25886 @smallexample
25887 ^done,bkpt=@{number="@var{number}",type="@var{type}",disp="del"|"keep",
25888 enabled="y"|"n",addr="@var{hex}",func="@var{funcname}",file="@var{filename}",
25889 fullname="@var{full_filename}",line="@var{lineno}",[thread="@var{threadno},]
25890 times="@var{times}"@}
25891 @end smallexample
25892
25893 @noindent
25894 where @var{number} is the @value{GDBN} number for this breakpoint,
25895 @var{funcname} is the name of the function where the breakpoint was
25896 inserted, @var{filename} is the name of the source file which contains
25897 this function, @var{lineno} is the source line number within that file
25898 and @var{times} the number of times that the breakpoint has been hit
25899 (always 0 for -break-insert but may be greater for -break-info or -break-list
25900 which use the same output).
25901
25902 Note: this format is open to change.
25903 @c An out-of-band breakpoint instead of part of the result?
25904
25905 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25906
25907 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{break}, @samp{tbreak},
25908 @samp{hbreak}, @samp{thbreak}, and @samp{rbreak}.
25909
25910 @subsubheading Example
25911
25912 @smallexample
25913 (gdb)
25914 -break-insert main
25915 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",
25916 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="4",times="0"@}
25917 (gdb)
25918 -break-insert -t foo
25919 ^done,bkpt=@{number="2",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c",
25920 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,line="11",times="0"@}
25921 (gdb)
25922 -break-list
25923 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25924 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25925 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25926 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25927 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25928 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25929 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25930 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25931 addr="0x0001072c", func="main",file="recursive2.c",
25932 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c,"line="4",times="0"@},
25933 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="del",enabled="y",
25934 addr="0x00010774",func="foo",file="recursive2.c",
25935 fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}]@}
25936 (gdb)
25937 -break-insert -r foo.*
25938 ~int foo(int, int);
25939 ^done,bkpt=@{number="3",addr="0x00010774",file="recursive2.c,
25940 "fullname="/home/foo/recursive2.c",line="11",times="0"@}
25941 (gdb)
25942 @end smallexample
25943
25944 @subheading The @code{-break-list} Command
25945 @findex -break-list
25946
25947 @subsubheading Synopsis
25948
25949 @smallexample
25950 -break-list
25951 @end smallexample
25952
25953 Displays the list of inserted breakpoints, showing the following fields:
25954
25955 @table @samp
25956 @item Number
25957 number of the breakpoint
25958 @item Type
25959 type of the breakpoint: @samp{breakpoint} or @samp{watchpoint}
25960 @item Disposition
25961 should the breakpoint be deleted or disabled when it is hit: @samp{keep}
25962 or @samp{nokeep}
25963 @item Enabled
25964 is the breakpoint enabled or no: @samp{y} or @samp{n}
25965 @item Address
25966 memory location at which the breakpoint is set
25967 @item What
25968 logical location of the breakpoint, expressed by function name, file
25969 name, line number
25970 @item Times
25971 number of times the breakpoint has been hit
25972 @end table
25973
25974 If there are no breakpoints or watchpoints, the @code{BreakpointTable}
25975 @code{body} field is an empty list.
25976
25977 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
25978
25979 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info break}.
25980
25981 @subsubheading Example
25982
25983 @smallexample
25984 (gdb)
25985 -break-list
25986 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
25987 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
25988 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
25989 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
25990 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
25991 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
25992 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
25993 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25994 addr="0x000100d0",func="main",file="hello.c",line="5",times="0"@},
25995 bkpt=@{number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
25996 addr="0x00010114",func="foo",file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/hello.c",
25997 line="13",times="0"@}]@}
25998 (gdb)
25999 @end smallexample
26000
26001 Here's an example of the result when there are no breakpoints:
26002
26003 @smallexample
26004 (gdb)
26005 -break-list
26006 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="0",nr_cols="6",
26007 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26008 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26009 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26010 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26011 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26012 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26013 body=[]@}
26014 (gdb)
26015 @end smallexample
26016
26017 @subheading The @code{-break-passcount} Command
26018 @findex -break-passcount
26019
26020 @subsubheading Synopsis
26021
26022 @smallexample
26023 -break-passcount @var{tracepoint-number} @var{passcount}
26024 @end smallexample
26025
26026 Set the passcount for tracepoint @var{tracepoint-number} to
26027 @var{passcount}. If the breakpoint referred to by @var{tracepoint-number}
26028 is not a tracepoint, error is emitted. This corresponds to CLI
26029 command @samp{passcount}.
26030
26031 @subheading The @code{-break-watch} Command
26032 @findex -break-watch
26033
26034 @subsubheading Synopsis
26035
26036 @smallexample
26037 -break-watch [ -a | -r ]
26038 @end smallexample
26039
26040 Create a watchpoint. With the @samp{-a} option it will create an
26041 @dfn{access} watchpoint, i.e., a watchpoint that triggers either on a
26042 read from or on a write to the memory location. With the @samp{-r}
26043 option, the watchpoint created is a @dfn{read} watchpoint, i.e., it will
26044 trigger only when the memory location is accessed for reading. Without
26045 either of the options, the watchpoint created is a regular watchpoint,
26046 i.e., it will trigger when the memory location is accessed for writing.
26047 @xref{Set Watchpoints, , Setting Watchpoints}.
26048
26049 Note that @samp{-break-list} will report a single list of watchpoints and
26050 breakpoints inserted.
26051
26052 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26053
26054 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{watch}, @samp{awatch}, and
26055 @samp{rwatch}.
26056
26057 @subsubheading Example
26058
26059 Setting a watchpoint on a variable in the @code{main} function:
26060
26061 @smallexample
26062 (gdb)
26063 -break-watch x
26064 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@}
26065 (gdb)
26066 -exec-continue
26067 ^running
26068 (gdb)
26069 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="x"@},
26070 value=@{old="-268439212",new="55"@},
26071 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26072 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="5"@}
26073 (gdb)
26074 @end smallexample
26075
26076 Setting a watchpoint on a variable local to a function. @value{GDBN} will stop
26077 the program execution twice: first for the variable changing value, then
26078 for the watchpoint going out of scope.
26079
26080 @smallexample
26081 (gdb)
26082 -break-watch C
26083 ^done,wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@}
26084 (gdb)
26085 -exec-continue
26086 ^running
26087 (gdb)
26088 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",
26089 wpt=@{number="5",exp="C"@},value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
26090 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26091 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26092 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
26093 (gdb)
26094 -exec-continue
26095 ^running
26096 (gdb)
26097 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="5",
26098 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26099 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26100 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26101 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26102 (gdb)
26103 @end smallexample
26104
26105 Listing breakpoints and watchpoints, at different points in the program
26106 execution. Note that once the watchpoint goes out of scope, it is
26107 deleted.
26108
26109 @smallexample
26110 (gdb)
26111 -break-watch C
26112 ^done,wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@}
26113 (gdb)
26114 -break-list
26115 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26116 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26117 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26118 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26119 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26120 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26121 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26122 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26123 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26124 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26125 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c"line="8",times="1"@},
26126 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26127 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="0"@}]@}
26128 (gdb)
26129 -exec-continue
26130 ^running
26131 (gdb)
26132 *stopped,reason="watchpoint-trigger",wpt=@{number="2",exp="C"@},
26133 value=@{old="-276895068",new="3"@},
26134 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26135 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26136 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="13"@}
26137 (gdb)
26138 -break-list
26139 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="2",nr_cols="6",
26140 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26141 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26142 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26143 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26144 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26145 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26146 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26147 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26148 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26149 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",times="1"@},
26150 bkpt=@{number="2",type="watchpoint",disp="keep",
26151 enabled="y",addr="",what="C",times="-5"@}]@}
26152 (gdb)
26153 -exec-continue
26154 ^running
26155 ^done,reason="watchpoint-scope",wpnum="2",
26156 frame=@{func="callee3",args=[@{name="strarg",
26157 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26158 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26159 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26160 (gdb)
26161 -break-list
26162 ^done,BreakpointTable=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="6",
26163 hdr=[@{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="number",colhdr="Num"@},
26164 @{width="14",alignment="-1",col_name="type",colhdr="Type"@},
26165 @{width="4",alignment="-1",col_name="disp",colhdr="Disp"@},
26166 @{width="3",alignment="-1",col_name="enabled",colhdr="Enb"@},
26167 @{width="10",alignment="-1",col_name="addr",colhdr="Address"@},
26168 @{width="40",alignment="2",col_name="what",colhdr="What"@}],
26169 body=[bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
26170 addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
26171 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26172 fullname="/home/foo/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8",
26173 times="1"@}]@}
26174 (gdb)
26175 @end smallexample
26176
26177 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26178 @node GDB/MI Program Context
26179 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Context
26180
26181 @subheading The @code{-exec-arguments} Command
26182 @findex -exec-arguments
26183
26184
26185 @subsubheading Synopsis
26186
26187 @smallexample
26188 -exec-arguments @var{args}
26189 @end smallexample
26190
26191 Set the inferior program arguments, to be used in the next
26192 @samp{-exec-run}.
26193
26194 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26195
26196 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set args}.
26197
26198 @subsubheading Example
26199
26200 @smallexample
26201 (gdb)
26202 -exec-arguments -v word
26203 ^done
26204 (gdb)
26205 @end smallexample
26206
26207
26208 @ignore
26209 @subheading The @code{-exec-show-arguments} Command
26210 @findex -exec-show-arguments
26211
26212 @subsubheading Synopsis
26213
26214 @smallexample
26215 -exec-show-arguments
26216 @end smallexample
26217
26218 Print the arguments of the program.
26219
26220 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26221
26222 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show args}.
26223
26224 @subsubheading Example
26225 N.A.
26226 @end ignore
26227
26228
26229 @subheading The @code{-environment-cd} Command
26230 @findex -environment-cd
26231
26232 @subsubheading Synopsis
26233
26234 @smallexample
26235 -environment-cd @var{pathdir}
26236 @end smallexample
26237
26238 Set @value{GDBN}'s working directory.
26239
26240 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26241
26242 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{cd}.
26243
26244 @subsubheading Example
26245
26246 @smallexample
26247 (gdb)
26248 -environment-cd /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26249 ^done
26250 (gdb)
26251 @end smallexample
26252
26253
26254 @subheading The @code{-environment-directory} Command
26255 @findex -environment-directory
26256
26257 @subsubheading Synopsis
26258
26259 @smallexample
26260 -environment-directory [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26261 @end smallexample
26262
26263 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for source files.
26264 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the default
26265 search path. If directories @var{pathdir} are supplied in addition to the
26266 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26267 occurs as normal.
26268 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26269 multiple directories in a single command
26270 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26271 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26272 If blanks are needed as
26273 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26274 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26275 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26276 character must not be used
26277 in any directory name.
26278 If no directories are specified, the current search path is displayed.
26279
26280 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26281
26282 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{dir}.
26283
26284 @subsubheading Example
26285
26286 @smallexample
26287 (gdb)
26288 -environment-directory /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb
26289 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26290 (gdb)
26291 -environment-directory ""
26292 ^done,source-path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb:$cdir:$cwd"
26293 (gdb)
26294 -environment-directory -r /home/jjohnstn/src/gdb /usr/src
26295 ^done,source-path="/home/jjohnstn/src/gdb:/usr/src:$cdir:$cwd"
26296 (gdb)
26297 -environment-directory -r
26298 ^done,source-path="$cdir:$cwd"
26299 (gdb)
26300 @end smallexample
26301
26302
26303 @subheading The @code{-environment-path} Command
26304 @findex -environment-path
26305
26306 @subsubheading Synopsis
26307
26308 @smallexample
26309 -environment-path [ -r ] [ @var{pathdir} ]+
26310 @end smallexample
26311
26312 Add directories @var{pathdir} to beginning of search path for object files.
26313 If the @samp{-r} option is used, the search path is reset to the original
26314 search path that existed at gdb start-up. If directories @var{pathdir} are
26315 supplied in addition to the
26316 @samp{-r} option, the search path is first reset and then addition
26317 occurs as normal.
26318 Multiple directories may be specified, separated by blanks. Specifying
26319 multiple directories in a single command
26320 results in the directories added to the beginning of the
26321 search path in the same order they were presented in the command.
26322 If blanks are needed as
26323 part of a directory name, double-quotes should be used around
26324 the name. In the command output, the path will show up separated
26325 by the system directory-separator character. The directory-separator
26326 character must not be used
26327 in any directory name.
26328 If no directories are specified, the current path is displayed.
26329
26330
26331 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26332
26333 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{path}.
26334
26335 @subsubheading Example
26336
26337 @smallexample
26338 (gdb)
26339 -environment-path
26340 ^done,path="/usr/bin"
26341 (gdb)
26342 -environment-path /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb /bin
26343 ^done,path="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/ppc-eabi/gdb:/bin:/usr/bin"
26344 (gdb)
26345 -environment-path -r /usr/local/bin
26346 ^done,path="/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin"
26347 (gdb)
26348 @end smallexample
26349
26350
26351 @subheading The @code{-environment-pwd} Command
26352 @findex -environment-pwd
26353
26354 @subsubheading Synopsis
26355
26356 @smallexample
26357 -environment-pwd
26358 @end smallexample
26359
26360 Show the current working directory.
26361
26362 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26363
26364 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{pwd}.
26365
26366 @subsubheading Example
26367
26368 @smallexample
26369 (gdb)
26370 -environment-pwd
26371 ^done,cwd="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb"
26372 (gdb)
26373 @end smallexample
26374
26375 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26376 @node GDB/MI Thread Commands
26377 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Thread Commands
26378
26379
26380 @subheading The @code{-thread-info} Command
26381 @findex -thread-info
26382
26383 @subsubheading Synopsis
26384
26385 @smallexample
26386 -thread-info [ @var{thread-id} ]
26387 @end smallexample
26388
26389 Reports information about either a specific thread, if
26390 the @var{thread-id} parameter is present, or about all
26391 threads. When printing information about all threads,
26392 also reports the current thread.
26393
26394 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26395
26396 The @samp{info thread} command prints the same information
26397 about all threads.
26398
26399 @subsubheading Result
26400
26401 The result is a list of threads. The following attributes are
26402 defined for a given thread:
26403
26404 @table @samp
26405 @item current
26406 This field exists only for the current thread. It has the value @samp{*}.
26407
26408 @item id
26409 The identifier that @value{GDBN} uses to refer to the thread.
26410
26411 @item target-id
26412 The identifier that the target uses to refer to the thread.
26413
26414 @item details
26415 Extra information about the thread, in a target-specific format. This
26416 field is optional.
26417
26418 @item name
26419 The name of the thread. If the user specified a name using the
26420 @code{thread name} command, then this name is given. Otherwise, if
26421 @value{GDBN} can extract the thread name from the target, then that
26422 name is given. If @value{GDBN} cannot find the thread name, then this
26423 field is omitted.
26424
26425 @item frame
26426 The stack frame currently executing in the thread.
26427
26428 @item state
26429 The thread's state. The @samp{state} field may have the following
26430 values:
26431
26432 @table @code
26433 @item stopped
26434 The thread is stopped. Frame information is available for stopped
26435 threads.
26436
26437 @item running
26438 The thread is running. There's no frame information for running
26439 threads.
26440
26441 @end table
26442
26443 @item core
26444 If @value{GDBN} can find the CPU core on which this thread is running,
26445 then this field is the core identifier. This field is optional.
26446
26447 @end table
26448
26449 @subsubheading Example
26450
26451 @smallexample
26452 -thread-info
26453 ^done,threads=[
26454 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
26455 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",
26456 args=[]@},state="running"@},
26457 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
26458 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",
26459 args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
26460 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},
26461 state="running"@}],
26462 current-thread-id="1"
26463 (gdb)
26464 @end smallexample
26465
26466 @subheading The @code{-thread-list-ids} Command
26467 @findex -thread-list-ids
26468
26469 @subsubheading Synopsis
26470
26471 @smallexample
26472 -thread-list-ids
26473 @end smallexample
26474
26475 Produces a list of the currently known @value{GDBN} thread ids. At the
26476 end of the list it also prints the total number of such threads.
26477
26478 This command is retained for historical reasons, the
26479 @code{-thread-info} command should be used instead.
26480
26481 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26482
26483 Part of @samp{info threads} supplies the same information.
26484
26485 @subsubheading Example
26486
26487 @smallexample
26488 (gdb)
26489 -thread-list-ids
26490 ^done,thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26491 current-thread-id="1",number-of-threads="3"
26492 (gdb)
26493 @end smallexample
26494
26495
26496 @subheading The @code{-thread-select} Command
26497 @findex -thread-select
26498
26499 @subsubheading Synopsis
26500
26501 @smallexample
26502 -thread-select @var{threadnum}
26503 @end smallexample
26504
26505 Make @var{threadnum} the current thread. It prints the number of the new
26506 current thread, and the topmost frame for that thread.
26507
26508 This command is deprecated in favor of explicitly using the
26509 @samp{--thread} option to each command.
26510
26511 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26512
26513 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{thread}.
26514
26515 @subsubheading Example
26516
26517 @smallexample
26518 (gdb)
26519 -exec-next
26520 ^running
26521 (gdb)
26522 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",thread-id="2",line="187",
26523 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.threads/linux-dp.c"
26524 (gdb)
26525 -thread-list-ids
26526 ^done,
26527 thread-ids=@{thread-id="3",thread-id="2",thread-id="1"@},
26528 number-of-threads="3"
26529 (gdb)
26530 -thread-select 3
26531 ^done,new-thread-id="3",
26532 frame=@{level="0",func="vprintf",
26533 args=[@{name="format",value="0x8048e9c \"%*s%c %d %c\\n\""@},
26534 @{name="arg",value="0x2"@}],file="vprintf.c",line="31"@}
26535 (gdb)
26536 @end smallexample
26537
26538 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
26539 @node GDB/MI Program Execution
26540 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Program Execution
26541
26542 These are the asynchronous commands which generate the out-of-band
26543 record @samp{*stopped}. Currently @value{GDBN} only really executes
26544 asynchronously with remote targets and this interaction is mimicked in
26545 other cases.
26546
26547 @subheading The @code{-exec-continue} Command
26548 @findex -exec-continue
26549
26550 @subsubheading Synopsis
26551
26552 @smallexample
26553 -exec-continue [--reverse] [--all|--thread-group N]
26554 @end smallexample
26555
26556 Resumes the execution of the inferior program, which will continue
26557 to execute until it reaches a debugger stop event. If the
26558 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, execution resumes in reverse until
26559 it reaches a stop event. Stop events may include
26560 @itemize @bullet
26561 @item
26562 breakpoints or watchpoints
26563 @item
26564 signals or exceptions
26565 @item
26566 the end of the process (or its beginning under @samp{--reverse})
26567 @item
26568 the end or beginning of a replay log if one is being used.
26569 @end itemize
26570 In all-stop mode (@pxref{All-Stop
26571 Mode}), may resume only one thread, or all threads, depending on the
26572 value of the @samp{scheduler-locking} variable. If @samp{--all} is
26573 specified, all threads (in all inferiors) will be resumed. The @samp{--all} option is
26574 ignored in all-stop mode. If the @samp{--thread-group} options is
26575 specified, then all threads in that thread group are resumed.
26576
26577 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26578
26579 The corresponding @value{GDBN} corresponding is @samp{continue}.
26580
26581 @subsubheading Example
26582
26583 @smallexample
26584 -exec-continue
26585 ^running
26586 (gdb)
26587 @@Hello world
26588 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="2",frame=@{
26589 func="foo",args=[],file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",
26590 line="13"@}
26591 (gdb)
26592 @end smallexample
26593
26594
26595 @subheading The @code{-exec-finish} Command
26596 @findex -exec-finish
26597
26598 @subsubheading Synopsis
26599
26600 @smallexample
26601 -exec-finish [--reverse]
26602 @end smallexample
26603
26604 Resumes the execution of the inferior program until the current
26605 function is exited. Displays the results returned by the function.
26606 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes the reverse
26607 execution of the inferior program until the point where current
26608 function was called.
26609
26610 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26611
26612 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{finish}.
26613
26614 @subsubheading Example
26615
26616 Function returning @code{void}.
26617
26618 @smallexample
26619 -exec-finish
26620 ^running
26621 (gdb)
26622 @@hello from foo
26623 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
26624 file="hello.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/hello.c",line="7"@}
26625 (gdb)
26626 @end smallexample
26627
26628 Function returning other than @code{void}. The name of the internal
26629 @value{GDBN} variable storing the result is printed, together with the
26630 value itself.
26631
26632 @smallexample
26633 -exec-finish
26634 ^running
26635 (gdb)
26636 *stopped,reason="function-finished",frame=@{addr="0x000107b0",func="foo",
26637 args=[@{name="a",value="1"],@{name="b",value="9"@}@},
26638 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
26639 gdb-result-var="$1",return-value="0"
26640 (gdb)
26641 @end smallexample
26642
26643
26644 @subheading The @code{-exec-interrupt} Command
26645 @findex -exec-interrupt
26646
26647 @subsubheading Synopsis
26648
26649 @smallexample
26650 -exec-interrupt [--all|--thread-group N]
26651 @end smallexample
26652
26653 Interrupts the background execution of the target. Note how the token
26654 associated with the stop message is the one for the execution command
26655 that has been interrupted. The token for the interrupt itself only
26656 appears in the @samp{^done} output. If the user is trying to
26657 interrupt a non-running program, an error message will be printed.
26658
26659 Note that when asynchronous execution is enabled, this command is
26660 asynchronous just like other execution commands. That is, first the
26661 @samp{^done} response will be printed, and the target stop will be
26662 reported after that using the @samp{*stopped} notification.
26663
26664 In non-stop mode, only the context thread is interrupted by default.
26665 All threads (in all inferiors) will be interrupted if the
26666 @samp{--all} option is specified. If the @samp{--thread-group}
26667 option is specified, all threads in that group will be interrupted.
26668
26669 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26670
26671 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interrupt}.
26672
26673 @subsubheading Example
26674
26675 @smallexample
26676 (gdb)
26677 111-exec-continue
26678 111^running
26679
26680 (gdb)
26681 222-exec-interrupt
26682 222^done
26683 (gdb)
26684 111*stopped,signal-name="SIGINT",signal-meaning="Interrupt",
26685 frame=@{addr="0x00010140",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26686 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="13"@}
26687 (gdb)
26688
26689 (gdb)
26690 -exec-interrupt
26691 ^error,msg="mi_cmd_exec_interrupt: Inferior not executing."
26692 (gdb)
26693 @end smallexample
26694
26695 @subheading The @code{-exec-jump} Command
26696 @findex -exec-jump
26697
26698 @subsubheading Synopsis
26699
26700 @smallexample
26701 -exec-jump @var{location}
26702 @end smallexample
26703
26704 Resumes execution of the inferior program at the location specified by
26705 parameter. @xref{Specify Location}, for a description of the
26706 different forms of @var{location}.
26707
26708 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26709
26710 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{jump}.
26711
26712 @subsubheading Example
26713
26714 @smallexample
26715 -exec-jump foo.c:10
26716 *running,thread-id="all"
26717 ^running
26718 @end smallexample
26719
26720
26721 @subheading The @code{-exec-next} Command
26722 @findex -exec-next
26723
26724 @subsubheading Synopsis
26725
26726 @smallexample
26727 -exec-next [--reverse]
26728 @end smallexample
26729
26730 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26731 of the next source line is reached.
26732
26733 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26734 of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the previous
26735 source line. If you issue this command on the first line of a
26736 function, it will take you back to the caller of that function, to the
26737 source line where the function was called.
26738
26739
26740 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26741
26742 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{next}.
26743
26744 @subsubheading Example
26745
26746 @smallexample
26747 -exec-next
26748 ^running
26749 (gdb)
26750 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="8",file="hello.c"
26751 (gdb)
26752 @end smallexample
26753
26754
26755 @subheading The @code{-exec-next-instruction} Command
26756 @findex -exec-next-instruction
26757
26758 @subsubheading Synopsis
26759
26760 @smallexample
26761 -exec-next-instruction [--reverse]
26762 @end smallexample
26763
26764 Executes one machine instruction. If the instruction is a function
26765 call, continues until the function returns. If the program stops at an
26766 instruction in the middle of a source line, the address will be
26767 printed as well.
26768
26769 If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution
26770 of the inferior program, stopping at the previous instruction. If the
26771 previously executed instruction was a return from another function,
26772 it will continue to execute in reverse until the call to that function
26773 (from the current stack frame) is reached.
26774
26775 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26776
26777 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{nexti}.
26778
26779 @subsubheading Example
26780
26781 @smallexample
26782 (gdb)
26783 -exec-next-instruction
26784 ^running
26785
26786 (gdb)
26787 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26788 addr="0x000100d4",line="5",file="hello.c"
26789 (gdb)
26790 @end smallexample
26791
26792
26793 @subheading The @code{-exec-return} Command
26794 @findex -exec-return
26795
26796 @subsubheading Synopsis
26797
26798 @smallexample
26799 -exec-return
26800 @end smallexample
26801
26802 Makes current function return immediately. Doesn't execute the inferior.
26803 Displays the new current frame.
26804
26805 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26806
26807 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{return}.
26808
26809 @subsubheading Example
26810
26811 @smallexample
26812 (gdb)
26813 200-break-insert callee4
26814 200^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x00010734",
26815 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26816 (gdb)
26817 000-exec-run
26818 000^running
26819 (gdb)
26820 000*stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26821 frame=@{func="callee4",args=[],
26822 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26823 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@}
26824 (gdb)
26825 205-break-delete
26826 205^done
26827 (gdb)
26828 111-exec-return
26829 111^done,frame=@{level="0",func="callee3",
26830 args=[@{name="strarg",
26831 value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}],
26832 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
26833 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="18"@}
26834 (gdb)
26835 @end smallexample
26836
26837
26838 @subheading The @code{-exec-run} Command
26839 @findex -exec-run
26840
26841 @subsubheading Synopsis
26842
26843 @smallexample
26844 -exec-run [--all | --thread-group N]
26845 @end smallexample
26846
26847 Starts execution of the inferior from the beginning. The inferior
26848 executes until either a breakpoint is encountered or the program
26849 exits. In the latter case the output will include an exit code, if
26850 the program has exited exceptionally.
26851
26852 When no option is specified, the current inferior is started. If the
26853 @samp{--thread-group} option is specified, it should refer to a thread
26854 group of type @samp{process}, and that thread group will be started.
26855 If the @samp{--all} option is specified, then all inferiors will be started.
26856
26857 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26858
26859 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{run}.
26860
26861 @subsubheading Examples
26862
26863 @smallexample
26864 (gdb)
26865 -break-insert main
26866 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",addr="0x0001072c",file="recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26867 (gdb)
26868 -exec-run
26869 ^running
26870 (gdb)
26871 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",
26872 frame=@{func="main",args=[],file="recursive2.c",
26873 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}
26874 (gdb)
26875 @end smallexample
26876
26877 @noindent
26878 Program exited normally:
26879
26880 @smallexample
26881 (gdb)
26882 -exec-run
26883 ^running
26884 (gdb)
26885 x = 55
26886 *stopped,reason="exited-normally"
26887 (gdb)
26888 @end smallexample
26889
26890 @noindent
26891 Program exited exceptionally:
26892
26893 @smallexample
26894 (gdb)
26895 -exec-run
26896 ^running
26897 (gdb)
26898 x = 55
26899 *stopped,reason="exited",exit-code="01"
26900 (gdb)
26901 @end smallexample
26902
26903 Another way the program can terminate is if it receives a signal such as
26904 @code{SIGINT}. In this case, @sc{gdb/mi} displays this:
26905
26906 @smallexample
26907 (gdb)
26908 *stopped,reason="exited-signalled",signal-name="SIGINT",
26909 signal-meaning="Interrupt"
26910 @end smallexample
26911
26912
26913 @c @subheading -exec-signal
26914
26915
26916 @subheading The @code{-exec-step} Command
26917 @findex -exec-step
26918
26919 @subsubheading Synopsis
26920
26921 @smallexample
26922 -exec-step [--reverse]
26923 @end smallexample
26924
26925 Resumes execution of the inferior program, stopping when the beginning
26926 of the next source line is reached, if the next source line is not a
26927 function call. If it is, stop at the first instruction of the called
26928 function. If the @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse
26929 execution of the inferior program, stopping at the beginning of the
26930 previously executed source line.
26931
26932 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26933
26934 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{step}.
26935
26936 @subsubheading Example
26937
26938 Stepping into a function:
26939
26940 @smallexample
26941 -exec-step
26942 ^running
26943 (gdb)
26944 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26945 frame=@{func="foo",args=[@{name="a",value="10"@},
26946 @{name="b",value="0"@}],file="recursive2.c",
26947 fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@}
26948 (gdb)
26949 @end smallexample
26950
26951 Regular stepping:
26952
26953 @smallexample
26954 -exec-step
26955 ^running
26956 (gdb)
26957 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",line="14",file="recursive2.c"
26958 (gdb)
26959 @end smallexample
26960
26961
26962 @subheading The @code{-exec-step-instruction} Command
26963 @findex -exec-step-instruction
26964
26965 @subsubheading Synopsis
26966
26967 @smallexample
26968 -exec-step-instruction [--reverse]
26969 @end smallexample
26970
26971 Resumes the inferior which executes one machine instruction. If the
26972 @samp{--reverse} option is specified, resumes reverse execution of the
26973 inferior program, stopping at the previously executed instruction.
26974 The output, once @value{GDBN} has stopped, will vary depending on
26975 whether we have stopped in the middle of a source line or not. In the
26976 former case, the address at which the program stopped will be printed
26977 as well.
26978
26979 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
26980
26981 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{stepi}.
26982
26983 @subsubheading Example
26984
26985 @smallexample
26986 (gdb)
26987 -exec-step-instruction
26988 ^running
26989
26990 (gdb)
26991 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
26992 frame=@{func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
26993 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
26994 (gdb)
26995 -exec-step-instruction
26996 ^running
26997
26998 (gdb)
26999 *stopped,reason="end-stepping-range",
27000 frame=@{addr="0x000100f4",func="foo",args=[],file="try.c",
27001 fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",line="10"@}
27002 (gdb)
27003 @end smallexample
27004
27005
27006 @subheading The @code{-exec-until} Command
27007 @findex -exec-until
27008
27009 @subsubheading Synopsis
27010
27011 @smallexample
27012 -exec-until [ @var{location} ]
27013 @end smallexample
27014
27015 Executes the inferior until the @var{location} specified in the
27016 argument is reached. If there is no argument, the inferior executes
27017 until a source line greater than the current one is reached. The
27018 reason for stopping in this case will be @samp{location-reached}.
27019
27020 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27021
27022 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{until}.
27023
27024 @subsubheading Example
27025
27026 @smallexample
27027 (gdb)
27028 -exec-until recursive2.c:6
27029 ^running
27030 (gdb)
27031 x = 55
27032 *stopped,reason="location-reached",frame=@{func="main",args=[],
27033 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="6"@}
27034 (gdb)
27035 @end smallexample
27036
27037 @ignore
27038 @subheading -file-clear
27039 Is this going away????
27040 @end ignore
27041
27042 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27043 @node GDB/MI Stack Manipulation
27044 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Stack Manipulation Commands
27045
27046
27047 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-frame} Command
27048 @findex -stack-info-frame
27049
27050 @subsubheading Synopsis
27051
27052 @smallexample
27053 -stack-info-frame
27054 @end smallexample
27055
27056 Get info on the selected frame.
27057
27058 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27059
27060 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info frame} or @samp{frame}
27061 (without arguments).
27062
27063 @subsubheading Example
27064
27065 @smallexample
27066 (gdb)
27067 -stack-info-frame
27068 ^done,frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
27069 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27070 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@}
27071 (gdb)
27072 @end smallexample
27073
27074 @subheading The @code{-stack-info-depth} Command
27075 @findex -stack-info-depth
27076
27077 @subsubheading Synopsis
27078
27079 @smallexample
27080 -stack-info-depth [ @var{max-depth} ]
27081 @end smallexample
27082
27083 Return the depth of the stack. If the integer argument @var{max-depth}
27084 is specified, do not count beyond @var{max-depth} frames.
27085
27086 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27087
27088 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
27089
27090 @subsubheading Example
27091
27092 For a stack with frame levels 0 through 11:
27093
27094 @smallexample
27095 (gdb)
27096 -stack-info-depth
27097 ^done,depth="12"
27098 (gdb)
27099 -stack-info-depth 4
27100 ^done,depth="4"
27101 (gdb)
27102 -stack-info-depth 12
27103 ^done,depth="12"
27104 (gdb)
27105 -stack-info-depth 11
27106 ^done,depth="11"
27107 (gdb)
27108 -stack-info-depth 13
27109 ^done,depth="12"
27110 (gdb)
27111 @end smallexample
27112
27113 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-arguments} Command
27114 @findex -stack-list-arguments
27115
27116 @subsubheading Synopsis
27117
27118 @smallexample
27119 -stack-list-arguments @var{print-values}
27120 [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
27121 @end smallexample
27122
27123 Display a list of the arguments for the frames between @var{low-frame}
27124 and @var{high-frame} (inclusive). If @var{low-frame} and
27125 @var{high-frame} are not provided, list the arguments for the whole
27126 call stack. If the two arguments are equal, show the single frame
27127 at the corresponding level. It is an error if @var{low-frame} is
27128 larger than the actual number of frames. On the other hand,
27129 @var{high-frame} may be larger than the actual number of frames, in
27130 which case only existing frames will be returned.
27131
27132 If @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27133 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27134 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27135 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27136 structures and unions.
27137
27138 Use of this command to obtain arguments in a single frame is
27139 deprecated in favor of the @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
27140
27141 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27142
27143 @value{GDBN} does not have an equivalent command. @code{gdbtk} has a
27144 @samp{gdb_get_args} command which partially overlaps with the
27145 functionality of @samp{-stack-list-arguments}.
27146
27147 @subsubheading Example
27148
27149 @smallexample
27150 (gdb)
27151 -stack-list-frames
27152 ^done,
27153 stack=[
27154 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x00010734",func="callee4",
27155 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27156 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="8"@},
27157 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x0001076c",func="callee3",
27158 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27159 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="17"@},
27160 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x0001078c",func="callee2",
27161 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27162 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="22"@},
27163 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107b4",func="callee1",
27164 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27165 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="27"@},
27166 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107e0",func="main",
27167 file="../../../devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",
27168 fullname="/home/foo/bar/devo/gdb/testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line="32"@}]
27169 (gdb)
27170 -stack-list-arguments 0
27171 ^done,
27172 stack-args=[
27173 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27174 frame=@{level="1",args=[name="strarg"]@},
27175 frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@},
27176 frame=@{level="3",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg",name="fltarg"]@},
27177 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27178 (gdb)
27179 -stack-list-arguments 1
27180 ^done,
27181 stack-args=[
27182 frame=@{level="0",args=[]@},
27183 frame=@{level="1",
27184 args=[@{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27185 frame=@{level="2",args=[
27186 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27187 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@},
27188 @{frame=@{level="3",args=[
27189 @{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27190 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@},
27191 @{name="fltarg",value="3.5"@}]@},
27192 frame=@{level="4",args=[]@}]
27193 (gdb)
27194 -stack-list-arguments 0 2 2
27195 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",args=[name="intarg",name="strarg"]@}]
27196 (gdb)
27197 -stack-list-arguments 1 2 2
27198 ^done,stack-args=[frame=@{level="2",
27199 args=[@{name="intarg",value="2"@},
27200 @{name="strarg",value="0x11940 \"A string argument.\""@}]@}]
27201 (gdb)
27202 @end smallexample
27203
27204 @c @subheading -stack-list-exception-handlers
27205
27206
27207 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-frames} Command
27208 @findex -stack-list-frames
27209
27210 @subsubheading Synopsis
27211
27212 @smallexample
27213 -stack-list-frames [ @var{low-frame} @var{high-frame} ]
27214 @end smallexample
27215
27216 List the frames currently on the stack. For each frame it displays the
27217 following info:
27218
27219 @table @samp
27220 @item @var{level}
27221 The frame number, 0 being the topmost frame, i.e., the innermost function.
27222 @item @var{addr}
27223 The @code{$pc} value for that frame.
27224 @item @var{func}
27225 Function name.
27226 @item @var{file}
27227 File name of the source file where the function lives.
27228 @item @var{fullname}
27229 The full file name of the source file where the function lives.
27230 @item @var{line}
27231 Line number corresponding to the @code{$pc}.
27232 @item @var{from}
27233 The shared library where this function is defined. This is only given
27234 if the frame's function is not known.
27235 @end table
27236
27237 If invoked without arguments, this command prints a backtrace for the
27238 whole stack. If given two integer arguments, it shows the frames whose
27239 levels are between the two arguments (inclusive). If the two arguments
27240 are equal, it shows the single frame at the corresponding level. It is
27241 an error if @var{low-frame} is larger than the actual number of
27242 frames. On the other hand, @var{high-frame} may be larger than the
27243 actual number of frames, in which case only existing frames will be returned.
27244
27245 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27246
27247 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{backtrace} and @samp{where}.
27248
27249 @subsubheading Example
27250
27251 Full stack backtrace:
27252
27253 @smallexample
27254 (gdb)
27255 -stack-list-frames
27256 ^done,stack=
27257 [frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0001076c",func="foo",
27258 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="11"@},
27259 frame=@{level="1",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27260 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27261 frame=@{level="2",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27262 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27263 frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27264 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27265 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27266 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27267 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27268 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27269 frame=@{level="6",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27270 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27271 frame=@{level="7",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27272 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27273 frame=@{level="8",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27274 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27275 frame=@{level="9",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27276 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27277 frame=@{level="10",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27278 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27279 frame=@{level="11",addr="0x00010738",func="main",
27280 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="4"@}]
27281 (gdb)
27282 @end smallexample
27283
27284 Show frames between @var{low_frame} and @var{high_frame}:
27285
27286 @smallexample
27287 (gdb)
27288 -stack-list-frames 3 5
27289 ^done,stack=
27290 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27291 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27292 frame=@{level="4",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27293 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@},
27294 frame=@{level="5",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27295 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27296 (gdb)
27297 @end smallexample
27298
27299 Show a single frame:
27300
27301 @smallexample
27302 (gdb)
27303 -stack-list-frames 3 3
27304 ^done,stack=
27305 [frame=@{level="3",addr="0x000107a4",func="foo",
27306 file="recursive2.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/recursive2.c",line="14"@}]
27307 (gdb)
27308 @end smallexample
27309
27310
27311 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-locals} Command
27312 @findex -stack-list-locals
27313
27314 @subsubheading Synopsis
27315
27316 @smallexample
27317 -stack-list-locals @var{print-values}
27318 @end smallexample
27319
27320 Display the local variable names for the selected frame. If
27321 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27322 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27323 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27324 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27325 structures and unions. In this last case, a frontend can immediately
27326 display the value of simple data types and create variable objects for
27327 other data types when the user wishes to explore their values in
27328 more detail.
27329
27330 This command is deprecated in favor of the
27331 @samp{-stack-list-variables} command.
27332
27333 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27334
27335 @samp{info locals} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_get_locals} in @code{gdbtk}.
27336
27337 @subsubheading Example
27338
27339 @smallexample
27340 (gdb)
27341 -stack-list-locals 0
27342 ^done,locals=[name="A",name="B",name="C"]
27343 (gdb)
27344 -stack-list-locals --all-values
27345 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",value="1"@},@{name="B",value="2"@},
27346 @{name="C",value="@{1, 2, 3@}"@}]
27347 -stack-list-locals --simple-values
27348 ^done,locals=[@{name="A",type="int",value="1"@},
27349 @{name="B",type="int",value="2"@},@{name="C",type="int [3]"@}]
27350 (gdb)
27351 @end smallexample
27352
27353 @subheading The @code{-stack-list-variables} Command
27354 @findex -stack-list-variables
27355
27356 @subsubheading Synopsis
27357
27358 @smallexample
27359 -stack-list-variables @var{print-values}
27360 @end smallexample
27361
27362 Display the names of local variables and function arguments for the selected frame. If
27363 @var{print-values} is 0 or @code{--no-values}, print only the names of
27364 the variables; if it is 1 or @code{--all-values}, print also their
27365 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values}, print the name,
27366 type and value for simple data types, and the name and type for arrays,
27367 structures and unions.
27368
27369 @subsubheading Example
27370
27371 @smallexample
27372 (gdb)
27373 -stack-list-variables --thread 1 --frame 0 --all-values
27374 ^done,variables=[@{name="x",value="11"@},@{name="s",value="@{a = 1, b = 2@}"@}]
27375 (gdb)
27376 @end smallexample
27377
27378
27379 @subheading The @code{-stack-select-frame} Command
27380 @findex -stack-select-frame
27381
27382 @subsubheading Synopsis
27383
27384 @smallexample
27385 -stack-select-frame @var{framenum}
27386 @end smallexample
27387
27388 Change the selected frame. Select a different frame @var{framenum} on
27389 the stack.
27390
27391 This command in deprecated in favor of passing the @samp{--frame}
27392 option to every command.
27393
27394 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
27395
27396 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{frame}, @samp{up},
27397 @samp{down}, @samp{select-frame}, @samp{up-silent}, and @samp{down-silent}.
27398
27399 @subsubheading Example
27400
27401 @smallexample
27402 (gdb)
27403 -stack-select-frame 2
27404 ^done
27405 (gdb)
27406 @end smallexample
27407
27408 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
27409 @node GDB/MI Variable Objects
27410 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Variable Objects
27411
27412 @ignore
27413
27414 @subheading Motivation for Variable Objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
27415
27416 For the implementation of a variable debugger window (locals, watched
27417 expressions, etc.), we are proposing the adaptation of the existing code
27418 used by @code{Insight}.
27419
27420 The two main reasons for that are:
27421
27422 @enumerate 1
27423 @item
27424 It has been proven in practice (it is already on its second generation).
27425
27426 @item
27427 It will shorten development time (needless to say how important it is
27428 now).
27429 @end enumerate
27430
27431 The original interface was designed to be used by Tcl code, so it was
27432 slightly changed so it could be used through @sc{gdb/mi}. This section
27433 describes the @sc{gdb/mi} operations that will be available and gives some
27434 hints about their use.
27435
27436 @emph{Note}: In addition to the set of operations described here, we
27437 expect the @sc{gui} implementation of a variable window to require, at
27438 least, the following operations:
27439
27440 @itemize @bullet
27441 @item @code{-gdb-show} @code{output-radix}
27442 @item @code{-stack-list-arguments}
27443 @item @code{-stack-list-locals}
27444 @item @code{-stack-select-frame}
27445 @end itemize
27446
27447 @end ignore
27448
27449 @subheading Introduction to Variable Objects
27450
27451 @cindex variable objects in @sc{gdb/mi}
27452
27453 Variable objects are "object-oriented" MI interface for examining and
27454 changing values of expressions. Unlike some other MI interfaces that
27455 work with expressions, variable objects are specifically designed for
27456 simple and efficient presentation in the frontend. A variable object
27457 is identified by string name. When a variable object is created, the
27458 frontend specifies the expression for that variable object. The
27459 expression can be a simple variable, or it can be an arbitrary complex
27460 expression, and can even involve CPU registers. After creating a
27461 variable object, the frontend can invoke other variable object
27462 operations---for example to obtain or change the value of a variable
27463 object, or to change display format.
27464
27465 Variable objects have hierarchical tree structure. Any variable object
27466 that corresponds to a composite type, such as structure in C, has
27467 a number of child variable objects, for example corresponding to each
27468 element of a structure. A child variable object can itself have
27469 children, recursively. Recursion ends when we reach
27470 leaf variable objects, which always have built-in types. Child variable
27471 objects are created only by explicit request, so if a frontend
27472 is not interested in the children of a particular variable object, no
27473 child will be created.
27474
27475 For a leaf variable object it is possible to obtain its value as a
27476 string, or set the value from a string. String value can be also
27477 obtained for a non-leaf variable object, but it's generally a string
27478 that only indicates the type of the object, and does not list its
27479 contents. Assignment to a non-leaf variable object is not allowed.
27480
27481 A frontend does not need to read the values of all variable objects each time
27482 the program stops. Instead, MI provides an update command that lists all
27483 variable objects whose values has changed since the last update
27484 operation. This considerably reduces the amount of data that must
27485 be transferred to the frontend. As noted above, children variable
27486 objects are created on demand, and only leaf variable objects have a
27487 real value. As result, gdb will read target memory only for leaf
27488 variables that frontend has created.
27489
27490 The automatic update is not always desirable. For example, a frontend
27491 might want to keep a value of some expression for future reference,
27492 and never update it. For another example, fetching memory is
27493 relatively slow for embedded targets, so a frontend might want
27494 to disable automatic update for the variables that are either not
27495 visible on the screen, or ``closed''. This is possible using so
27496 called ``frozen variable objects''. Such variable objects are never
27497 implicitly updated.
27498
27499 Variable objects can be either @dfn{fixed} or @dfn{floating}. For the
27500 fixed variable object, the expression is parsed when the variable
27501 object is created, including associating identifiers to specific
27502 variables. The meaning of expression never changes. For a floating
27503 variable object the values of variables whose names appear in the
27504 expressions are re-evaluated every time in the context of the current
27505 frame. Consider this example:
27506
27507 @smallexample
27508 void do_work(...)
27509 @{
27510 struct work_state state;
27511
27512 if (...)
27513 do_work(...);
27514 @}
27515 @end smallexample
27516
27517 If a fixed variable object for the @code{state} variable is created in
27518 this function, and we enter the recursive call, the variable
27519 object will report the value of @code{state} in the top-level
27520 @code{do_work} invocation. On the other hand, a floating variable
27521 object will report the value of @code{state} in the current frame.
27522
27523 If an expression specified when creating a fixed variable object
27524 refers to a local variable, the variable object becomes bound to the
27525 thread and frame in which the variable object is created. When such
27526 variable object is updated, @value{GDBN} makes sure that the
27527 thread/frame combination the variable object is bound to still exists,
27528 and re-evaluates the variable object in context of that thread/frame.
27529
27530 The following is the complete set of @sc{gdb/mi} operations defined to
27531 access this functionality:
27532
27533 @multitable @columnfractions .4 .6
27534 @item @strong{Operation}
27535 @tab @strong{Description}
27536
27537 @item @code{-enable-pretty-printing}
27538 @tab enable Python-based pretty-printing
27539 @item @code{-var-create}
27540 @tab create a variable object
27541 @item @code{-var-delete}
27542 @tab delete the variable object and/or its children
27543 @item @code{-var-set-format}
27544 @tab set the display format of this variable
27545 @item @code{-var-show-format}
27546 @tab show the display format of this variable
27547 @item @code{-var-info-num-children}
27548 @tab tells how many children this object has
27549 @item @code{-var-list-children}
27550 @tab return a list of the object's children
27551 @item @code{-var-info-type}
27552 @tab show the type of this variable object
27553 @item @code{-var-info-expression}
27554 @tab print parent-relative expression that this variable object represents
27555 @item @code{-var-info-path-expression}
27556 @tab print full expression that this variable object represents
27557 @item @code{-var-show-attributes}
27558 @tab is this variable editable? does it exist here?
27559 @item @code{-var-evaluate-expression}
27560 @tab get the value of this variable
27561 @item @code{-var-assign}
27562 @tab set the value of this variable
27563 @item @code{-var-update}
27564 @tab update the variable and its children
27565 @item @code{-var-set-frozen}
27566 @tab set frozeness attribute
27567 @item @code{-var-set-update-range}
27568 @tab set range of children to display on update
27569 @end multitable
27570
27571 In the next subsection we describe each operation in detail and suggest
27572 how it can be used.
27573
27574 @subheading Description And Use of Operations on Variable Objects
27575
27576 @subheading The @code{-enable-pretty-printing} Command
27577 @findex -enable-pretty-printing
27578
27579 @smallexample
27580 -enable-pretty-printing
27581 @end smallexample
27582
27583 @value{GDBN} allows Python-based visualizers to affect the output of the
27584 MI variable object commands. However, because there was no way to
27585 implement this in a fully backward-compatible way, a front end must
27586 request that this functionality be enabled.
27587
27588 Once enabled, this feature cannot be disabled.
27589
27590 Note that if Python support has not been compiled into @value{GDBN},
27591 this command will still succeed (and do nothing).
27592
27593 This feature is currently (as of @value{GDBN} 7.0) experimental, and
27594 may work differently in future versions of @value{GDBN}.
27595
27596 @subheading The @code{-var-create} Command
27597 @findex -var-create
27598
27599 @subsubheading Synopsis
27600
27601 @smallexample
27602 -var-create @{@var{name} | "-"@}
27603 @{@var{frame-addr} | "*" | "@@"@} @var{expression}
27604 @end smallexample
27605
27606 This operation creates a variable object, which allows the monitoring of
27607 a variable, the result of an expression, a memory cell or a CPU
27608 register.
27609
27610 The @var{name} parameter is the string by which the object can be
27611 referenced. It must be unique. If @samp{-} is specified, the varobj
27612 system will generate a string ``varNNNNNN'' automatically. It will be
27613 unique provided that one does not specify @var{name} of that format.
27614 The command fails if a duplicate name is found.
27615
27616 The frame under which the expression should be evaluated can be
27617 specified by @var{frame-addr}. A @samp{*} indicates that the current
27618 frame should be used. A @samp{@@} indicates that a floating variable
27619 object must be created.
27620
27621 @var{expression} is any expression valid on the current language set (must not
27622 begin with a @samp{*}), or one of the following:
27623
27624 @itemize @bullet
27625 @item
27626 @samp{*@var{addr}}, where @var{addr} is the address of a memory cell
27627
27628 @item
27629 @samp{*@var{addr}-@var{addr}} --- a memory address range (TBD)
27630
27631 @item
27632 @samp{$@var{regname}} --- a CPU register name
27633 @end itemize
27634
27635 @cindex dynamic varobj
27636 A varobj's contents may be provided by a Python-based pretty-printer. In this
27637 case the varobj is known as a @dfn{dynamic varobj}. Dynamic varobjs
27638 have slightly different semantics in some cases. If the
27639 @code{-enable-pretty-printing} command is not sent, then @value{GDBN}
27640 will never create a dynamic varobj. This ensures backward
27641 compatibility for existing clients.
27642
27643 @subsubheading Result
27644
27645 This operation returns attributes of the newly-created varobj. These
27646 are:
27647
27648 @table @samp
27649 @item name
27650 The name of the varobj.
27651
27652 @item numchild
27653 The number of children of the varobj. This number is not necessarily
27654 reliable for a dynamic varobj. Instead, you must examine the
27655 @samp{has_more} attribute.
27656
27657 @item value
27658 The varobj's scalar value. For a varobj whose type is some sort of
27659 aggregate (e.g., a @code{struct}), or for a dynamic varobj, this value
27660 will not be interesting.
27661
27662 @item type
27663 The varobj's type. This is a string representation of the type, as
27664 would be printed by the @value{GDBN} CLI.
27665
27666 @item thread-id
27667 If a variable object is bound to a specific thread, then this is the
27668 thread's identifier.
27669
27670 @item has_more
27671 For a dynamic varobj, this indicates whether there appear to be any
27672 children available. For a non-dynamic varobj, this will be 0.
27673
27674 @item dynamic
27675 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
27676 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
27677 then this attribute will not be present.
27678
27679 @item displayhint
27680 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27681 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27682 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27683 @end table
27684
27685 Typical output will look like this:
27686
27687 @smallexample
27688 name="@var{name}",numchild="@var{N}",type="@var{type}",thread-id="@var{M}",
27689 has_more="@var{has_more}"
27690 @end smallexample
27691
27692
27693 @subheading The @code{-var-delete} Command
27694 @findex -var-delete
27695
27696 @subsubheading Synopsis
27697
27698 @smallexample
27699 -var-delete [ -c ] @var{name}
27700 @end smallexample
27701
27702 Deletes a previously created variable object and all of its children.
27703 With the @samp{-c} option, just deletes the children.
27704
27705 Returns an error if the object @var{name} is not found.
27706
27707
27708 @subheading The @code{-var-set-format} Command
27709 @findex -var-set-format
27710
27711 @subsubheading Synopsis
27712
27713 @smallexample
27714 -var-set-format @var{name} @var{format-spec}
27715 @end smallexample
27716
27717 Sets the output format for the value of the object @var{name} to be
27718 @var{format-spec}.
27719
27720 @anchor{-var-set-format}
27721 The syntax for the @var{format-spec} is as follows:
27722
27723 @smallexample
27724 @var{format-spec} @expansion{}
27725 @{binary | decimal | hexadecimal | octal | natural@}
27726 @end smallexample
27727
27728 The natural format is the default format choosen automatically
27729 based on the variable type (like decimal for an @code{int}, hex
27730 for pointers, etc.).
27731
27732 For a variable with children, the format is set only on the
27733 variable itself, and the children are not affected.
27734
27735 @subheading The @code{-var-show-format} Command
27736 @findex -var-show-format
27737
27738 @subsubheading Synopsis
27739
27740 @smallexample
27741 -var-show-format @var{name}
27742 @end smallexample
27743
27744 Returns the format used to display the value of the object @var{name}.
27745
27746 @smallexample
27747 @var{format} @expansion{}
27748 @var{format-spec}
27749 @end smallexample
27750
27751
27752 @subheading The @code{-var-info-num-children} Command
27753 @findex -var-info-num-children
27754
27755 @subsubheading Synopsis
27756
27757 @smallexample
27758 -var-info-num-children @var{name}
27759 @end smallexample
27760
27761 Returns the number of children of a variable object @var{name}:
27762
27763 @smallexample
27764 numchild=@var{n}
27765 @end smallexample
27766
27767 Note that this number is not completely reliable for a dynamic varobj.
27768 It will return the current number of children, but more children may
27769 be available.
27770
27771
27772 @subheading The @code{-var-list-children} Command
27773 @findex -var-list-children
27774
27775 @subsubheading Synopsis
27776
27777 @smallexample
27778 -var-list-children [@var{print-values}] @var{name} [@var{from} @var{to}]
27779 @end smallexample
27780 @anchor{-var-list-children}
27781
27782 Return a list of the children of the specified variable object and
27783 create variable objects for them, if they do not already exist. With
27784 a single argument or if @var{print-values} has a value of 0 or
27785 @code{--no-values}, print only the names of the variables; if
27786 @var{print-values} is 1 or @code{--all-values}, also print their
27787 values; and if it is 2 or @code{--simple-values} print the name and
27788 value for simple data types and just the name for arrays, structures
27789 and unions.
27790
27791 @var{from} and @var{to}, if specified, indicate the range of children
27792 to report. If @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is
27793 reset and all children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting
27794 at @var{from} (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be
27795 reported.
27796
27797 If a child range is requested, it will only affect the current call to
27798 @code{-var-list-children}, but not future calls to @code{-var-update}.
27799 For this, you must instead use @code{-var-set-update-range}. The
27800 intent of this approach is to enable a front end to implement any
27801 update approach it likes; for example, scrolling a view may cause the
27802 front end to request more children with @code{-var-list-children}, and
27803 then the front end could call @code{-var-set-update-range} with a
27804 different range to ensure that future updates are restricted to just
27805 the visible items.
27806
27807 For each child the following results are returned:
27808
27809 @table @var
27810
27811 @item name
27812 Name of the variable object created for this child.
27813
27814 @item exp
27815 The expression to be shown to the user by the front end to designate this child.
27816 For example this may be the name of a structure member.
27817
27818 For a dynamic varobj, this value cannot be used to form an
27819 expression. There is no way to do this at all with a dynamic varobj.
27820
27821 For C/C@t{++} structures there are several pseudo children returned to
27822 designate access qualifiers. For these pseudo children @var{exp} is
27823 @samp{public}, @samp{private}, or @samp{protected}. In this case the
27824 type and value are not present.
27825
27826 A dynamic varobj will not report the access qualifying
27827 pseudo-children, regardless of the language. This information is not
27828 available at all with a dynamic varobj.
27829
27830 @item numchild
27831 Number of children this child has. For a dynamic varobj, this will be
27832 0.
27833
27834 @item type
27835 The type of the child.
27836
27837 @item value
27838 If values were requested, this is the value.
27839
27840 @item thread-id
27841 If this variable object is associated with a thread, this is the thread id.
27842 Otherwise this result is not present.
27843
27844 @item frozen
27845 If the variable object is frozen, this variable will be present with a value of 1.
27846 @end table
27847
27848 The result may have its own attributes:
27849
27850 @table @samp
27851 @item displayhint
27852 A dynamic varobj can supply a display hint to the front end. The
27853 value comes directly from the Python pretty-printer object's
27854 @code{display_hint} method. @xref{Pretty Printing API}.
27855
27856 @item has_more
27857 This is an integer attribute which is nonzero if there are children
27858 remaining after the end of the selected range.
27859 @end table
27860
27861 @subsubheading Example
27862
27863 @smallexample
27864 (gdb)
27865 -var-list-children n
27866 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27867 numchild=@var{n},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27868 (gdb)
27869 -var-list-children --all-values n
27870 ^done,numchild=@var{n},children=[child=@{name=@var{name},exp=@var{exp},
27871 numchild=@var{n},value=@var{value},type=@var{type}@},@r{(repeats N times)}]
27872 @end smallexample
27873
27874
27875 @subheading The @code{-var-info-type} Command
27876 @findex -var-info-type
27877
27878 @subsubheading Synopsis
27879
27880 @smallexample
27881 -var-info-type @var{name}
27882 @end smallexample
27883
27884 Returns the type of the specified variable @var{name}. The type is
27885 returned as a string in the same format as it is output by the
27886 @value{GDBN} CLI:
27887
27888 @smallexample
27889 type=@var{typename}
27890 @end smallexample
27891
27892
27893 @subheading The @code{-var-info-expression} Command
27894 @findex -var-info-expression
27895
27896 @subsubheading Synopsis
27897
27898 @smallexample
27899 -var-info-expression @var{name}
27900 @end smallexample
27901
27902 Returns a string that is suitable for presenting this
27903 variable object in user interface. The string is generally
27904 not valid expression in the current language, and cannot be evaluated.
27905
27906 For example, if @code{a} is an array, and variable object
27907 @code{A} was created for @code{a}, then we'll get this output:
27908
27909 @smallexample
27910 (gdb) -var-info-expression A.1
27911 ^done,lang="C",exp="1"
27912 @end smallexample
27913
27914 @noindent
27915 Here, the values of @code{lang} can be @code{@{"C" | "C++" | "Java"@}}.
27916
27917 Note that the output of the @code{-var-list-children} command also
27918 includes those expressions, so the @code{-var-info-expression} command
27919 is of limited use.
27920
27921 @subheading The @code{-var-info-path-expression} Command
27922 @findex -var-info-path-expression
27923
27924 @subsubheading Synopsis
27925
27926 @smallexample
27927 -var-info-path-expression @var{name}
27928 @end smallexample
27929
27930 Returns an expression that can be evaluated in the current
27931 context and will yield the same value that a variable object has.
27932 Compare this with the @code{-var-info-expression} command, which
27933 result can be used only for UI presentation. Typical use of
27934 the @code{-var-info-path-expression} command is creating a
27935 watchpoint from a variable object.
27936
27937 This command is currently not valid for children of a dynamic varobj,
27938 and will give an error when invoked on one.
27939
27940 For example, suppose @code{C} is a C@t{++} class, derived from class
27941 @code{Base}, and that the @code{Base} class has a member called
27942 @code{m_size}. Assume a variable @code{c} is has the type of
27943 @code{C} and a variable object @code{C} was created for variable
27944 @code{c}. Then, we'll get this output:
27945 @smallexample
27946 (gdb) -var-info-path-expression C.Base.public.m_size
27947 ^done,path_expr=((Base)c).m_size)
27948 @end smallexample
27949
27950 @subheading The @code{-var-show-attributes} Command
27951 @findex -var-show-attributes
27952
27953 @subsubheading Synopsis
27954
27955 @smallexample
27956 -var-show-attributes @var{name}
27957 @end smallexample
27958
27959 List attributes of the specified variable object @var{name}:
27960
27961 @smallexample
27962 status=@var{attr} [ ( ,@var{attr} )* ]
27963 @end smallexample
27964
27965 @noindent
27966 where @var{attr} is @code{@{ @{ editable | noneditable @} | TBD @}}.
27967
27968 @subheading The @code{-var-evaluate-expression} Command
27969 @findex -var-evaluate-expression
27970
27971 @subsubheading Synopsis
27972
27973 @smallexample
27974 -var-evaluate-expression [-f @var{format-spec}] @var{name}
27975 @end smallexample
27976
27977 Evaluates the expression that is represented by the specified variable
27978 object and returns its value as a string. The format of the string
27979 can be specified with the @samp{-f} option. The possible values of
27980 this option are the same as for @code{-var-set-format}
27981 (@pxref{-var-set-format}). If the @samp{-f} option is not specified,
27982 the current display format will be used. The current display format
27983 can be changed using the @code{-var-set-format} command.
27984
27985 @smallexample
27986 value=@var{value}
27987 @end smallexample
27988
27989 Note that one must invoke @code{-var-list-children} for a variable
27990 before the value of a child variable can be evaluated.
27991
27992 @subheading The @code{-var-assign} Command
27993 @findex -var-assign
27994
27995 @subsubheading Synopsis
27996
27997 @smallexample
27998 -var-assign @var{name} @var{expression}
27999 @end smallexample
28000
28001 Assigns the value of @var{expression} to the variable object specified
28002 by @var{name}. The object must be @samp{editable}. If the variable's
28003 value is altered by the assign, the variable will show up in any
28004 subsequent @code{-var-update} list.
28005
28006 @subsubheading Example
28007
28008 @smallexample
28009 (gdb)
28010 -var-assign var1 3
28011 ^done,value="3"
28012 (gdb)
28013 -var-update *
28014 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",in_scope="true",type_changed="false"@}]
28015 (gdb)
28016 @end smallexample
28017
28018 @subheading The @code{-var-update} Command
28019 @findex -var-update
28020
28021 @subsubheading Synopsis
28022
28023 @smallexample
28024 -var-update [@var{print-values}] @{@var{name} | "*"@}
28025 @end smallexample
28026
28027 Reevaluate the expressions corresponding to the variable object
28028 @var{name} and all its direct and indirect children, and return the
28029 list of variable objects whose values have changed; @var{name} must
28030 be a root variable object. Here, ``changed'' means that the result of
28031 @code{-var-evaluate-expression} before and after the
28032 @code{-var-update} is different. If @samp{*} is used as the variable
28033 object names, all existing variable objects are updated, except
28034 for frozen ones (@pxref{-var-set-frozen}). The option
28035 @var{print-values} determines whether both names and values, or just
28036 names are printed. The possible values of this option are the same
28037 as for @code{-var-list-children} (@pxref{-var-list-children}). It is
28038 recommended to use the @samp{--all-values} option, to reduce the
28039 number of MI commands needed on each program stop.
28040
28041 With the @samp{*} parameter, if a variable object is bound to a
28042 currently running thread, it will not be updated, without any
28043 diagnostic.
28044
28045 If @code{-var-set-update-range} was previously used on a varobj, then
28046 only the selected range of children will be reported.
28047
28048 @code{-var-update} reports all the changed varobjs in a tuple named
28049 @samp{changelist}.
28050
28051 Each item in the change list is itself a tuple holding:
28052
28053 @table @samp
28054 @item name
28055 The name of the varobj.
28056
28057 @item value
28058 If values were requested for this update, then this field will be
28059 present and will hold the value of the varobj.
28060
28061 @item in_scope
28062 @anchor{-var-update}
28063 This field is a string which may take one of three values:
28064
28065 @table @code
28066 @item "true"
28067 The variable object's current value is valid.
28068
28069 @item "false"
28070 The variable object does not currently hold a valid value but it may
28071 hold one in the future if its associated expression comes back into
28072 scope.
28073
28074 @item "invalid"
28075 The variable object no longer holds a valid value.
28076 This can occur when the executable file being debugged has changed,
28077 either through recompilation or by using the @value{GDBN} @code{file}
28078 command. The front end should normally choose to delete these variable
28079 objects.
28080 @end table
28081
28082 In the future new values may be added to this list so the front should
28083 be prepared for this possibility. @xref{GDB/MI Development and Front Ends, ,@sc{GDB/MI} Development and Front Ends}.
28084
28085 @item type_changed
28086 This is only present if the varobj is still valid. If the type
28087 changed, then this will be the string @samp{true}; otherwise it will
28088 be @samp{false}.
28089
28090 @item new_type
28091 If the varobj's type changed, then this field will be present and will
28092 hold the new type.
28093
28094 @item new_num_children
28095 For a dynamic varobj, if the number of children changed, or if the
28096 type changed, this will be the new number of children.
28097
28098 The @samp{numchild} field in other varobj responses is generally not
28099 valid for a dynamic varobj -- it will show the number of children that
28100 @value{GDBN} knows about, but because dynamic varobjs lazily
28101 instantiate their children, this will not reflect the number of
28102 children which may be available.
28103
28104 The @samp{new_num_children} attribute only reports changes to the
28105 number of children known by @value{GDBN}. This is the only way to
28106 detect whether an update has removed children (which necessarily can
28107 only happen at the end of the update range).
28108
28109 @item displayhint
28110 The display hint, if any.
28111
28112 @item has_more
28113 This is an integer value, which will be 1 if there are more children
28114 available outside the varobj's update range.
28115
28116 @item dynamic
28117 This attribute will be present and have the value @samp{1} if the
28118 varobj is a dynamic varobj. If the varobj is not a dynamic varobj,
28119 then this attribute will not be present.
28120
28121 @item new_children
28122 If new children were added to a dynamic varobj within the selected
28123 update range (as set by @code{-var-set-update-range}), then they will
28124 be listed in this attribute.
28125 @end table
28126
28127 @subsubheading Example
28128
28129 @smallexample
28130 (gdb)
28131 -var-assign var1 3
28132 ^done,value="3"
28133 (gdb)
28134 -var-update --all-values var1
28135 ^done,changelist=[@{name="var1",value="3",in_scope="true",
28136 type_changed="false"@}]
28137 (gdb)
28138 @end smallexample
28139
28140 @subheading The @code{-var-set-frozen} Command
28141 @findex -var-set-frozen
28142 @anchor{-var-set-frozen}
28143
28144 @subsubheading Synopsis
28145
28146 @smallexample
28147 -var-set-frozen @var{name} @var{flag}
28148 @end smallexample
28149
28150 Set the frozenness flag on the variable object @var{name}. The
28151 @var{flag} parameter should be either @samp{1} to make the variable
28152 frozen or @samp{0} to make it unfrozen. If a variable object is
28153 frozen, then neither itself, nor any of its children, are
28154 implicitly updated by @code{-var-update} of
28155 a parent variable or by @code{-var-update *}. Only
28156 @code{-var-update} of the variable itself will update its value and
28157 values of its children. After a variable object is unfrozen, it is
28158 implicitly updated by all subsequent @code{-var-update} operations.
28159 Unfreezing a variable does not update it, only subsequent
28160 @code{-var-update} does.
28161
28162 @subsubheading Example
28163
28164 @smallexample
28165 (gdb)
28166 -var-set-frozen V 1
28167 ^done
28168 (gdb)
28169 @end smallexample
28170
28171 @subheading The @code{-var-set-update-range} command
28172 @findex -var-set-update-range
28173 @anchor{-var-set-update-range}
28174
28175 @subsubheading Synopsis
28176
28177 @smallexample
28178 -var-set-update-range @var{name} @var{from} @var{to}
28179 @end smallexample
28180
28181 Set the range of children to be returned by future invocations of
28182 @code{-var-update}.
28183
28184 @var{from} and @var{to} indicate the range of children to report. If
28185 @var{from} or @var{to} is less than zero, the range is reset and all
28186 children will be reported. Otherwise, children starting at @var{from}
28187 (zero-based) and up to and excluding @var{to} will be reported.
28188
28189 @subsubheading Example
28190
28191 @smallexample
28192 (gdb)
28193 -var-set-update-range V 1 2
28194 ^done
28195 @end smallexample
28196
28197 @subheading The @code{-var-set-visualizer} command
28198 @findex -var-set-visualizer
28199 @anchor{-var-set-visualizer}
28200
28201 @subsubheading Synopsis
28202
28203 @smallexample
28204 -var-set-visualizer @var{name} @var{visualizer}
28205 @end smallexample
28206
28207 Set a visualizer for the variable object @var{name}.
28208
28209 @var{visualizer} is the visualizer to use. The special value
28210 @samp{None} means to disable any visualizer in use.
28211
28212 If not @samp{None}, @var{visualizer} must be a Python expression.
28213 This expression must evaluate to a callable object which accepts a
28214 single argument. @value{GDBN} will call this object with the value of
28215 the varobj @var{name} as an argument (this is done so that the same
28216 Python pretty-printing code can be used for both the CLI and MI).
28217 When called, this object must return an object which conforms to the
28218 pretty-printing interface (@pxref{Pretty Printing API}).
28219
28220 The pre-defined function @code{gdb.default_visualizer} may be used to
28221 select a visualizer by following the built-in process
28222 (@pxref{Selecting Pretty-Printers}). This is done automatically when
28223 a varobj is created, and so ordinarily is not needed.
28224
28225 This feature is only available if Python support is enabled. The MI
28226 command @code{-list-features} (@pxref{GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands})
28227 can be used to check this.
28228
28229 @subsubheading Example
28230
28231 Resetting the visualizer:
28232
28233 @smallexample
28234 (gdb)
28235 -var-set-visualizer V None
28236 ^done
28237 @end smallexample
28238
28239 Reselecting the default (type-based) visualizer:
28240
28241 @smallexample
28242 (gdb)
28243 -var-set-visualizer V gdb.default_visualizer
28244 ^done
28245 @end smallexample
28246
28247 Suppose @code{SomeClass} is a visualizer class. A lambda expression
28248 can be used to instantiate this class for a varobj:
28249
28250 @smallexample
28251 (gdb)
28252 -var-set-visualizer V "lambda val: SomeClass()"
28253 ^done
28254 @end smallexample
28255
28256 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28257 @node GDB/MI Data Manipulation
28258 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Data Manipulation
28259
28260 @cindex data manipulation, in @sc{gdb/mi}
28261 @cindex @sc{gdb/mi}, data manipulation
28262 This section describes the @sc{gdb/mi} commands that manipulate data:
28263 examine memory and registers, evaluate expressions, etc.
28264
28265 @c REMOVED FROM THE INTERFACE.
28266 @c @subheading -data-assign
28267 @c Change the value of a program variable. Plenty of side effects.
28268 @c @subsubheading GDB Command
28269 @c set variable
28270 @c @subsubheading Example
28271 @c N.A.
28272
28273 @subheading The @code{-data-disassemble} Command
28274 @findex -data-disassemble
28275
28276 @subsubheading Synopsis
28277
28278 @smallexample
28279 -data-disassemble
28280 [ -s @var{start-addr} -e @var{end-addr} ]
28281 | [ -f @var{filename} -l @var{linenum} [ -n @var{lines} ] ]
28282 -- @var{mode}
28283 @end smallexample
28284
28285 @noindent
28286 Where:
28287
28288 @table @samp
28289 @item @var{start-addr}
28290 is the beginning address (or @code{$pc})
28291 @item @var{end-addr}
28292 is the end address
28293 @item @var{filename}
28294 is the name of the file to disassemble
28295 @item @var{linenum}
28296 is the line number to disassemble around
28297 @item @var{lines}
28298 is the number of disassembly lines to be produced. If it is -1,
28299 the whole function will be disassembled, in case no @var{end-addr} is
28300 specified. If @var{end-addr} is specified as a non-zero value, and
28301 @var{lines} is lower than the number of disassembly lines between
28302 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only @var{lines} lines are
28303 displayed; if @var{lines} is higher than the number of lines between
28304 @var{start-addr} and @var{end-addr}, only the lines up to @var{end-addr}
28305 are displayed.
28306 @item @var{mode}
28307 is either 0 (meaning only disassembly), 1 (meaning mixed source and
28308 disassembly), 2 (meaning disassembly with raw opcodes), or 3 (meaning
28309 mixed source and disassembly with raw opcodes).
28310 @end table
28311
28312 @subsubheading Result
28313
28314 The output for each instruction is composed of four fields:
28315
28316 @itemize @bullet
28317 @item Address
28318 @item Func-name
28319 @item Offset
28320 @item Instruction
28321 @end itemize
28322
28323 Note that whatever included in the instruction field, is not manipulated
28324 directly by @sc{gdb/mi}, i.e., it is not possible to adjust its format.
28325
28326 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28327
28328 There's no direct mapping from this command to the CLI.
28329
28330 @subsubheading Example
28331
28332 Disassemble from the current value of @code{$pc} to @code{$pc + 20}:
28333
28334 @smallexample
28335 (gdb)
28336 -data-disassemble -s $pc -e "$pc + 20" -- 0
28337 ^done,
28338 asm_insns=[
28339 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28340 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28341 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28342 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28343 @{address="0x000107c8",func-name="main",offset="12",
28344 inst="or %o2, 0x140, %o1\t! 0x11940 <_lib_version+8>"@},
28345 @{address="0x000107cc",func-name="main",offset="16",
28346 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28347 @{address="0x000107d0",func-name="main",offset="20",
28348 inst="or %o2, 0x168, %o4\t! 0x11968 <_lib_version+48>"@}]
28349 (gdb)
28350 @end smallexample
28351
28352 Disassemble the whole @code{main} function. Line 32 is part of
28353 @code{main}.
28354
28355 @smallexample
28356 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -- 0
28357 ^done,asm_insns=[
28358 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28359 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
28360 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28361 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28362 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28363 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@},
28364 [@dots{}]
28365 @{address="0x0001081c",func-name="main",offset="96",inst="ret "@},
28366 @{address="0x00010820",func-name="main",offset="100",inst="restore "@}]
28367 (gdb)
28368 @end smallexample
28369
28370 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main}:
28371
28372 @smallexample
28373 (gdb)
28374 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 0
28375 ^done,asm_insns=[
28376 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28377 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@},
28378 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28379 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28380 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28381 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]
28382 (gdb)
28383 @end smallexample
28384
28385 Disassemble 3 instructions from the start of @code{main} in mixed mode:
28386
28387 @smallexample
28388 (gdb)
28389 -data-disassemble -f basics.c -l 32 -n 3 -- 1
28390 ^done,asm_insns=[
28391 src_and_asm_line=@{line="31",
28392 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
28393 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
28394 @{address="0x000107bc",func-name="main",offset="0",
28395 inst="save %sp, -112, %sp"@}]@},
28396 src_and_asm_line=@{line="32",
28397 file="/kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/flathead-dev/devo/gdb/ \
28398 testsuite/gdb.mi/basics.c",line_asm_insn=[
28399 @{address="0x000107c0",func-name="main",offset="4",
28400 inst="mov 2, %o0"@},
28401 @{address="0x000107c4",func-name="main",offset="8",
28402 inst="sethi %hi(0x11800), %o2"@}]@}]
28403 (gdb)
28404 @end smallexample
28405
28406
28407 @subheading The @code{-data-evaluate-expression} Command
28408 @findex -data-evaluate-expression
28409
28410 @subsubheading Synopsis
28411
28412 @smallexample
28413 -data-evaluate-expression @var{expr}
28414 @end smallexample
28415
28416 Evaluate @var{expr} as an expression. The expression could contain an
28417 inferior function call. The function call will execute synchronously.
28418 If the expression contains spaces, it must be enclosed in double quotes.
28419
28420 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28421
28422 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{print}, @samp{output}, and
28423 @samp{call}. In @code{gdbtk} only, there's a corresponding
28424 @samp{gdb_eval} command.
28425
28426 @subsubheading Example
28427
28428 In the following example, the numbers that precede the commands are the
28429 @dfn{tokens} described in @ref{GDB/MI Command Syntax, ,@sc{gdb/mi}
28430 Command Syntax}. Notice how @sc{gdb/mi} returns the same tokens in its
28431 output.
28432
28433 @smallexample
28434 211-data-evaluate-expression A
28435 211^done,value="1"
28436 (gdb)
28437 311-data-evaluate-expression &A
28438 311^done,value="0xefffeb7c"
28439 (gdb)
28440 411-data-evaluate-expression A+3
28441 411^done,value="4"
28442 (gdb)
28443 511-data-evaluate-expression "A + 3"
28444 511^done,value="4"
28445 (gdb)
28446 @end smallexample
28447
28448
28449 @subheading The @code{-data-list-changed-registers} Command
28450 @findex -data-list-changed-registers
28451
28452 @subsubheading Synopsis
28453
28454 @smallexample
28455 -data-list-changed-registers
28456 @end smallexample
28457
28458 Display a list of the registers that have changed.
28459
28460 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28461
28462 @value{GDBN} doesn't have a direct analog for this command; @code{gdbtk}
28463 has the corresponding command @samp{gdb_changed_register_list}.
28464
28465 @subsubheading Example
28466
28467 On a PPC MBX board:
28468
28469 @smallexample
28470 (gdb)
28471 -exec-continue
28472 ^running
28473
28474 (gdb)
28475 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",frame=@{
28476 func="main",args=[],file="try.c",fullname="/home/foo/bar/try.c",
28477 line="5"@}
28478 (gdb)
28479 -data-list-changed-registers
28480 ^done,changed-registers=["0","1","2","4","5","6","7","8","9",
28481 "10","11","13","14","15","16","17","18","19","20","21","22","23",
28482 "24","25","26","27","28","30","31","64","65","66","67","69"]
28483 (gdb)
28484 @end smallexample
28485
28486
28487 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-names} Command
28488 @findex -data-list-register-names
28489
28490 @subsubheading Synopsis
28491
28492 @smallexample
28493 -data-list-register-names [ ( @var{regno} )+ ]
28494 @end smallexample
28495
28496 Show a list of register names for the current target. If no arguments
28497 are given, it shows a list of the names of all the registers. If
28498 integer numbers are given as arguments, it will print a list of the
28499 names of the registers corresponding to the arguments. To ensure
28500 consistency between a register name and its number, the output list may
28501 include empty register names.
28502
28503 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28504
28505 @value{GDBN} does not have a command which corresponds to
28506 @samp{-data-list-register-names}. In @code{gdbtk} there is a
28507 corresponding command @samp{gdb_regnames}.
28508
28509 @subsubheading Example
28510
28511 For the PPC MBX board:
28512 @smallexample
28513 (gdb)
28514 -data-list-register-names
28515 ^done,register-names=["r0","r1","r2","r3","r4","r5","r6","r7",
28516 "r8","r9","r10","r11","r12","r13","r14","r15","r16","r17","r18",
28517 "r19","r20","r21","r22","r23","r24","r25","r26","r27","r28","r29",
28518 "r30","r31","f0","f1","f2","f3","f4","f5","f6","f7","f8","f9",
28519 "f10","f11","f12","f13","f14","f15","f16","f17","f18","f19","f20",
28520 "f21","f22","f23","f24","f25","f26","f27","f28","f29","f30","f31",
28521 "", "pc","ps","cr","lr","ctr","xer"]
28522 (gdb)
28523 -data-list-register-names 1 2 3
28524 ^done,register-names=["r1","r2","r3"]
28525 (gdb)
28526 @end smallexample
28527
28528 @subheading The @code{-data-list-register-values} Command
28529 @findex -data-list-register-values
28530
28531 @subsubheading Synopsis
28532
28533 @smallexample
28534 -data-list-register-values @var{fmt} [ ( @var{regno} )*]
28535 @end smallexample
28536
28537 Display the registers' contents. @var{fmt} is the format according to
28538 which the registers' contents are to be returned, followed by an optional
28539 list of numbers specifying the registers to display. A missing list of
28540 numbers indicates that the contents of all the registers must be returned.
28541
28542 Allowed formats for @var{fmt} are:
28543
28544 @table @code
28545 @item x
28546 Hexadecimal
28547 @item o
28548 Octal
28549 @item t
28550 Binary
28551 @item d
28552 Decimal
28553 @item r
28554 Raw
28555 @item N
28556 Natural
28557 @end table
28558
28559 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28560
28561 The corresponding @value{GDBN} commands are @samp{info reg}, @samp{info
28562 all-reg}, and (in @code{gdbtk}) @samp{gdb_fetch_registers}.
28563
28564 @subsubheading Example
28565
28566 For a PPC MBX board (note: line breaks are for readability only, they
28567 don't appear in the actual output):
28568
28569 @smallexample
28570 (gdb)
28571 -data-list-register-values r 64 65
28572 ^done,register-values=[@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28573 @{number="65",value="0x00029002"@}]
28574 (gdb)
28575 -data-list-register-values x
28576 ^done,register-values=[@{number="0",value="0xfe0043c8"@},
28577 @{number="1",value="0x3fff88"@},@{number="2",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28578 @{number="3",value="0x0"@},@{number="4",value="0xa"@},
28579 @{number="5",value="0x3fff68"@},@{number="6",value="0x3fff58"@},
28580 @{number="7",value="0xfe011e98"@},@{number="8",value="0x2"@},
28581 @{number="9",value="0xfa202820"@},@{number="10",value="0xfa202808"@},
28582 @{number="11",value="0x1"@},@{number="12",value="0x0"@},
28583 @{number="13",value="0x4544"@},@{number="14",value="0xffdfffff"@},
28584 @{number="15",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="16",value="0xfffffeff"@},
28585 @{number="17",value="0xefffffed"@},@{number="18",value="0xfffffffe"@},
28586 @{number="19",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="20",value="0xffffffff"@},
28587 @{number="21",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="22",value="0xfffffff7"@},
28588 @{number="23",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="24",value="0xffffffff"@},
28589 @{number="25",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="26",value="0xfffffffb"@},
28590 @{number="27",value="0xffffffff"@},@{number="28",value="0xf7bfffff"@},
28591 @{number="29",value="0x0"@},@{number="30",value="0xfe010000"@},
28592 @{number="31",value="0x0"@},@{number="32",value="0x0"@},
28593 @{number="33",value="0x0"@},@{number="34",value="0x0"@},
28594 @{number="35",value="0x0"@},@{number="36",value="0x0"@},
28595 @{number="37",value="0x0"@},@{number="38",value="0x0"@},
28596 @{number="39",value="0x0"@},@{number="40",value="0x0"@},
28597 @{number="41",value="0x0"@},@{number="42",value="0x0"@},
28598 @{number="43",value="0x0"@},@{number="44",value="0x0"@},
28599 @{number="45",value="0x0"@},@{number="46",value="0x0"@},
28600 @{number="47",value="0x0"@},@{number="48",value="0x0"@},
28601 @{number="49",value="0x0"@},@{number="50",value="0x0"@},
28602 @{number="51",value="0x0"@},@{number="52",value="0x0"@},
28603 @{number="53",value="0x0"@},@{number="54",value="0x0"@},
28604 @{number="55",value="0x0"@},@{number="56",value="0x0"@},
28605 @{number="57",value="0x0"@},@{number="58",value="0x0"@},
28606 @{number="59",value="0x0"@},@{number="60",value="0x0"@},
28607 @{number="61",value="0x0"@},@{number="62",value="0x0"@},
28608 @{number="63",value="0x0"@},@{number="64",value="0xfe00a300"@},
28609 @{number="65",value="0x29002"@},@{number="66",value="0x202f04b5"@},
28610 @{number="67",value="0xfe0043b0"@},@{number="68",value="0xfe00b3e4"@},
28611 @{number="69",value="0x20002b03"@}]
28612 (gdb)
28613 @end smallexample
28614
28615
28616 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory} Command
28617 @findex -data-read-memory
28618
28619 This command is deprecated, use @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} instead.
28620
28621 @subsubheading Synopsis
28622
28623 @smallexample
28624 -data-read-memory [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28625 @var{address} @var{word-format} @var{word-size}
28626 @var{nr-rows} @var{nr-cols} [ @var{aschar} ]
28627 @end smallexample
28628
28629 @noindent
28630 where:
28631
28632 @table @samp
28633 @item @var{address}
28634 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28635 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28636 quoted using the C convention.
28637
28638 @item @var{word-format}
28639 The format to be used to print the memory words. The notation is the
28640 same as for @value{GDBN}'s @code{print} command (@pxref{Output Formats,
28641 ,Output Formats}).
28642
28643 @item @var{word-size}
28644 The size of each memory word in bytes.
28645
28646 @item @var{nr-rows}
28647 The number of rows in the output table.
28648
28649 @item @var{nr-cols}
28650 The number of columns in the output table.
28651
28652 @item @var{aschar}
28653 If present, indicates that each row should include an @sc{ascii} dump. The
28654 value of @var{aschar} is used as a padding character when a byte is not a
28655 member of the printable @sc{ascii} character set (printable @sc{ascii}
28656 characters are those whose code is between 32 and 126, inclusively).
28657
28658 @item @var{byte-offset}
28659 An offset to add to the @var{address} before fetching memory.
28660 @end table
28661
28662 This command displays memory contents as a table of @var{nr-rows} by
28663 @var{nr-cols} words, each word being @var{word-size} bytes. In total,
28664 @code{@var{nr-rows} * @var{nr-cols} * @var{word-size}} bytes are read
28665 (returned as @samp{total-bytes}). Should less than the requested number
28666 of bytes be returned by the target, the missing words are identified
28667 using @samp{N/A}. The number of bytes read from the target is returned
28668 in @samp{nr-bytes} and the starting address used to read memory in
28669 @samp{addr}.
28670
28671 The address of the next/previous row or page is available in
28672 @samp{next-row} and @samp{prev-row}, @samp{next-page} and
28673 @samp{prev-page}.
28674
28675 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28676
28677 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}. @code{gdbtk} has
28678 @samp{gdb_get_mem} memory read command.
28679
28680 @subsubheading Example
28681
28682 Read six bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+6} but then offset by
28683 @code{-6} bytes. Format as three rows of two columns. One byte per
28684 word. Display each word in hex.
28685
28686 @smallexample
28687 (gdb)
28688 9-data-read-memory -o -6 -- bytes+6 x 1 3 2
28689 9^done,addr="0x00001390",nr-bytes="6",total-bytes="6",
28690 next-row="0x00001396",prev-row="0x0000138e",next-page="0x00001396",
28691 prev-page="0x0000138a",memory=[
28692 @{addr="0x00001390",data=["0x00","0x01"]@},
28693 @{addr="0x00001392",data=["0x02","0x03"]@},
28694 @{addr="0x00001394",data=["0x04","0x05"]@}]
28695 (gdb)
28696 @end smallexample
28697
28698 Read two bytes of memory starting at address @code{shorts + 64} and
28699 display as a single word formatted in decimal.
28700
28701 @smallexample
28702 (gdb)
28703 5-data-read-memory shorts+64 d 2 1 1
28704 5^done,addr="0x00001510",nr-bytes="2",total-bytes="2",
28705 next-row="0x00001512",prev-row="0x0000150e",
28706 next-page="0x00001512",prev-page="0x0000150e",memory=[
28707 @{addr="0x00001510",data=["128"]@}]
28708 (gdb)
28709 @end smallexample
28710
28711 Read thirty two bytes of memory starting at @code{bytes+16} and format
28712 as eight rows of four columns. Include a string encoding with @samp{x}
28713 used as the non-printable character.
28714
28715 @smallexample
28716 (gdb)
28717 4-data-read-memory bytes+16 x 1 8 4 x
28718 4^done,addr="0x000013a0",nr-bytes="32",total-bytes="32",
28719 next-row="0x000013c0",prev-row="0x0000139c",
28720 next-page="0x000013c0",prev-page="0x00001380",memory=[
28721 @{addr="0x000013a0",data=["0x10","0x11","0x12","0x13"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28722 @{addr="0x000013a4",data=["0x14","0x15","0x16","0x17"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28723 @{addr="0x000013a8",data=["0x18","0x19","0x1a","0x1b"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28724 @{addr="0x000013ac",data=["0x1c","0x1d","0x1e","0x1f"],ascii="xxxx"@},
28725 @{addr="0x000013b0",data=["0x20","0x21","0x22","0x23"],ascii=" !\"#"@},
28726 @{addr="0x000013b4",data=["0x24","0x25","0x26","0x27"],ascii="$%&'"@},
28727 @{addr="0x000013b8",data=["0x28","0x29","0x2a","0x2b"],ascii="()*+"@},
28728 @{addr="0x000013bc",data=["0x2c","0x2d","0x2e","0x2f"],ascii=",-./"@}]
28729 (gdb)
28730 @end smallexample
28731
28732 @subheading The @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} Command
28733 @findex -data-read-memory-bytes
28734
28735 @subsubheading Synopsis
28736
28737 @smallexample
28738 -data-read-memory-bytes [ -o @var{byte-offset} ]
28739 @var{address} @var{count}
28740 @end smallexample
28741
28742 @noindent
28743 where:
28744
28745 @table @samp
28746 @item @var{address}
28747 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28748 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28749 quoted using the C convention.
28750
28751 @item @var{count}
28752 The number of bytes to read. This should be an integer literal.
28753
28754 @item @var{byte-offset}
28755 The offsets in bytes relative to @var{address} at which to start
28756 reading. This should be an integer literal. This option is provided
28757 so that a frontend is not required to first evaluate address and then
28758 perform address arithmetics itself.
28759
28760 @end table
28761
28762 This command attempts to read all accessible memory regions in the
28763 specified range. First, all regions marked as unreadable in the memory
28764 map (if one is defined) will be skipped. @xref{Memory Region
28765 Attributes}. Second, @value{GDBN} will attempt to read the remaining
28766 regions. For each one, if reading full region results in an errors,
28767 @value{GDBN} will try to read a subset of the region.
28768
28769 In general, every single byte in the region may be readable or not,
28770 and the only way to read every readable byte is to try a read at
28771 every address, which is not practical. Therefore, @value{GDBN} will
28772 attempt to read all accessible bytes at either beginning or the end
28773 of the region, using a binary division scheme. This heuristic works
28774 well for reading accross a memory map boundary. Note that if a region
28775 has a readable range that is neither at the beginning or the end,
28776 @value{GDBN} will not read it.
28777
28778 The result record (@pxref{GDB/MI Result Records}) that is output of
28779 the command includes a field named @samp{memory} whose content is a
28780 list of tuples. Each tuple represent a successfully read memory block
28781 and has the following fields:
28782
28783 @table @code
28784 @item begin
28785 The start address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28786
28787 @item end
28788 The end address of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal.
28789
28790 @item offset
28791 The offset of the memory block, as hexadecimal literal, relative to
28792 the start address passed to @code{-data-read-memory-bytes}.
28793
28794 @item contents
28795 The contents of the memory block, in hex.
28796
28797 @end table
28798
28799
28800
28801 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28802
28803 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{x}.
28804
28805 @subsubheading Example
28806
28807 @smallexample
28808 (gdb)
28809 -data-read-memory-bytes &a 10
28810 ^done,memory=[@{begin="0xbffff154",offset="0x00000000",
28811 end="0xbffff15e",
28812 contents="01000000020000000300"@}]
28813 (gdb)
28814 @end smallexample
28815
28816
28817 @subheading The @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} Command
28818 @findex -data-write-memory-bytes
28819
28820 @subsubheading Synopsis
28821
28822 @smallexample
28823 -data-write-memory-bytes @var{address} @var{contents}
28824 @end smallexample
28825
28826 @noindent
28827 where:
28828
28829 @table @samp
28830 @item @var{address}
28831 An expression specifying the address of the first memory word to be
28832 read. Complex expressions containing embedded white space should be
28833 quoted using the C convention.
28834
28835 @item @var{contents}
28836 The hex-encoded bytes to write.
28837
28838 @end table
28839
28840 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28841
28842 There's no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
28843
28844 @subsubheading Example
28845
28846 @smallexample
28847 (gdb)
28848 -data-write-memory-bytes &a "aabbccdd"
28849 ^done
28850 (gdb)
28851 @end smallexample
28852
28853
28854 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
28855 @node GDB/MI Tracepoint Commands
28856 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Tracepoint Commands
28857
28858 The commands defined in this section implement MI support for
28859 tracepoints. For detailed introduction, see @ref{Tracepoints}.
28860
28861 @subheading The @code{-trace-find} Command
28862 @findex -trace-find
28863
28864 @subsubheading Synopsis
28865
28866 @smallexample
28867 -trace-find @var{mode} [@var{parameters}@dots{}]
28868 @end smallexample
28869
28870 Find a trace frame using criteria defined by @var{mode} and
28871 @var{parameters}. The following table lists permissible
28872 modes and their parameters. For details of operation, see @ref{tfind}.
28873
28874 @table @samp
28875
28876 @item none
28877 No parameters are required. Stops examining trace frames.
28878
28879 @item frame-number
28880 An integer is required as parameter. Selects tracepoint frame with
28881 that index.
28882
28883 @item tracepoint-number
28884 An integer is required as parameter. Finds next
28885 trace frame that corresponds to tracepoint with the specified number.
28886
28887 @item pc
28888 An address is required as parameter. Finds
28889 next trace frame that corresponds to any tracepoint at the specified
28890 address.
28891
28892 @item pc-inside-range
28893 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds next trace
28894 frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address inside the
28895 specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28896
28897 @item pc-outside-range
28898 Two addresses are required as parameters. Finds
28899 next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at an address outside
28900 the specified range. Both bounds are considered to be inside the range.
28901
28902 @item line
28903 Line specification is required as parameter. @xref{Specify Location}.
28904 Finds next trace frame that corresponds to a tracepoint at
28905 the specified location.
28906
28907 @end table
28908
28909 If @samp{none} was passed as @var{mode}, the response does not
28910 have fields. Otherwise, the response may have the following fields:
28911
28912 @table @samp
28913 @item found
28914 This field has either @samp{0} or @samp{1} as the value, depending
28915 on whether a matching tracepoint was found.
28916
28917 @item traceframe
28918 The index of the found traceframe. This field is present iff
28919 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28920
28921 @item tracepoint
28922 The index of the found tracepoint. This field is present iff
28923 the @samp{found} field has value of @samp{1}.
28924
28925 @item frame
28926 The information about the frame corresponding to the found trace
28927 frame. This field is present only if a trace frame was found.
28928 @xref{GDB/MI Frame Information}, for description of this field.
28929
28930 @end table
28931
28932 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28933
28934 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tfind}.
28935
28936 @subheading -trace-define-variable
28937 @findex -trace-define-variable
28938
28939 @subsubheading Synopsis
28940
28941 @smallexample
28942 -trace-define-variable @var{name} [ @var{value} ]
28943 @end smallexample
28944
28945 Create trace variable @var{name} if it does not exist. If
28946 @var{value} is specified, sets the initial value of the specified
28947 trace variable to that value. Note that the @var{name} should start
28948 with the @samp{$} character.
28949
28950 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28951
28952 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariable}.
28953
28954 @subheading -trace-list-variables
28955 @findex -trace-list-variables
28956
28957 @subsubheading Synopsis
28958
28959 @smallexample
28960 -trace-list-variables
28961 @end smallexample
28962
28963 Return a table of all defined trace variables. Each element of the
28964 table has the following fields:
28965
28966 @table @samp
28967 @item name
28968 The name of the trace variable. This field is always present.
28969
28970 @item initial
28971 The initial value. This is a 64-bit signed integer. This
28972 field is always present.
28973
28974 @item current
28975 The value the trace variable has at the moment. This is a 64-bit
28976 signed integer. This field is absent iff current value is
28977 not defined, for example if the trace was never run, or is
28978 presently running.
28979
28980 @end table
28981
28982 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
28983
28984 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tvariables}.
28985
28986 @subsubheading Example
28987
28988 @smallexample
28989 (gdb)
28990 -trace-list-variables
28991 ^done,trace-variables=@{nr_rows="1",nr_cols="3",
28992 hdr=[@{width="15",alignment="-1",col_name="name",colhdr="Name"@},
28993 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="initial",colhdr="Initial"@},
28994 @{width="11",alignment="-1",col_name="current",colhdr="Current"@}],
28995 body=[variable=@{name="$trace_timestamp",initial="0"@}
28996 variable=@{name="$foo",initial="10",current="15"@}]@}
28997 (gdb)
28998 @end smallexample
28999
29000 @subheading -trace-save
29001 @findex -trace-save
29002
29003 @subsubheading Synopsis
29004
29005 @smallexample
29006 -trace-save [-r ] @var{filename}
29007 @end smallexample
29008
29009 Saves the collected trace data to @var{filename}. Without the
29010 @samp{-r} option, the data is downloaded from the target and saved
29011 in a local file. With the @samp{-r} option the target is asked
29012 to perform the save.
29013
29014 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29015
29016 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tsave}.
29017
29018
29019 @subheading -trace-start
29020 @findex -trace-start
29021
29022 @subsubheading Synopsis
29023
29024 @smallexample
29025 -trace-start
29026 @end smallexample
29027
29028 Starts a tracing experiments. The result of this command does not
29029 have any fields.
29030
29031 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29032
29033 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstart}.
29034
29035 @subheading -trace-status
29036 @findex -trace-status
29037
29038 @subsubheading Synopsis
29039
29040 @smallexample
29041 -trace-status
29042 @end smallexample
29043
29044 Obtains the status of a tracing experiment. The result may include
29045 the following fields:
29046
29047 @table @samp
29048
29049 @item supported
29050 May have a value of either @samp{0}, when no tracing operations are
29051 supported, @samp{1}, when all tracing operations are supported, or
29052 @samp{file} when examining trace file. In the latter case, examining
29053 of trace frame is possible but new tracing experiement cannot be
29054 started. This field is always present.
29055
29056 @item running
29057 May have a value of either @samp{0} or @samp{1} depending on whether
29058 tracing experiement is in progress on target. This field is present
29059 if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
29060
29061 @item stop-reason
29062 Report the reason why the tracing was stopped last time. This field
29063 may be absent iff tracing was never stopped on target yet. The
29064 value of @samp{request} means the tracing was stopped as result of
29065 the @code{-trace-stop} command. The value of @samp{overflow} means
29066 the tracing buffer is full. The value of @samp{disconnection} means
29067 tracing was automatically stopped when @value{GDBN} has disconnected.
29068 The value of @samp{passcount} means tracing was stopped when a
29069 tracepoint was passed a maximal number of times for that tracepoint.
29070 This field is present if @samp{supported} field is not @samp{0}.
29071
29072 @item stopping-tracepoint
29073 The number of tracepoint whose passcount as exceeded. This field is
29074 present iff the @samp{stop-reason} field has the value of
29075 @samp{passcount}.
29076
29077 @item frames
29078 @itemx frames-created
29079 The @samp{frames} field is a count of the total number of trace frames
29080 in the trace buffer, while @samp{frames-created} is the total created
29081 during the run, including ones that were discarded, such as when a
29082 circular trace buffer filled up. Both fields are optional.
29083
29084 @item buffer-size
29085 @itemx buffer-free
29086 These fields tell the current size of the tracing buffer and the
29087 remaining space. These fields are optional.
29088
29089 @item circular
29090 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
29091 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
29092 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
29093 and may fill up.
29094
29095 @item disconnected
29096 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
29097 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
29098 that the trace run will stop.
29099
29100 @end table
29101
29102 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29103
29104 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstatus}.
29105
29106 @subheading -trace-stop
29107 @findex -trace-stop
29108
29109 @subsubheading Synopsis
29110
29111 @smallexample
29112 -trace-stop
29113 @end smallexample
29114
29115 Stops a tracing experiment. The result of this command has the same
29116 fields as @code{-trace-status}, except that the @samp{supported} and
29117 @samp{running} fields are not output.
29118
29119 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29120
29121 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{tstop}.
29122
29123
29124 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29125 @node GDB/MI Symbol Query
29126 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Symbol Query Commands
29127
29128
29129 @ignore
29130 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-address} Command
29131 @findex -symbol-info-address
29132
29133 @subsubheading Synopsis
29134
29135 @smallexample
29136 -symbol-info-address @var{symbol}
29137 @end smallexample
29138
29139 Describe where @var{symbol} is stored.
29140
29141 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29142
29143 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info address}.
29144
29145 @subsubheading Example
29146 N.A.
29147
29148
29149 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-file} Command
29150 @findex -symbol-info-file
29151
29152 @subsubheading Synopsis
29153
29154 @smallexample
29155 -symbol-info-file
29156 @end smallexample
29157
29158 Show the file for the symbol.
29159
29160 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29161
29162 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command. @code{gdbtk} has
29163 @samp{gdb_find_file}.
29164
29165 @subsubheading Example
29166 N.A.
29167
29168
29169 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-function} Command
29170 @findex -symbol-info-function
29171
29172 @subsubheading Synopsis
29173
29174 @smallexample
29175 -symbol-info-function
29176 @end smallexample
29177
29178 Show which function the symbol lives in.
29179
29180 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29181
29182 @samp{gdb_get_function} in @code{gdbtk}.
29183
29184 @subsubheading Example
29185 N.A.
29186
29187
29188 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-line} Command
29189 @findex -symbol-info-line
29190
29191 @subsubheading Synopsis
29192
29193 @smallexample
29194 -symbol-info-line
29195 @end smallexample
29196
29197 Show the core addresses of the code for a source line.
29198
29199 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29200
29201 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info line}.
29202 @code{gdbtk} has the @samp{gdb_get_line} and @samp{gdb_get_file} commands.
29203
29204 @subsubheading Example
29205 N.A.
29206
29207
29208 @subheading The @code{-symbol-info-symbol} Command
29209 @findex -symbol-info-symbol
29210
29211 @subsubheading Synopsis
29212
29213 @smallexample
29214 -symbol-info-symbol @var{addr}
29215 @end smallexample
29216
29217 Describe what symbol is at location @var{addr}.
29218
29219 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29220
29221 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info symbol}.
29222
29223 @subsubheading Example
29224 N.A.
29225
29226
29227 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-functions} Command
29228 @findex -symbol-list-functions
29229
29230 @subsubheading Synopsis
29231
29232 @smallexample
29233 -symbol-list-functions
29234 @end smallexample
29235
29236 List the functions in the executable.
29237
29238 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29239
29240 @samp{info functions} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_listfunc} and
29241 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29242
29243 @subsubheading Example
29244 N.A.
29245 @end ignore
29246
29247
29248 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-lines} Command
29249 @findex -symbol-list-lines
29250
29251 @subsubheading Synopsis
29252
29253 @smallexample
29254 -symbol-list-lines @var{filename}
29255 @end smallexample
29256
29257 Print the list of lines that contain code and their associated program
29258 addresses for the given source filename. The entries are sorted in
29259 ascending PC order.
29260
29261 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29262
29263 There is no corresponding @value{GDBN} command.
29264
29265 @subsubheading Example
29266 @smallexample
29267 (gdb)
29268 -symbol-list-lines basics.c
29269 ^done,lines=[@{pc="0x08048554",line="7"@},@{pc="0x0804855a",line="8"@}]
29270 (gdb)
29271 @end smallexample
29272
29273
29274 @ignore
29275 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-types} Command
29276 @findex -symbol-list-types
29277
29278 @subsubheading Synopsis
29279
29280 @smallexample
29281 -symbol-list-types
29282 @end smallexample
29283
29284 List all the type names.
29285
29286 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29287
29288 The corresponding commands are @samp{info types} in @value{GDBN},
29289 @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29290
29291 @subsubheading Example
29292 N.A.
29293
29294
29295 @subheading The @code{-symbol-list-variables} Command
29296 @findex -symbol-list-variables
29297
29298 @subsubheading Synopsis
29299
29300 @smallexample
29301 -symbol-list-variables
29302 @end smallexample
29303
29304 List all the global and static variable names.
29305
29306 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29307
29308 @samp{info variables} in @value{GDBN}, @samp{gdb_search} in @code{gdbtk}.
29309
29310 @subsubheading Example
29311 N.A.
29312
29313
29314 @subheading The @code{-symbol-locate} Command
29315 @findex -symbol-locate
29316
29317 @subsubheading Synopsis
29318
29319 @smallexample
29320 -symbol-locate
29321 @end smallexample
29322
29323 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29324
29325 @samp{gdb_loc} in @code{gdbtk}.
29326
29327 @subsubheading Example
29328 N.A.
29329
29330
29331 @subheading The @code{-symbol-type} Command
29332 @findex -symbol-type
29333
29334 @subsubheading Synopsis
29335
29336 @smallexample
29337 -symbol-type @var{variable}
29338 @end smallexample
29339
29340 Show type of @var{variable}.
29341
29342 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29343
29344 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{ptype}, @code{gdbtk} has
29345 @samp{gdb_obj_variable}.
29346
29347 @subsubheading Example
29348 N.A.
29349 @end ignore
29350
29351
29352 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29353 @node GDB/MI File Commands
29354 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Commands
29355
29356 This section describes the GDB/MI commands to specify executable file names
29357 and to read in and obtain symbol table information.
29358
29359 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-and-symbols} Command
29360 @findex -file-exec-and-symbols
29361
29362 @subsubheading Synopsis
29363
29364 @smallexample
29365 -file-exec-and-symbols @var{file}
29366 @end smallexample
29367
29368 Specify the executable file to be debugged. This file is the one from
29369 which the symbol table is also read. If no file is specified, the
29370 command clears the executable and symbol information. If breakpoints
29371 are set when using this command with no arguments, @value{GDBN} will produce
29372 error messages. Otherwise, no output is produced, except a completion
29373 notification.
29374
29375 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29376
29377 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{file}.
29378
29379 @subsubheading Example
29380
29381 @smallexample
29382 (gdb)
29383 -file-exec-and-symbols /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29384 ^done
29385 (gdb)
29386 @end smallexample
29387
29388
29389 @subheading The @code{-file-exec-file} Command
29390 @findex -file-exec-file
29391
29392 @subsubheading Synopsis
29393
29394 @smallexample
29395 -file-exec-file @var{file}
29396 @end smallexample
29397
29398 Specify the executable file to be debugged. Unlike
29399 @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols}, the symbol table is @emph{not} read
29400 from this file. If used without argument, @value{GDBN} clears the information
29401 about the executable file. No output is produced, except a completion
29402 notification.
29403
29404 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29405
29406 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{exec-file}.
29407
29408 @subsubheading Example
29409
29410 @smallexample
29411 (gdb)
29412 -file-exec-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29413 ^done
29414 (gdb)
29415 @end smallexample
29416
29417
29418 @ignore
29419 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-sections} Command
29420 @findex -file-list-exec-sections
29421
29422 @subsubheading Synopsis
29423
29424 @smallexample
29425 -file-list-exec-sections
29426 @end smallexample
29427
29428 List the sections of the current executable file.
29429
29430 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29431
29432 The @value{GDBN} command @samp{info file} shows, among the rest, the same
29433 information as this command. @code{gdbtk} has a corresponding command
29434 @samp{gdb_load_info}.
29435
29436 @subsubheading Example
29437 N.A.
29438 @end ignore
29439
29440
29441 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-file} Command
29442 @findex -file-list-exec-source-file
29443
29444 @subsubheading Synopsis
29445
29446 @smallexample
29447 -file-list-exec-source-file
29448 @end smallexample
29449
29450 List the line number, the current source file, and the absolute path
29451 to the current source file for the current executable. The macro
29452 information field has a value of @samp{1} or @samp{0} depending on
29453 whether or not the file includes preprocessor macro information.
29454
29455 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29456
29457 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info source}
29458
29459 @subsubheading Example
29460
29461 @smallexample
29462 (gdb)
29463 123-file-list-exec-source-file
29464 123^done,line="1",file="foo.c",fullname="/home/bar/foo.c,macro-info="1"
29465 (gdb)
29466 @end smallexample
29467
29468
29469 @subheading The @code{-file-list-exec-source-files} Command
29470 @findex -file-list-exec-source-files
29471
29472 @subsubheading Synopsis
29473
29474 @smallexample
29475 -file-list-exec-source-files
29476 @end smallexample
29477
29478 List the source files for the current executable.
29479
29480 It will always output the filename, but only when @value{GDBN} can find
29481 the absolute file name of a source file, will it output the fullname.
29482
29483 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29484
29485 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{info sources}.
29486 @code{gdbtk} has an analogous command @samp{gdb_listfiles}.
29487
29488 @subsubheading Example
29489 @smallexample
29490 (gdb)
29491 -file-list-exec-source-files
29492 ^done,files=[
29493 @{file=foo.c,fullname=/home/foo.c@},
29494 @{file=/home/bar.c,fullname=/home/bar.c@},
29495 @{file=gdb_could_not_find_fullpath.c@}]
29496 (gdb)
29497 @end smallexample
29498
29499 @ignore
29500 @subheading The @code{-file-list-shared-libraries} Command
29501 @findex -file-list-shared-libraries
29502
29503 @subsubheading Synopsis
29504
29505 @smallexample
29506 -file-list-shared-libraries
29507 @end smallexample
29508
29509 List the shared libraries in the program.
29510
29511 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29512
29513 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info shared}.
29514
29515 @subsubheading Example
29516 N.A.
29517
29518
29519 @subheading The @code{-file-list-symbol-files} Command
29520 @findex -file-list-symbol-files
29521
29522 @subsubheading Synopsis
29523
29524 @smallexample
29525 -file-list-symbol-files
29526 @end smallexample
29527
29528 List symbol files.
29529
29530 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29531
29532 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{info file} (part of it).
29533
29534 @subsubheading Example
29535 N.A.
29536 @end ignore
29537
29538
29539 @subheading The @code{-file-symbol-file} Command
29540 @findex -file-symbol-file
29541
29542 @subsubheading Synopsis
29543
29544 @smallexample
29545 -file-symbol-file @var{file}
29546 @end smallexample
29547
29548 Read symbol table info from the specified @var{file} argument. When
29549 used without arguments, clears @value{GDBN}'s symbol table info. No output is
29550 produced, except for a completion notification.
29551
29552 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29553
29554 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{symbol-file}.
29555
29556 @subsubheading Example
29557
29558 @smallexample
29559 (gdb)
29560 -file-symbol-file /kwikemart/marge/ezannoni/TRUNK/mbx/hello.mbx
29561 ^done
29562 (gdb)
29563 @end smallexample
29564
29565 @ignore
29566 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29567 @node GDB/MI Memory Overlay Commands
29568 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Memory Overlay Commands
29569
29570 The memory overlay commands are not implemented.
29571
29572 @c @subheading -overlay-auto
29573
29574 @c @subheading -overlay-list-mapping-state
29575
29576 @c @subheading -overlay-list-overlays
29577
29578 @c @subheading -overlay-map
29579
29580 @c @subheading -overlay-off
29581
29582 @c @subheading -overlay-on
29583
29584 @c @subheading -overlay-unmap
29585
29586 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29587 @node GDB/MI Signal Handling Commands
29588 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Signal Handling Commands
29589
29590 Signal handling commands are not implemented.
29591
29592 @c @subheading -signal-handle
29593
29594 @c @subheading -signal-list-handle-actions
29595
29596 @c @subheading -signal-list-signal-types
29597 @end ignore
29598
29599
29600 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29601 @node GDB/MI Target Manipulation
29602 @section @sc{gdb/mi} Target Manipulation Commands
29603
29604
29605 @subheading The @code{-target-attach} Command
29606 @findex -target-attach
29607
29608 @subsubheading Synopsis
29609
29610 @smallexample
29611 -target-attach @var{pid} | @var{gid} | @var{file}
29612 @end smallexample
29613
29614 Attach to a process @var{pid} or a file @var{file} outside of
29615 @value{GDBN}, or a thread group @var{gid}. If attaching to a thread
29616 group, the id previously returned by
29617 @samp{-list-thread-groups --available} must be used.
29618
29619 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29620
29621 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{attach}.
29622
29623 @subsubheading Example
29624 @smallexample
29625 (gdb)
29626 -target-attach 34
29627 =thread-created,id="1"
29628 *stopped,thread-id="1",frame=@{addr="0xb7f7e410",func="bar",args=[]@}
29629 ^done
29630 (gdb)
29631 @end smallexample
29632
29633 @ignore
29634 @subheading The @code{-target-compare-sections} Command
29635 @findex -target-compare-sections
29636
29637 @subsubheading Synopsis
29638
29639 @smallexample
29640 -target-compare-sections [ @var{section} ]
29641 @end smallexample
29642
29643 Compare data of section @var{section} on target to the exec file.
29644 Without the argument, all sections are compared.
29645
29646 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29647
29648 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{compare-sections}.
29649
29650 @subsubheading Example
29651 N.A.
29652 @end ignore
29653
29654
29655 @subheading The @code{-target-detach} Command
29656 @findex -target-detach
29657
29658 @subsubheading Synopsis
29659
29660 @smallexample
29661 -target-detach [ @var{pid} | @var{gid} ]
29662 @end smallexample
29663
29664 Detach from the remote target which normally resumes its execution.
29665 If either @var{pid} or @var{gid} is specified, detaches from either
29666 the specified process, or specified thread group. There's no output.
29667
29668 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29669
29670 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{detach}.
29671
29672 @subsubheading Example
29673
29674 @smallexample
29675 (gdb)
29676 -target-detach
29677 ^done
29678 (gdb)
29679 @end smallexample
29680
29681
29682 @subheading The @code{-target-disconnect} Command
29683 @findex -target-disconnect
29684
29685 @subsubheading Synopsis
29686
29687 @smallexample
29688 -target-disconnect
29689 @end smallexample
29690
29691 Disconnect from the remote target. There's no output and the target is
29692 generally not resumed.
29693
29694 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29695
29696 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{disconnect}.
29697
29698 @subsubheading Example
29699
29700 @smallexample
29701 (gdb)
29702 -target-disconnect
29703 ^done
29704 (gdb)
29705 @end smallexample
29706
29707
29708 @subheading The @code{-target-download} Command
29709 @findex -target-download
29710
29711 @subsubheading Synopsis
29712
29713 @smallexample
29714 -target-download
29715 @end smallexample
29716
29717 Loads the executable onto the remote target.
29718 It prints out an update message every half second, which includes the fields:
29719
29720 @table @samp
29721 @item section
29722 The name of the section.
29723 @item section-sent
29724 The size of what has been sent so far for that section.
29725 @item section-size
29726 The size of the section.
29727 @item total-sent
29728 The total size of what was sent so far (the current and the previous sections).
29729 @item total-size
29730 The size of the overall executable to download.
29731 @end table
29732
29733 @noindent
29734 Each message is sent as status record (@pxref{GDB/MI Output Syntax, ,
29735 @sc{gdb/mi} Output Syntax}).
29736
29737 In addition, it prints the name and size of the sections, as they are
29738 downloaded. These messages include the following fields:
29739
29740 @table @samp
29741 @item section
29742 The name of the section.
29743 @item section-size
29744 The size of the section.
29745 @item total-size
29746 The size of the overall executable to download.
29747 @end table
29748
29749 @noindent
29750 At the end, a summary is printed.
29751
29752 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29753
29754 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{load}.
29755
29756 @subsubheading Example
29757
29758 Note: each status message appears on a single line. Here the messages
29759 have been broken down so that they can fit onto a page.
29760
29761 @smallexample
29762 (gdb)
29763 -target-download
29764 +download,@{section=".text",section-size="6668",total-size="9880"@}
29765 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="512",section-size="6668",
29766 total-sent="512",total-size="9880"@}
29767 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1024",section-size="6668",
29768 total-sent="1024",total-size="9880"@}
29769 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="1536",section-size="6668",
29770 total-sent="1536",total-size="9880"@}
29771 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2048",section-size="6668",
29772 total-sent="2048",total-size="9880"@}
29773 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="2560",section-size="6668",
29774 total-sent="2560",total-size="9880"@}
29775 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3072",section-size="6668",
29776 total-sent="3072",total-size="9880"@}
29777 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="3584",section-size="6668",
29778 total-sent="3584",total-size="9880"@}
29779 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4096",section-size="6668",
29780 total-sent="4096",total-size="9880"@}
29781 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="4608",section-size="6668",
29782 total-sent="4608",total-size="9880"@}
29783 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5120",section-size="6668",
29784 total-sent="5120",total-size="9880"@}
29785 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="5632",section-size="6668",
29786 total-sent="5632",total-size="9880"@}
29787 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6144",section-size="6668",
29788 total-sent="6144",total-size="9880"@}
29789 +download,@{section=".text",section-sent="6656",section-size="6668",
29790 total-sent="6656",total-size="9880"@}
29791 +download,@{section=".init",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29792 +download,@{section=".fini",section-size="28",total-size="9880"@}
29793 +download,@{section=".data",section-size="3156",total-size="9880"@}
29794 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="512",section-size="3156",
29795 total-sent="7236",total-size="9880"@}
29796 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1024",section-size="3156",
29797 total-sent="7748",total-size="9880"@}
29798 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="1536",section-size="3156",
29799 total-sent="8260",total-size="9880"@}
29800 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2048",section-size="3156",
29801 total-sent="8772",total-size="9880"@}
29802 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="2560",section-size="3156",
29803 total-sent="9284",total-size="9880"@}
29804 +download,@{section=".data",section-sent="3072",section-size="3156",
29805 total-sent="9796",total-size="9880"@}
29806 ^done,address="0x10004",load-size="9880",transfer-rate="6586",
29807 write-rate="429"
29808 (gdb)
29809 @end smallexample
29810
29811
29812 @ignore
29813 @subheading The @code{-target-exec-status} Command
29814 @findex -target-exec-status
29815
29816 @subsubheading Synopsis
29817
29818 @smallexample
29819 -target-exec-status
29820 @end smallexample
29821
29822 Provide information on the state of the target (whether it is running or
29823 not, for instance).
29824
29825 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29826
29827 There's no equivalent @value{GDBN} command.
29828
29829 @subsubheading Example
29830 N.A.
29831
29832
29833 @subheading The @code{-target-list-available-targets} Command
29834 @findex -target-list-available-targets
29835
29836 @subsubheading Synopsis
29837
29838 @smallexample
29839 -target-list-available-targets
29840 @end smallexample
29841
29842 List the possible targets to connect to.
29843
29844 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29845
29846 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{help target}.
29847
29848 @subsubheading Example
29849 N.A.
29850
29851
29852 @subheading The @code{-target-list-current-targets} Command
29853 @findex -target-list-current-targets
29854
29855 @subsubheading Synopsis
29856
29857 @smallexample
29858 -target-list-current-targets
29859 @end smallexample
29860
29861 Describe the current target.
29862
29863 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29864
29865 The corresponding information is printed by @samp{info file} (among
29866 other things).
29867
29868 @subsubheading Example
29869 N.A.
29870
29871
29872 @subheading The @code{-target-list-parameters} Command
29873 @findex -target-list-parameters
29874
29875 @subsubheading Synopsis
29876
29877 @smallexample
29878 -target-list-parameters
29879 @end smallexample
29880
29881 @c ????
29882 @end ignore
29883
29884 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29885
29886 No equivalent.
29887
29888 @subsubheading Example
29889 N.A.
29890
29891
29892 @subheading The @code{-target-select} Command
29893 @findex -target-select
29894
29895 @subsubheading Synopsis
29896
29897 @smallexample
29898 -target-select @var{type} @var{parameters @dots{}}
29899 @end smallexample
29900
29901 Connect @value{GDBN} to the remote target. This command takes two args:
29902
29903 @table @samp
29904 @item @var{type}
29905 The type of target, for instance @samp{remote}, etc.
29906 @item @var{parameters}
29907 Device names, host names and the like. @xref{Target Commands, ,
29908 Commands for Managing Targets}, for more details.
29909 @end table
29910
29911 The output is a connection notification, followed by the address at
29912 which the target program is, in the following form:
29913
29914 @smallexample
29915 ^connected,addr="@var{address}",func="@var{function name}",
29916 args=[@var{arg list}]
29917 @end smallexample
29918
29919 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29920
29921 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{target}.
29922
29923 @subsubheading Example
29924
29925 @smallexample
29926 (gdb)
29927 -target-select remote /dev/ttya
29928 ^connected,addr="0xfe00a300",func="??",args=[]
29929 (gdb)
29930 @end smallexample
29931
29932 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
29933 @node GDB/MI File Transfer Commands
29934 @section @sc{gdb/mi} File Transfer Commands
29935
29936
29937 @subheading The @code{-target-file-put} Command
29938 @findex -target-file-put
29939
29940 @subsubheading Synopsis
29941
29942 @smallexample
29943 -target-file-put @var{hostfile} @var{targetfile}
29944 @end smallexample
29945
29946 Copy file @var{hostfile} from the host system (the machine running
29947 @value{GDBN}) to @var{targetfile} on the target system.
29948
29949 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29950
29951 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote put}.
29952
29953 @subsubheading Example
29954
29955 @smallexample
29956 (gdb)
29957 -target-file-put localfile remotefile
29958 ^done
29959 (gdb)
29960 @end smallexample
29961
29962
29963 @subheading The @code{-target-file-get} Command
29964 @findex -target-file-get
29965
29966 @subsubheading Synopsis
29967
29968 @smallexample
29969 -target-file-get @var{targetfile} @var{hostfile}
29970 @end smallexample
29971
29972 Copy file @var{targetfile} from the target system to @var{hostfile}
29973 on the host system.
29974
29975 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
29976
29977 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote get}.
29978
29979 @subsubheading Example
29980
29981 @smallexample
29982 (gdb)
29983 -target-file-get remotefile localfile
29984 ^done
29985 (gdb)
29986 @end smallexample
29987
29988
29989 @subheading The @code{-target-file-delete} Command
29990 @findex -target-file-delete
29991
29992 @subsubheading Synopsis
29993
29994 @smallexample
29995 -target-file-delete @var{targetfile}
29996 @end smallexample
29997
29998 Delete @var{targetfile} from the target system.
29999
30000 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30001
30002 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{remote delete}.
30003
30004 @subsubheading Example
30005
30006 @smallexample
30007 (gdb)
30008 -target-file-delete remotefile
30009 ^done
30010 (gdb)
30011 @end smallexample
30012
30013
30014 @c %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SECTION %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
30015 @node GDB/MI Miscellaneous Commands
30016 @section Miscellaneous @sc{gdb/mi} Commands
30017
30018 @c @subheading -gdb-complete
30019
30020 @subheading The @code{-gdb-exit} Command
30021 @findex -gdb-exit
30022
30023 @subsubheading Synopsis
30024
30025 @smallexample
30026 -gdb-exit
30027 @end smallexample
30028
30029 Exit @value{GDBN} immediately.
30030
30031 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30032
30033 Approximately corresponds to @samp{quit}.
30034
30035 @subsubheading Example
30036
30037 @smallexample
30038 (gdb)
30039 -gdb-exit
30040 ^exit
30041 @end smallexample
30042
30043
30044 @ignore
30045 @subheading The @code{-exec-abort} Command
30046 @findex -exec-abort
30047
30048 @subsubheading Synopsis
30049
30050 @smallexample
30051 -exec-abort
30052 @end smallexample
30053
30054 Kill the inferior running program.
30055
30056 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30057
30058 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{kill}.
30059
30060 @subsubheading Example
30061 N.A.
30062 @end ignore
30063
30064
30065 @subheading The @code{-gdb-set} Command
30066 @findex -gdb-set
30067
30068 @subsubheading Synopsis
30069
30070 @smallexample
30071 -gdb-set
30072 @end smallexample
30073
30074 Set an internal @value{GDBN} variable.
30075 @c IS THIS A DOLLAR VARIABLE? OR SOMETHING LIKE ANNOTATE ?????
30076
30077 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30078
30079 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set}.
30080
30081 @subsubheading Example
30082
30083 @smallexample
30084 (gdb)
30085 -gdb-set $foo=3
30086 ^done
30087 (gdb)
30088 @end smallexample
30089
30090
30091 @subheading The @code{-gdb-show} Command
30092 @findex -gdb-show
30093
30094 @subsubheading Synopsis
30095
30096 @smallexample
30097 -gdb-show
30098 @end smallexample
30099
30100 Show the current value of a @value{GDBN} variable.
30101
30102 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30103
30104 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show}.
30105
30106 @subsubheading Example
30107
30108 @smallexample
30109 (gdb)
30110 -gdb-show annotate
30111 ^done,value="0"
30112 (gdb)
30113 @end smallexample
30114
30115 @c @subheading -gdb-source
30116
30117
30118 @subheading The @code{-gdb-version} Command
30119 @findex -gdb-version
30120
30121 @subsubheading Synopsis
30122
30123 @smallexample
30124 -gdb-version
30125 @end smallexample
30126
30127 Show version information for @value{GDBN}. Used mostly in testing.
30128
30129 @subsubheading @value{GDBN} Command
30130
30131 The @value{GDBN} equivalent is @samp{show version}. @value{GDBN} by
30132 default shows this information when you start an interactive session.
30133
30134 @subsubheading Example
30135
30136 @c This example modifies the actual output from GDB to avoid overfull
30137 @c box in TeX.
30138 @smallexample
30139 (gdb)
30140 -gdb-version
30141 ~GNU gdb 5.2.1
30142 ~Copyright 2000 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
30143 ~GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License, and
30144 ~you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it under
30145 ~ certain conditions.
30146 ~Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
30147 ~There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty" for
30148 ~ details.
30149 ~This GDB was configured as
30150 "--host=sparc-sun-solaris2.5.1 --target=ppc-eabi".
30151 ^done
30152 (gdb)
30153 @end smallexample
30154
30155 @subheading The @code{-list-features} Command
30156 @findex -list-features
30157
30158 Returns a list of particular features of the MI protocol that
30159 this version of gdb implements. A feature can be a command,
30160 or a new field in an output of some command, or even an
30161 important bugfix. While a frontend can sometimes detect presence
30162 of a feature at runtime, it is easier to perform detection at debugger
30163 startup.
30164
30165 The command returns a list of strings, with each string naming an
30166 available feature. Each returned string is just a name, it does not
30167 have any internal structure. The list of possible feature names
30168 is given below.
30169
30170 Example output:
30171
30172 @smallexample
30173 (gdb) -list-features
30174 ^done,result=["feature1","feature2"]
30175 @end smallexample
30176
30177 The current list of features is:
30178
30179 @table @samp
30180 @item frozen-varobjs
30181 Indicates presence of the @code{-var-set-frozen} command, as well
30182 as possible presense of the @code{frozen} field in the output
30183 of @code{-varobj-create}.
30184 @item pending-breakpoints
30185 Indicates presence of the @option{-f} option to the @code{-break-insert} command.
30186 @item python
30187 Indicates presence of Python scripting support, Python-based
30188 pretty-printing commands, and possible presence of the
30189 @samp{display_hint} field in the output of @code{-var-list-children}
30190 @item thread-info
30191 Indicates presence of the @code{-thread-info} command.
30192 @item data-read-memory-bytes
30193 Indicates presense of the @code{-data-read-memory-bytes} and the
30194 @code{-data-write-memory-bytes} commands.
30195 @item breakpoint-notifications
30196 Indicates that changes to breakpoints and breakpoints created via the
30197 CLI will be announced via async records.
30198
30199 @end table
30200
30201 @subheading The @code{-list-target-features} Command
30202 @findex -list-target-features
30203
30204 Returns a list of particular features that are supported by the
30205 target. Those features affect the permitted MI commands, but
30206 unlike the features reported by the @code{-list-features} command, the
30207 features depend on which target GDB is using at the moment. Whenever
30208 a target can change, due to commands such as @code{-target-select},
30209 @code{-target-attach} or @code{-exec-run}, the list of target features
30210 may change, and the frontend should obtain it again.
30211 Example output:
30212
30213 @smallexample
30214 (gdb) -list-features
30215 ^done,result=["async"]
30216 @end smallexample
30217
30218 The current list of features is:
30219
30220 @table @samp
30221 @item async
30222 Indicates that the target is capable of asynchronous command
30223 execution, which means that @value{GDBN} will accept further commands
30224 while the target is running.
30225
30226 @item reverse
30227 Indicates that the target is capable of reverse execution.
30228 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
30229
30230 @end table
30231
30232 @subheading The @code{-list-thread-groups} Command
30233 @findex -list-thread-groups
30234
30235 @subheading Synopsis
30236
30237 @smallexample
30238 -list-thread-groups [ --available ] [ --recurse 1 ] [ @var{group} ... ]
30239 @end smallexample
30240
30241 Lists thread groups (@pxref{Thread groups}). When a single thread
30242 group is passed as the argument, lists the children of that group.
30243 When several thread group are passed, lists information about those
30244 thread groups. Without any parameters, lists information about all
30245 top-level thread groups.
30246
30247 Normally, thread groups that are being debugged are reported.
30248 With the @samp{--available} option, @value{GDBN} reports thread groups
30249 available on the target.
30250
30251 The output of this command may have either a @samp{threads} result or
30252 a @samp{groups} result. The @samp{thread} result has a list of tuples
30253 as value, with each tuple describing a thread (@pxref{GDB/MI Thread
30254 Information}). The @samp{groups} result has a list of tuples as value,
30255 each tuple describing a thread group. If top-level groups are
30256 requested (that is, no parameter is passed), or when several groups
30257 are passed, the output always has a @samp{groups} result. The format
30258 of the @samp{group} result is described below.
30259
30260 To reduce the number of roundtrips it's possible to list thread groups
30261 together with their children, by passing the @samp{--recurse} option
30262 and the recursion depth. Presently, only recursion depth of 1 is
30263 permitted. If this option is present, then every reported thread group
30264 will also include its children, either as @samp{group} or
30265 @samp{threads} field.
30266
30267 In general, any combination of option and parameters is permitted, with
30268 the following caveats:
30269
30270 @itemize @bullet
30271 @item
30272 When a single thread group is passed, the output will typically
30273 be the @samp{threads} result. Because threads may not contain
30274 anything, the @samp{recurse} option will be ignored.
30275
30276 @item
30277 When the @samp{--available} option is passed, limited information may
30278 be available. In particular, the list of threads of a process might
30279 be inaccessible. Further, specifying specific thread groups might
30280 not give any performance advantage over listing all thread groups.
30281 The frontend should assume that @samp{-list-thread-groups --available}
30282 is always an expensive operation and cache the results.
30283
30284 @end itemize
30285
30286 The @samp{groups} result is a list of tuples, where each tuple may
30287 have the following fields:
30288
30289 @table @code
30290 @item id
30291 Identifier of the thread group. This field is always present.
30292 The identifier is an opaque string; frontends should not try to
30293 convert it to an integer, even though it might look like one.
30294
30295 @item type
30296 The type of the thread group. At present, only @samp{process} is a
30297 valid type.
30298
30299 @item pid
30300 The target-specific process identifier. This field is only present
30301 for thread groups of type @samp{process} and only if the process exists.
30302
30303 @item num_children
30304 The number of children this thread group has. This field may be
30305 absent for an available thread group.
30306
30307 @item threads
30308 This field has a list of tuples as value, each tuple describing a
30309 thread. It may be present if the @samp{--recurse} option is
30310 specified, and it's actually possible to obtain the threads.
30311
30312 @item cores
30313 This field is a list of integers, each identifying a core that one
30314 thread of the group is running on. This field may be absent if
30315 such information is not available.
30316
30317 @item executable
30318 The name of the executable file that corresponds to this thread group.
30319 The field is only present for thread groups of type @samp{process},
30320 and only if there is a corresponding executable file.
30321
30322 @end table
30323
30324 @subheading Example
30325
30326 @smallexample
30327 @value{GDBP}
30328 -list-thread-groups
30329 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2"@}]
30330 -list-thread-groups 17
30331 ^done,threads=[@{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90 (LWP 21257)",
30332 frame=@{level="0",addr="0xffffe410",func="__kernel_vsyscall",args=[]@},state="running"@},
30333 @{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e156b0 (LWP 21254)",
30334 frame=@{level="0",addr="0x0804891f",func="foo",args=[@{name="i",value="10"@}],
30335 file="/tmp/a.c",fullname="/tmp/a.c",line="158"@},state="running"@}]]
30336 -list-thread-groups --available
30337 ^done,groups=[@{id="17",type="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2]@}]
30338 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1
30339 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30340 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30341 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},..]
30342 -list-thread-groups --available --recurse 1 17 18
30343 ^done,groups=[@{id="17", types="process",pid="yyy",num_children="2",cores=[1,2],
30344 threads=[@{id="1",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[1]@},
30345 @{id="2",target-id="Thread 0xb7e14b90",cores=[2]@}]@},...]
30346 @end smallexample
30347
30348
30349 @subheading The @code{-add-inferior} Command
30350 @findex -add-inferior
30351
30352 @subheading Synopsis
30353
30354 @smallexample
30355 -add-inferior
30356 @end smallexample
30357
30358 Creates a new inferior (@pxref{Inferiors and Programs}). The created
30359 inferior is not associated with any executable. Such association may
30360 be established with the @samp{-file-exec-and-symbols} command
30361 (@pxref{GDB/MI File Commands}). The command response has a single
30362 field, @samp{thread-group}, whose value is the identifier of the
30363 thread group corresponding to the new inferior.
30364
30365 @subheading Example
30366
30367 @smallexample
30368 @value{GDBP}
30369 -add-inferior
30370 ^done,thread-group="i3"
30371 @end smallexample
30372
30373 @subheading The @code{-interpreter-exec} Command
30374 @findex -interpreter-exec
30375
30376 @subheading Synopsis
30377
30378 @smallexample
30379 -interpreter-exec @var{interpreter} @var{command}
30380 @end smallexample
30381 @anchor{-interpreter-exec}
30382
30383 Execute the specified @var{command} in the given @var{interpreter}.
30384
30385 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30386
30387 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{interpreter-exec}.
30388
30389 @subheading Example
30390
30391 @smallexample
30392 (gdb)
30393 -interpreter-exec console "break main"
30394 &"During symbol reading, couldn't parse type; debugger out of date?.\n"
30395 &"During symbol reading, bad structure-type format.\n"
30396 ~"Breakpoint 1 at 0x8074fc6: file ../../src/gdb/main.c, line 743.\n"
30397 ^done
30398 (gdb)
30399 @end smallexample
30400
30401 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-set} Command
30402 @findex -inferior-tty-set
30403
30404 @subheading Synopsis
30405
30406 @smallexample
30407 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30408 @end smallexample
30409
30410 Set terminal for future runs of the program being debugged.
30411
30412 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30413
30414 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{set inferior-tty} /dev/pts/1.
30415
30416 @subheading Example
30417
30418 @smallexample
30419 (gdb)
30420 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30421 ^done
30422 (gdb)
30423 @end smallexample
30424
30425 @subheading The @code{-inferior-tty-show} Command
30426 @findex -inferior-tty-show
30427
30428 @subheading Synopsis
30429
30430 @smallexample
30431 -inferior-tty-show
30432 @end smallexample
30433
30434 Show terminal for future runs of program being debugged.
30435
30436 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30437
30438 The corresponding @value{GDBN} command is @samp{show inferior-tty}.
30439
30440 @subheading Example
30441
30442 @smallexample
30443 (gdb)
30444 -inferior-tty-set /dev/pts/1
30445 ^done
30446 (gdb)
30447 -inferior-tty-show
30448 ^done,inferior_tty_terminal="/dev/pts/1"
30449 (gdb)
30450 @end smallexample
30451
30452 @subheading The @code{-enable-timings} Command
30453 @findex -enable-timings
30454
30455 @subheading Synopsis
30456
30457 @smallexample
30458 -enable-timings [yes | no]
30459 @end smallexample
30460
30461 Toggle the printing of the wallclock, user and system times for an MI
30462 command as a field in its output. This command is to help frontend
30463 developers optimize the performance of their code. No argument is
30464 equivalent to @samp{yes}.
30465
30466 @subheading @value{GDBN} Command
30467
30468 No equivalent.
30469
30470 @subheading Example
30471
30472 @smallexample
30473 (gdb)
30474 -enable-timings
30475 ^done
30476 (gdb)
30477 -break-insert main
30478 ^done,bkpt=@{number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",
30479 addr="0x080484ed",func="main",file="myprog.c",
30480 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73",times="0"@},
30481 time=@{wallclock="0.05185",user="0.00800",system="0.00000"@}
30482 (gdb)
30483 -enable-timings no
30484 ^done
30485 (gdb)
30486 -exec-run
30487 ^running
30488 (gdb)
30489 *stopped,reason="breakpoint-hit",disp="keep",bkptno="1",thread-id="0",
30490 frame=@{addr="0x080484ed",func="main",args=[@{name="argc",value="1"@},
30491 @{name="argv",value="0xbfb60364"@}],file="myprog.c",
30492 fullname="/home/nickrob/myprog.c",line="73"@}
30493 (gdb)
30494 @end smallexample
30495
30496 @node Annotations
30497 @chapter @value{GDBN} Annotations
30498
30499 This chapter describes annotations in @value{GDBN}. Annotations were
30500 designed to interface @value{GDBN} to graphical user interfaces or other
30501 similar programs which want to interact with @value{GDBN} at a
30502 relatively high level.
30503
30504 The annotation mechanism has largely been superseded by @sc{gdb/mi}
30505 (@pxref{GDB/MI}).
30506
30507 @ignore
30508 This is Edition @value{EDITION}, @value{DATE}.
30509 @end ignore
30510
30511 @menu
30512 * Annotations Overview:: What annotations are; the general syntax.
30513 * Server Prefix:: Issuing a command without affecting user state.
30514 * Prompting:: Annotations marking @value{GDBN}'s need for input.
30515 * Errors:: Annotations for error messages.
30516 * Invalidation:: Some annotations describe things now invalid.
30517 * Annotations for Running::
30518 Whether the program is running, how it stopped, etc.
30519 * Source Annotations:: Annotations describing source code.
30520 @end menu
30521
30522 @node Annotations Overview
30523 @section What is an Annotation?
30524 @cindex annotations
30525
30526 Annotations start with a newline character, two @samp{control-z}
30527 characters, and the name of the annotation. If there is no additional
30528 information associated with this annotation, the name of the annotation
30529 is followed immediately by a newline. If there is additional
30530 information, the name of the annotation is followed by a space, the
30531 additional information, and a newline. The additional information
30532 cannot contain newline characters.
30533
30534 Any output not beginning with a newline and two @samp{control-z}
30535 characters denotes literal output from @value{GDBN}. Currently there is
30536 no need for @value{GDBN} to output a newline followed by two
30537 @samp{control-z} characters, but if there was such a need, the
30538 annotations could be extended with an @samp{escape} annotation which
30539 means those three characters as output.
30540
30541 The annotation @var{level}, which is specified using the
30542 @option{--annotate} command line option (@pxref{Mode Options}), controls
30543 how much information @value{GDBN} prints together with its prompt,
30544 values of expressions, source lines, and other types of output. Level 0
30545 is for no annotations, level 1 is for use when @value{GDBN} is run as a
30546 subprocess of @sc{gnu} Emacs, level 3 is the maximum annotation suitable
30547 for programs that control @value{GDBN}, and level 2 annotations have
30548 been made obsolete (@pxref{Limitations, , Limitations of the Annotation
30549 Interface, annotate, GDB's Obsolete Annotations}).
30550
30551 @table @code
30552 @kindex set annotate
30553 @item set annotate @var{level}
30554 The @value{GDBN} command @code{set annotate} sets the level of
30555 annotations to the specified @var{level}.
30556
30557 @item show annotate
30558 @kindex show annotate
30559 Show the current annotation level.
30560 @end table
30561
30562 This chapter describes level 3 annotations.
30563
30564 A simple example of starting up @value{GDBN} with annotations is:
30565
30566 @smallexample
30567 $ @kbd{gdb --annotate=3}
30568 GNU gdb 6.0
30569 Copyright 2003 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
30570 GDB is free software, covered by the GNU General Public License,
30571 and you are welcome to change it and/or distribute copies of it
30572 under certain conditions.
30573 Type "show copying" to see the conditions.
30574 There is absolutely no warranty for GDB. Type "show warranty"
30575 for details.
30576 This GDB was configured as "i386-pc-linux-gnu"
30577
30578 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
30579 (@value{GDBP})
30580 ^Z^Zprompt
30581 @kbd{quit}
30582
30583 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
30584 $
30585 @end smallexample
30586
30587 Here @samp{quit} is input to @value{GDBN}; the rest is output from
30588 @value{GDBN}. The three lines beginning @samp{^Z^Z} (where @samp{^Z}
30589 denotes a @samp{control-z} character) are annotations; the rest is
30590 output from @value{GDBN}.
30591
30592 @node Server Prefix
30593 @section The Server Prefix
30594 @cindex server prefix
30595
30596 If you prefix a command with @samp{server } then it will not affect
30597 the command history, nor will it affect @value{GDBN}'s notion of which
30598 command to repeat if @key{RET} is pressed on a line by itself. This
30599 means that commands can be run behind a user's back by a front-end in
30600 a transparent manner.
30601
30602 The @code{server } prefix does not affect the recording of values into
30603 the value history; to print a value without recording it into the
30604 value history, use the @code{output} command instead of the
30605 @code{print} command.
30606
30607 Using this prefix also disables confirmation requests
30608 (@pxref{confirmation requests}).
30609
30610 @node Prompting
30611 @section Annotation for @value{GDBN} Input
30612
30613 @cindex annotations for prompts
30614 When @value{GDBN} prompts for input, it annotates this fact so it is possible
30615 to know when to send output, when the output from a given command is
30616 over, etc.
30617
30618 Different kinds of input each have a different @dfn{input type}. Each
30619 input type has three annotations: a @code{pre-} annotation, which
30620 denotes the beginning of any prompt which is being output, a plain
30621 annotation, which denotes the end of the prompt, and then a @code{post-}
30622 annotation which denotes the end of any echo which may (or may not) be
30623 associated with the input. For example, the @code{prompt} input type
30624 features the following annotations:
30625
30626 @smallexample
30627 ^Z^Zpre-prompt
30628 ^Z^Zprompt
30629 ^Z^Zpost-prompt
30630 @end smallexample
30631
30632 The input types are
30633
30634 @table @code
30635 @findex pre-prompt annotation
30636 @findex prompt annotation
30637 @findex post-prompt annotation
30638 @item prompt
30639 When @value{GDBN} is prompting for a command (the main @value{GDBN} prompt).
30640
30641 @findex pre-commands annotation
30642 @findex commands annotation
30643 @findex post-commands annotation
30644 @item commands
30645 When @value{GDBN} prompts for a set of commands, like in the @code{commands}
30646 command. The annotations are repeated for each command which is input.
30647
30648 @findex pre-overload-choice annotation
30649 @findex overload-choice annotation
30650 @findex post-overload-choice annotation
30651 @item overload-choice
30652 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to select between various overloaded functions.
30653
30654 @findex pre-query annotation
30655 @findex query annotation
30656 @findex post-query annotation
30657 @item query
30658 When @value{GDBN} wants the user to confirm a potentially dangerous operation.
30659
30660 @findex pre-prompt-for-continue annotation
30661 @findex prompt-for-continue annotation
30662 @findex post-prompt-for-continue annotation
30663 @item prompt-for-continue
30664 When @value{GDBN} is asking the user to press return to continue. Note: Don't
30665 expect this to work well; instead use @code{set height 0} to disable
30666 prompting. This is because the counting of lines is buggy in the
30667 presence of annotations.
30668 @end table
30669
30670 @node Errors
30671 @section Errors
30672 @cindex annotations for errors, warnings and interrupts
30673
30674 @findex quit annotation
30675 @smallexample
30676 ^Z^Zquit
30677 @end smallexample
30678
30679 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an interrupt.
30680
30681 @findex error annotation
30682 @smallexample
30683 ^Z^Zerror
30684 @end smallexample
30685
30686 This annotation occurs right before @value{GDBN} responds to an error.
30687
30688 Quit and error annotations indicate that any annotations which @value{GDBN} was
30689 in the middle of may end abruptly. For example, if a
30690 @code{value-history-begin} annotation is followed by a @code{error}, one
30691 cannot expect to receive the matching @code{value-history-end}. One
30692 cannot expect not to receive it either, however; an error annotation
30693 does not necessarily mean that @value{GDBN} is immediately returning all the way
30694 to the top level.
30695
30696 @findex error-begin annotation
30697 A quit or error annotation may be preceded by
30698
30699 @smallexample
30700 ^Z^Zerror-begin
30701 @end smallexample
30702
30703 Any output between that and the quit or error annotation is the error
30704 message.
30705
30706 Warning messages are not yet annotated.
30707 @c If we want to change that, need to fix warning(), type_error(),
30708 @c range_error(), and possibly other places.
30709
30710 @node Invalidation
30711 @section Invalidation Notices
30712
30713 @cindex annotations for invalidation messages
30714 The following annotations say that certain pieces of state may have
30715 changed.
30716
30717 @table @code
30718 @findex frames-invalid annotation
30719 @item ^Z^Zframes-invalid
30720
30721 The frames (for example, output from the @code{backtrace} command) may
30722 have changed.
30723
30724 @findex breakpoints-invalid annotation
30725 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoints-invalid
30726
30727 The breakpoints may have changed. For example, the user just added or
30728 deleted a breakpoint.
30729 @end table
30730
30731 @node Annotations for Running
30732 @section Running the Program
30733 @cindex annotations for running programs
30734
30735 @findex starting annotation
30736 @findex stopping annotation
30737 When the program starts executing due to a @value{GDBN} command such as
30738 @code{step} or @code{continue},
30739
30740 @smallexample
30741 ^Z^Zstarting
30742 @end smallexample
30743
30744 is output. When the program stops,
30745
30746 @smallexample
30747 ^Z^Zstopped
30748 @end smallexample
30749
30750 is output. Before the @code{stopped} annotation, a variety of
30751 annotations describe how the program stopped.
30752
30753 @table @code
30754 @findex exited annotation
30755 @item ^Z^Zexited @var{exit-status}
30756 The program exited, and @var{exit-status} is the exit status (zero for
30757 successful exit, otherwise nonzero).
30758
30759 @findex signalled annotation
30760 @findex signal-name annotation
30761 @findex signal-name-end annotation
30762 @findex signal-string annotation
30763 @findex signal-string-end annotation
30764 @item ^Z^Zsignalled
30765 The program exited with a signal. After the @code{^Z^Zsignalled}, the
30766 annotation continues:
30767
30768 @smallexample
30769 @var{intro-text}
30770 ^Z^Zsignal-name
30771 @var{name}
30772 ^Z^Zsignal-name-end
30773 @var{middle-text}
30774 ^Z^Zsignal-string
30775 @var{string}
30776 ^Z^Zsignal-string-end
30777 @var{end-text}
30778 @end smallexample
30779
30780 @noindent
30781 where @var{name} is the name of the signal, such as @code{SIGILL} or
30782 @code{SIGSEGV}, and @var{string} is the explanation of the signal, such
30783 as @code{Illegal Instruction} or @code{Segmentation fault}.
30784 @var{intro-text}, @var{middle-text}, and @var{end-text} are for the
30785 user's benefit and have no particular format.
30786
30787 @findex signal annotation
30788 @item ^Z^Zsignal
30789 The syntax of this annotation is just like @code{signalled}, but @value{GDBN} is
30790 just saying that the program received the signal, not that it was
30791 terminated with it.
30792
30793 @findex breakpoint annotation
30794 @item ^Z^Zbreakpoint @var{number}
30795 The program hit breakpoint number @var{number}.
30796
30797 @findex watchpoint annotation
30798 @item ^Z^Zwatchpoint @var{number}
30799 The program hit watchpoint number @var{number}.
30800 @end table
30801
30802 @node Source Annotations
30803 @section Displaying Source
30804 @cindex annotations for source display
30805
30806 @findex source annotation
30807 The following annotation is used instead of displaying source code:
30808
30809 @smallexample
30810 ^Z^Zsource @var{filename}:@var{line}:@var{character}:@var{middle}:@var{addr}
30811 @end smallexample
30812
30813 where @var{filename} is an absolute file name indicating which source
30814 file, @var{line} is the line number within that file (where 1 is the
30815 first line in the file), @var{character} is the character position
30816 within the file (where 0 is the first character in the file) (for most
30817 debug formats this will necessarily point to the beginning of a line),
30818 @var{middle} is @samp{middle} if @var{addr} is in the middle of the
30819 line, or @samp{beg} if @var{addr} is at the beginning of the line, and
30820 @var{addr} is the address in the target program associated with the
30821 source which is being displayed. @var{addr} is in the form @samp{0x}
30822 followed by one or more lowercase hex digits (note that this does not
30823 depend on the language).
30824
30825 @node JIT Interface
30826 @chapter JIT Compilation Interface
30827 @cindex just-in-time compilation
30828 @cindex JIT compilation interface
30829
30830 This chapter documents @value{GDBN}'s @dfn{just-in-time} (JIT) compilation
30831 interface. A JIT compiler is a program or library that generates native
30832 executable code at runtime and executes it, usually in order to achieve good
30833 performance while maintaining platform independence.
30834
30835 Programs that use JIT compilation are normally difficult to debug because
30836 portions of their code are generated at runtime, instead of being loaded from
30837 object files, which is where @value{GDBN} normally finds the program's symbols
30838 and debug information. In order to debug programs that use JIT compilation,
30839 @value{GDBN} has an interface that allows the program to register in-memory
30840 symbol files with @value{GDBN} at runtime.
30841
30842 If you are using @value{GDBN} to debug a program that uses this interface, then
30843 it should work transparently so long as you have not stripped the binary. If
30844 you are developing a JIT compiler, then the interface is documented in the rest
30845 of this chapter. At this time, the only known client of this interface is the
30846 LLVM JIT.
30847
30848 Broadly speaking, the JIT interface mirrors the dynamic loader interface. The
30849 JIT compiler communicates with @value{GDBN} by writing data into a global
30850 variable and calling a fuction at a well-known symbol. When @value{GDBN}
30851 attaches, it reads a linked list of symbol files from the global variable to
30852 find existing code, and puts a breakpoint in the function so that it can find
30853 out about additional code.
30854
30855 @menu
30856 * Declarations:: Relevant C struct declarations
30857 * Registering Code:: Steps to register code
30858 * Unregistering Code:: Steps to unregister code
30859 @end menu
30860
30861 @node Declarations
30862 @section JIT Declarations
30863
30864 These are the relevant struct declarations that a C program should include to
30865 implement the interface:
30866
30867 @smallexample
30868 typedef enum
30869 @{
30870 JIT_NOACTION = 0,
30871 JIT_REGISTER_FN,
30872 JIT_UNREGISTER_FN
30873 @} jit_actions_t;
30874
30875 struct jit_code_entry
30876 @{
30877 struct jit_code_entry *next_entry;
30878 struct jit_code_entry *prev_entry;
30879 const char *symfile_addr;
30880 uint64_t symfile_size;
30881 @};
30882
30883 struct jit_descriptor
30884 @{
30885 uint32_t version;
30886 /* This type should be jit_actions_t, but we use uint32_t
30887 to be explicit about the bitwidth. */
30888 uint32_t action_flag;
30889 struct jit_code_entry *relevant_entry;
30890 struct jit_code_entry *first_entry;
30891 @};
30892
30893 /* GDB puts a breakpoint in this function. */
30894 void __attribute__((noinline)) __jit_debug_register_code() @{ @};
30895
30896 /* Make sure to specify the version statically, because the
30897 debugger may check the version before we can set it. */
30898 struct jit_descriptor __jit_debug_descriptor = @{ 1, 0, 0, 0 @};
30899 @end smallexample
30900
30901 If the JIT is multi-threaded, then it is important that the JIT synchronize any
30902 modifications to this global data properly, which can easily be done by putting
30903 a global mutex around modifications to these structures.
30904
30905 @node Registering Code
30906 @section Registering Code
30907
30908 To register code with @value{GDBN}, the JIT should follow this protocol:
30909
30910 @itemize @bullet
30911 @item
30912 Generate an object file in memory with symbols and other desired debug
30913 information. The file must include the virtual addresses of the sections.
30914
30915 @item
30916 Create a code entry for the file, which gives the start and size of the symbol
30917 file.
30918
30919 @item
30920 Add it to the linked list in the JIT descriptor.
30921
30922 @item
30923 Point the relevant_entry field of the descriptor at the entry.
30924
30925 @item
30926 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_REGISTER} and call
30927 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30928 @end itemize
30929
30930 When @value{GDBN} is attached and the breakpoint fires, @value{GDBN} uses the
30931 @code{relevant_entry} pointer so it doesn't have to walk the list looking for
30932 new code. However, the linked list must still be maintained in order to allow
30933 @value{GDBN} to attach to a running process and still find the symbol files.
30934
30935 @node Unregistering Code
30936 @section Unregistering Code
30937
30938 If code is freed, then the JIT should use the following protocol:
30939
30940 @itemize @bullet
30941 @item
30942 Remove the code entry corresponding to the code from the linked list.
30943
30944 @item
30945 Point the @code{relevant_entry} field of the descriptor at the code entry.
30946
30947 @item
30948 Set @code{action_flag} to @code{JIT_UNREGISTER} and call
30949 @code{__jit_debug_register_code}.
30950 @end itemize
30951
30952 If the JIT frees or recompiles code without unregistering it, then @value{GDBN}
30953 and the JIT will leak the memory used for the associated symbol files.
30954
30955 @node GDB Bugs
30956 @chapter Reporting Bugs in @value{GDBN}
30957 @cindex bugs in @value{GDBN}
30958 @cindex reporting bugs in @value{GDBN}
30959
30960 Your bug reports play an essential role in making @value{GDBN} reliable.
30961
30962 Reporting a bug may help you by bringing a solution to your problem, or it
30963 may not. But in any case the principal function of a bug report is to help
30964 the entire community by making the next version of @value{GDBN} work better. Bug
30965 reports are your contribution to the maintenance of @value{GDBN}.
30966
30967 In order for a bug report to serve its purpose, you must include the
30968 information that enables us to fix the bug.
30969
30970 @menu
30971 * Bug Criteria:: Have you found a bug?
30972 * Bug Reporting:: How to report bugs
30973 @end menu
30974
30975 @node Bug Criteria
30976 @section Have You Found a Bug?
30977 @cindex bug criteria
30978
30979 If you are not sure whether you have found a bug, here are some guidelines:
30980
30981 @itemize @bullet
30982 @cindex fatal signal
30983 @cindex debugger crash
30984 @cindex crash of debugger
30985 @item
30986 If the debugger gets a fatal signal, for any input whatever, that is a
30987 @value{GDBN} bug. Reliable debuggers never crash.
30988
30989 @cindex error on valid input
30990 @item
30991 If @value{GDBN} produces an error message for valid input, that is a
30992 bug. (Note that if you're cross debugging, the problem may also be
30993 somewhere in the connection to the target.)
30994
30995 @cindex invalid input
30996 @item
30997 If @value{GDBN} does not produce an error message for invalid input,
30998 that is a bug. However, you should note that your idea of
30999 ``invalid input'' might be our idea of ``an extension'' or ``support
31000 for traditional practice''.
31001
31002 @item
31003 If you are an experienced user of debugging tools, your suggestions
31004 for improvement of @value{GDBN} are welcome in any case.
31005 @end itemize
31006
31007 @node Bug Reporting
31008 @section How to Report Bugs
31009 @cindex bug reports
31010 @cindex @value{GDBN} bugs, reporting
31011
31012 A number of companies and individuals offer support for @sc{gnu} products.
31013 If you obtained @value{GDBN} from a support organization, we recommend you
31014 contact that organization first.
31015
31016 You can find contact information for many support companies and
31017 individuals in the file @file{etc/SERVICE} in the @sc{gnu} Emacs
31018 distribution.
31019 @c should add a web page ref...
31020
31021 @ifset BUGURL
31022 @ifset BUGURL_DEFAULT
31023 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
31024 @value{GDBN}. The preferred method is to submit them directly using
31025 @uref{http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/, @value{GDBN}'s Bugs web
31026 page}. Alternatively, the @email{bug-gdb@@gnu.org, e-mail gateway} can
31027 be used.
31028
31029 @strong{Do not send bug reports to @samp{info-gdb}, or to
31030 @samp{help-gdb}, or to any newsgroups.} Most users of @value{GDBN} do
31031 not want to receive bug reports. Those that do have arranged to receive
31032 @samp{bug-gdb}.
31033
31034 The mailing list @samp{bug-gdb} has a newsgroup @samp{gnu.gdb.bug} which
31035 serves as a repeater. The mailing list and the newsgroup carry exactly
31036 the same messages. Often people think of posting bug reports to the
31037 newsgroup instead of mailing them. This appears to work, but it has one
31038 problem which can be crucial: a newsgroup posting often lacks a mail
31039 path back to the sender. Thus, if we need to ask for more information,
31040 we may be unable to reach you. For this reason, it is better to send
31041 bug reports to the mailing list.
31042 @end ifset
31043 @ifclear BUGURL_DEFAULT
31044 In any event, we also recommend that you submit bug reports for
31045 @value{GDBN} to @value{BUGURL}.
31046 @end ifclear
31047 @end ifset
31048
31049 The fundamental principle of reporting bugs usefully is this:
31050 @strong{report all the facts}. If you are not sure whether to state a
31051 fact or leave it out, state it!
31052
31053 Often people omit facts because they think they know what causes the
31054 problem and assume that some details do not matter. Thus, you might
31055 assume that the name of the variable you use in an example does not matter.
31056 Well, probably it does not, but one cannot be sure. Perhaps the bug is a
31057 stray memory reference which happens to fetch from the location where that
31058 name is stored in memory; perhaps, if the name were different, the contents
31059 of that location would fool the debugger into doing the right thing despite
31060 the bug. Play it safe and give a specific, complete example. That is the
31061 easiest thing for you to do, and the most helpful.
31062
31063 Keep in mind that the purpose of a bug report is to enable us to fix the
31064 bug. It may be that the bug has been reported previously, but neither
31065 you nor we can know that unless your bug report is complete and
31066 self-contained.
31067
31068 Sometimes people give a few sketchy facts and ask, ``Does this ring a
31069 bell?'' Those bug reports are useless, and we urge everyone to
31070 @emph{refuse to respond to them} except to chide the sender to report
31071 bugs properly.
31072
31073 To enable us to fix the bug, you should include all these things:
31074
31075 @itemize @bullet
31076 @item
31077 The version of @value{GDBN}. @value{GDBN} announces it if you start
31078 with no arguments; you can also print it at any time using @code{show
31079 version}.
31080
31081 Without this, we will not know whether there is any point in looking for
31082 the bug in the current version of @value{GDBN}.
31083
31084 @item
31085 The type of machine you are using, and the operating system name and
31086 version number.
31087
31088 @item
31089 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile @value{GDBN}---e.g.@:
31090 ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1''.
31091
31092 @item
31093 What compiler (and its version) was used to compile the program you are
31094 debugging---e.g.@: ``@value{GCC}--2.8.1'', or ``HP92453-01 A.10.32.03 HP
31095 C Compiler''. For @value{NGCC}, you can say @kbd{@value{GCC} --version}
31096 to get this information; for other compilers, see the documentation for
31097 those compilers.
31098
31099 @item
31100 The command arguments you gave the compiler to compile your example and
31101 observe the bug. For example, did you use @samp{-O}? To guarantee
31102 you will not omit something important, list them all. A copy of the
31103 Makefile (or the output from make) is sufficient.
31104
31105 If we were to try to guess the arguments, we would probably guess wrong
31106 and then we might not encounter the bug.
31107
31108 @item
31109 A complete input script, and all necessary source files, that will
31110 reproduce the bug.
31111
31112 @item
31113 A description of what behavior you observe that you believe is
31114 incorrect. For example, ``It gets a fatal signal.''
31115
31116 Of course, if the bug is that @value{GDBN} gets a fatal signal, then we
31117 will certainly notice it. But if the bug is incorrect output, we might
31118 not notice unless it is glaringly wrong. You might as well not give us
31119 a chance to make a mistake.
31120
31121 Even if the problem you experience is a fatal signal, you should still
31122 say so explicitly. Suppose something strange is going on, such as, your
31123 copy of @value{GDBN} is out of synch, or you have encountered a bug in
31124 the C library on your system. (This has happened!) Your copy might
31125 crash and ours would not. If you told us to expect a crash, then when
31126 ours fails to crash, we would know that the bug was not happening for
31127 us. If you had not told us to expect a crash, then we would not be able
31128 to draw any conclusion from our observations.
31129
31130 @pindex script
31131 @cindex recording a session script
31132 To collect all this information, you can use a session recording program
31133 such as @command{script}, which is available on many Unix systems.
31134 Just run your @value{GDBN} session inside @command{script} and then
31135 include the @file{typescript} file with your bug report.
31136
31137 Another way to record a @value{GDBN} session is to run @value{GDBN}
31138 inside Emacs and then save the entire buffer to a file.
31139
31140 @item
31141 If you wish to suggest changes to the @value{GDBN} source, send us context
31142 diffs. If you even discuss something in the @value{GDBN} source, refer to
31143 it by context, not by line number.
31144
31145 The line numbers in our development sources will not match those in your
31146 sources. Your line numbers would convey no useful information to us.
31147
31148 @end itemize
31149
31150 Here are some things that are not necessary:
31151
31152 @itemize @bullet
31153 @item
31154 A description of the envelope of the bug.
31155
31156 Often people who encounter a bug spend a lot of time investigating
31157 which changes to the input file will make the bug go away and which
31158 changes will not affect it.
31159
31160 This is often time consuming and not very useful, because the way we
31161 will find the bug is by running a single example under the debugger
31162 with breakpoints, not by pure deduction from a series of examples.
31163 We recommend that you save your time for something else.
31164
31165 Of course, if you can find a simpler example to report @emph{instead}
31166 of the original one, that is a convenience for us. Errors in the
31167 output will be easier to spot, running under the debugger will take
31168 less time, and so on.
31169
31170 However, simplification is not vital; if you do not want to do this,
31171 report the bug anyway and send us the entire test case you used.
31172
31173 @item
31174 A patch for the bug.
31175
31176 A patch for the bug does help us if it is a good one. But do not omit
31177 the necessary information, such as the test case, on the assumption that
31178 a patch is all we need. We might see problems with your patch and decide
31179 to fix the problem another way, or we might not understand it at all.
31180
31181 Sometimes with a program as complicated as @value{GDBN} it is very hard to
31182 construct an example that will make the program follow a certain path
31183 through the code. If you do not send us the example, we will not be able
31184 to construct one, so we will not be able to verify that the bug is fixed.
31185
31186 And if we cannot understand what bug you are trying to fix, or why your
31187 patch should be an improvement, we will not install it. A test case will
31188 help us to understand.
31189
31190 @item
31191 A guess about what the bug is or what it depends on.
31192
31193 Such guesses are usually wrong. Even we cannot guess right about such
31194 things without first using the debugger to find the facts.
31195 @end itemize
31196
31197 @c The readline documentation is distributed with the readline code
31198 @c and consists of the two following files:
31199 @c rluser.texi
31200 @c hsuser.texi
31201 @c Use -I with makeinfo to point to the appropriate directory,
31202 @c environment var TEXINPUTS with TeX.
31203 @ifclear SYSTEM_READLINE
31204 @include rluser.texi
31205 @include hsuser.texi
31206 @end ifclear
31207
31208 @node In Memoriam
31209 @appendix In Memoriam
31210
31211 The @value{GDBN} project mourns the loss of the following long-time
31212 contributors:
31213
31214 @table @code
31215 @item Fred Fish
31216 Fred was a long-standing contributor to @value{GDBN} (1991-2006), and
31217 to Free Software in general. Outside of @value{GDBN}, he was known in
31218 the Amiga world for his series of Fish Disks, and the GeekGadget project.
31219
31220 @item Michael Snyder
31221 Michael was one of the Global Maintainers of the @value{GDBN} project,
31222 with contributions recorded as early as 1996, until 2011. In addition
31223 to his day to day participation, he was a large driving force behind
31224 adding Reverse Debugging to @value{GDBN}.
31225 @end table
31226
31227 Beyond their technical contributions to the project, they were also
31228 enjoyable members of the Free Software Community. We will miss them.
31229
31230 @node Formatting Documentation
31231 @appendix Formatting Documentation
31232
31233 @cindex @value{GDBN} reference card
31234 @cindex reference card
31235 The @value{GDBN} 4 release includes an already-formatted reference card, ready
31236 for printing with PostScript or Ghostscript, in the @file{gdb}
31237 subdirectory of the main source directory@footnote{In
31238 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/refcard.ps} of the version @value{GDBVN}
31239 release.}. If you can use PostScript or Ghostscript with your printer,
31240 you can print the reference card immediately with @file{refcard.ps}.
31241
31242 The release also includes the source for the reference card. You
31243 can format it, using @TeX{}, by typing:
31244
31245 @smallexample
31246 make refcard.dvi
31247 @end smallexample
31248
31249 The @value{GDBN} reference card is designed to print in @dfn{landscape}
31250 mode on US ``letter'' size paper;
31251 that is, on a sheet 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches
31252 high. You will need to specify this form of printing as an option to
31253 your @sc{dvi} output program.
31254
31255 @cindex documentation
31256
31257 All the documentation for @value{GDBN} comes as part of the machine-readable
31258 distribution. The documentation is written in Texinfo format, which is
31259 a documentation system that uses a single source file to produce both
31260 on-line information and a printed manual. You can use one of the Info
31261 formatting commands to create the on-line version of the documentation
31262 and @TeX{} (or @code{texi2roff}) to typeset the printed version.
31263
31264 @value{GDBN} includes an already formatted copy of the on-line Info
31265 version of this manual in the @file{gdb} subdirectory. The main Info
31266 file is @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/gdb.info}, and it refers to
31267 subordinate files matching @samp{gdb.info*} in the same directory. If
31268 necessary, you can print out these files, or read them with any editor;
31269 but they are easier to read using the @code{info} subsystem in @sc{gnu}
31270 Emacs or the standalone @code{info} program, available as part of the
31271 @sc{gnu} Texinfo distribution.
31272
31273 If you want to format these Info files yourself, you need one of the
31274 Info formatting programs, such as @code{texinfo-format-buffer} or
31275 @code{makeinfo}.
31276
31277 If you have @code{makeinfo} installed, and are in the top level
31278 @value{GDBN} source directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, in the case of
31279 version @value{GDBVN}), you can make the Info file by typing:
31280
31281 @smallexample
31282 cd gdb
31283 make gdb.info
31284 @end smallexample
31285
31286 If you want to typeset and print copies of this manual, you need @TeX{},
31287 a program to print its @sc{dvi} output files, and @file{texinfo.tex}, the
31288 Texinfo definitions file.
31289
31290 @TeX{} is a typesetting program; it does not print files directly, but
31291 produces output files called @sc{dvi} files. To print a typeset
31292 document, you need a program to print @sc{dvi} files. If your system
31293 has @TeX{} installed, chances are it has such a program. The precise
31294 command to use depends on your system; @kbd{lpr -d} is common; another
31295 (for PostScript devices) is @kbd{dvips}. The @sc{dvi} print command may
31296 require a file name without any extension or a @samp{.dvi} extension.
31297
31298 @TeX{} also requires a macro definitions file called
31299 @file{texinfo.tex}. This file tells @TeX{} how to typeset a document
31300 written in Texinfo format. On its own, @TeX{} cannot either read or
31301 typeset a Texinfo file. @file{texinfo.tex} is distributed with GDB
31302 and is located in the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}/texinfo}
31303 directory.
31304
31305 If you have @TeX{} and a @sc{dvi} printer program installed, you can
31306 typeset and print this manual. First switch to the @file{gdb}
31307 subdirectory of the main source directory (for example, to
31308 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb}) and type:
31309
31310 @smallexample
31311 make gdb.dvi
31312 @end smallexample
31313
31314 Then give @file{gdb.dvi} to your @sc{dvi} printing program.
31315
31316 @node Installing GDB
31317 @appendix Installing @value{GDBN}
31318 @cindex installation
31319
31320 @menu
31321 * Requirements:: Requirements for building @value{GDBN}
31322 * Running Configure:: Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} script
31323 * Separate Objdir:: Compiling @value{GDBN} in another directory
31324 * Config Names:: Specifying names for hosts and targets
31325 * Configure Options:: Summary of options for configure
31326 * System-wide configuration:: Having a system-wide init file
31327 @end menu
31328
31329 @node Requirements
31330 @section Requirements for Building @value{GDBN}
31331 @cindex building @value{GDBN}, requirements for
31332
31333 Building @value{GDBN} requires various tools and packages to be available.
31334 Other packages will be used only if they are found.
31335
31336 @heading Tools/Packages Necessary for Building @value{GDBN}
31337 @table @asis
31338 @item ISO C90 compiler
31339 @value{GDBN} is written in ISO C90. It should be buildable with any
31340 working C90 compiler, e.g.@: GCC.
31341
31342 @end table
31343
31344 @heading Tools/Packages Optional for Building @value{GDBN}
31345 @table @asis
31346 @item Expat
31347 @anchor{Expat}
31348 @value{GDBN} can use the Expat XML parsing library. This library may be
31349 included with your operating system distribution; if it is not, you
31350 can get the latest version from @url{http://expat.sourceforge.net}.
31351 The @file{configure} script will search for this library in several
31352 standard locations; if it is installed in an unusual path, you can
31353 use the @option{--with-libexpat-prefix} option to specify its location.
31354
31355 Expat is used for:
31356
31357 @itemize @bullet
31358 @item
31359 Remote protocol memory maps (@pxref{Memory Map Format})
31360 @item
31361 Target descriptions (@pxref{Target Descriptions})
31362 @item
31363 Remote shared library lists (@pxref{Library List Format})
31364 @item
31365 MS-Windows shared libraries (@pxref{Shared Libraries})
31366 @item
31367 Traceframe info (@pxref{Traceframe Info Format})
31368 @end itemize
31369
31370 @item zlib
31371 @cindex compressed debug sections
31372 @value{GDBN} will use the @samp{zlib} library, if available, to read
31373 compressed debug sections. Some linkers, such as GNU gold, are capable
31374 of producing binaries with compressed debug sections. If @value{GDBN}
31375 is compiled with @samp{zlib}, it will be able to read the debug
31376 information in such binaries.
31377
31378 The @samp{zlib} library is likely included with your operating system
31379 distribution; if it is not, you can get the latest version from
31380 @url{http://zlib.net}.
31381
31382 @item iconv
31383 @value{GDBN}'s features related to character sets (@pxref{Character
31384 Sets}) require a functioning @code{iconv} implementation. If you are
31385 on a GNU system, then this is provided by the GNU C Library. Some
31386 other systems also provide a working @code{iconv}.
31387
31388 If @value{GDBN} is using the @code{iconv} program which is installed
31389 in a non-standard place, you will need to tell @value{GDBN} where to find it.
31390 This is done with @option{--with-iconv-bin} which specifies the
31391 directory that contains the @code{iconv} program.
31392
31393 On systems without @code{iconv}, you can install GNU Libiconv. If you
31394 have previously installed Libiconv, you can use the
31395 @option{--with-libiconv-prefix} option to configure.
31396
31397 @value{GDBN}'s top-level @file{configure} and @file{Makefile} will
31398 arrange to build Libiconv if a directory named @file{libiconv} appears
31399 in the top-most source directory. If Libiconv is built this way, and
31400 if the operating system does not provide a suitable @code{iconv}
31401 implementation, then the just-built library will automatically be used
31402 by @value{GDBN}. One easy way to set this up is to download GNU
31403 Libiconv, unpack it, and then rename the directory holding the
31404 Libiconv source code to @samp{libiconv}.
31405 @end table
31406
31407 @node Running Configure
31408 @section Invoking the @value{GDBN} @file{configure} Script
31409 @cindex configuring @value{GDBN}
31410 @value{GDBN} comes with a @file{configure} script that automates the process
31411 of preparing @value{GDBN} for installation; you can then use @code{make} to
31412 build the @code{gdb} program.
31413 @iftex
31414 @c irrelevant in info file; it's as current as the code it lives with.
31415 @footnote{If you have a more recent version of @value{GDBN} than @value{GDBVN},
31416 look at the @file{README} file in the sources; we may have improved the
31417 installation procedures since publishing this manual.}
31418 @end iftex
31419
31420 The @value{GDBN} distribution includes all the source code you need for
31421 @value{GDBN} in a single directory, whose name is usually composed by
31422 appending the version number to @samp{gdb}.
31423
31424 For example, the @value{GDBN} version @value{GDBVN} distribution is in the
31425 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory. That directory contains:
31426
31427 @table @code
31428 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure @r{(and supporting files)}
31429 script for configuring @value{GDBN} and all its supporting libraries
31430
31431 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb
31432 the source specific to @value{GDBN} itself
31433
31434 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/bfd
31435 source for the Binary File Descriptor library
31436
31437 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/include
31438 @sc{gnu} include files
31439
31440 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/libiberty
31441 source for the @samp{-liberty} free software library
31442
31443 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/opcodes
31444 source for the library of opcode tables and disassemblers
31445
31446 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/readline
31447 source for the @sc{gnu} command-line interface
31448
31449 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/glob
31450 source for the @sc{gnu} filename pattern-matching subroutine
31451
31452 @item gdb-@value{GDBVN}/mmalloc
31453 source for the @sc{gnu} memory-mapped malloc package
31454 @end table
31455
31456 The simplest way to configure and build @value{GDBN} is to run @file{configure}
31457 from the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory, which in
31458 this example is the @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} directory.
31459
31460 First switch to the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} source directory
31461 if you are not already in it; then run @file{configure}. Pass the
31462 identifier for the platform on which @value{GDBN} will run as an
31463 argument.
31464
31465 For example:
31466
31467 @smallexample
31468 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
31469 ./configure @var{host}
31470 make
31471 @end smallexample
31472
31473 @noindent
31474 where @var{host} is an identifier such as @samp{sun4} or
31475 @samp{decstation}, that identifies the platform where @value{GDBN} will run.
31476 (You can often leave off @var{host}; @file{configure} tries to guess the
31477 correct value by examining your system.)
31478
31479 Running @samp{configure @var{host}} and then running @code{make} builds the
31480 @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, @file{mmalloc}, and @file{libiberty}
31481 libraries, then @code{gdb} itself. The configured source files, and the
31482 binaries, are left in the corresponding source directories.
31483
31484 @need 750
31485 @file{configure} is a Bourne-shell (@code{/bin/sh}) script; if your
31486 system does not recognize this automatically when you run a different
31487 shell, you may need to run @code{sh} on it explicitly:
31488
31489 @smallexample
31490 sh configure @var{host}
31491 @end smallexample
31492
31493 If you run @file{configure} from a directory that contains source
31494 directories for multiple libraries or programs, such as the
31495 @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} source directory for version @value{GDBVN},
31496 @file{configure}
31497 creates configuration files for every directory level underneath (unless
31498 you tell it not to, with the @samp{--norecursion} option).
31499
31500 You should run the @file{configure} script from the top directory in the
31501 source tree, the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory. If you run
31502 @file{configure} from one of the subdirectories, you will configure only
31503 that subdirectory. That is usually not what you want. In particular,
31504 if you run the first @file{configure} from the @file{gdb} subdirectory
31505 of the @file{gdb-@var{version-number}} directory, you will omit the
31506 configuration of @file{bfd}, @file{readline}, and other sibling
31507 directories of the @file{gdb} subdirectory. This leads to build errors
31508 about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31509
31510 You can install @code{@value{GDBP}} anywhere; it has no hardwired paths.
31511 However, you should make sure that the shell on your path (named by
31512 the @samp{SHELL} environment variable) is publicly readable. Remember
31513 that @value{GDBN} uses the shell to start your program---some systems refuse to
31514 let @value{GDBN} debug child processes whose programs are not readable.
31515
31516 @node Separate Objdir
31517 @section Compiling @value{GDBN} in Another Directory
31518
31519 If you want to run @value{GDBN} versions for several host or target machines,
31520 you need a different @code{gdb} compiled for each combination of
31521 host and target. @file{configure} is designed to make this easy by
31522 allowing you to generate each configuration in a separate subdirectory,
31523 rather than in the source directory. If your @code{make} program
31524 handles the @samp{VPATH} feature (@sc{gnu} @code{make} does), running
31525 @code{make} in each of these directories builds the @code{gdb}
31526 program specified there.
31527
31528 To build @code{gdb} in a separate directory, run @file{configure}
31529 with the @samp{--srcdir} option to specify where to find the source.
31530 (You also need to specify a path to find @file{configure}
31531 itself from your working directory. If the path to @file{configure}
31532 would be the same as the argument to @samp{--srcdir}, you can leave out
31533 the @samp{--srcdir} option; it is assumed.)
31534
31535 For example, with version @value{GDBVN}, you can build @value{GDBN} in a
31536 separate directory for a Sun 4 like this:
31537
31538 @smallexample
31539 @group
31540 cd gdb-@value{GDBVN}
31541 mkdir ../gdb-sun4
31542 cd ../gdb-sun4
31543 ../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/configure sun4
31544 make
31545 @end group
31546 @end smallexample
31547
31548 When @file{configure} builds a configuration using a remote source
31549 directory, it creates a tree for the binaries with the same structure
31550 (and using the same names) as the tree under the source directory. In
31551 the example, you'd find the Sun 4 library @file{libiberty.a} in the
31552 directory @file{gdb-sun4/libiberty}, and @value{GDBN} itself in
31553 @file{gdb-sun4/gdb}.
31554
31555 Make sure that your path to the @file{configure} script has just one
31556 instance of @file{gdb} in it. If your path to @file{configure} looks
31557 like @file{../gdb-@value{GDBVN}/gdb/configure}, you are configuring only
31558 one subdirectory of @value{GDBN}, not the whole package. This leads to
31559 build errors about missing include files such as @file{bfd/bfd.h}.
31560
31561 One popular reason to build several @value{GDBN} configurations in separate
31562 directories is to configure @value{GDBN} for cross-compiling (where
31563 @value{GDBN} runs on one machine---the @dfn{host}---while debugging
31564 programs that run on another machine---the @dfn{target}).
31565 You specify a cross-debugging target by
31566 giving the @samp{--target=@var{target}} option to @file{configure}.
31567
31568 When you run @code{make} to build a program or library, you must run
31569 it in a configured directory---whatever directory you were in when you
31570 called @file{configure} (or one of its subdirectories).
31571
31572 The @code{Makefile} that @file{configure} generates in each source
31573 directory also runs recursively. If you type @code{make} in a source
31574 directory such as @file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}} (or in a separate configured
31575 directory configured with @samp{--srcdir=@var{dirname}/gdb-@value{GDBVN}}), you
31576 will build all the required libraries, and then build GDB.
31577
31578 When you have multiple hosts or targets configured in separate
31579 directories, you can run @code{make} on them in parallel (for example,
31580 if they are NFS-mounted on each of the hosts); they will not interfere
31581 with each other.
31582
31583 @node Config Names
31584 @section Specifying Names for Hosts and Targets
31585
31586 The specifications used for hosts and targets in the @file{configure}
31587 script are based on a three-part naming scheme, but some short predefined
31588 aliases are also supported. The full naming scheme encodes three pieces
31589 of information in the following pattern:
31590
31591 @smallexample
31592 @var{architecture}-@var{vendor}-@var{os}
31593 @end smallexample
31594
31595 For example, you can use the alias @code{sun4} as a @var{host} argument,
31596 or as the value for @var{target} in a @code{--target=@var{target}}
31597 option. The equivalent full name is @samp{sparc-sun-sunos4}.
31598
31599 The @file{configure} script accompanying @value{GDBN} does not provide
31600 any query facility to list all supported host and target names or
31601 aliases. @file{configure} calls the Bourne shell script
31602 @code{config.sub} to map abbreviations to full names; you can read the
31603 script, if you wish, or you can use it to test your guesses on
31604 abbreviations---for example:
31605
31606 @smallexample
31607 % sh config.sub i386-linux
31608 i386-pc-linux-gnu
31609 % sh config.sub alpha-linux
31610 alpha-unknown-linux-gnu
31611 % sh config.sub hp9k700
31612 hppa1.1-hp-hpux
31613 % sh config.sub sun4
31614 sparc-sun-sunos4.1.1
31615 % sh config.sub sun3
31616 m68k-sun-sunos4.1.1
31617 % sh config.sub i986v
31618 Invalid configuration `i986v': machine `i986v' not recognized
31619 @end smallexample
31620
31621 @noindent
31622 @code{config.sub} is also distributed in the @value{GDBN} source
31623 directory (@file{gdb-@value{GDBVN}}, for version @value{GDBVN}).
31624
31625 @node Configure Options
31626 @section @file{configure} Options
31627
31628 Here is a summary of the @file{configure} options and arguments that
31629 are most often useful for building @value{GDBN}. @file{configure} also has
31630 several other options not listed here. @inforef{What Configure
31631 Does,,configure.info}, for a full explanation of @file{configure}.
31632
31633 @smallexample
31634 configure @r{[}--help@r{]}
31635 @r{[}--prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31636 @r{[}--exec-prefix=@var{dir}@r{]}
31637 @r{[}--srcdir=@var{dirname}@r{]}
31638 @r{[}--norecursion@r{]} @r{[}--rm@r{]}
31639 @r{[}--target=@var{target}@r{]}
31640 @var{host}
31641 @end smallexample
31642
31643 @noindent
31644 You may introduce options with a single @samp{-} rather than
31645 @samp{--} if you prefer; but you may abbreviate option names if you use
31646 @samp{--}.
31647
31648 @table @code
31649 @item --help
31650 Display a quick summary of how to invoke @file{configure}.
31651
31652 @item --prefix=@var{dir}
31653 Configure the source to install programs and files under directory
31654 @file{@var{dir}}.
31655
31656 @item --exec-prefix=@var{dir}
31657 Configure the source to install programs under directory
31658 @file{@var{dir}}.
31659
31660 @c avoid splitting the warning from the explanation:
31661 @need 2000
31662 @item --srcdir=@var{dirname}
31663 @strong{Warning: using this option requires @sc{gnu} @code{make}, or another
31664 @code{make} that implements the @code{VPATH} feature.}@*
31665 Use this option to make configurations in directories separate from the
31666 @value{GDBN} source directories. Among other things, you can use this to
31667 build (or maintain) several configurations simultaneously, in separate
31668 directories. @file{configure} writes configuration-specific files in
31669 the current directory, but arranges for them to use the source in the
31670 directory @var{dirname}. @file{configure} creates directories under
31671 the working directory in parallel to the source directories below
31672 @var{dirname}.
31673
31674 @item --norecursion
31675 Configure only the directory level where @file{configure} is executed; do not
31676 propagate configuration to subdirectories.
31677
31678 @item --target=@var{target}
31679 Configure @value{GDBN} for cross-debugging programs running on the specified
31680 @var{target}. Without this option, @value{GDBN} is configured to debug
31681 programs that run on the same machine (@var{host}) as @value{GDBN} itself.
31682
31683 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available targets.
31684
31685 @item @var{host} @dots{}
31686 Configure @value{GDBN} to run on the specified @var{host}.
31687
31688 There is no convenient way to generate a list of all available hosts.
31689 @end table
31690
31691 There are many other options available as well, but they are generally
31692 needed for special purposes only.
31693
31694 @node System-wide configuration
31695 @section System-wide configuration and settings
31696 @cindex system-wide init file
31697
31698 @value{GDBN} can be configured to have a system-wide init file;
31699 this file will be read and executed at startup (@pxref{Startup, , What
31700 @value{GDBN} does during startup}).
31701
31702 Here is the corresponding configure option:
31703
31704 @table @code
31705 @item --with-system-gdbinit=@var{file}
31706 Specify that the default location of the system-wide init file is
31707 @var{file}.
31708 @end table
31709
31710 If @value{GDBN} has been configured with the option @option{--prefix=$prefix},
31711 it may be subject to relocation. Two possible cases:
31712
31713 @itemize @bullet
31714 @item
31715 If the default location of this init file contains @file{$prefix},
31716 it will be subject to relocation. Suppose that the configure options
31717 are @option{--prefix=$prefix --with-system-gdbinit=$prefix/etc/gdbinit};
31718 if @value{GDBN} is moved from @file{$prefix} to @file{$install}, the system
31719 init file is looked for as @file{$install/etc/gdbinit} instead of
31720 @file{$prefix/etc/gdbinit}.
31721
31722 @item
31723 By contrast, if the default location does not contain the prefix,
31724 it will not be relocated. E.g.@: if @value{GDBN} has been configured with
31725 @option{--prefix=/usr/local --with-system-gdbinit=/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31726 then @value{GDBN} will always look for @file{/usr/share/gdb/gdbinit},
31727 wherever @value{GDBN} is installed.
31728 @end itemize
31729
31730 @node Maintenance Commands
31731 @appendix Maintenance Commands
31732 @cindex maintenance commands
31733 @cindex internal commands
31734
31735 In addition to commands intended for @value{GDBN} users, @value{GDBN}
31736 includes a number of commands intended for @value{GDBN} developers,
31737 that are not documented elsewhere in this manual. These commands are
31738 provided here for reference. (For commands that turn on debugging
31739 messages, see @ref{Debugging Output}.)
31740
31741 @table @code
31742 @kindex maint agent
31743 @kindex maint agent-eval
31744 @item maint agent @var{expression}
31745 @itemx maint agent-eval @var{expression}
31746 Translate the given @var{expression} into remote agent bytecodes.
31747 This command is useful for debugging the Agent Expression mechanism
31748 (@pxref{Agent Expressions}). The @samp{agent} version produces an
31749 expression useful for data collection, such as by tracepoints, while
31750 @samp{maint agent-eval} produces an expression that evaluates directly
31751 to a result. For instance, a collection expression for @code{globa +
31752 globb} will include bytecodes to record four bytes of memory at each
31753 of the addresses of @code{globa} and @code{globb}, while discarding
31754 the result of the addition, while an evaluation expression will do the
31755 addition and return the sum.
31756
31757 @kindex maint info breakpoints
31758 @item @anchor{maint info breakpoints}maint info breakpoints
31759 Using the same format as @samp{info breakpoints}, display both the
31760 breakpoints you've set explicitly, and those @value{GDBN} is using for
31761 internal purposes. Internal breakpoints are shown with negative
31762 breakpoint numbers. The type column identifies what kind of breakpoint
31763 is shown:
31764
31765 @table @code
31766 @item breakpoint
31767 Normal, explicitly set breakpoint.
31768
31769 @item watchpoint
31770 Normal, explicitly set watchpoint.
31771
31772 @item longjmp
31773 Internal breakpoint, used to handle correctly stepping through
31774 @code{longjmp} calls.
31775
31776 @item longjmp resume
31777 Internal breakpoint at the target of a @code{longjmp}.
31778
31779 @item until
31780 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{until} command.
31781
31782 @item finish
31783 Temporary internal breakpoint used by the @value{GDBN} @code{finish} command.
31784
31785 @item shlib events
31786 Shared library events.
31787
31788 @end table
31789
31790 @kindex set displaced-stepping
31791 @kindex show displaced-stepping
31792 @cindex displaced stepping support
31793 @cindex out-of-line single-stepping
31794 @item set displaced-stepping
31795 @itemx show displaced-stepping
31796 Control whether or not @value{GDBN} will do @dfn{displaced stepping}
31797 if the target supports it. Displaced stepping is a way to single-step
31798 over breakpoints without removing them from the inferior, by executing
31799 an out-of-line copy of the instruction that was originally at the
31800 breakpoint location. It is also known as out-of-line single-stepping.
31801
31802 @table @code
31803 @item set displaced-stepping on
31804 If the target architecture supports it, @value{GDBN} will use
31805 displaced stepping to step over breakpoints.
31806
31807 @item set displaced-stepping off
31808 @value{GDBN} will not use displaced stepping to step over breakpoints,
31809 even if such is supported by the target architecture.
31810
31811 @cindex non-stop mode, and @samp{set displaced-stepping}
31812 @item set displaced-stepping auto
31813 This is the default mode. @value{GDBN} will use displaced stepping
31814 only if non-stop mode is active (@pxref{Non-Stop Mode}) and the target
31815 architecture supports displaced stepping.
31816 @end table
31817
31818 @kindex maint check-symtabs
31819 @item maint check-symtabs
31820 Check the consistency of psymtabs and symtabs.
31821
31822 @kindex maint cplus first_component
31823 @item maint cplus first_component @var{name}
31824 Print the first C@t{++} class/namespace component of @var{name}.
31825
31826 @kindex maint cplus namespace
31827 @item maint cplus namespace
31828 Print the list of possible C@t{++} namespaces.
31829
31830 @kindex maint demangle
31831 @item maint demangle @var{name}
31832 Demangle a C@t{++} or Objective-C mangled @var{name}.
31833
31834 @kindex maint deprecate
31835 @kindex maint undeprecate
31836 @cindex deprecated commands
31837 @item maint deprecate @var{command} @r{[}@var{replacement}@r{]}
31838 @itemx maint undeprecate @var{command}
31839 Deprecate or undeprecate the named @var{command}. Deprecated commands
31840 cause @value{GDBN} to issue a warning when you use them. The optional
31841 argument @var{replacement} says which newer command should be used in
31842 favor of the deprecated one; if it is given, @value{GDBN} will mention
31843 the replacement as part of the warning.
31844
31845 @kindex maint dump-me
31846 @item maint dump-me
31847 @cindex @code{SIGQUIT} signal, dump core of @value{GDBN}
31848 Cause a fatal signal in the debugger and force it to dump its core.
31849 This is supported only on systems which support aborting a program
31850 with the @code{SIGQUIT} signal.
31851
31852 @kindex maint internal-error
31853 @kindex maint internal-warning
31854 @item maint internal-error @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31855 @itemx maint internal-warning @r{[}@var{message-text}@r{]}
31856 Cause @value{GDBN} to call the internal function @code{internal_error}
31857 or @code{internal_warning} and hence behave as though an internal error
31858 or internal warning has been detected. In addition to reporting the
31859 internal problem, these functions give the user the opportunity to
31860 either quit @value{GDBN} or create a core file of the current
31861 @value{GDBN} session.
31862
31863 These commands take an optional parameter @var{message-text} that is
31864 used as the text of the error or warning message.
31865
31866 Here's an example of using @code{internal-error}:
31867
31868 @smallexample
31869 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint internal-error testing, 1, 2}
31870 @dots{}/maint.c:121: internal-error: testing, 1, 2
31871 A problem internal to GDB has been detected. Further
31872 debugging may prove unreliable.
31873 Quit this debugging session? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31874 Create a core file? (y or n) @kbd{n}
31875 (@value{GDBP})
31876 @end smallexample
31877
31878 @cindex @value{GDBN} internal error
31879 @cindex internal errors, control of @value{GDBN} behavior
31880
31881 @kindex maint set internal-error
31882 @kindex maint show internal-error
31883 @kindex maint set internal-warning
31884 @kindex maint show internal-warning
31885 @item maint set internal-error @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31886 @itemx maint show internal-error @var{action}
31887 @itemx maint set internal-warning @var{action} [ask|yes|no]
31888 @itemx maint show internal-warning @var{action}
31889 When @value{GDBN} reports an internal problem (error or warning) it
31890 gives the user the opportunity to both quit @value{GDBN} and create a
31891 core file of the current @value{GDBN} session. These commands let you
31892 override the default behaviour for each particular @var{action},
31893 described in the table below.
31894
31895 @table @samp
31896 @item quit
31897 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31898 quit. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31899
31900 @item corefile
31901 You can specify that @value{GDBN} should always (yes) or never (no)
31902 create a core file. The default is to ask the user what to do.
31903 @end table
31904
31905 @kindex maint packet
31906 @item maint packet @var{text}
31907 If @value{GDBN} is talking to an inferior via the serial protocol,
31908 then this command sends the string @var{text} to the inferior, and
31909 displays the response packet. @value{GDBN} supplies the initial
31910 @samp{$} character, the terminating @samp{#} character, and the
31911 checksum.
31912
31913 @kindex maint print architecture
31914 @item maint print architecture @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31915 Print the entire architecture configuration. The optional argument
31916 @var{file} names the file where the output goes.
31917
31918 @kindex maint print c-tdesc
31919 @item maint print c-tdesc
31920 Print the current target description (@pxref{Target Descriptions}) as
31921 a C source file. The created source file can be used in @value{GDBN}
31922 when an XML parser is not available to parse the description.
31923
31924 @kindex maint print dummy-frames
31925 @item maint print dummy-frames
31926 Prints the contents of @value{GDBN}'s internal dummy-frame stack.
31927
31928 @smallexample
31929 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{b add}
31930 @dots{}
31931 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{print add(2,3)}
31932 Breakpoint 2, add (a=2, b=3) at @dots{}
31933 58 return (a + b);
31934 The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB.
31935 @dots{}
31936 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print dummy-frames}
31937 0x1a57c80: pc=0x01014068 fp=0x0200bddc sp=0x0200bdd6
31938 top=0x0200bdd4 id=@{stack=0x200bddc,code=0x101405c@}
31939 call_lo=0x01014000 call_hi=0x01014001
31940 (@value{GDBP})
31941 @end smallexample
31942
31943 Takes an optional file parameter.
31944
31945 @kindex maint print registers
31946 @kindex maint print raw-registers
31947 @kindex maint print cooked-registers
31948 @kindex maint print register-groups
31949 @kindex maint print remote-registers
31950 @item maint print registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31951 @itemx maint print raw-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31952 @itemx maint print cooked-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31953 @itemx maint print register-groups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31954 @itemx maint print remote-registers @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31955 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register data structures.
31956
31957 The command @code{maint print raw-registers} includes the contents of
31958 the raw register cache; the command @code{maint print
31959 cooked-registers} includes the (cooked) value of all registers,
31960 including registers which aren't available on the target nor visible
31961 to user; the command @code{maint print register-groups} includes the
31962 groups that each register is a member of; and the command @code{maint
31963 print remote-registers} includes the remote target's register numbers
31964 and offsets in the `G' packets. @xref{Registers,, Registers, gdbint,
31965 @value{GDBN} Internals}.
31966
31967 These commands take an optional parameter, a file name to which to
31968 write the information.
31969
31970 @kindex maint print reggroups
31971 @item maint print reggroups @r{[}@var{file}@r{]}
31972 Print @value{GDBN}'s internal register group data structures. The
31973 optional argument @var{file} tells to what file to write the
31974 information.
31975
31976 The register groups info looks like this:
31977
31978 @smallexample
31979 (@value{GDBP}) @kbd{maint print reggroups}
31980 Group Type
31981 general user
31982 float user
31983 all user
31984 vector user
31985 system user
31986 save internal
31987 restore internal
31988 @end smallexample
31989
31990 @kindex flushregs
31991 @item flushregs
31992 This command forces @value{GDBN} to flush its internal register cache.
31993
31994 @kindex maint print objfiles
31995 @cindex info for known object files
31996 @item maint print objfiles
31997 Print a dump of all known object files. For each object file, this
31998 command prints its name, address in memory, and all of its psymtabs
31999 and symtabs.
32000
32001 @kindex maint print section-scripts
32002 @cindex info for known .debug_gdb_scripts-loaded scripts
32003 @item maint print section-scripts [@var{regexp}]
32004 Print a dump of scripts specified in the @code{.debug_gdb_section} section.
32005 If @var{regexp} is specified, only print scripts loaded by object files
32006 matching @var{regexp}.
32007 For each script, this command prints its name as specified in the objfile,
32008 and the full path if known.
32009 @xref{.debug_gdb_scripts section}.
32010
32011 @kindex maint print statistics
32012 @cindex bcache statistics
32013 @item maint print statistics
32014 This command prints, for each object file in the program, various data
32015 about that object file followed by the byte cache (@dfn{bcache})
32016 statistics for the object file. The objfile data includes the number
32017 of minimal, partial, full, and stabs symbols, the number of types
32018 defined by the objfile, the number of as yet unexpanded psym tables,
32019 the number of line tables and string tables, and the amount of memory
32020 used by the various tables. The bcache statistics include the counts,
32021 sizes, and counts of duplicates of all and unique objects, max,
32022 average, and median entry size, total memory used and its overhead and
32023 savings, and various measures of the hash table size and chain
32024 lengths.
32025
32026 @kindex maint print target-stack
32027 @cindex target stack description
32028 @item maint print target-stack
32029 A @dfn{target} is an interface between the debugger and a particular
32030 kind of file or process. Targets can be stacked in @dfn{strata},
32031 so that more than one target can potentially respond to a request.
32032 In particular, memory accesses will walk down the stack of targets
32033 until they find a target that is interested in handling that particular
32034 address.
32035
32036 This command prints a short description of each layer that was pushed on
32037 the @dfn{target stack}, starting from the top layer down to the bottom one.
32038
32039 @kindex maint print type
32040 @cindex type chain of a data type
32041 @item maint print type @var{expr}
32042 Print the type chain for a type specified by @var{expr}. The argument
32043 can be either a type name or a symbol. If it is a symbol, the type of
32044 that symbol is described. The type chain produced by this command is
32045 a recursive definition of the data type as stored in @value{GDBN}'s
32046 data structures, including its flags and contained types.
32047
32048 @kindex maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
32049 @kindex maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
32050 @item maint set dwarf2 always-disassemble
32051 @item maint show dwarf2 always-disassemble
32052 Control the behavior of @code{info address} when using DWARF debugging
32053 information.
32054
32055 The default is @code{off}, which means that @value{GDBN} should try to
32056 describe a variable's location in an easily readable format. When
32057 @code{on}, @value{GDBN} will instead display the DWARF location
32058 expression in an assembly-like format. Note that some locations are
32059 too complex for @value{GDBN} to describe simply; in this case you will
32060 always see the disassembly form.
32061
32062 Here is an example of the resulting disassembly:
32063
32064 @smallexample
32065 (gdb) info addr argc
32066 Symbol "argc" is a complex DWARF expression:
32067 1: DW_OP_fbreg 0
32068 @end smallexample
32069
32070 For more information on these expressions, see
32071 @uref{http://www.dwarfstd.org/, the DWARF standard}.
32072
32073 @kindex maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
32074 @kindex maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
32075 @item maint set dwarf2 max-cache-age
32076 @itemx maint show dwarf2 max-cache-age
32077 Control the DWARF 2 compilation unit cache.
32078
32079 @cindex DWARF 2 compilation units cache
32080 In object files with inter-compilation-unit references, such as those
32081 produced by the GCC option @samp{-feliminate-dwarf2-dups}, the DWARF 2
32082 reader needs to frequently refer to previously read compilation units.
32083 This setting controls how long a compilation unit will remain in the
32084 cache if it is not referenced. A higher limit means that cached
32085 compilation units will be stored in memory longer, and more total
32086 memory will be used. Setting it to zero disables caching, which will
32087 slow down @value{GDBN} startup, but reduce memory consumption.
32088
32089 @kindex maint set profile
32090 @kindex maint show profile
32091 @cindex profiling GDB
32092 @item maint set profile
32093 @itemx maint show profile
32094 Control profiling of @value{GDBN}.
32095
32096 Profiling will be disabled until you use the @samp{maint set profile}
32097 command to enable it. When you enable profiling, the system will begin
32098 collecting timing and execution count data; when you disable profiling or
32099 exit @value{GDBN}, the results will be written to a log file. Remember that
32100 if you use profiling, @value{GDBN} will overwrite the profiling log file
32101 (often called @file{gmon.out}). If you have a record of important profiling
32102 data in a @file{gmon.out} file, be sure to move it to a safe location.
32103
32104 Configuring with @samp{--enable-profiling} arranges for @value{GDBN} to be
32105 compiled with the @samp{-pg} compiler option.
32106
32107 @kindex maint set show-debug-regs
32108 @kindex maint show show-debug-regs
32109 @cindex hardware debug registers
32110 @item maint set show-debug-regs
32111 @itemx maint show show-debug-regs
32112 Control whether to show variables that mirror the hardware debug
32113 registers. Use @code{ON} to enable, @code{OFF} to disable. If
32114 enabled, the debug registers values are shown when @value{GDBN} inserts or
32115 removes a hardware breakpoint or watchpoint, and when the inferior
32116 triggers a hardware-assisted breakpoint or watchpoint.
32117
32118 @kindex maint set show-all-tib
32119 @kindex maint show show-all-tib
32120 @item maint set show-all-tib
32121 @itemx maint show show-all-tib
32122 Control whether to show all non zero areas within a 1k block starting
32123 at thread local base, when using the @samp{info w32 thread-information-block}
32124 command.
32125
32126 @kindex maint space
32127 @cindex memory used by commands
32128 @item maint space
32129 Control whether to display memory usage for each command. If set to a
32130 nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much memory each command
32131 took, following the command's own output. This can also be requested
32132 by invoking @value{GDBN} with the @option{--statistics} command-line
32133 switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
32134
32135 @kindex maint time
32136 @cindex time of command execution
32137 @item maint time
32138 Control whether to display the execution time for each command. If
32139 set to a nonzero value, @value{GDBN} will display how much time it
32140 took to execute each command, following the command's own output.
32141 The time is not printed for the commands that run the target, since
32142 there's no mechanism currently to compute how much time was spend
32143 by @value{GDBN} and how much time was spend by the program been debugged.
32144 it's not possibly currently
32145 This can also be requested by invoking @value{GDBN} with the
32146 @option{--statistics} command-line switch (@pxref{Mode Options}).
32147
32148 @kindex maint translate-address
32149 @item maint translate-address @r{[}@var{section}@r{]} @var{addr}
32150 Find the symbol stored at the location specified by the address
32151 @var{addr} and an optional section name @var{section}. If found,
32152 @value{GDBN} prints the name of the closest symbol and an offset from
32153 the symbol's location to the specified address. This is similar to
32154 the @code{info address} command (@pxref{Symbols}), except that this
32155 command also allows to find symbols in other sections.
32156
32157 If section was not specified, the section in which the symbol was found
32158 is also printed. For dynamically linked executables, the name of
32159 executable or shared library containing the symbol is printed as well.
32160
32161 @end table
32162
32163 The following command is useful for non-interactive invocations of
32164 @value{GDBN}, such as in the test suite.
32165
32166 @table @code
32167 @item set watchdog @var{nsec}
32168 @kindex set watchdog
32169 @cindex watchdog timer
32170 @cindex timeout for commands
32171 Set the maximum number of seconds @value{GDBN} will wait for the
32172 target operation to finish. If this time expires, @value{GDBN}
32173 reports and error and the command is aborted.
32174
32175 @item show watchdog
32176 Show the current setting of the target wait timeout.
32177 @end table
32178
32179 @node Remote Protocol
32180 @appendix @value{GDBN} Remote Serial Protocol
32181
32182 @menu
32183 * Overview::
32184 * Packets::
32185 * Stop Reply Packets::
32186 * General Query Packets::
32187 * Architecture-Specific Protocol Details::
32188 * Tracepoint Packets::
32189 * Host I/O Packets::
32190 * Interrupts::
32191 * Notification Packets::
32192 * Remote Non-Stop::
32193 * Packet Acknowledgment::
32194 * Examples::
32195 * File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension::
32196 * Library List Format::
32197 * Memory Map Format::
32198 * Thread List Format::
32199 * Traceframe Info Format::
32200 @end menu
32201
32202 @node Overview
32203 @section Overview
32204
32205 There may be occasions when you need to know something about the
32206 protocol---for example, if there is only one serial port to your target
32207 machine, you might want your program to do something special if it
32208 recognizes a packet meant for @value{GDBN}.
32209
32210 In the examples below, @samp{->} and @samp{<-} are used to indicate
32211 transmitted and received data, respectively.
32212
32213 @cindex protocol, @value{GDBN} remote serial
32214 @cindex serial protocol, @value{GDBN} remote
32215 @cindex remote serial protocol
32216 All @value{GDBN} commands and responses (other than acknowledgments
32217 and notifications, see @ref{Notification Packets}) are sent as a
32218 @var{packet}. A @var{packet} is introduced with the character
32219 @samp{$}, the actual @var{packet-data}, and the terminating character
32220 @samp{#} followed by a two-digit @var{checksum}:
32221
32222 @smallexample
32223 @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32224 @end smallexample
32225 @noindent
32226
32227 @cindex checksum, for @value{GDBN} remote
32228 @noindent
32229 The two-digit @var{checksum} is computed as the modulo 256 sum of all
32230 characters between the leading @samp{$} and the trailing @samp{#} (an
32231 eight bit unsigned checksum).
32232
32233 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0 the protocol
32234 specification also included an optional two-digit @var{sequence-id}:
32235
32236 @smallexample
32237 @code{$}@var{sequence-id}@code{:}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32238 @end smallexample
32239
32240 @cindex sequence-id, for @value{GDBN} remote
32241 @noindent
32242 That @var{sequence-id} was appended to the acknowledgment. @value{GDBN}
32243 has never output @var{sequence-id}s. Stubs that handle packets added
32244 since @value{GDBN} 5.0 must not accept @var{sequence-id}.
32245
32246 When either the host or the target machine receives a packet, the first
32247 response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
32248 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request
32249 retransmission):
32250
32251 @smallexample
32252 -> @code{$}@var{packet-data}@code{#}@var{checksum}
32253 <- @code{+}
32254 @end smallexample
32255 @noindent
32256
32257 The @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments can be disabled
32258 once a connection is established.
32259 @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}, for details.
32260
32261 The host (@value{GDBN}) sends @var{command}s, and the target (the
32262 debugging stub incorporated in your program) sends a @var{response}. In
32263 the case of step and continue @var{command}s, the response is only sent
32264 when the operation has completed, and the target has again stopped all
32265 threads in all attached processes. This is the default all-stop mode
32266 behavior, but the remote protocol also supports @value{GDBN}'s non-stop
32267 execution mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}, for details.
32268
32269 @var{packet-data} consists of a sequence of characters with the
32270 exception of @samp{#} and @samp{$} (see @samp{X} packet for additional
32271 exceptions).
32272
32273 @cindex remote protocol, field separator
32274 Fields within the packet should be separated using @samp{,} @samp{;} or
32275 @samp{:}. Except where otherwise noted all numbers are represented in
32276 @sc{hex} with leading zeros suppressed.
32277
32278 Implementors should note that prior to @value{GDBN} 5.0, the character
32279 @samp{:} could not appear as the third character in a packet (as it
32280 would potentially conflict with the @var{sequence-id}).
32281
32282 @cindex remote protocol, binary data
32283 @anchor{Binary Data}
32284 Binary data in most packets is encoded either as two hexadecimal
32285 digits per byte of binary data. This allowed the traditional remote
32286 protocol to work over connections which were only seven-bit clean.
32287 Some packets designed more recently assume an eight-bit clean
32288 connection, and use a more efficient encoding to send and receive
32289 binary data.
32290
32291 The binary data representation uses @code{7d} (@sc{ascii} @samp{@}})
32292 as an escape character. Any escaped byte is transmitted as the escape
32293 character followed by the original character XORed with @code{0x20}.
32294 For example, the byte @code{0x7d} would be transmitted as the two
32295 bytes @code{0x7d 0x5d}. The bytes @code{0x23} (@sc{ascii} @samp{#}),
32296 @code{0x24} (@sc{ascii} @samp{$}), and @code{0x7d} (@sc{ascii}
32297 @samp{@}}) must always be escaped. Responses sent by the stub
32298 must also escape @code{0x2a} (@sc{ascii} @samp{*}), so that it
32299 is not interpreted as the start of a run-length encoded sequence
32300 (described next).
32301
32302 Response @var{data} can be run-length encoded to save space.
32303 Run-length encoding replaces runs of identical characters with one
32304 instance of the repeated character, followed by a @samp{*} and a
32305 repeat count. The repeat count is itself sent encoded, to avoid
32306 binary characters in @var{data}: a value of @var{n} is sent as
32307 @code{@var{n}+29}. For a repeat count greater or equal to 3, this
32308 produces a printable @sc{ascii} character, e.g.@: a space (@sc{ascii}
32309 code 32) for a repeat count of 3. (This is because run-length
32310 encoding starts to win for counts 3 or more.) Thus, for example,
32311 @samp{0* } is a run-length encoding of ``0000'': the space character
32312 after @samp{*} means repeat the leading @code{0} @w{@code{32 - 29 =
32313 3}} more times.
32314
32315 The printable characters @samp{#} and @samp{$} or with a numeric value
32316 greater than 126 must not be used. Runs of six repeats (@samp{#}) or
32317 seven repeats (@samp{$}) can be expanded using a repeat count of only
32318 five (@samp{"}). For example, @samp{00000000} can be encoded as
32319 @samp{0*"00}.
32320
32321 The error response returned for some packets includes a two character
32322 error number. That number is not well defined.
32323
32324 @cindex empty response, for unsupported packets
32325 For any @var{command} not supported by the stub, an empty response
32326 (@samp{$#00}) should be returned. That way it is possible to extend the
32327 protocol. A newer @value{GDBN} can tell if a packet is supported based
32328 on that response.
32329
32330 At a minimum, a stub is required to support the @samp{g} and @samp{G}
32331 commands for register access, and the @samp{m} and @samp{M} commands
32332 for memory access. Stubs that only control single-threaded targets
32333 can implement run control with the @samp{c} (continue), and @samp{s}
32334 (step) commands. Stubs that support multi-threading targets should
32335 support the @samp{vCont} command. All other commands are optional.
32336
32337 @node Packets
32338 @section Packets
32339
32340 The following table provides a complete list of all currently defined
32341 @var{command}s and their corresponding response @var{data}.
32342 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for details about the File
32343 I/O extension of the remote protocol.
32344
32345 Each packet's description has a template showing the packet's overall
32346 syntax, followed by an explanation of the packet's meaning. We
32347 include spaces in some of the templates for clarity; these are not
32348 part of the packet's syntax. No @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to
32349 separate its components. For example, a template like @samp{foo
32350 @var{bar} @var{baz}} describes a packet beginning with the three ASCII
32351 bytes @samp{foo}, followed by a @var{bar}, followed directly by a
32352 @var{baz}. @value{GDBN} does not transmit a space character between the
32353 @samp{foo} and the @var{bar}, or between the @var{bar} and the
32354 @var{baz}.
32355
32356 @cindex @var{thread-id}, in remote protocol
32357 @anchor{thread-id syntax}
32358 Several packets and replies include a @var{thread-id} field to identify
32359 a thread. Normally these are positive numbers with a target-specific
32360 interpretation, formatted as big-endian hex strings. A @var{thread-id}
32361 can also be a literal @samp{-1} to indicate all threads, or @samp{0} to
32362 pick any thread.
32363
32364 In addition, the remote protocol supports a multiprocess feature in
32365 which the @var{thread-id} syntax is extended to optionally include both
32366 process and thread ID fields, as @samp{p@var{pid}.@var{tid}}.
32367 The @var{pid} (process) and @var{tid} (thread) components each have the
32368 format described above: a positive number with target-specific
32369 interpretation formatted as a big-endian hex string, literal @samp{-1}
32370 to indicate all processes or threads (respectively), or @samp{0} to
32371 indicate an arbitrary process or thread. Specifying just a process, as
32372 @samp{p@var{pid}}, is equivalent to @samp{p@var{pid}.-1}. It is an
32373 error to specify all processes but a specific thread, such as
32374 @samp{p-1.@var{tid}}. Note that the @samp{p} prefix is @emph{not} used
32375 for those packets and replies explicitly documented to include a process
32376 ID, rather than a @var{thread-id}.
32377
32378 The multiprocess @var{thread-id} syntax extensions are only used if both
32379 @value{GDBN} and the stub report support for the @samp{multiprocess}
32380 feature using @samp{qSupported}. @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for
32381 more information.
32382
32383 Note that all packet forms beginning with an upper- or lower-case
32384 letter, other than those described here, are reserved for future use.
32385
32386 Here are the packet descriptions.
32387
32388 @table @samp
32389
32390 @item !
32391 @cindex @samp{!} packet
32392 @anchor{extended mode}
32393 Enable extended mode. In extended mode, the remote server is made
32394 persistent. The @samp{R} packet is used to restart the program being
32395 debugged.
32396
32397 Reply:
32398 @table @samp
32399 @item OK
32400 The remote target both supports and has enabled extended mode.
32401 @end table
32402
32403 @item ?
32404 @cindex @samp{?} packet
32405 Indicate the reason the target halted. The reply is the same as for
32406 step and continue. This packet has a special interpretation when the
32407 target is in non-stop mode; see @ref{Remote Non-Stop}.
32408
32409 Reply:
32410 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32411
32412 @item A @var{arglen},@var{argnum},@var{arg},@dots{}
32413 @cindex @samp{A} packet
32414 Initialized @code{argv[]} array passed into program. @var{arglen}
32415 specifies the number of bytes in the hex encoded byte stream
32416 @var{arg}. See @code{gdbserver} for more details.
32417
32418 Reply:
32419 @table @samp
32420 @item OK
32421 The arguments were set.
32422 @item E @var{NN}
32423 An error occurred.
32424 @end table
32425
32426 @item b @var{baud}
32427 @cindex @samp{b} packet
32428 (Don't use this packet; its behavior is not well-defined.)
32429 Change the serial line speed to @var{baud}.
32430
32431 JTC: @emph{When does the transport layer state change? When it's
32432 received, or after the ACK is transmitted. In either case, there are
32433 problems if the command or the acknowledgment packet is dropped.}
32434
32435 Stan: @emph{If people really wanted to add something like this, and get
32436 it working for the first time, they ought to modify ser-unix.c to send
32437 some kind of out-of-band message to a specially-setup stub and have the
32438 switch happen "in between" packets, so that from remote protocol's point
32439 of view, nothing actually happened.}
32440
32441 @item B @var{addr},@var{mode}
32442 @cindex @samp{B} packet
32443 Set (@var{mode} is @samp{S}) or clear (@var{mode} is @samp{C}) a
32444 breakpoint at @var{addr}.
32445
32446 Don't use this packet. Use the @samp{Z} and @samp{z} packets instead
32447 (@pxref{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}).
32448
32449 @cindex @samp{bc} packet
32450 @anchor{bc}
32451 @item bc
32452 Backward continue. Execute the target system in reverse. No parameter.
32453 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32454
32455 Reply:
32456 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32457
32458 @cindex @samp{bs} packet
32459 @anchor{bs}
32460 @item bs
32461 Backward single step. Execute one instruction in reverse. No parameter.
32462 @xref{Reverse Execution}, for more information.
32463
32464 Reply:
32465 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32466
32467 @item c @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32468 @cindex @samp{c} packet
32469 Continue. @var{addr} is address to resume. If @var{addr} is omitted,
32470 resume at current address.
32471
32472 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32473 packet}.
32474
32475 Reply:
32476 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32477
32478 @item C @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32479 @cindex @samp{C} packet
32480 Continue with signal @var{sig} (hex signal number). If
32481 @samp{;@var{addr}} is omitted, resume at same address.
32482
32483 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32484 packet}.
32485
32486 Reply:
32487 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32488
32489 @item d
32490 @cindex @samp{d} packet
32491 Toggle debug flag.
32492
32493 Don't use this packet; instead, define a general set packet
32494 (@pxref{General Query Packets}).
32495
32496 @item D
32497 @itemx D;@var{pid}
32498 @cindex @samp{D} packet
32499 The first form of the packet is used to detach @value{GDBN} from the
32500 remote system. It is sent to the remote target
32501 before @value{GDBN} disconnects via the @code{detach} command.
32502
32503 The second form, including a process ID, is used when multiprocess
32504 protocol extensions are enabled (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}), to
32505 detach only a specific process. The @var{pid} is specified as a
32506 big-endian hex string.
32507
32508 Reply:
32509 @table @samp
32510 @item OK
32511 for success
32512 @item E @var{NN}
32513 for an error
32514 @end table
32515
32516 @item F @var{RC},@var{EE},@var{CF};@var{XX}
32517 @cindex @samp{F} packet
32518 A reply from @value{GDBN} to an @samp{F} packet sent by the target.
32519 This is part of the File-I/O protocol extension. @xref{File-I/O
32520 Remote Protocol Extension}, for the specification.
32521
32522 @item g
32523 @anchor{read registers packet}
32524 @cindex @samp{g} packet
32525 Read general registers.
32526
32527 Reply:
32528 @table @samp
32529 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32530 Each byte of register data is described by two hex digits. The bytes
32531 with the register are transmitted in target byte order. The size of
32532 each register and their position within the @samp{g} packet are
32533 determined by the @value{GDBN} internal gdbarch functions
32534 @code{DEPRECATED_REGISTER_RAW_SIZE} and @code{gdbarch_register_name}. The
32535 specification of several standard @samp{g} packets is specified below.
32536
32537 When reading registers from a trace frame (@pxref{Analyze Collected
32538 Data,,Using the Collected Data}), the stub may also return a string of
32539 literal @samp{x}'s in place of the register data digits, to indicate
32540 that the corresponding register has not been collected, thus its value
32541 is unavailable. For example, for an architecture with 4 registers of
32542 4 bytes each, the following reply indicates to @value{GDBN} that
32543 registers 0 and 2 have not been collected, while registers 1 and 3
32544 have been collected, and both have zero value:
32545
32546 @smallexample
32547 -> @code{g}
32548 <- @code{xxxxxxxx00000000xxxxxxxx00000000}
32549 @end smallexample
32550
32551 @item E @var{NN}
32552 for an error.
32553 @end table
32554
32555 @item G @var{XX@dots{}}
32556 @cindex @samp{G} packet
32557 Write general registers. @xref{read registers packet}, for a
32558 description of the @var{XX@dots{}} data.
32559
32560 Reply:
32561 @table @samp
32562 @item OK
32563 for success
32564 @item E @var{NN}
32565 for an error
32566 @end table
32567
32568 @item H @var{op} @var{thread-id}
32569 @cindex @samp{H} packet
32570 Set thread for subsequent operations (@samp{m}, @samp{M}, @samp{g},
32571 @samp{G}, et.al.). @var{op} depends on the operation to be performed:
32572 it should be @samp{c} for step and continue operations (note that this
32573 is deprecated, supporting the @samp{vCont} command is a better
32574 option), @samp{g} for other operations. The thread designator
32575 @var{thread-id} has the format and interpretation described in
32576 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32577
32578 Reply:
32579 @table @samp
32580 @item OK
32581 for success
32582 @item E @var{NN}
32583 for an error
32584 @end table
32585
32586 @c FIXME: JTC:
32587 @c 'H': How restrictive (or permissive) is the thread model. If a
32588 @c thread is selected and stopped, are other threads allowed
32589 @c to continue to execute? As I mentioned above, I think the
32590 @c semantics of each command when a thread is selected must be
32591 @c described. For example:
32592 @c
32593 @c 'g': If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32594 @c selected, returns the register block from that thread;
32595 @c otherwise returns current registers.
32596 @c
32597 @c 'G' If the stub supports threads and a specific thread is
32598 @c selected, sets the registers of the register block of
32599 @c that thread; otherwise sets current registers.
32600
32601 @item i @r{[}@var{addr}@r{[},@var{nnn}@r{]]}
32602 @anchor{cycle step packet}
32603 @cindex @samp{i} packet
32604 Step the remote target by a single clock cycle. If @samp{,@var{nnn}} is
32605 present, cycle step @var{nnn} cycles. If @var{addr} is present, cycle
32606 step starting at that address.
32607
32608 @item I
32609 @cindex @samp{I} packet
32610 Signal, then cycle step. @xref{step with signal packet}. @xref{cycle
32611 step packet}.
32612
32613 @item k
32614 @cindex @samp{k} packet
32615 Kill request.
32616
32617 FIXME: @emph{There is no description of how to operate when a specific
32618 thread context has been selected (i.e.@: does 'k' kill only that
32619 thread?)}.
32620
32621 @item m @var{addr},@var{length}
32622 @cindex @samp{m} packet
32623 Read @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32624 Note that @var{addr} may not be aligned to any particular boundary.
32625
32626 The stub need not use any particular size or alignment when gathering
32627 data from memory for the response; even if @var{addr} is word-aligned
32628 and @var{length} is a multiple of the word size, the stub is free to
32629 use byte accesses, or not. For this reason, this packet may not be
32630 suitable for accessing memory-mapped I/O devices.
32631 @cindex alignment of remote memory accesses
32632 @cindex size of remote memory accesses
32633 @cindex memory, alignment and size of remote accesses
32634
32635 Reply:
32636 @table @samp
32637 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32638 Memory contents; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit hexadecimal
32639 number. The reply may contain fewer bytes than requested if the
32640 server was able to read only part of the region of memory.
32641 @item E @var{NN}
32642 @var{NN} is errno
32643 @end table
32644
32645 @item M @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32646 @cindex @samp{M} packet
32647 Write @var{length} bytes of memory starting at address @var{addr}.
32648 @var{XX@dots{}} is the data; each byte is transmitted as a two-digit
32649 hexadecimal number.
32650
32651 Reply:
32652 @table @samp
32653 @item OK
32654 for success
32655 @item E @var{NN}
32656 for an error (this includes the case where only part of the data was
32657 written).
32658 @end table
32659
32660 @item p @var{n}
32661 @cindex @samp{p} packet
32662 Read the value of register @var{n}; @var{n} is in hex.
32663 @xref{read registers packet}, for a description of how the returned
32664 register value is encoded.
32665
32666 Reply:
32667 @table @samp
32668 @item @var{XX@dots{}}
32669 the register's value
32670 @item E @var{NN}
32671 for an error
32672 @item
32673 Indicating an unrecognized @var{query}.
32674 @end table
32675
32676 @item P @var{n@dots{}}=@var{r@dots{}}
32677 @anchor{write register packet}
32678 @cindex @samp{P} packet
32679 Write register @var{n@dots{}} with value @var{r@dots{}}. The register
32680 number @var{n} is in hexadecimal, and @var{r@dots{}} contains two hex
32681 digits for each byte in the register (target byte order).
32682
32683 Reply:
32684 @table @samp
32685 @item OK
32686 for success
32687 @item E @var{NN}
32688 for an error
32689 @end table
32690
32691 @item q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32692 @itemx Q @var{name} @var{params}@dots{}
32693 @cindex @samp{q} packet
32694 @cindex @samp{Q} packet
32695 General query (@samp{q}) and set (@samp{Q}). These packets are
32696 described fully in @ref{General Query Packets}.
32697
32698 @item r
32699 @cindex @samp{r} packet
32700 Reset the entire system.
32701
32702 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{R} packet instead.
32703
32704 @item R @var{XX}
32705 @cindex @samp{R} packet
32706 Restart the program being debugged. @var{XX}, while needed, is ignored.
32707 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32708
32709 The @samp{R} packet has no reply.
32710
32711 @item s @r{[}@var{addr}@r{]}
32712 @cindex @samp{s} packet
32713 Single step. @var{addr} is the address at which to resume. If
32714 @var{addr} is omitted, resume at same address.
32715
32716 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32717 packet}.
32718
32719 Reply:
32720 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32721
32722 @item S @var{sig}@r{[};@var{addr}@r{]}
32723 @anchor{step with signal packet}
32724 @cindex @samp{S} packet
32725 Step with signal. This is analogous to the @samp{C} packet, but
32726 requests a single-step, rather than a normal resumption of execution.
32727
32728 This packet is deprecated for multi-threading support. @xref{vCont
32729 packet}.
32730
32731 Reply:
32732 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32733
32734 @item t @var{addr}:@var{PP},@var{MM}
32735 @cindex @samp{t} packet
32736 Search backwards starting at address @var{addr} for a match with pattern
32737 @var{PP} and mask @var{MM}. @var{PP} and @var{MM} are 4 bytes.
32738 @var{addr} must be at least 3 digits.
32739
32740 @item T @var{thread-id}
32741 @cindex @samp{T} packet
32742 Find out if the thread @var{thread-id} is alive. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
32743
32744 Reply:
32745 @table @samp
32746 @item OK
32747 thread is still alive
32748 @item E @var{NN}
32749 thread is dead
32750 @end table
32751
32752 @item v
32753 Packets starting with @samp{v} are identified by a multi-letter name,
32754 up to the first @samp{;} or @samp{?} (or the end of the packet).
32755
32756 @item vAttach;@var{pid}
32757 @cindex @samp{vAttach} packet
32758 Attach to a new process with the specified process ID @var{pid}.
32759 The process ID is a
32760 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. In all-stop mode, all
32761 threads in the attached process are stopped; in non-stop mode, it may be
32762 attached without being stopped if that is supported by the target.
32763
32764 @c In non-stop mode, on a successful vAttach, the stub should set the
32765 @c current thread to a thread of the newly-attached process. After
32766 @c attaching, GDB queries for the attached process's thread ID with qC.
32767 @c Also note that, from a user perspective, whether or not the
32768 @c target is stopped on attach in non-stop mode depends on whether you
32769 @c use the foreground or background version of the attach command, not
32770 @c on what vAttach does; GDB does the right thing with respect to either
32771 @c stopping or restarting threads.
32772
32773 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32774
32775 Reply:
32776 @table @samp
32777 @item E @var{nn}
32778 for an error
32779 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32780 for success in all-stop mode (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32781 @item OK
32782 for success in non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop})
32783 @end table
32784
32785 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@r{[}:@var{thread-id}@r{]]}@dots{}
32786 @cindex @samp{vCont} packet
32787 @anchor{vCont packet}
32788 Resume the inferior, specifying different actions for each thread.
32789 If an action is specified with no @var{thread-id}, then it is applied to any
32790 threads that don't have a specific action specified; if no default action is
32791 specified then other threads should remain stopped in all-stop mode and
32792 in their current state in non-stop mode.
32793 Specifying multiple
32794 default actions is an error; specifying no actions is also an error.
32795 Thread IDs are specified using the syntax described in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
32796
32797 Currently supported actions are:
32798
32799 @table @samp
32800 @item c
32801 Continue.
32802 @item C @var{sig}
32803 Continue with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32804 @item s
32805 Step.
32806 @item S @var{sig}
32807 Step with signal @var{sig}. The signal @var{sig} should be two hex digits.
32808 @item t
32809 Stop.
32810 @end table
32811
32812 The optional argument @var{addr} normally associated with the
32813 @samp{c}, @samp{C}, @samp{s}, and @samp{S} packets is
32814 not supported in @samp{vCont}.
32815
32816 The @samp{t} action is only relevant in non-stop mode
32817 (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}) and may be ignored by the stub otherwise.
32818 A stop reply should be generated for any affected thread not already stopped.
32819 When a thread is stopped by means of a @samp{t} action,
32820 the corresponding stop reply should indicate that the thread has stopped with
32821 signal @samp{0}, regardless of whether the target uses some other signal
32822 as an implementation detail.
32823
32824 Reply:
32825 @xref{Stop Reply Packets}, for the reply specifications.
32826
32827 @item vCont?
32828 @cindex @samp{vCont?} packet
32829 Request a list of actions supported by the @samp{vCont} packet.
32830
32831 Reply:
32832 @table @samp
32833 @item vCont@r{[};@var{action}@dots{}@r{]}
32834 The @samp{vCont} packet is supported. Each @var{action} is a supported
32835 command in the @samp{vCont} packet.
32836 @item
32837 The @samp{vCont} packet is not supported.
32838 @end table
32839
32840 @item vFile:@var{operation}:@var{parameter}@dots{}
32841 @cindex @samp{vFile} packet
32842 Perform a file operation on the target system. For details,
32843 see @ref{Host I/O Packets}.
32844
32845 @item vFlashErase:@var{addr},@var{length}
32846 @cindex @samp{vFlashErase} packet
32847 Direct the stub to erase @var{length} bytes of flash starting at
32848 @var{addr}. The region may enclose any number of flash blocks, but
32849 its start and end must fall on block boundaries, as indicated by the
32850 flash block size appearing in the memory map (@pxref{Memory Map
32851 Format}). @value{GDBN} groups flash memory programming operations
32852 together, and sends a @samp{vFlashDone} request after each group; the
32853 stub is allowed to delay erase operation until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32854 packet is received.
32855
32856 The stub must support @samp{vCont} if it reports support for
32857 multiprocess extensions (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}). Note that in
32858 this case @samp{vCont} actions can be specified to apply to all threads
32859 in a process by using the @samp{p@var{pid}.-1} form of the
32860 @var{thread-id}.
32861
32862 Reply:
32863 @table @samp
32864 @item OK
32865 for success
32866 @item E @var{NN}
32867 for an error
32868 @end table
32869
32870 @item vFlashWrite:@var{addr}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32871 @cindex @samp{vFlashWrite} packet
32872 Direct the stub to write data to flash address @var{addr}. The data
32873 is passed in binary form using the same encoding as for the @samp{X}
32874 packet (@pxref{Binary Data}). The memory ranges specified by
32875 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets preceding a @samp{vFlashDone} packet must
32876 not overlap, and must appear in order of increasing addresses
32877 (although @samp{vFlashErase} packets for higher addresses may already
32878 have been received; the ordering is guaranteed only between
32879 @samp{vFlashWrite} packets). If a packet writes to an address that was
32880 neither erased by a preceding @samp{vFlashErase} packet nor by some other
32881 target-specific method, the results are unpredictable.
32882
32883
32884 Reply:
32885 @table @samp
32886 @item OK
32887 for success
32888 @item E.memtype
32889 for vFlashWrite addressing non-flash memory
32890 @item E @var{NN}
32891 for an error
32892 @end table
32893
32894 @item vFlashDone
32895 @cindex @samp{vFlashDone} packet
32896 Indicate to the stub that flash programming operation is finished.
32897 The stub is permitted to delay or batch the effects of a group of
32898 @samp{vFlashErase} and @samp{vFlashWrite} packets until a
32899 @samp{vFlashDone} packet is received. The contents of the affected
32900 regions of flash memory are unpredictable until the @samp{vFlashDone}
32901 request is completed.
32902
32903 @item vKill;@var{pid}
32904 @cindex @samp{vKill} packet
32905 Kill the process with the specified process ID. @var{pid} is a
32906 hexadecimal integer identifying the process. This packet is used in
32907 preference to @samp{k} when multiprocess protocol extensions are
32908 supported; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
32909
32910 Reply:
32911 @table @samp
32912 @item E @var{nn}
32913 for an error
32914 @item OK
32915 for success
32916 @end table
32917
32918 @item vRun;@var{filename}@r{[};@var{argument}@r{]}@dots{}
32919 @cindex @samp{vRun} packet
32920 Run the program @var{filename}, passing it each @var{argument} on its
32921 command line. The file and arguments are hex-encoded strings. If
32922 @var{filename} is an empty string, the stub may use a default program
32923 (e.g.@: the last program run). The program is created in the stopped
32924 state.
32925
32926 @c FIXME: What about non-stop mode?
32927
32928 This packet is only available in extended mode (@pxref{extended mode}).
32929
32930 Reply:
32931 @table @samp
32932 @item E @var{nn}
32933 for an error
32934 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32935 for success (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32936 @end table
32937
32938 @item vStopped
32939 @anchor{vStopped packet}
32940 @cindex @samp{vStopped} packet
32941
32942 In non-stop mode (@pxref{Remote Non-Stop}), acknowledge a previous stop
32943 reply and prompt for the stub to report another one.
32944
32945 Reply:
32946 @table @samp
32947 @item @r{Any stop packet}
32948 if there is another unreported stop event (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets})
32949 @item OK
32950 if there are no unreported stop events
32951 @end table
32952
32953 @item X @var{addr},@var{length}:@var{XX@dots{}}
32954 @anchor{X packet}
32955 @cindex @samp{X} packet
32956 Write data to memory, where the data is transmitted in binary.
32957 @var{addr} is address, @var{length} is number of bytes,
32958 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
32959
32960 Reply:
32961 @table @samp
32962 @item OK
32963 for success
32964 @item E @var{NN}
32965 for an error
32966 @end table
32967
32968 @item z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32969 @itemx Z @var{type},@var{addr},@var{kind}
32970 @anchor{insert breakpoint or watchpoint packet}
32971 @cindex @samp{z} packet
32972 @cindex @samp{Z} packets
32973 Insert (@samp{Z}) or remove (@samp{z}) a @var{type} breakpoint or
32974 watchpoint starting at address @var{address} of kind @var{kind}.
32975
32976 Each breakpoint and watchpoint packet @var{type} is documented
32977 separately.
32978
32979 @emph{Implementation notes: A remote target shall return an empty string
32980 for an unrecognized breakpoint or watchpoint packet @var{type}. A
32981 remote target shall support either both or neither of a given
32982 @samp{Z@var{type}@dots{}} and @samp{z@var{type}@dots{}} packet pair. To
32983 avoid potential problems with duplicate packets, the operations should
32984 be implemented in an idempotent way.}
32985
32986 @item z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32987 @itemx Z0,@var{addr},@var{kind}
32988 @cindex @samp{z0} packet
32989 @cindex @samp{Z0} packet
32990 Insert (@samp{Z0}) or remove (@samp{z0}) a memory breakpoint at address
32991 @var{addr} of type @var{kind}.
32992
32993 A memory breakpoint is implemented by replacing the instruction at
32994 @var{addr} with a software breakpoint or trap instruction. The
32995 @var{kind} is target-specific and typically indicates the size of
32996 the breakpoint in bytes that should be inserted. E.g., the @sc{arm}
32997 and @sc{mips} can insert either a 2 or 4 byte breakpoint. Some
32998 architectures have additional meanings for @var{kind};
32999 see @ref{Architecture-Specific Protocol Details}.
33000
33001 @emph{Implementation note: It is possible for a target to copy or move
33002 code that contains memory breakpoints (e.g., when implementing
33003 overlays). The behavior of this packet, in the presence of such a
33004 target, is not defined.}
33005
33006 Reply:
33007 @table @samp
33008 @item OK
33009 success
33010 @item
33011 not supported
33012 @item E @var{NN}
33013 for an error
33014 @end table
33015
33016 @item z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33017 @itemx Z1,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33018 @cindex @samp{z1} packet
33019 @cindex @samp{Z1} packet
33020 Insert (@samp{Z1}) or remove (@samp{z1}) a hardware breakpoint at
33021 address @var{addr}.
33022
33023 A hardware breakpoint is implemented using a mechanism that is not
33024 dependant on being able to modify the target's memory. @var{kind}
33025 has the same meaning as in @samp{Z0} packets.
33026
33027 @emph{Implementation note: A hardware breakpoint is not affected by code
33028 movement.}
33029
33030 Reply:
33031 @table @samp
33032 @item OK
33033 success
33034 @item
33035 not supported
33036 @item E @var{NN}
33037 for an error
33038 @end table
33039
33040 @item z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33041 @itemx Z2,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33042 @cindex @samp{z2} packet
33043 @cindex @samp{Z2} packet
33044 Insert (@samp{Z2}) or remove (@samp{z2}) a write watchpoint at @var{addr}.
33045 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
33046
33047 Reply:
33048 @table @samp
33049 @item OK
33050 success
33051 @item
33052 not supported
33053 @item E @var{NN}
33054 for an error
33055 @end table
33056
33057 @item z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33058 @itemx Z3,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33059 @cindex @samp{z3} packet
33060 @cindex @samp{Z3} packet
33061 Insert (@samp{Z3}) or remove (@samp{z3}) a read watchpoint at @var{addr}.
33062 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
33063
33064 Reply:
33065 @table @samp
33066 @item OK
33067 success
33068 @item
33069 not supported
33070 @item E @var{NN}
33071 for an error
33072 @end table
33073
33074 @item z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33075 @itemx Z4,@var{addr},@var{kind}
33076 @cindex @samp{z4} packet
33077 @cindex @samp{Z4} packet
33078 Insert (@samp{Z4}) or remove (@samp{z4}) an access watchpoint at @var{addr}.
33079 @var{kind} is interpreted as the number of bytes to watch.
33080
33081 Reply:
33082 @table @samp
33083 @item OK
33084 success
33085 @item
33086 not supported
33087 @item E @var{NN}
33088 for an error
33089 @end table
33090
33091 @end table
33092
33093 @node Stop Reply Packets
33094 @section Stop Reply Packets
33095 @cindex stop reply packets
33096
33097 The @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}, @samp{s}, @samp{vCont},
33098 @samp{vAttach}, @samp{vRun}, @samp{vStopped}, and @samp{?} packets can
33099 receive any of the below as a reply. Except for @samp{?}
33100 and @samp{vStopped}, that reply is only returned
33101 when the target halts. In the below the exact meaning of @dfn{signal
33102 number} is defined by the header @file{include/gdb/signals.h} in the
33103 @value{GDBN} source code.
33104
33105 As in the description of request packets, we include spaces in the
33106 reply templates for clarity; these are not part of the reply packet's
33107 syntax. No @value{GDBN} stop reply packet uses spaces to separate its
33108 components.
33109
33110 @table @samp
33111
33112 @item S @var{AA}
33113 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
33114 number). This is equivalent to a @samp{T} response with no
33115 @var{n}:@var{r} pairs.
33116
33117 @item T @var{AA} @var{n1}:@var{r1};@var{n2}:@var{r2};@dots{}
33118 @cindex @samp{T} packet reply
33119 The program received signal number @var{AA} (a two-digit hexadecimal
33120 number). This is equivalent to an @samp{S} response, except that the
33121 @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pairs can carry values of important registers
33122 and other information directly in the stop reply packet, reducing
33123 round-trip latency. Single-step and breakpoint traps are reported
33124 this way. Each @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair is interpreted as follows:
33125
33126 @itemize @bullet
33127 @item
33128 If @var{n} is a hexadecimal number, it is a register number, and the
33129 corresponding @var{r} gives that register's value. @var{r} is a
33130 series of bytes in target byte order, with each byte given by a
33131 two-digit hex number.
33132
33133 @item
33134 If @var{n} is @samp{thread}, then @var{r} is the @var{thread-id} of
33135 the stopped thread, as specified in @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33136
33137 @item
33138 If @var{n} is @samp{core}, then @var{r} is the hexadecimal number of
33139 the core on which the stop event was detected.
33140
33141 @item
33142 If @var{n} is a recognized @dfn{stop reason}, it describes a more
33143 specific event that stopped the target. The currently defined stop
33144 reasons are listed below. @var{aa} should be @samp{05}, the trap
33145 signal. At most one stop reason should be present.
33146
33147 @item
33148 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} should ignore this @samp{@var{n}:@var{r}} pair
33149 and go on to the next; this allows us to extend the protocol in the
33150 future.
33151 @end itemize
33152
33153 The currently defined stop reasons are:
33154
33155 @table @samp
33156 @item watch
33157 @itemx rwatch
33158 @itemx awatch
33159 The packet indicates a watchpoint hit, and @var{r} is the data address, in
33160 hex.
33161
33162 @cindex shared library events, remote reply
33163 @item library
33164 The packet indicates that the loaded libraries have changed.
33165 @value{GDBN} should use @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} to fetch a new
33166 list of loaded libraries. @var{r} is ignored.
33167
33168 @cindex replay log events, remote reply
33169 @item replaylog
33170 The packet indicates that the target cannot continue replaying
33171 logged execution events, because it has reached the end (or the
33172 beginning when executing backward) of the log. The value of @var{r}
33173 will be either @samp{begin} or @samp{end}. @xref{Reverse Execution},
33174 for more information.
33175 @end table
33176
33177 @item W @var{AA}
33178 @itemx W @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
33179 The process exited, and @var{AA} is the exit status. This is only
33180 applicable to certain targets.
33181
33182 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the exited
33183 process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported support for
33184 multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess extensions}.
33185 The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
33186
33187 @item X @var{AA}
33188 @itemx X @var{AA} ; process:@var{pid}
33189 The process terminated with signal @var{AA}.
33190
33191 The second form of the response, including the process ID of the
33192 terminated process, can be used only when @value{GDBN} has reported
33193 support for multiprocess protocol extensions; see @ref{multiprocess
33194 extensions}. The @var{pid} is formatted as a big-endian hex string.
33195
33196 @item O @var{XX}@dots{}
33197 @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data, to be
33198 written as the program's console output. This can happen at any time
33199 while the program is running and the debugger should continue to wait
33200 for @samp{W}, @samp{T}, etc. This reply is not permitted in non-stop mode.
33201
33202 @item F @var{call-id},@var{parameter}@dots{}
33203 @var{call-id} is the identifier which says which host system call should
33204 be called. This is just the name of the function. Translation into the
33205 correct system call is only applicable as it's defined in @value{GDBN}.
33206 @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension}, for a list of implemented
33207 system calls.
33208
33209 @samp{@var{parameter}@dots{}} is a list of parameters as defined for
33210 this very system call.
33211
33212 The target replies with this packet when it expects @value{GDBN} to
33213 call a host system call on behalf of the target. @value{GDBN} replies
33214 with an appropriate @samp{F} packet and keeps up waiting for the next
33215 reply packet from the target. The latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
33216 or @samp{s} action is expected to be continued. @xref{File-I/O Remote
33217 Protocol Extension}, for more details.
33218
33219 @end table
33220
33221 @node General Query Packets
33222 @section General Query Packets
33223 @cindex remote query requests
33224
33225 Packets starting with @samp{q} are @dfn{general query packets};
33226 packets starting with @samp{Q} are @dfn{general set packets}. General
33227 query and set packets are a semi-unified form for retrieving and
33228 sending information to and from the stub.
33229
33230 The initial letter of a query or set packet is followed by a name
33231 indicating what sort of thing the packet applies to. For example,
33232 @value{GDBN} may use a @samp{qSymbol} packet to exchange symbol
33233 definitions with the stub. These packet names follow some
33234 conventions:
33235
33236 @itemize @bullet
33237 @item
33238 The name must not contain commas, colons or semicolons.
33239 @item
33240 Most @value{GDBN} query and set packets have a leading upper case
33241 letter.
33242 @item
33243 The names of custom vendor packets should use a company prefix, in
33244 lower case, followed by a period. For example, packets designed at
33245 the Acme Corporation might begin with @samp{qacme.foo} (for querying
33246 foos) or @samp{Qacme.bar} (for setting bars).
33247 @end itemize
33248
33249 The name of a query or set packet should be separated from any
33250 parameters by a @samp{:}; the parameters themselves should be
33251 separated by @samp{,} or @samp{;}. Stubs must be careful to match the
33252 full packet name, and check for a separator or the end of the packet,
33253 in case two packet names share a common prefix. New packets should not begin
33254 with @samp{qC}, @samp{qP}, or @samp{qL}@footnote{The @samp{qP} and @samp{qL}
33255 packets predate these conventions, and have arguments without any terminator
33256 for the packet name; we suspect they are in widespread use in places that
33257 are difficult to upgrade. The @samp{qC} packet has no arguments, but some
33258 existing stubs (e.g.@: RedBoot) are known to not check for the end of the
33259 packet.}.
33260
33261 Like the descriptions of the other packets, each description here
33262 has a template showing the packet's overall syntax, followed by an
33263 explanation of the packet's meaning. We include spaces in some of the
33264 templates for clarity; these are not part of the packet's syntax. No
33265 @value{GDBN} packet uses spaces to separate its components.
33266
33267 Here are the currently defined query and set packets:
33268
33269 @table @samp
33270
33271 @item QAllow:@var{op}:@var{val}@dots{}
33272 @cindex @samp{QAllow} packet
33273 Specify which operations @value{GDBN} expects to request of the
33274 target, as a semicolon-separated list of operation name and value
33275 pairs. Possible values for @var{op} include @samp{WriteReg},
33276 @samp{WriteMem}, @samp{InsertBreak}, @samp{InsertTrace},
33277 @samp{InsertFastTrace}, and @samp{Stop}. @var{val} is either 0,
33278 indicating that @value{GDBN} will not request the operation, or 1,
33279 indicating that it may. (The target can then use this to set up its
33280 own internals optimally, for instance if the debugger never expects to
33281 insert breakpoints, it may not need to install its own trap handler.)
33282
33283 @item qC
33284 @cindex current thread, remote request
33285 @cindex @samp{qC} packet
33286 Return the current thread ID.
33287
33288 Reply:
33289 @table @samp
33290 @item QC @var{thread-id}
33291 Where @var{thread-id} is a thread ID as documented in
33292 @ref{thread-id syntax}.
33293 @item @r{(anything else)}
33294 Any other reply implies the old thread ID.
33295 @end table
33296
33297 @item qCRC:@var{addr},@var{length}
33298 @cindex CRC of memory block, remote request
33299 @cindex @samp{qCRC} packet
33300 Compute the CRC checksum of a block of memory using CRC-32 defined in
33301 IEEE 802.3. The CRC is computed byte at a time, taking the most
33302 significant bit of each byte first. The initial pattern code
33303 @code{0xffffffff} is used to ensure leading zeros affect the CRC.
33304
33305 @emph{Note:} This is the same CRC used in validating separate debug
33306 files (@pxref{Separate Debug Files, , Debugging Information in Separate
33307 Files}). However the algorithm is slightly different. When validating
33308 separate debug files, the CRC is computed taking the @emph{least}
33309 significant bit of each byte first, and the final result is inverted to
33310 detect trailing zeros.
33311
33312 Reply:
33313 @table @samp
33314 @item E @var{NN}
33315 An error (such as memory fault)
33316 @item C @var{crc32}
33317 The specified memory region's checksum is @var{crc32}.
33318 @end table
33319
33320 @item qfThreadInfo
33321 @itemx qsThreadInfo
33322 @cindex list active threads, remote request
33323 @cindex @samp{qfThreadInfo} packet
33324 @cindex @samp{qsThreadInfo} packet
33325 Obtain a list of all active thread IDs from the target (OS). Since there
33326 may be too many active threads to fit into one reply packet, this query
33327 works iteratively: it may require more than one query/reply sequence to
33328 obtain the entire list of threads. The first query of the sequence will
33329 be the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query; subsequent queries in the
33330 sequence will be the @samp{qsThreadInfo} query.
33331
33332 NOTE: This packet replaces the @samp{qL} query (see below).
33333
33334 Reply:
33335 @table @samp
33336 @item m @var{thread-id}
33337 A single thread ID
33338 @item m @var{thread-id},@var{thread-id}@dots{}
33339 a comma-separated list of thread IDs
33340 @item l
33341 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
33342 @end table
33343
33344 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
33345 more thread IDs, separated by commas.
33346 @value{GDBN} will respond to each reply with a request for more thread
33347 ids (using the @samp{qs} form of the query), until the target responds
33348 with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for @dfn{last}).
33349 Refer to @ref{thread-id syntax}, for the format of the @var{thread-id}
33350 fields.
33351
33352 @item qGetTLSAddr:@var{thread-id},@var{offset},@var{lm}
33353 @cindex get thread-local storage address, remote request
33354 @cindex @samp{qGetTLSAddr} packet
33355 Fetch the address associated with thread local storage specified
33356 by @var{thread-id}, @var{offset}, and @var{lm}.
33357
33358 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the
33359 thread for which to fetch the TLS address. @xref{thread-id syntax}.
33360
33361 @var{offset} is the (big endian, hex encoded) offset associated with the
33362 thread local variable. (This offset is obtained from the debug
33363 information associated with the variable.)
33364
33365 @var{lm} is the (big endian, hex encoded) OS/ABI-specific encoding of the
33366 load module associated with the thread local storage. For example,
33367 a @sc{gnu}/Linux system will pass the link map address of the shared
33368 object associated with the thread local storage under consideration.
33369 Other operating environments may choose to represent the load module
33370 differently, so the precise meaning of this parameter will vary.
33371
33372 Reply:
33373 @table @samp
33374 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33375 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the address of the thread
33376 local storage requested.
33377
33378 @item E @var{nn}
33379 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33380
33381 @item
33382 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTLSAddr} is not supported by the stub.
33383 @end table
33384
33385 @item qGetTIBAddr:@var{thread-id}
33386 @cindex get thread information block address
33387 @cindex @samp{qGetTIBAddr} packet
33388 Fetch address of the Windows OS specific Thread Information Block.
33389
33390 @var{thread-id} is the thread ID associated with the thread.
33391
33392 Reply:
33393 @table @samp
33394 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
33395 Hex encoded (big endian) bytes representing the linear address of the
33396 thread information block.
33397
33398 @item E @var{nn}
33399 An error occured. This means that either the thread was not found, or the
33400 address could not be retrieved.
33401
33402 @item
33403 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qGetTIBAddr} is not supported by the stub.
33404 @end table
33405
33406 @item qL @var{startflag} @var{threadcount} @var{nextthread}
33407 Obtain thread information from RTOS. Where: @var{startflag} (one hex
33408 digit) is one to indicate the first query and zero to indicate a
33409 subsequent query; @var{threadcount} (two hex digits) is the maximum
33410 number of threads the response packet can contain; and @var{nextthread}
33411 (eight hex digits), for subsequent queries (@var{startflag} is zero), is
33412 returned in the response as @var{argthread}.
33413
33414 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qfThreadInfo} query instead (see above).
33415
33416 Reply:
33417 @table @samp
33418 @item qM @var{count} @var{done} @var{argthread} @var{thread}@dots{}
33419 Where: @var{count} (two hex digits) is the number of threads being
33420 returned; @var{done} (one hex digit) is zero to indicate more threads
33421 and one indicates no further threads; @var{argthreadid} (eight hex
33422 digits) is @var{nextthread} from the request packet; @var{thread}@dots{}
33423 is a sequence of thread IDs from the target. @var{threadid} (eight hex
33424 digits). See @code{remote.c:parse_threadlist_response()}.
33425 @end table
33426
33427 @item qOffsets
33428 @cindex section offsets, remote request
33429 @cindex @samp{qOffsets} packet
33430 Get section offsets that the target used when relocating the downloaded
33431 image.
33432
33433 Reply:
33434 @table @samp
33435 @item Text=@var{xxx};Data=@var{yyy}@r{[};Bss=@var{zzz}@r{]}
33436 Relocate the @code{Text} section by @var{xxx} from its original address.
33437 Relocate the @code{Data} section by @var{yyy} from its original address.
33438 If the object file format provides segment information (e.g.@: @sc{elf}
33439 @samp{PT_LOAD} program headers), @value{GDBN} will relocate entire
33440 segments by the supplied offsets.
33441
33442 @emph{Note: while a @code{Bss} offset may be included in the response,
33443 @value{GDBN} ignores this and instead applies the @code{Data} offset
33444 to the @code{Bss} section.}
33445
33446 @item TextSeg=@var{xxx}@r{[};DataSeg=@var{yyy}@r{]}
33447 Relocate the first segment of the object file, which conventionally
33448 contains program code, to a starting address of @var{xxx}. If
33449 @samp{DataSeg} is specified, relocate the second segment, which
33450 conventionally contains modifiable data, to a starting address of
33451 @var{yyy}. @value{GDBN} will report an error if the object file
33452 does not contain segment information, or does not contain at least
33453 as many segments as mentioned in the reply. Extra segments are
33454 kept at fixed offsets relative to the last relocated segment.
33455 @end table
33456
33457 @item qP @var{mode} @var{thread-id}
33458 @cindex thread information, remote request
33459 @cindex @samp{qP} packet
33460 Returns information on @var{thread-id}. Where: @var{mode} is a hex
33461 encoded 32 bit mode; @var{thread-id} is a thread ID
33462 (@pxref{thread-id syntax}).
33463
33464 Don't use this packet; use the @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} query instead
33465 (see below).
33466
33467 Reply: see @code{remote.c:remote_unpack_thread_info_response()}.
33468
33469 @item QNonStop:1
33470 @item QNonStop:0
33471 @cindex non-stop mode, remote request
33472 @cindex @samp{QNonStop} packet
33473 @anchor{QNonStop}
33474 Enter non-stop (@samp{QNonStop:1}) or all-stop (@samp{QNonStop:0}) mode.
33475 @xref{Remote Non-Stop}, for more information.
33476
33477 Reply:
33478 @table @samp
33479 @item OK
33480 The request succeeded.
33481
33482 @item E @var{nn}
33483 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33484
33485 @item
33486 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QNonStop} is not supported by
33487 the stub.
33488 @end table
33489
33490 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33491 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33492 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set non-stop} command;
33493 @pxref{Non-Stop Mode}.
33494
33495 @item QPassSignals: @var{signal} @r{[};@var{signal}@r{]}@dots{}
33496 @cindex pass signals to inferior, remote request
33497 @cindex @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33498 @anchor{QPassSignals}
33499 Each listed @var{signal} should be passed directly to the inferior process.
33500 Signals are numbered identically to continue packets and stop replies
33501 (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}). Each @var{signal} list item should be
33502 strictly greater than the previous item. These signals do not need to stop
33503 the inferior, or be reported to @value{GDBN}. All other signals should be
33504 reported to @value{GDBN}. Multiple @samp{QPassSignals} packets do not
33505 combine; any earlier @samp{QPassSignals} list is completely replaced by the
33506 new list. This packet improves performance when using @samp{handle
33507 @var{signal} nostop noprint pass}.
33508
33509 Reply:
33510 @table @samp
33511 @item OK
33512 The request succeeded.
33513
33514 @item E @var{nn}
33515 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
33516
33517 @item
33518 An empty reply indicates that @samp{QPassSignals} is not supported by
33519 the stub.
33520 @end table
33521
33522 Use of this packet is controlled by the @code{set remote pass-signals}
33523 command (@pxref{Remote Configuration, set remote pass-signals}).
33524 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
33525 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
33526
33527 @item qRcmd,@var{command}
33528 @cindex execute remote command, remote request
33529 @cindex @samp{qRcmd} packet
33530 @var{command} (hex encoded) is passed to the local interpreter for
33531 execution. Invalid commands should be reported using the output
33532 string. Before the final result packet, the target may also respond
33533 with a number of intermediate @samp{O@var{output}} console output
33534 packets. @emph{Implementors should note that providing access to a
33535 stubs's interpreter may have security implications}.
33536
33537 Reply:
33538 @table @samp
33539 @item OK
33540 A command response with no output.
33541 @item @var{OUTPUT}
33542 A command response with the hex encoded output string @var{OUTPUT}.
33543 @item E @var{NN}
33544 Indicate a badly formed request.
33545 @item
33546 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qRcmd} is not recognized.
33547 @end table
33548
33549 (Note that the @code{qRcmd} packet's name is separated from the
33550 command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
33551 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
33552 packets.)
33553
33554 @item qSearch:memory:@var{address};@var{length};@var{search-pattern}
33555 @cindex searching memory, in remote debugging
33556 @cindex @samp{qSearch:memory} packet
33557 @anchor{qSearch memory}
33558 Search @var{length} bytes at @var{address} for @var{search-pattern}.
33559 @var{address} and @var{length} are encoded in hex.
33560 @var{search-pattern} is a sequence of bytes, hex encoded.
33561
33562 Reply:
33563 @table @samp
33564 @item 0
33565 The pattern was not found.
33566 @item 1,address
33567 The pattern was found at @var{address}.
33568 @item E @var{NN}
33569 A badly formed request or an error was encountered while searching memory.
33570 @item
33571 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSearch:memory} is not recognized.
33572 @end table
33573
33574 @item QStartNoAckMode
33575 @cindex @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet
33576 @anchor{QStartNoAckMode}
33577 Request that the remote stub disable the normal @samp{+}/@samp{-}
33578 protocol acknowledgments (@pxref{Packet Acknowledgment}).
33579
33580 Reply:
33581 @table @samp
33582 @item OK
33583 The stub has switched to no-acknowledgment mode.
33584 @value{GDBN} acknowledges this reponse,
33585 but neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or expect further
33586 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments in the current connection.
33587 @item
33588 An empty reply indicates that the stub does not support no-acknowledgment mode.
33589 @end table
33590
33591 @item qSupported @r{[}:@var{gdbfeature} @r{[};@var{gdbfeature}@r{]}@dots{} @r{]}
33592 @cindex supported packets, remote query
33593 @cindex features of the remote protocol
33594 @cindex @samp{qSupported} packet
33595 @anchor{qSupported}
33596 Tell the remote stub about features supported by @value{GDBN}, and
33597 query the stub for features it supports. This packet allows
33598 @value{GDBN} and the remote stub to take advantage of each others'
33599 features. @samp{qSupported} also consolidates multiple feature probes
33600 at startup, to improve @value{GDBN} performance---a single larger
33601 packet performs better than multiple smaller probe packets on
33602 high-latency links. Some features may enable behavior which must not
33603 be on by default, e.g.@: because it would confuse older clients or
33604 stubs. Other features may describe packets which could be
33605 automatically probed for, but are not. These features must be
33606 reported before @value{GDBN} will use them. This ``default
33607 unsupported'' behavior is not appropriate for all packets, but it
33608 helps to keep the initial connection time under control with new
33609 versions of @value{GDBN} which support increasing numbers of packets.
33610
33611 Reply:
33612 @table @samp
33613 @item @var{stubfeature} @r{[};@var{stubfeature}@r{]}@dots{}
33614 The stub supports or does not support each returned @var{stubfeature},
33615 depending on the form of each @var{stubfeature} (see below for the
33616 possible forms).
33617 @item
33618 An empty reply indicates that @samp{qSupported} is not recognized,
33619 or that no features needed to be reported to @value{GDBN}.
33620 @end table
33621
33622 The allowed forms for each feature (either a @var{gdbfeature} in the
33623 @samp{qSupported} packet, or a @var{stubfeature} in the response)
33624 are:
33625
33626 @table @samp
33627 @item @var{name}=@var{value}
33628 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and associated
33629 with the specified @var{value}. The format of @var{value} depends
33630 on the feature, but it must not include a semicolon.
33631 @item @var{name}+
33632 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is supported, and does not
33633 need an associated value.
33634 @item @var{name}-
33635 The remote protocol feature @var{name} is not supported.
33636 @item @var{name}?
33637 The remote protocol feature @var{name} may be supported, and
33638 @value{GDBN} should auto-detect support in some other way when it is
33639 needed. This form will not be used for @var{gdbfeature} notifications,
33640 but may be used for @var{stubfeature} responses.
33641 @end table
33642
33643 Whenever the stub receives a @samp{qSupported} request, the
33644 supplied set of @value{GDBN} features should override any previous
33645 request. This allows @value{GDBN} to put the stub in a known
33646 state, even if the stub had previously been communicating with
33647 a different version of @value{GDBN}.
33648
33649 The following values of @var{gdbfeature} (for the packet sent by @value{GDBN})
33650 are defined:
33651
33652 @table @samp
33653 @item multiprocess
33654 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports multiprocess
33655 extensions to the remote protocol. @value{GDBN} does not use such
33656 extensions unless the stub also reports that it supports them by
33657 including @samp{multiprocess+} in its @samp{qSupported} reply.
33658 @xref{multiprocess extensions}, for details.
33659
33660 @item xmlRegisters
33661 This feature indicates that @value{GDBN} supports the XML target
33662 description. If the stub sees @samp{xmlRegisters=} with target
33663 specific strings separated by a comma, it will report register
33664 description.
33665
33666 @item qRelocInsn
33667 This feature indicates whether @value{GDBN} supports the
33668 @samp{qRelocInsn} packet (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
33669 instruction reply packet}).
33670 @end table
33671
33672 Stubs should ignore any unknown values for
33673 @var{gdbfeature}. Any @value{GDBN} which sends a @samp{qSupported}
33674 packet supports receiving packets of unlimited length (earlier
33675 versions of @value{GDBN} may reject overly long responses). Additional values
33676 for @var{gdbfeature} may be defined in the future to let the stub take
33677 advantage of new features in @value{GDBN}, e.g.@: incompatible
33678 improvements in the remote protocol---the @samp{multiprocess} feature is
33679 an example of such a feature. The stub's reply should be independent
33680 of the @var{gdbfeature} entries sent by @value{GDBN}; first @value{GDBN}
33681 describes all the features it supports, and then the stub replies with
33682 all the features it supports.
33683
33684 Similarly, @value{GDBN} will silently ignore unrecognized stub feature
33685 responses, as long as each response uses one of the standard forms.
33686
33687 Some features are flags. A stub which supports a flag feature
33688 should respond with a @samp{+} form response. Other features
33689 require values, and the stub should respond with an @samp{=}
33690 form response.
33691
33692 Each feature has a default value, which @value{GDBN} will use if
33693 @samp{qSupported} is not available or if the feature is not mentioned
33694 in the @samp{qSupported} response. The default values are fixed; a
33695 stub is free to omit any feature responses that match the defaults.
33696
33697 Not all features can be probed, but for those which can, the probing
33698 mechanism is useful: in some cases, a stub's internal
33699 architecture may not allow the protocol layer to know some information
33700 about the underlying target in advance. This is especially common in
33701 stubs which may be configured for multiple targets.
33702
33703 These are the currently defined stub features and their properties:
33704
33705 @multitable @columnfractions 0.35 0.2 0.12 0.2
33706 @c NOTE: The first row should be @headitem, but we do not yet require
33707 @c a new enough version of Texinfo (4.7) to use @headitem.
33708 @item Feature Name
33709 @tab Value Required
33710 @tab Default
33711 @tab Probe Allowed
33712
33713 @item @samp{PacketSize}
33714 @tab Yes
33715 @tab @samp{-}
33716 @tab No
33717
33718 @item @samp{qXfer:auxv:read}
33719 @tab No
33720 @tab @samp{-}
33721 @tab Yes
33722
33723 @item @samp{qXfer:features:read}
33724 @tab No
33725 @tab @samp{-}
33726 @tab Yes
33727
33728 @item @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
33729 @tab No
33730 @tab @samp{-}
33731 @tab Yes
33732
33733 @item @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
33734 @tab No
33735 @tab @samp{-}
33736 @tab Yes
33737
33738 @item @samp{qXfer:sdata:read}
33739 @tab No
33740 @tab @samp{-}
33741 @tab Yes
33742
33743 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:read}
33744 @tab No
33745 @tab @samp{-}
33746 @tab Yes
33747
33748 @item @samp{qXfer:spu:write}
33749 @tab No
33750 @tab @samp{-}
33751 @tab Yes
33752
33753 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read}
33754 @tab No
33755 @tab @samp{-}
33756 @tab Yes
33757
33758 @item @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write}
33759 @tab No
33760 @tab @samp{-}
33761 @tab Yes
33762
33763 @item @samp{qXfer:threads:read}
33764 @tab No
33765 @tab @samp{-}
33766 @tab Yes
33767
33768 @item @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
33769 @tab No
33770 @tab @samp{-}
33771 @tab Yes
33772
33773
33774 @item @samp{QNonStop}
33775 @tab No
33776 @tab @samp{-}
33777 @tab Yes
33778
33779 @item @samp{QPassSignals}
33780 @tab No
33781 @tab @samp{-}
33782 @tab Yes
33783
33784 @item @samp{QStartNoAckMode}
33785 @tab No
33786 @tab @samp{-}
33787 @tab Yes
33788
33789 @item @samp{multiprocess}
33790 @tab No
33791 @tab @samp{-}
33792 @tab No
33793
33794 @item @samp{ConditionalTracepoints}
33795 @tab No
33796 @tab @samp{-}
33797 @tab No
33798
33799 @item @samp{ReverseContinue}
33800 @tab No
33801 @tab @samp{-}
33802 @tab No
33803
33804 @item @samp{ReverseStep}
33805 @tab No
33806 @tab @samp{-}
33807 @tab No
33808
33809 @item @samp{TracepointSource}
33810 @tab No
33811 @tab @samp{-}
33812 @tab No
33813
33814 @item @samp{QAllow}
33815 @tab No
33816 @tab @samp{-}
33817 @tab No
33818
33819 @item @samp{EnableDisableTracepoints}
33820 @tab No
33821 @tab @samp{-}
33822 @tab No
33823
33824 @end multitable
33825
33826 These are the currently defined stub features, in more detail:
33827
33828 @table @samp
33829 @cindex packet size, remote protocol
33830 @item PacketSize=@var{bytes}
33831 The remote stub can accept packets up to at least @var{bytes} in
33832 length. @value{GDBN} will send packets up to this size for bulk
33833 transfers, and will never send larger packets. This is a limit on the
33834 data characters in the packet, including the frame and checksum.
33835 There is no trailing NUL byte in a remote protocol packet; if the stub
33836 stores packets in a NUL-terminated format, it should allow an extra
33837 byte in its buffer for the NUL. If this stub feature is not supported,
33838 @value{GDBN} guesses based on the size of the @samp{g} packet response.
33839
33840 @item qXfer:auxv:read
33841 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:auxv:read} packet
33842 (@pxref{qXfer auxiliary vector read}).
33843
33844 @item qXfer:features:read
33845 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:features:read} packet
33846 (@pxref{qXfer target description read}).
33847
33848 @item qXfer:libraries:read
33849 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet
33850 (@pxref{qXfer library list read}).
33851
33852 @item qXfer:memory-map:read
33853 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read} packet
33854 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}).
33855
33856 @item qXfer:sdata:read
33857 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:sdata:read} packet
33858 (@pxref{qXfer sdata read}).
33859
33860 @item qXfer:spu:read
33861 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:read} packet
33862 (@pxref{qXfer spu read}).
33863
33864 @item qXfer:spu:write
33865 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:spu:write} packet
33866 (@pxref{qXfer spu write}).
33867
33868 @item qXfer:siginfo:read
33869 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:read} packet
33870 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo read}).
33871
33872 @item qXfer:siginfo:write
33873 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:siginfo:write} packet
33874 (@pxref{qXfer siginfo write}).
33875
33876 @item qXfer:threads:read
33877 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
33878 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}).
33879
33880 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read
33881 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
33882 packet (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}).
33883
33884 @item QNonStop
33885 The remote stub understands the @samp{QNonStop} packet
33886 (@pxref{QNonStop}).
33887
33888 @item QPassSignals
33889 The remote stub understands the @samp{QPassSignals} packet
33890 (@pxref{QPassSignals}).
33891
33892 @item QStartNoAckMode
33893 The remote stub understands the @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet and
33894 prefers to operate in no-acknowledgment mode. @xref{Packet Acknowledgment}.
33895
33896 @item multiprocess
33897 @anchor{multiprocess extensions}
33898 @cindex multiprocess extensions, in remote protocol
33899 The remote stub understands the multiprocess extensions to the remote
33900 protocol syntax. The multiprocess extensions affect the syntax of
33901 thread IDs in both packets and replies (@pxref{thread-id syntax}), and
33902 add process IDs to the @samp{D} packet and @samp{W} and @samp{X}
33903 replies. Note that reporting this feature indicates support for the
33904 syntactic extensions only, not that the stub necessarily supports
33905 debugging of more than one process at a time. The stub must not use
33906 multiprocess extensions in packet replies unless @value{GDBN} has also
33907 indicated it supports them in its @samp{qSupported} request.
33908
33909 @item qXfer:osdata:read
33910 The remote stub understands the @samp{qXfer:osdata:read} packet
33911 ((@pxref{qXfer osdata read}).
33912
33913 @item ConditionalTracepoints
33914 The remote stub accepts and implements conditional expressions defined
33915 for tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoint Conditions}).
33916
33917 @item ReverseContinue
33918 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse continue packet
33919 (@pxref{bc}).
33920
33921 @item ReverseStep
33922 The remote stub accepts and implements the reverse step packet
33923 (@pxref{bs}).
33924
33925 @item TracepointSource
33926 The remote stub understands the @samp{QTDPsrc} packet that supplies
33927 the source form of tracepoint definitions.
33928
33929 @item QAllow
33930 The remote stub understands the @samp{QAllow} packet.
33931
33932 @item StaticTracepoint
33933 @cindex static tracepoints, in remote protocol
33934 The remote stub supports static tracepoints.
33935
33936 @item EnableDisableTracepoints
33937 The remote stub supports the @samp{QTEnable} (@pxref{QTEnable}) and
33938 @samp{QTDisable} (@pxref{QTDisable}) packets that allow tracepoints
33939 to be enabled and disabled while a trace experiment is running.
33940
33941 @end table
33942
33943 @item qSymbol::
33944 @cindex symbol lookup, remote request
33945 @cindex @samp{qSymbol} packet
33946 Notify the target that @value{GDBN} is prepared to serve symbol lookup
33947 requests. Accept requests from the target for the values of symbols.
33948
33949 Reply:
33950 @table @samp
33951 @item OK
33952 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33953 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33954 The target requests the value of symbol @var{sym_name} (hex encoded).
33955 @value{GDBN} may provide the value by using the
33956 @samp{qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}} message, described
33957 below.
33958 @end table
33959
33960 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_value}:@var{sym_name}
33961 Set the value of @var{sym_name} to @var{sym_value}.
33962
33963 @var{sym_name} (hex encoded) is the name of a symbol whose value the
33964 target has previously requested.
33965
33966 @var{sym_value} (hex) is the value for symbol @var{sym_name}. If
33967 @value{GDBN} cannot supply a value for @var{sym_name}, then this field
33968 will be empty.
33969
33970 Reply:
33971 @table @samp
33972 @item OK
33973 The target does not need to look up any (more) symbols.
33974 @item qSymbol:@var{sym_name}
33975 The target requests the value of a new symbol @var{sym_name} (hex
33976 encoded). @value{GDBN} will continue to supply the values of symbols
33977 (if available), until the target ceases to request them.
33978 @end table
33979
33980 @item qTBuffer
33981 @item QTBuffer
33982 @item QTDisconnected
33983 @itemx QTDP
33984 @itemx QTDPsrc
33985 @itemx QTDV
33986 @itemx qTfP
33987 @itemx qTfV
33988 @itemx QTFrame
33989 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
33990
33991 @item qThreadExtraInfo,@var{thread-id}
33992 @cindex thread attributes info, remote request
33993 @cindex @samp{qThreadExtraInfo} packet
33994 Obtain a printable string description of a thread's attributes from
33995 the target OS. @var{thread-id} is a thread ID;
33996 see @ref{thread-id syntax}. This
33997 string may contain anything that the target OS thinks is interesting
33998 for @value{GDBN} to tell the user about the thread. The string is
33999 displayed in @value{GDBN}'s @code{info threads} display. Some
34000 examples of possible thread extra info strings are @samp{Runnable}, or
34001 @samp{Blocked on Mutex}.
34002
34003 Reply:
34004 @table @samp
34005 @item @var{XX}@dots{}
34006 Where @samp{@var{XX}@dots{}} is a hex encoding of @sc{ascii} data,
34007 comprising the printable string containing the extra information about
34008 the thread's attributes.
34009 @end table
34010
34011 (Note that the @code{qThreadExtraInfo} packet's name is separated from
34012 the command by a @samp{,}, not a @samp{:}, contrary to the naming
34013 conventions above. Please don't use this packet as a model for new
34014 packets.)
34015
34016 @item QTSave
34017 @item qTsP
34018 @item qTsV
34019 @itemx QTStart
34020 @itemx QTStop
34021 @itemx QTEnable
34022 @itemx QTDisable
34023 @itemx QTinit
34024 @itemx QTro
34025 @itemx qTStatus
34026 @itemx qTV
34027 @itemx qTfSTM
34028 @itemx qTsSTM
34029 @itemx qTSTMat
34030 @xref{Tracepoint Packets}.
34031
34032 @item qXfer:@var{object}:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34033 @cindex read special object, remote request
34034 @cindex @samp{qXfer} packet
34035 @anchor{qXfer read}
34036 Read uninterpreted bytes from the target's special data area
34037 identified by the keyword @var{object}. Request @var{length} bytes
34038 starting at @var{offset} bytes into the data. The content and
34039 encoding of @var{annex} is specific to @var{object}; it can supply
34040 additional details about what data to access.
34041
34042 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
34043 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:read:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
34044 formats, listed below.
34045
34046 @table @samp
34047 @item qXfer:auxv:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34048 @anchor{qXfer auxiliary vector read}
34049 Access the target's @dfn{auxiliary vector}. @xref{OS Information,
34050 auxiliary vector}. Note @var{annex} must be empty.
34051
34052 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34053 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34054
34055 @item qXfer:features:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34056 @anchor{qXfer target description read}
34057 Access the @dfn{target description}. @xref{Target Descriptions}. The
34058 annex specifies which XML document to access. The main description is
34059 always loaded from the @samp{target.xml} annex.
34060
34061 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34062 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34063
34064 @item qXfer:libraries:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34065 @anchor{qXfer library list read}
34066 Access the target's list of loaded libraries. @xref{Library List Format}.
34067 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
34068 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34069
34070 Targets which maintain a list of libraries in the program's memory do
34071 not need to implement this packet; it is designed for platforms where
34072 the operating system manages the list of loaded libraries.
34073
34074 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34075 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34076
34077 @item qXfer:memory-map:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34078 @anchor{qXfer memory map read}
34079 Access the target's @dfn{memory-map}. @xref{Memory Map Format}. The
34080 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
34081 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34082
34083 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34084 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34085
34086 @item qXfer:sdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34087 @anchor{qXfer sdata read}
34088
34089 Read contents of the extra collected static tracepoint marker
34090 information. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must
34091 be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}). @xref{Tracepoint Actions,,Tracepoint
34092 Action Lists}.
34093
34094 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34095 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34096 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34097
34098 @item qXfer:siginfo:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34099 @anchor{qXfer siginfo read}
34100 Read contents of the extra signal information on the target
34101 system. The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
34102 empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34103
34104 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34105 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34106 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34107
34108 @item qXfer:spu:read:@var{annex}:@var{offset},@var{length}
34109 @anchor{qXfer spu read}
34110 Read contents of an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
34111 annex specifies which file to read; it must be of the form
34112 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
34113 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
34114 in that context to be accessed.
34115
34116 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34117 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34118 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34119
34120 @item qXfer:threads:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34121 @anchor{qXfer threads read}
34122 Access the list of threads on target. @xref{Thread List Format}. The
34123 annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty
34124 (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34125
34126 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34127 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34128
34129 @item qXfer:traceframe-info:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34130 @anchor{qXfer traceframe info read}
34131
34132 Return a description of the current traceframe's contents.
34133 @xref{Traceframe Info Format}. The annex part of the generic
34134 @samp{qXfer} packet must be empty (@pxref{qXfer read}).
34135
34136 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34137 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34138
34139 @item qXfer:osdata:read::@var{offset},@var{length}
34140 @anchor{qXfer osdata read}
34141 Access the target's @dfn{operating system information}.
34142 @xref{Operating System Information}.
34143
34144 @end table
34145
34146 Reply:
34147 @table @samp
34148 @item m @var{data}
34149 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the
34150 target. There may be more data at a higher address (although
34151 it is permitted to return @samp{m} even for the last valid
34152 block of data, as long as at least one byte of data was read).
34153 @var{data} may have fewer bytes than the @var{length} in the
34154 request.
34155
34156 @item l @var{data}
34157 Data @var{data} (@pxref{Binary Data}) has been read from the target.
34158 There is no more data to be read. @var{data} may have fewer bytes
34159 than the @var{length} in the request.
34160
34161 @item l
34162 The @var{offset} in the request is at the end of the data.
34163 There is no more data to be read.
34164
34165 @item E00
34166 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
34167
34168 @item E @var{nn}
34169 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered reading the data.
34170 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
34171
34172 @item
34173 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not recognized by
34174 the stub, or that the object does not support reading.
34175 @end table
34176
34177 @item qXfer:@var{object}:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34178 @cindex write data into object, remote request
34179 @anchor{qXfer write}
34180 Write uninterpreted bytes into the target's special data area
34181 identified by the keyword @var{object}, starting at @var{offset} bytes
34182 into the data. @var{data}@dots{} is the binary-encoded data
34183 (@pxref{Binary Data}) to be written. The content and encoding of @var{annex}
34184 is specific to @var{object}; it can supply additional details about what data
34185 to access.
34186
34187 Here are the specific requests of this form defined so far. All
34188 @samp{qXfer:@var{object}:write:@dots{}} requests use the same reply
34189 formats, listed below.
34190
34191 @table @samp
34192 @item qXfer:siginfo:write::@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34193 @anchor{qXfer siginfo write}
34194 Write @var{data} to the extra signal information on the target system.
34195 The annex part of the generic @samp{qXfer} packet must be
34196 empty (@pxref{qXfer write}).
34197
34198 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34199 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response
34200 (@pxref{qSupported}).
34201
34202 @item qXfer:spu:write:@var{annex}:@var{offset}:@var{data}@dots{}
34203 @anchor{qXfer spu write}
34204 Write @var{data} to an @code{spufs} file on the target system. The
34205 annex specifies which file to write; it must be of the form
34206 @file{@var{id}/@var{name}}, where @var{id} specifies an SPU context ID
34207 in the target process, and @var{name} identifes the @code{spufs} file
34208 in that context to be accessed.
34209
34210 This packet is not probed by default; the remote stub must request it,
34211 by supplying an appropriate @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34212 @end table
34213
34214 Reply:
34215 @table @samp
34216 @item @var{nn}
34217 @var{nn} (hex encoded) is the number of bytes written.
34218 This may be fewer bytes than supplied in the request.
34219
34220 @item E00
34221 The request was malformed, or @var{annex} was invalid.
34222
34223 @item E @var{nn}
34224 The offset was invalid, or there was an error encountered writing the data.
34225 @var{nn} is a hex-encoded @code{errno} value.
34226
34227 @item
34228 An empty reply indicates the @var{object} string was not
34229 recognized by the stub, or that the object does not support writing.
34230 @end table
34231
34232 @item qXfer:@var{object}:@var{operation}:@dots{}
34233 Requests of this form may be added in the future. When a stub does
34234 not recognize the @var{object} keyword, or its support for
34235 @var{object} does not recognize the @var{operation} keyword, the stub
34236 must respond with an empty packet.
34237
34238 @item qAttached:@var{pid}
34239 @cindex query attached, remote request
34240 @cindex @samp{qAttached} packet
34241 Return an indication of whether the remote server attached to an
34242 existing process or created a new process. When the multiprocess
34243 protocol extensions are supported (@pxref{multiprocess extensions}),
34244 @var{pid} is an integer in hexadecimal format identifying the target
34245 process. Otherwise, @value{GDBN} will omit the @var{pid} field and
34246 the query packet will be simplified as @samp{qAttached}.
34247
34248 This query is used, for example, to know whether the remote process
34249 should be detached or killed when a @value{GDBN} session is ended with
34250 the @code{quit} command.
34251
34252 Reply:
34253 @table @samp
34254 @item 1
34255 The remote server attached to an existing process.
34256 @item 0
34257 The remote server created a new process.
34258 @item E @var{NN}
34259 A badly formed request or an error was encountered.
34260 @end table
34261
34262 @end table
34263
34264 @node Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
34265 @section Architecture-Specific Protocol Details
34266
34267 This section describes how the remote protocol is applied to specific
34268 target architectures. Also see @ref{Standard Target Features}, for
34269 details of XML target descriptions for each architecture.
34270
34271 @subsection ARM
34272
34273 @subsubsection Breakpoint Kinds
34274
34275 These breakpoint kinds are defined for the @samp{Z0} and @samp{Z1} packets.
34276
34277 @table @r
34278
34279 @item 2
34280 16-bit Thumb mode breakpoint.
34281
34282 @item 3
34283 32-bit Thumb mode (Thumb-2) breakpoint.
34284
34285 @item 4
34286 32-bit ARM mode breakpoint.
34287
34288 @end table
34289
34290 @subsection MIPS
34291
34292 @subsubsection Register Packet Format
34293
34294 The following @code{g}/@code{G} packets have previously been defined.
34295 In the below, some thirty-two bit registers are transferred as
34296 sixty-four bits. Those registers should be zero/sign extended (which?)
34297 to fill the space allocated. Register bytes are transferred in target
34298 byte order. The two nibbles within a register byte are transferred
34299 most-significant - least-significant.
34300
34301 @table @r
34302
34303 @item MIPS32
34304
34305 All registers are transferred as thirty-two bit quantities in the order:
34306 32 general-purpose; sr; lo; hi; bad; cause; pc; 32 floating-point
34307 registers; fsr; fir; fp.
34308
34309 @item MIPS64
34310
34311 All registers are transferred as sixty-four bit quantities (including
34312 thirty-two bit registers such as @code{sr}). The ordering is the same
34313 as @code{MIPS32}.
34314
34315 @end table
34316
34317 @node Tracepoint Packets
34318 @section Tracepoint Packets
34319 @cindex tracepoint packets
34320 @cindex packets, tracepoint
34321
34322 Here we describe the packets @value{GDBN} uses to implement
34323 tracepoints (@pxref{Tracepoints}).
34324
34325 @table @samp
34326
34327 @item QTDP:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{ena}:@var{step}:@var{pass}[:F@var{flen}][:X@var{len},@var{bytes}]@r{[}-@r{]}
34328 Create a new tracepoint, number @var{n}, at @var{addr}. If @var{ena}
34329 is @samp{E}, then the tracepoint is enabled; if it is @samp{D}, then
34330 the tracepoint is disabled. @var{step} is the tracepoint's step
34331 count, and @var{pass} is its pass count. If an @samp{F} is present,
34332 then the tracepoint is to be a fast tracepoint, and the @var{flen} is
34333 the number of bytes that the target should copy elsewhere to make room
34334 for the tracepoint. If an @samp{X} is present, it introduces a
34335 tracepoint condition, which consists of a hexadecimal length, followed
34336 by a comma and hex-encoded bytes, in a manner similar to action
34337 encodings as described below. If the trailing @samp{-} is present,
34338 further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow to specify this tracepoint's
34339 actions.
34340
34341 Replies:
34342 @table @samp
34343 @item OK
34344 The packet was understood and carried out.
34345 @item qRelocInsn
34346 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
34347 @item
34348 The packet was not recognized.
34349 @end table
34350
34351 @item QTDP:-@var{n}:@var{addr}:@r{[}S@r{]}@var{action}@dots{}@r{[}-@r{]}
34352 Define actions to be taken when a tracepoint is hit. @var{n} and
34353 @var{addr} must be the same as in the initial @samp{QTDP} packet for
34354 this tracepoint. This packet may only be sent immediately after
34355 another @samp{QTDP} packet that ended with a @samp{-}. If the
34356 trailing @samp{-} is present, further @samp{QTDP} packets will follow,
34357 specifying more actions for this tracepoint.
34358
34359 In the series of action packets for a given tracepoint, at most one
34360 can have an @samp{S} before its first @var{action}. If such a packet
34361 is sent, it and the following packets define ``while-stepping''
34362 actions. Any prior packets define ordinary actions --- that is, those
34363 taken when the tracepoint is first hit. If no action packet has an
34364 @samp{S}, then all the packets in the series specify ordinary
34365 tracepoint actions.
34366
34367 The @samp{@var{action}@dots{}} portion of the packet is a series of
34368 actions, concatenated without separators. Each action has one of the
34369 following forms:
34370
34371 @table @samp
34372
34373 @item R @var{mask}
34374 Collect the registers whose bits are set in @var{mask}. @var{mask} is
34375 a hexadecimal number whose @var{i}'th bit is set if register number
34376 @var{i} should be collected. (The least significant bit is numbered
34377 zero.) Note that @var{mask} may be any number of digits long; it may
34378 not fit in a 32-bit word.
34379
34380 @item M @var{basereg},@var{offset},@var{len}
34381 Collect @var{len} bytes of memory starting at the address in register
34382 number @var{basereg}, plus @var{offset}. If @var{basereg} is
34383 @samp{-1}, then the range has a fixed address: @var{offset} is the
34384 address of the lowest byte to collect. The @var{basereg},
34385 @var{offset}, and @var{len} parameters are all unsigned hexadecimal
34386 values (the @samp{-1} value for @var{basereg} is a special case).
34387
34388 @item X @var{len},@var{expr}
34389 Evaluate @var{expr}, whose length is @var{len}, and collect memory as
34390 it directs. @var{expr} is an agent expression, as described in
34391 @ref{Agent Expressions}. Each byte of the expression is encoded as a
34392 two-digit hex number in the packet; @var{len} is the number of bytes
34393 in the expression (and thus one-half the number of hex digits in the
34394 packet).
34395
34396 @end table
34397
34398 Any number of actions may be packed together in a single @samp{QTDP}
34399 packet, as long as the packet does not exceed the maximum packet
34400 length (400 bytes, for many stubs). There may be only one @samp{R}
34401 action per tracepoint, and it must precede any @samp{M} or @samp{X}
34402 actions. Any registers referred to by @samp{M} and @samp{X} actions
34403 must be collected by a preceding @samp{R} action. (The
34404 ``while-stepping'' actions are treated as if they were attached to a
34405 separate tracepoint, as far as these restrictions are concerned.)
34406
34407 Replies:
34408 @table @samp
34409 @item OK
34410 The packet was understood and carried out.
34411 @item qRelocInsn
34412 @xref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate instruction reply packet}.
34413 @item
34414 The packet was not recognized.
34415 @end table
34416
34417 @item QTDPsrc:@var{n}:@var{addr}:@var{type}:@var{start}:@var{slen}:@var{bytes}
34418 @cindex @samp{QTDPsrc} packet
34419 Specify a source string of tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr}.
34420 This is useful to get accurate reproduction of the tracepoints
34421 originally downloaded at the beginning of the trace run. @var{type}
34422 is the name of the tracepoint part, such as @samp{cond} for the
34423 tracepoint's conditional expression (see below for a list of types), while
34424 @var{bytes} is the string, encoded in hexadecimal.
34425
34426 @var{start} is the offset of the @var{bytes} within the overall source
34427 string, while @var{slen} is the total length of the source string.
34428 This is intended for handling source strings that are longer than will
34429 fit in a single packet.
34430 @c Add detailed example when this info is moved into a dedicated
34431 @c tracepoint descriptions section.
34432
34433 The available string types are @samp{at} for the location,
34434 @samp{cond} for the conditional, and @samp{cmd} for an action command.
34435 @value{GDBN} sends a separate packet for each command in the action
34436 list, in the same order in which the commands are stored in the list.
34437
34438 The target does not need to do anything with source strings except
34439 report them back as part of the replies to the @samp{qTfP}/@samp{qTsP}
34440 query packets.
34441
34442 Although this packet is optional, and @value{GDBN} will only send it
34443 if the target replies with @samp{TracepointSource} @xref{General
34444 Query Packets}, it makes both disconnected tracing and trace files
34445 much easier to use. Otherwise the user must be careful that the
34446 tracepoints in effect while looking at trace frames are identical to
34447 the ones in effect during the trace run; even a small discrepancy
34448 could cause @samp{tdump} not to work, or a particular trace frame not
34449 be found.
34450
34451 @item QTDV:@var{n}:@var{value}
34452 @cindex define trace state variable, remote request
34453 @cindex @samp{QTDV} packet
34454 Create a new trace state variable, number @var{n}, with an initial
34455 value of @var{value}, which is a 64-bit signed integer. Both @var{n}
34456 and @var{value} are encoded as hexadecimal values. @value{GDBN} has
34457 the option of not using this packet for initial values of zero; the
34458 target should simply create the trace state variables as they are
34459 mentioned in expressions.
34460
34461 @item QTFrame:@var{n}
34462 Select the @var{n}'th tracepoint frame from the buffer, and use the
34463 register and memory contents recorded there to answer subsequent
34464 request packets from @value{GDBN}.
34465
34466 A successful reply from the stub indicates that the stub has found the
34467 requested frame. The response is a series of parts, concatenated
34468 without separators, describing the frame we selected. Each part has
34469 one of the following forms:
34470
34471 @table @samp
34472 @item F @var{f}
34473 The selected frame is number @var{n} in the trace frame buffer;
34474 @var{f} is a hexadecimal number. If @var{f} is @samp{-1}, then there
34475 was no frame matching the criteria in the request packet.
34476
34477 @item T @var{t}
34478 The selected trace frame records a hit of tracepoint number @var{t};
34479 @var{t} is a hexadecimal number.
34480
34481 @end table
34482
34483 @item QTFrame:pc:@var{addr}
34484 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34485 currently selected frame whose PC is @var{addr};
34486 @var{addr} is a hexadecimal number.
34487
34488 @item QTFrame:tdp:@var{t}
34489 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34490 currently selected frame that is a hit of tracepoint @var{t}; @var{t}
34491 is a hexadecimal number.
34492
34493 @item QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}
34494 Like @samp{QTFrame:@var{n}}, but select the first tracepoint frame after the
34495 currently selected frame whose PC is between @var{start} (inclusive)
34496 and @var{end} (inclusive); @var{start} and @var{end} are hexadecimal
34497 numbers.
34498
34499 @item QTFrame:outside:@var{start}:@var{end}
34500 Like @samp{QTFrame:range:@var{start}:@var{end}}, but select the first
34501 frame @emph{outside} the given range of addresses (exclusive).
34502
34503 @item QTStart
34504 Begin the tracepoint experiment. Begin collecting data from
34505 tracepoint hits in the trace frame buffer. This packet supports the
34506 @samp{qRelocInsn} reply (@pxref{Tracepoint Packets,,Relocate
34507 instruction reply packet}).
34508
34509 @item QTStop
34510 End the tracepoint experiment. Stop collecting trace frames.
34511
34512 @item QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
34513 @anchor{QTEnable}
34514 Enable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
34515 experiment. If the tracepoint was previously disabled, then collection
34516 of data from it will resume.
34517
34518 @item QTDisable:@var{n}:@var{addr}
34519 @anchor{QTDisable}
34520 Disable tracepoint @var{n} at address @var{addr} in a started tracepoint
34521 experiment. No more data will be collected from the tracepoint unless
34522 @samp{QTEnable:@var{n}:@var{addr}} is subsequently issued.
34523
34524 @item QTinit
34525 Clear the table of tracepoints, and empty the trace frame buffer.
34526
34527 @item QTro:@var{start1},@var{end1}:@var{start2},@var{end2}:@dots{}
34528 Establish the given ranges of memory as ``transparent''. The stub
34529 will answer requests for these ranges from memory's current contents,
34530 if they were not collected as part of the tracepoint hit.
34531
34532 @value{GDBN} uses this to mark read-only regions of memory, like those
34533 containing program code. Since these areas never change, they should
34534 still have the same contents they did when the tracepoint was hit, so
34535 there's no reason for the stub to refuse to provide their contents.
34536
34537 @item QTDisconnected:@var{value}
34538 Set the choice to what to do with the tracing run when @value{GDBN}
34539 disconnects from the target. A @var{value} of 1 directs the target to
34540 continue the tracing run, while 0 tells the target to stop tracing if
34541 @value{GDBN} is no longer in the picture.
34542
34543 @item qTStatus
34544 Ask the stub if there is a trace experiment running right now.
34545
34546 The reply has the form:
34547
34548 @table @samp
34549
34550 @item T@var{running}@r{[};@var{field}@r{]}@dots{}
34551 @var{running} is a single digit @code{1} if the trace is presently
34552 running, or @code{0} if not. It is followed by semicolon-separated
34553 optional fields that an agent may use to report additional status.
34554
34555 @end table
34556
34557 If the trace is not running, the agent may report any of several
34558 explanations as one of the optional fields:
34559
34560 @table @samp
34561
34562 @item tnotrun:0
34563 No trace has been run yet.
34564
34565 @item tstop:0
34566 The trace was stopped by a user-originated stop command.
34567
34568 @item tfull:0
34569 The trace stopped because the trace buffer filled up.
34570
34571 @item tdisconnected:0
34572 The trace stopped because @value{GDBN} disconnected from the target.
34573
34574 @item tpasscount:@var{tpnum}
34575 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} exceeded its pass count.
34576
34577 @item terror:@var{text}:@var{tpnum}
34578 The trace stopped because tracepoint @var{tpnum} had an error. The
34579 string @var{text} is available to describe the nature of the error
34580 (for instance, a divide by zero in the condition expression).
34581 @var{text} is hex encoded.
34582
34583 @item tunknown:0
34584 The trace stopped for some other reason.
34585
34586 @end table
34587
34588 Additional optional fields supply statistical and other information.
34589 Although not required, they are extremely useful for users monitoring
34590 the progress of a trace run. If a trace has stopped, and these
34591 numbers are reported, they must reflect the state of the just-stopped
34592 trace.
34593
34594 @table @samp
34595
34596 @item tframes:@var{n}
34597 The number of trace frames in the buffer.
34598
34599 @item tcreated:@var{n}
34600 The total number of trace frames created during the run. This may
34601 be larger than the trace frame count, if the buffer is circular.
34602
34603 @item tsize:@var{n}
34604 The total size of the trace buffer, in bytes.
34605
34606 @item tfree:@var{n}
34607 The number of bytes still unused in the buffer.
34608
34609 @item circular:@var{n}
34610 The value of the circular trace buffer flag. @code{1} means that the
34611 trace buffer is circular and old trace frames will be discarded if
34612 necessary to make room, @code{0} means that the trace buffer is linear
34613 and may fill up.
34614
34615 @item disconn:@var{n}
34616 The value of the disconnected tracing flag. @code{1} means that
34617 tracing will continue after @value{GDBN} disconnects, @code{0} means
34618 that the trace run will stop.
34619
34620 @end table
34621
34622 @item qTV:@var{var}
34623 @cindex trace state variable value, remote request
34624 @cindex @samp{qTV} packet
34625 Ask the stub for the value of the trace state variable number @var{var}.
34626
34627 Replies:
34628 @table @samp
34629 @item V@var{value}
34630 The value of the variable is @var{value}. This will be the current
34631 value of the variable if the user is examining a running target, or a
34632 saved value if the variable was collected in the trace frame that the
34633 user is looking at. Note that multiple requests may result in
34634 different reply values, such as when requesting values while the
34635 program is running.
34636
34637 @item U
34638 The value of the variable is unknown. This would occur, for example,
34639 if the user is examining a trace frame in which the requested variable
34640 was not collected.
34641 @end table
34642
34643 @item qTfP
34644 @itemx qTsP
34645 These packets request data about tracepoints that are being used by
34646 the target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfP} to get the first piece
34647 of data, and multiple @code{qTsP} to get additional pieces. Replies
34648 to these packets generally take the form of the @code{QTDP} packets
34649 that define tracepoints. (FIXME add detailed syntax)
34650
34651 @item qTfV
34652 @itemx qTsV
34653 These packets request data about trace state variables that are on the
34654 target. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfV} to get the first vari of data,
34655 and multiple @code{qTsV} to get additional variables. Replies to
34656 these packets follow the syntax of the @code{QTDV} packets that define
34657 trace state variables.
34658
34659 @item qTfSTM
34660 @itemx qTsSTM
34661 These packets request data about static tracepoint markers that exist
34662 in the target program. @value{GDBN} sends @code{qTfSTM} to get the
34663 first piece of data, and multiple @code{qTsSTM} to get additional
34664 pieces. Replies to these packets take the following form:
34665
34666 Reply:
34667 @table @samp
34668 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}
34669 A single marker
34670 @item m @var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra},@var{address}:@var{id}:@var{extra}@dots{}
34671 a comma-separated list of markers
34672 @item l
34673 (lower case letter @samp{L}) denotes end of list.
34674 @item E @var{nn}
34675 An error occurred. @var{nn} are hex digits.
34676 @item
34677 An empty reply indicates that the request is not supported by the
34678 stub.
34679 @end table
34680
34681 @var{address} is encoded in hex.
34682 @var{id} and @var{extra} are strings encoded in hex.
34683
34684 In response to each query, the target will reply with a list of one or
34685 more markers, separated by commas. @value{GDBN} will respond to each
34686 reply with a request for more markers (using the @samp{qs} form of the
34687 query), until the target responds with @samp{l} (lower-case ell, for
34688 @dfn{last}).
34689
34690 @item qTSTMat:@var{address}
34691 This packets requests data about static tracepoint markers in the
34692 target program at @var{address}. Replies to this packet follow the
34693 syntax of the @samp{qTfSTM} and @code{qTsSTM} packets that list static
34694 tracepoint markers.
34695
34696 @item QTSave:@var{filename}
34697 This packet directs the target to save trace data to the file name
34698 @var{filename} in the target's filesystem. @var{filename} is encoded
34699 as a hex string; the interpretation of the file name (relative vs
34700 absolute, wild cards, etc) is up to the target.
34701
34702 @item qTBuffer:@var{offset},@var{len}
34703 Return up to @var{len} bytes of the current contents of trace buffer,
34704 starting at @var{offset}. The trace buffer is treated as if it were
34705 a contiguous collection of traceframes, as per the trace file format.
34706 The reply consists as many hex-encoded bytes as the target can deliver
34707 in a packet; it is not an error to return fewer than were asked for.
34708 A reply consisting of just @code{l} indicates that no bytes are
34709 available.
34710
34711 @item QTBuffer:circular:@var{value}
34712 This packet directs the target to use a circular trace buffer if
34713 @var{value} is 1, or a linear buffer if the value is 0.
34714
34715 @end table
34716
34717 @subsection Relocate instruction reply packet
34718 When installing fast tracepoints in memory, the target may need to
34719 relocate the instruction currently at the tracepoint address to a
34720 different address in memory. For most instructions, a simple copy is
34721 enough, but, for example, call instructions that implicitly push the
34722 return address on the stack, and relative branches or other
34723 PC-relative instructions require offset adjustment, so that the effect
34724 of executing the instruction at a different address is the same as if
34725 it had executed in the original location.
34726
34727 In response to several of the tracepoint packets, the target may also
34728 respond with a number of intermediate @samp{qRelocInsn} request
34729 packets before the final result packet, to have @value{GDBN} handle
34730 this relocation operation. If a packet supports this mechanism, its
34731 documentation will explicitly say so. See for example the above
34732 descriptions for the @samp{QTStart} and @samp{QTDP} packets. The
34733 format of the request is:
34734
34735 @table @samp
34736 @item qRelocInsn:@var{from};@var{to}
34737
34738 This requests @value{GDBN} to copy instruction at address @var{from}
34739 to address @var{to}, possibly adjusted so that executing the
34740 instruction at @var{to} has the same effect as executing it at
34741 @var{from}. @value{GDBN} writes the adjusted instruction to target
34742 memory starting at @var{to}.
34743 @end table
34744
34745 Replies:
34746 @table @samp
34747 @item qRelocInsn:@var{adjusted_size}
34748 Informs the stub the relocation is complete. @var{adjusted_size} is
34749 the length in bytes of resulting relocated instruction sequence.
34750 @item E @var{NN}
34751 A badly formed request was detected, or an error was encountered while
34752 relocating the instruction.
34753 @end table
34754
34755 @node Host I/O Packets
34756 @section Host I/O Packets
34757 @cindex Host I/O, remote protocol
34758 @cindex file transfer, remote protocol
34759
34760 The @dfn{Host I/O} packets allow @value{GDBN} to perform I/O
34761 operations on the far side of a remote link. For example, Host I/O is
34762 used to upload and download files to a remote target with its own
34763 filesystem. Host I/O uses the same constant values and data structure
34764 layout as the target-initiated File-I/O protocol. However, the
34765 Host I/O packets are structured differently. The target-initiated
34766 protocol relies on target memory to store parameters and buffers.
34767 Host I/O requests are initiated by @value{GDBN}, and the
34768 target's memory is not involved. @xref{File-I/O Remote Protocol
34769 Extension}, for more details on the target-initiated protocol.
34770
34771 The Host I/O request packets all encode a single operation along with
34772 its arguments. They have this format:
34773
34774 @table @samp
34775
34776 @item vFile:@var{operation}: @var{parameter}@dots{}
34777 @var{operation} is the name of the particular request; the target
34778 should compare the entire packet name up to the second colon when checking
34779 for a supported operation. The format of @var{parameter} depends on
34780 the operation. Numbers are always passed in hexadecimal. Negative
34781 numbers have an explicit minus sign (i.e.@: two's complement is not
34782 used). Strings (e.g.@: filenames) are encoded as a series of
34783 hexadecimal bytes. The last argument to a system call may be a
34784 buffer of escaped binary data (@pxref{Binary Data}).
34785
34786 @end table
34787
34788 The valid responses to Host I/O packets are:
34789
34790 @table @samp
34791
34792 @item F @var{result} [, @var{errno}] [; @var{attachment}]
34793 @var{result} is the integer value returned by this operation, usually
34794 non-negative for success and -1 for errors. If an error has occured,
34795 @var{errno} will be included in the result. @var{errno} will have a
34796 value defined by the File-I/O protocol (@pxref{Errno Values}). For
34797 operations which return data, @var{attachment} supplies the data as a
34798 binary buffer. Binary buffers in response packets are escaped in the
34799 normal way (@pxref{Binary Data}). See the individual packet
34800 documentation for the interpretation of @var{result} and
34801 @var{attachment}.
34802
34803 @item
34804 An empty response indicates that this operation is not recognized.
34805
34806 @end table
34807
34808 These are the supported Host I/O operations:
34809
34810 @table @samp
34811 @item vFile:open: @var{pathname}, @var{flags}, @var{mode}
34812 Open a file at @var{pathname} and return a file descriptor for it, or
34813 return -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string,
34814 @var{flags} is an integer indicating a mask of open flags
34815 (@pxref{Open Flags}), and @var{mode} is an integer indicating a mask
34816 of mode bits to use if the file is created (@pxref{mode_t Values}).
34817 @xref{open}, for details of the open flags and mode values.
34818
34819 @item vFile:close: @var{fd}
34820 Close the open file corresponding to @var{fd} and return 0, or
34821 -1 if an error occurs.
34822
34823 @item vFile:pread: @var{fd}, @var{count}, @var{offset}
34824 Read data from the open file corresponding to @var{fd}. Up to
34825 @var{count} bytes will be read from the file, starting at @var{offset}
34826 relative to the start of the file. The target may read fewer bytes;
34827 common reasons include packet size limits and an end-of-file
34828 condition. The number of bytes read is returned. Zero should only be
34829 returned for a successful read at the end of the file, or if
34830 @var{count} was zero.
34831
34832 The data read should be returned as a binary attachment on success.
34833 If zero bytes were read, the response should include an empty binary
34834 attachment (i.e.@: a trailing semicolon). The return value is the
34835 number of target bytes read; the binary attachment may be longer if
34836 some characters were escaped.
34837
34838 @item vFile:pwrite: @var{fd}, @var{offset}, @var{data}
34839 Write @var{data} (a binary buffer) to the open file corresponding
34840 to @var{fd}. Start the write at @var{offset} from the start of the
34841 file. Unlike many @code{write} system calls, there is no
34842 separate @var{count} argument; the length of @var{data} in the
34843 packet is used. @samp{vFile:write} returns the number of bytes written,
34844 which may be shorter than the length of @var{data}, or -1 if an
34845 error occurred.
34846
34847 @item vFile:unlink: @var{pathname}
34848 Delete the file at @var{pathname} on the target. Return 0,
34849 or -1 if an error occurs. @var{pathname} is a string.
34850
34851 @end table
34852
34853 @node Interrupts
34854 @section Interrupts
34855 @cindex interrupts (remote protocol)
34856
34857 When a program on the remote target is running, @value{GDBN} may
34858 attempt to interrupt it by sending a @samp{Ctrl-C}, @code{BREAK} or
34859 a @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g},
34860 control of which is specified via @value{GDBN}'s @samp{interrupt-sequence}.
34861
34862 The precise meaning of @code{BREAK} is defined by the transport
34863 mechanism and may, in fact, be undefined. @value{GDBN} does not
34864 currently define a @code{BREAK} mechanism for any of the network
34865 interfaces except for TCP, in which case @value{GDBN} sends the
34866 @code{telnet} BREAK sequence.
34867
34868 @samp{Ctrl-C}, on the other hand, is defined and implemented for all
34869 transport mechanisms. It is represented by sending the single byte
34870 @code{0x03} without any of the usual packet overhead described in
34871 the Overview section (@pxref{Overview}). When a @code{0x03} byte is
34872 transmitted as part of a packet, it is considered to be packet data
34873 and does @emph{not} represent an interrupt. E.g., an @samp{X} packet
34874 (@pxref{X packet}), used for binary downloads, may include an unescaped
34875 @code{0x03} as part of its packet.
34876
34877 @code{BREAK} followed by @code{g} is also known as Magic SysRq g.
34878 When Linux kernel receives this sequence from serial port,
34879 it stops execution and connects to gdb.
34880
34881 Stubs are not required to recognize these interrupt mechanisms and the
34882 precise meaning associated with receipt of the interrupt is
34883 implementation defined. If the target supports debugging of multiple
34884 threads and/or processes, it should attempt to interrupt all
34885 currently-executing threads and processes.
34886 If the stub is successful at interrupting the
34887 running program, it should send one of the stop
34888 reply packets (@pxref{Stop Reply Packets}) to @value{GDBN} as a result
34889 of successfully stopping the program in all-stop mode, and a stop reply
34890 for each stopped thread in non-stop mode.
34891 Interrupts received while the
34892 program is stopped are discarded.
34893
34894 @node Notification Packets
34895 @section Notification Packets
34896 @cindex notification packets
34897 @cindex packets, notification
34898
34899 The @value{GDBN} remote serial protocol includes @dfn{notifications},
34900 packets that require no acknowledgment. Both the GDB and the stub
34901 may send notifications (although the only notifications defined at
34902 present are sent by the stub). Notifications carry information
34903 without incurring the round-trip latency of an acknowledgment, and so
34904 are useful for low-impact communications where occasional packet loss
34905 is not a problem.
34906
34907 A notification packet has the form @samp{% @var{data} #
34908 @var{checksum}}, where @var{data} is the content of the notification,
34909 and @var{checksum} is a checksum of @var{data}, computed and formatted
34910 as for ordinary @value{GDBN} packets. A notification's @var{data}
34911 never contains @samp{$}, @samp{%} or @samp{#} characters. Upon
34912 receiving a notification, the recipient sends no @samp{+} or @samp{-}
34913 to acknowledge the notification's receipt or to report its corruption.
34914
34915 Every notification's @var{data} begins with a name, which contains no
34916 colon characters, followed by a colon character.
34917
34918 Recipients should silently ignore corrupted notifications and
34919 notifications they do not understand. Recipients should restart
34920 timeout periods on receipt of a well-formed notification, whether or
34921 not they understand it.
34922
34923 Senders should only send the notifications described here when this
34924 protocol description specifies that they are permitted. In the
34925 future, we may extend the protocol to permit existing notifications in
34926 new contexts; this rule helps older senders avoid confusing newer
34927 recipients.
34928
34929 (Older versions of @value{GDBN} ignore bytes received until they see
34930 the @samp{$} byte that begins an ordinary packet, so new stubs may
34931 transmit notifications without fear of confusing older clients. There
34932 are no notifications defined for @value{GDBN} to send at the moment, but we
34933 assume that most older stubs would ignore them, as well.)
34934
34935 The following notification packets from the stub to @value{GDBN} are
34936 defined:
34937
34938 @table @samp
34939 @item Stop: @var{reply}
34940 Report an asynchronous stop event in non-stop mode.
34941 The @var{reply} has the form of a stop reply, as
34942 described in @ref{Stop Reply Packets}. Refer to @ref{Remote Non-Stop},
34943 for information on how these notifications are acknowledged by
34944 @value{GDBN}.
34945 @end table
34946
34947 @node Remote Non-Stop
34948 @section Remote Protocol Support for Non-Stop Mode
34949
34950 @value{GDBN}'s remote protocol supports non-stop debugging of
34951 multi-threaded programs, as described in @ref{Non-Stop Mode}. If the stub
34952 supports non-stop mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN} by including
34953 @samp{QNonStop+} in its @samp{qSupported} response (@pxref{qSupported}).
34954
34955 @value{GDBN} typically sends a @samp{QNonStop} packet only when
34956 establishing a new connection with the stub. Entering non-stop mode
34957 does not alter the state of any currently-running threads, but targets
34958 must stop all threads in any already-attached processes when entering
34959 all-stop mode. @value{GDBN} uses the @samp{?} packet as necessary to
34960 probe the target state after a mode change.
34961
34962 In non-stop mode, when an attached process encounters an event that
34963 would otherwise be reported with a stop reply, it uses the
34964 asynchronous notification mechanism (@pxref{Notification Packets}) to
34965 inform @value{GDBN}. In contrast to all-stop mode, where all threads
34966 in all processes are stopped when a stop reply is sent, in non-stop
34967 mode only the thread reporting the stop event is stopped. That is,
34968 when reporting a @samp{S} or @samp{T} response to indicate completion
34969 of a step operation, hitting a breakpoint, or a fault, only the
34970 affected thread is stopped; any other still-running threads continue
34971 to run. When reporting a @samp{W} or @samp{X} response, all running
34972 threads belonging to other attached processes continue to run.
34973
34974 Only one stop reply notification at a time may be pending; if
34975 additional stop events occur before @value{GDBN} has acknowledged the
34976 previous notification, they must be queued by the stub for later
34977 synchronous transmission in response to @samp{vStopped} packets from
34978 @value{GDBN}. Because the notification mechanism is unreliable,
34979 the stub is permitted to resend a stop reply notification
34980 if it believes @value{GDBN} may not have received it. @value{GDBN}
34981 ignores additional stop reply notifications received before it has
34982 finished processing a previous notification and the stub has completed
34983 sending any queued stop events.
34984
34985 Otherwise, @value{GDBN} must be prepared to receive a stop reply
34986 notification at any time. Specifically, they may appear when
34987 @value{GDBN} is not otherwise reading input from the stub, or when
34988 @value{GDBN} is expecting to read a normal synchronous response or a
34989 @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgment to a packet it has sent.
34990 Notification packets are distinct from any other communication from
34991 the stub so there is no ambiguity.
34992
34993 After receiving a stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall
34994 acknowledge it by sending a @samp{vStopped} packet (@pxref{vStopped packet})
34995 as a regular, synchronous request to the stub. Such acknowledgment
34996 is not required to happen immediately, as @value{GDBN} is permitted to
34997 send other, unrelated packets to the stub first, which the stub should
34998 process normally.
34999
35000 Upon receiving a @samp{vStopped} packet, if the stub has other queued
35001 stop events to report to @value{GDBN}, it shall respond by sending a
35002 normal stop reply response. @value{GDBN} shall then send another
35003 @samp{vStopped} packet to solicit further responses; again, it is
35004 permitted to send other, unrelated packets as well which the stub
35005 should process normally.
35006
35007 If the stub receives a @samp{vStopped} packet and there are no
35008 additional stop events to report, the stub shall return an @samp{OK}
35009 response. At this point, if further stop events occur, the stub shall
35010 send a new stop reply notification, @value{GDBN} shall accept the
35011 notification, and the process shall be repeated.
35012
35013 In non-stop mode, the target shall respond to the @samp{?} packet as
35014 follows. First, any incomplete stop reply notification/@samp{vStopped}
35015 sequence in progress is abandoned. The target must begin a new
35016 sequence reporting stop events for all stopped threads, whether or not
35017 it has previously reported those events to @value{GDBN}. The first
35018 stop reply is sent as a synchronous reply to the @samp{?} packet, and
35019 subsequent stop replies are sent as responses to @samp{vStopped} packets
35020 using the mechanism described above. The target must not send
35021 asynchronous stop reply notifications until the sequence is complete.
35022 If all threads are running when the target receives the @samp{?} packet,
35023 or if the target is not attached to any process, it shall respond
35024 @samp{OK}.
35025
35026 @node Packet Acknowledgment
35027 @section Packet Acknowledgment
35028
35029 @cindex acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
35030 @cindex packet acknowledgment, for @value{GDBN} remote
35031 By default, when either the host or the target machine receives a packet,
35032 the first response expected is an acknowledgment: either @samp{+} (to indicate
35033 the package was received correctly) or @samp{-} (to request retransmission).
35034 This mechanism allows the @value{GDBN} remote protocol to operate over
35035 unreliable transport mechanisms, such as a serial line.
35036
35037 In cases where the transport mechanism is itself reliable (such as a pipe or
35038 TCP connection), the @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are redundant.
35039 It may be desirable to disable them in that case to reduce communication
35040 overhead, or for other reasons. This can be accomplished by means of the
35041 @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet; @pxref{QStartNoAckMode}.
35042
35043 When in no-acknowledgment mode, neither the stub nor @value{GDBN} shall send or
35044 expect @samp{+}/@samp{-} protocol acknowledgments. The packet
35045 and response format still includes the normal checksum, as described in
35046 @ref{Overview}, but the checksum may be ignored by the receiver.
35047
35048 If the stub supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and prefers to operate in
35049 no-acknowledgment mode, it should report that to @value{GDBN}
35050 by including @samp{QStartNoAckMode+} in its response to @samp{qSupported};
35051 @pxref{qSupported}.
35052 If @value{GDBN} also supports @samp{QStartNoAckMode} and it has not been
35053 disabled via the @code{set remote noack-packet off} command
35054 (@pxref{Remote Configuration}),
35055 @value{GDBN} may then send a @samp{QStartNoAckMode} packet to the stub.
35056 Only then may the stub actually turn off packet acknowledgments.
35057 @value{GDBN} sends a final @samp{+} acknowledgment of the stub's @samp{OK}
35058 response, which can be safely ignored by the stub.
35059
35060 Note that @code{set remote noack-packet} command only affects negotiation
35061 between @value{GDBN} and the stub when subsequent connections are made;
35062 it does not affect the protocol acknowledgment state for any current
35063 connection.
35064 Since @samp{+}/@samp{-} acknowledgments are enabled by default when a
35065 new connection is established,
35066 there is also no protocol request to re-enable the acknowledgments
35067 for the current connection, once disabled.
35068
35069 @node Examples
35070 @section Examples
35071
35072 Example sequence of a target being re-started. Notice how the restart
35073 does not get any direct output:
35074
35075 @smallexample
35076 -> @code{R00}
35077 <- @code{+}
35078 @emph{target restarts}
35079 -> @code{?}
35080 <- @code{+}
35081 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
35082 -> @code{+}
35083 @end smallexample
35084
35085 Example sequence of a target being stepped by a single instruction:
35086
35087 @smallexample
35088 -> @code{G1445@dots{}}
35089 <- @code{+}
35090 -> @code{s}
35091 <- @code{+}
35092 @emph{time passes}
35093 <- @code{T001:1234123412341234}
35094 -> @code{+}
35095 -> @code{g}
35096 <- @code{+}
35097 <- @code{1455@dots{}}
35098 -> @code{+}
35099 @end smallexample
35100
35101 @node File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
35102 @section File-I/O Remote Protocol Extension
35103 @cindex File-I/O remote protocol extension
35104
35105 @menu
35106 * File-I/O Overview::
35107 * Protocol Basics::
35108 * The F Request Packet::
35109 * The F Reply Packet::
35110 * The Ctrl-C Message::
35111 * Console I/O::
35112 * List of Supported Calls::
35113 * Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes::
35114 * Constants::
35115 * File-I/O Examples::
35116 @end menu
35117
35118 @node File-I/O Overview
35119 @subsection File-I/O Overview
35120 @cindex file-i/o overview
35121
35122 The @dfn{File I/O remote protocol extension} (short: File-I/O) allows the
35123 target to use the host's file system and console I/O to perform various
35124 system calls. System calls on the target system are translated into a
35125 remote protocol packet to the host system, which then performs the needed
35126 actions and returns a response packet to the target system.
35127 This simulates file system operations even on targets that lack file systems.
35128
35129 The protocol is defined to be independent of both the host and target systems.
35130 It uses its own internal representation of datatypes and values. Both
35131 @value{GDBN} and the target's @value{GDBN} stub are responsible for
35132 translating the system-dependent value representations into the internal
35133 protocol representations when data is transmitted.
35134
35135 The communication is synchronous. A system call is possible only when
35136 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S}
35137 or @samp{s} packets. While @value{GDBN} handles the request for a system call,
35138 the target is stopped to allow deterministic access to the target's
35139 memory. Therefore File-I/O is not interruptible by target signals. On
35140 the other hand, it is possible to interrupt File-I/O by a user interrupt
35141 (@samp{Ctrl-C}) within @value{GDBN}.
35142
35143 The target's request to perform a host system call does not finish
35144 the latest @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} action. That means,
35145 after finishing the system call, the target returns to continuing the
35146 previous activity (continue, step). No additional continue or step
35147 request from @value{GDBN} is required.
35148
35149 @smallexample
35150 (@value{GDBP}) continue
35151 <- target requests 'system call X'
35152 target is stopped, @value{GDBN} executes system call
35153 -> @value{GDBN} returns result
35154 ... target continues, @value{GDBN} returns to wait for the target
35155 <- target hits breakpoint and sends a Txx packet
35156 @end smallexample
35157
35158 The protocol only supports I/O on the console and to regular files on
35159 the host file system. Character or block special devices, pipes,
35160 named pipes, sockets or any other communication method on the host
35161 system are not supported by this protocol.
35162
35163 File I/O is not supported in non-stop mode.
35164
35165 @node Protocol Basics
35166 @subsection Protocol Basics
35167 @cindex protocol basics, file-i/o
35168
35169 The File-I/O protocol uses the @code{F} packet as the request as well
35170 as reply packet. Since a File-I/O system call can only occur when
35171 @value{GDBN} is waiting for a response from the continuing or stepping target,
35172 the File-I/O request is a reply that @value{GDBN} has to expect as a result
35173 of a previous @samp{C}, @samp{c}, @samp{S} or @samp{s} packet.
35174 This @code{F} packet contains all information needed to allow @value{GDBN}
35175 to call the appropriate host system call:
35176
35177 @itemize @bullet
35178 @item
35179 A unique identifier for the requested system call.
35180
35181 @item
35182 All parameters to the system call. Pointers are given as addresses
35183 in the target memory address space. Pointers to strings are given as
35184 pointer/length pair. Numerical values are given as they are.
35185 Numerical control flags are given in a protocol-specific representation.
35186
35187 @end itemize
35188
35189 At this point, @value{GDBN} has to perform the following actions.
35190
35191 @itemize @bullet
35192 @item
35193 If the parameters include pointer values to data needed as input to a
35194 system call, @value{GDBN} requests this data from the target with a
35195 standard @code{m} packet request. This additional communication has to be
35196 expected by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{m}
35197 packet.
35198
35199 @item
35200 @value{GDBN} translates all value from protocol representation to host
35201 representation as needed. Datatypes are coerced into the host types.
35202
35203 @item
35204 @value{GDBN} calls the system call.
35205
35206 @item
35207 It then coerces datatypes back to protocol representation.
35208
35209 @item
35210 If the system call is expected to return data in buffer space specified
35211 by pointer parameters to the call, the data is transmitted to the
35212 target using a @code{M} or @code{X} packet. This packet has to be expected
35213 by the target implementation and is handled as any other @code{M} or @code{X}
35214 packet.
35215
35216 @end itemize
35217
35218 Eventually @value{GDBN} replies with another @code{F} packet which contains all
35219 necessary information for the target to continue. This at least contains
35220
35221 @itemize @bullet
35222 @item
35223 Return value.
35224
35225 @item
35226 @code{errno}, if has been changed by the system call.
35227
35228 @item
35229 ``Ctrl-C'' flag.
35230
35231 @end itemize
35232
35233 After having done the needed type and value coercion, the target continues
35234 the latest continue or step action.
35235
35236 @node The F Request Packet
35237 @subsection The @code{F} Request Packet
35238 @cindex file-i/o request packet
35239 @cindex @code{F} request packet
35240
35241 The @code{F} request packet has the following format:
35242
35243 @table @samp
35244 @item F@var{call-id},@var{parameter@dots{}}
35245
35246 @var{call-id} is the identifier to indicate the host system call to be called.
35247 This is just the name of the function.
35248
35249 @var{parameter@dots{}} are the parameters to the system call.
35250 Parameters are hexadecimal integer values, either the actual values in case
35251 of scalar datatypes, pointers to target buffer space in case of compound
35252 datatypes and unspecified memory areas, or pointer/length pairs in case
35253 of string parameters. These are appended to the @var{call-id} as a
35254 comma-delimited list. All values are transmitted in ASCII
35255 string representation, pointer/length pairs separated by a slash.
35256
35257 @end table
35258
35259
35260
35261 @node The F Reply Packet
35262 @subsection The @code{F} Reply Packet
35263 @cindex file-i/o reply packet
35264 @cindex @code{F} reply packet
35265
35266 The @code{F} reply packet has the following format:
35267
35268 @table @samp
35269
35270 @item F@var{retcode},@var{errno},@var{Ctrl-C flag};@var{call-specific attachment}
35271
35272 @var{retcode} is the return code of the system call as hexadecimal value.
35273
35274 @var{errno} is the @code{errno} set by the call, in protocol-specific
35275 representation.
35276 This parameter can be omitted if the call was successful.
35277
35278 @var{Ctrl-C flag} is only sent if the user requested a break. In this
35279 case, @var{errno} must be sent as well, even if the call was successful.
35280 The @var{Ctrl-C flag} itself consists of the character @samp{C}:
35281
35282 @smallexample
35283 F0,0,C
35284 @end smallexample
35285
35286 @noindent
35287 or, if the call was interrupted before the host call has been performed:
35288
35289 @smallexample
35290 F-1,4,C
35291 @end smallexample
35292
35293 @noindent
35294 assuming 4 is the protocol-specific representation of @code{EINTR}.
35295
35296 @end table
35297
35298
35299 @node The Ctrl-C Message
35300 @subsection The @samp{Ctrl-C} Message
35301 @cindex ctrl-c message, in file-i/o protocol
35302
35303 If the @samp{Ctrl-C} flag is set in the @value{GDBN}
35304 reply packet (@pxref{The F Reply Packet}),
35305 the target should behave as if it had
35306 gotten a break message. The meaning for the target is ``system call
35307 interrupted by @code{SIGINT}''. Consequentially, the target should actually stop
35308 (as with a break message) and return to @value{GDBN} with a @code{T02}
35309 packet.
35310
35311 It's important for the target to know in which
35312 state the system call was interrupted. There are two possible cases:
35313
35314 @itemize @bullet
35315 @item
35316 The system call hasn't been performed on the host yet.
35317
35318 @item
35319 The system call on the host has been finished.
35320
35321 @end itemize
35322
35323 These two states can be distinguished by the target by the value of the
35324 returned @code{errno}. If it's the protocol representation of @code{EINTR}, the system
35325 call hasn't been performed. This is equivalent to the @code{EINTR} handling
35326 on POSIX systems. In any other case, the target may presume that the
35327 system call has been finished --- successfully or not --- and should behave
35328 as if the break message arrived right after the system call.
35329
35330 @value{GDBN} must behave reliably. If the system call has not been called
35331 yet, @value{GDBN} may send the @code{F} reply immediately, setting @code{EINTR} as
35332 @code{errno} in the packet. If the system call on the host has been finished
35333 before the user requests a break, the full action must be finished by
35334 @value{GDBN}. This requires sending @code{M} or @code{X} packets as necessary.
35335 The @code{F} packet may only be sent when either nothing has happened
35336 or the full action has been completed.
35337
35338 @node Console I/O
35339 @subsection Console I/O
35340 @cindex console i/o as part of file-i/o
35341
35342 By default and if not explicitly closed by the target system, the file
35343 descriptors 0, 1 and 2 are connected to the @value{GDBN} console. Output
35344 on the @value{GDBN} console is handled as any other file output operation
35345 (@code{write(1, @dots{})} or @code{write(2, @dots{})}). Console input is handled
35346 by @value{GDBN} so that after the target read request from file descriptor
35347 0 all following typing is buffered until either one of the following
35348 conditions is met:
35349
35350 @itemize @bullet
35351 @item
35352 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-c}. The behaviour is as explained above, and the
35353 @code{read}
35354 system call is treated as finished.
35355
35356 @item
35357 The user presses @key{RET}. This is treated as end of input with a trailing
35358 newline.
35359
35360 @item
35361 The user types @kbd{Ctrl-d}. This is treated as end of input. No trailing
35362 character (neither newline nor @samp{Ctrl-D}) is appended to the input.
35363
35364 @end itemize
35365
35366 If the user has typed more characters than fit in the buffer given to
35367 the @code{read} call, the trailing characters are buffered in @value{GDBN} until
35368 either another @code{read(0, @dots{})} is requested by the target, or debugging
35369 is stopped at the user's request.
35370
35371
35372 @node List of Supported Calls
35373 @subsection List of Supported Calls
35374 @cindex list of supported file-i/o calls
35375
35376 @menu
35377 * open::
35378 * close::
35379 * read::
35380 * write::
35381 * lseek::
35382 * rename::
35383 * unlink::
35384 * stat/fstat::
35385 * gettimeofday::
35386 * isatty::
35387 * system::
35388 @end menu
35389
35390 @node open
35391 @unnumberedsubsubsec open
35392 @cindex open, file-i/o system call
35393
35394 @table @asis
35395 @item Synopsis:
35396 @smallexample
35397 int open(const char *pathname, int flags);
35398 int open(const char *pathname, int flags, mode_t mode);
35399 @end smallexample
35400
35401 @item Request:
35402 @samp{Fopen,@var{pathptr}/@var{len},@var{flags},@var{mode}}
35403
35404 @noindent
35405 @var{flags} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
35406
35407 @table @code
35408 @item O_CREAT
35409 If the file does not exist it will be created. The host
35410 rules apply as far as file ownership and time stamps
35411 are concerned.
35412
35413 @item O_EXCL
35414 When used with @code{O_CREAT}, if the file already exists it is
35415 an error and open() fails.
35416
35417 @item O_TRUNC
35418 If the file already exists and the open mode allows
35419 writing (@code{O_RDWR} or @code{O_WRONLY} is given) it will be
35420 truncated to zero length.
35421
35422 @item O_APPEND
35423 The file is opened in append mode.
35424
35425 @item O_RDONLY
35426 The file is opened for reading only.
35427
35428 @item O_WRONLY
35429 The file is opened for writing only.
35430
35431 @item O_RDWR
35432 The file is opened for reading and writing.
35433 @end table
35434
35435 @noindent
35436 Other bits are silently ignored.
35437
35438
35439 @noindent
35440 @var{mode} is the bitwise @code{OR} of the following values:
35441
35442 @table @code
35443 @item S_IRUSR
35444 User has read permission.
35445
35446 @item S_IWUSR
35447 User has write permission.
35448
35449 @item S_IRGRP
35450 Group has read permission.
35451
35452 @item S_IWGRP
35453 Group has write permission.
35454
35455 @item S_IROTH
35456 Others have read permission.
35457
35458 @item S_IWOTH
35459 Others have write permission.
35460 @end table
35461
35462 @noindent
35463 Other bits are silently ignored.
35464
35465
35466 @item Return value:
35467 @code{open} returns the new file descriptor or -1 if an error
35468 occurred.
35469
35470 @item Errors:
35471
35472 @table @code
35473 @item EEXIST
35474 @var{pathname} already exists and @code{O_CREAT} and @code{O_EXCL} were used.
35475
35476 @item EISDIR
35477 @var{pathname} refers to a directory.
35478
35479 @item EACCES
35480 The requested access is not allowed.
35481
35482 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35483 @var{pathname} was too long.
35484
35485 @item ENOENT
35486 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35487
35488 @item ENODEV
35489 @var{pathname} refers to a device, pipe, named pipe or socket.
35490
35491 @item EROFS
35492 @var{pathname} refers to a file on a read-only filesystem and
35493 write access was requested.
35494
35495 @item EFAULT
35496 @var{pathname} is an invalid pointer value.
35497
35498 @item ENOSPC
35499 No space on device to create the file.
35500
35501 @item EMFILE
35502 The process already has the maximum number of files open.
35503
35504 @item ENFILE
35505 The limit on the total number of files open on the system
35506 has been reached.
35507
35508 @item EINTR
35509 The call was interrupted by the user.
35510 @end table
35511
35512 @end table
35513
35514 @node close
35515 @unnumberedsubsubsec close
35516 @cindex close, file-i/o system call
35517
35518 @table @asis
35519 @item Synopsis:
35520 @smallexample
35521 int close(int fd);
35522 @end smallexample
35523
35524 @item Request:
35525 @samp{Fclose,@var{fd}}
35526
35527 @item Return value:
35528 @code{close} returns zero on success, or -1 if an error occurred.
35529
35530 @item Errors:
35531
35532 @table @code
35533 @item EBADF
35534 @var{fd} isn't a valid open file descriptor.
35535
35536 @item EINTR
35537 The call was interrupted by the user.
35538 @end table
35539
35540 @end table
35541
35542 @node read
35543 @unnumberedsubsubsec read
35544 @cindex read, file-i/o system call
35545
35546 @table @asis
35547 @item Synopsis:
35548 @smallexample
35549 int read(int fd, void *buf, unsigned int count);
35550 @end smallexample
35551
35552 @item Request:
35553 @samp{Fread,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35554
35555 @item Return value:
35556 On success, the number of bytes read is returned.
35557 Zero indicates end of file. If count is zero, read
35558 returns zero as well. On error, -1 is returned.
35559
35560 @item Errors:
35561
35562 @table @code
35563 @item EBADF
35564 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35565 reading.
35566
35567 @item EFAULT
35568 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35569
35570 @item EINTR
35571 The call was interrupted by the user.
35572 @end table
35573
35574 @end table
35575
35576 @node write
35577 @unnumberedsubsubsec write
35578 @cindex write, file-i/o system call
35579
35580 @table @asis
35581 @item Synopsis:
35582 @smallexample
35583 int write(int fd, const void *buf, unsigned int count);
35584 @end smallexample
35585
35586 @item Request:
35587 @samp{Fwrite,@var{fd},@var{bufptr},@var{count}}
35588
35589 @item Return value:
35590 On success, the number of bytes written are returned.
35591 Zero indicates nothing was written. On error, -1
35592 is returned.
35593
35594 @item Errors:
35595
35596 @table @code
35597 @item EBADF
35598 @var{fd} is not a valid file descriptor or is not open for
35599 writing.
35600
35601 @item EFAULT
35602 @var{bufptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35603
35604 @item EFBIG
35605 An attempt was made to write a file that exceeds the
35606 host-specific maximum file size allowed.
35607
35608 @item ENOSPC
35609 No space on device to write the data.
35610
35611 @item EINTR
35612 The call was interrupted by the user.
35613 @end table
35614
35615 @end table
35616
35617 @node lseek
35618 @unnumberedsubsubsec lseek
35619 @cindex lseek, file-i/o system call
35620
35621 @table @asis
35622 @item Synopsis:
35623 @smallexample
35624 long lseek (int fd, long offset, int flag);
35625 @end smallexample
35626
35627 @item Request:
35628 @samp{Flseek,@var{fd},@var{offset},@var{flag}}
35629
35630 @var{flag} is one of:
35631
35632 @table @code
35633 @item SEEK_SET
35634 The offset is set to @var{offset} bytes.
35635
35636 @item SEEK_CUR
35637 The offset is set to its current location plus @var{offset}
35638 bytes.
35639
35640 @item SEEK_END
35641 The offset is set to the size of the file plus @var{offset}
35642 bytes.
35643 @end table
35644
35645 @item Return value:
35646 On success, the resulting unsigned offset in bytes from
35647 the beginning of the file is returned. Otherwise, a
35648 value of -1 is returned.
35649
35650 @item Errors:
35651
35652 @table @code
35653 @item EBADF
35654 @var{fd} is not a valid open file descriptor.
35655
35656 @item ESPIPE
35657 @var{fd} is associated with the @value{GDBN} console.
35658
35659 @item EINVAL
35660 @var{flag} is not a proper value.
35661
35662 @item EINTR
35663 The call was interrupted by the user.
35664 @end table
35665
35666 @end table
35667
35668 @node rename
35669 @unnumberedsubsubsec rename
35670 @cindex rename, file-i/o system call
35671
35672 @table @asis
35673 @item Synopsis:
35674 @smallexample
35675 int rename(const char *oldpath, const char *newpath);
35676 @end smallexample
35677
35678 @item Request:
35679 @samp{Frename,@var{oldpathptr}/@var{len},@var{newpathptr}/@var{len}}
35680
35681 @item Return value:
35682 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35683
35684 @item Errors:
35685
35686 @table @code
35687 @item EISDIR
35688 @var{newpath} is an existing directory, but @var{oldpath} is not a
35689 directory.
35690
35691 @item EEXIST
35692 @var{newpath} is a non-empty directory.
35693
35694 @item EBUSY
35695 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} is a directory that is in use by some
35696 process.
35697
35698 @item EINVAL
35699 An attempt was made to make a directory a subdirectory
35700 of itself.
35701
35702 @item ENOTDIR
35703 A component used as a directory in @var{oldpath} or new
35704 path is not a directory. Or @var{oldpath} is a directory
35705 and @var{newpath} exists but is not a directory.
35706
35707 @item EFAULT
35708 @var{oldpathptr} or @var{newpathptr} are invalid pointer values.
35709
35710 @item EACCES
35711 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35712
35713 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35714
35715 @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} was too long.
35716
35717 @item ENOENT
35718 A directory component in @var{oldpath} or @var{newpath} does not exist.
35719
35720 @item EROFS
35721 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35722
35723 @item ENOSPC
35724 The device containing the file has no room for the new
35725 directory entry.
35726
35727 @item EINTR
35728 The call was interrupted by the user.
35729 @end table
35730
35731 @end table
35732
35733 @node unlink
35734 @unnumberedsubsubsec unlink
35735 @cindex unlink, file-i/o system call
35736
35737 @table @asis
35738 @item Synopsis:
35739 @smallexample
35740 int unlink(const char *pathname);
35741 @end smallexample
35742
35743 @item Request:
35744 @samp{Funlink,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len}}
35745
35746 @item Return value:
35747 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35748
35749 @item Errors:
35750
35751 @table @code
35752 @item EACCES
35753 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35754
35755 @item EPERM
35756 The system does not allow unlinking of directories.
35757
35758 @item EBUSY
35759 The file @var{pathname} cannot be unlinked because it's
35760 being used by another process.
35761
35762 @item EFAULT
35763 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35764
35765 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35766 @var{pathname} was too long.
35767
35768 @item ENOENT
35769 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist.
35770
35771 @item ENOTDIR
35772 A component of the path is not a directory.
35773
35774 @item EROFS
35775 The file is on a read-only filesystem.
35776
35777 @item EINTR
35778 The call was interrupted by the user.
35779 @end table
35780
35781 @end table
35782
35783 @node stat/fstat
35784 @unnumberedsubsubsec stat/fstat
35785 @cindex fstat, file-i/o system call
35786 @cindex stat, file-i/o system call
35787
35788 @table @asis
35789 @item Synopsis:
35790 @smallexample
35791 int stat(const char *pathname, struct stat *buf);
35792 int fstat(int fd, struct stat *buf);
35793 @end smallexample
35794
35795 @item Request:
35796 @samp{Fstat,@var{pathnameptr}/@var{len},@var{bufptr}}@*
35797 @samp{Ffstat,@var{fd},@var{bufptr}}
35798
35799 @item Return value:
35800 On success, zero is returned. On error, -1 is returned.
35801
35802 @item Errors:
35803
35804 @table @code
35805 @item EBADF
35806 @var{fd} is not a valid open file.
35807
35808 @item ENOENT
35809 A directory component in @var{pathname} does not exist or the
35810 path is an empty string.
35811
35812 @item ENOTDIR
35813 A component of the path is not a directory.
35814
35815 @item EFAULT
35816 @var{pathnameptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35817
35818 @item EACCES
35819 No access to the file or the path of the file.
35820
35821 @item ENAMETOOLONG
35822 @var{pathname} was too long.
35823
35824 @item EINTR
35825 The call was interrupted by the user.
35826 @end table
35827
35828 @end table
35829
35830 @node gettimeofday
35831 @unnumberedsubsubsec gettimeofday
35832 @cindex gettimeofday, file-i/o system call
35833
35834 @table @asis
35835 @item Synopsis:
35836 @smallexample
35837 int gettimeofday(struct timeval *tv, void *tz);
35838 @end smallexample
35839
35840 @item Request:
35841 @samp{Fgettimeofday,@var{tvptr},@var{tzptr}}
35842
35843 @item Return value:
35844 On success, 0 is returned, -1 otherwise.
35845
35846 @item Errors:
35847
35848 @table @code
35849 @item EINVAL
35850 @var{tz} is a non-NULL pointer.
35851
35852 @item EFAULT
35853 @var{tvptr} and/or @var{tzptr} is an invalid pointer value.
35854 @end table
35855
35856 @end table
35857
35858 @node isatty
35859 @unnumberedsubsubsec isatty
35860 @cindex isatty, file-i/o system call
35861
35862 @table @asis
35863 @item Synopsis:
35864 @smallexample
35865 int isatty(int fd);
35866 @end smallexample
35867
35868 @item Request:
35869 @samp{Fisatty,@var{fd}}
35870
35871 @item Return value:
35872 Returns 1 if @var{fd} refers to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise.
35873
35874 @item Errors:
35875
35876 @table @code
35877 @item EINTR
35878 The call was interrupted by the user.
35879 @end table
35880
35881 @end table
35882
35883 Note that the @code{isatty} call is treated as a special case: it returns
35884 1 to the target if the file descriptor is attached
35885 to the @value{GDBN} console, 0 otherwise. Implementing through system calls
35886 would require implementing @code{ioctl} and would be more complex than
35887 needed.
35888
35889
35890 @node system
35891 @unnumberedsubsubsec system
35892 @cindex system, file-i/o system call
35893
35894 @table @asis
35895 @item Synopsis:
35896 @smallexample
35897 int system(const char *command);
35898 @end smallexample
35899
35900 @item Request:
35901 @samp{Fsystem,@var{commandptr}/@var{len}}
35902
35903 @item Return value:
35904 If @var{len} is zero, the return value indicates whether a shell is
35905 available. A zero return value indicates a shell is not available.
35906 For non-zero @var{len}, the value returned is -1 on error and the
35907 return status of the command otherwise. Only the exit status of the
35908 command is returned, which is extracted from the host's @code{system}
35909 return value by calling @code{WEXITSTATUS(retval)}. In case
35910 @file{/bin/sh} could not be executed, 127 is returned.
35911
35912 @item Errors:
35913
35914 @table @code
35915 @item EINTR
35916 The call was interrupted by the user.
35917 @end table
35918
35919 @end table
35920
35921 @value{GDBN} takes over the full task of calling the necessary host calls
35922 to perform the @code{system} call. The return value of @code{system} on
35923 the host is simplified before it's returned
35924 to the target. Any termination signal information from the child process
35925 is discarded, and the return value consists
35926 entirely of the exit status of the called command.
35927
35928 Due to security concerns, the @code{system} call is by default refused
35929 by @value{GDBN}. The user has to allow this call explicitly with the
35930 @code{set remote system-call-allowed 1} command.
35931
35932 @table @code
35933 @item set remote system-call-allowed
35934 @kindex set remote system-call-allowed
35935 Control whether to allow the @code{system} calls in the File I/O
35936 protocol for the remote target. The default is zero (disabled).
35937
35938 @item show remote system-call-allowed
35939 @kindex show remote system-call-allowed
35940 Show whether the @code{system} calls are allowed in the File I/O
35941 protocol.
35942 @end table
35943
35944 @node Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35945 @subsection Protocol-specific Representation of Datatypes
35946 @cindex protocol-specific representation of datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35947
35948 @menu
35949 * Integral Datatypes::
35950 * Pointer Values::
35951 * Memory Transfer::
35952 * struct stat::
35953 * struct timeval::
35954 @end menu
35955
35956 @node Integral Datatypes
35957 @unnumberedsubsubsec Integral Datatypes
35958 @cindex integral datatypes, in file-i/o protocol
35959
35960 The integral datatypes used in the system calls are @code{int},
35961 @code{unsigned int}, @code{long}, @code{unsigned long},
35962 @code{mode_t}, and @code{time_t}.
35963
35964 @code{int}, @code{unsigned int}, @code{mode_t} and @code{time_t} are
35965 implemented as 32 bit values in this protocol.
35966
35967 @code{long} and @code{unsigned long} are implemented as 64 bit types.
35968
35969 @xref{Limits}, for corresponding MIN and MAX values (similar to those
35970 in @file{limits.h}) to allow range checking on host and target.
35971
35972 @code{time_t} datatypes are defined as seconds since the Epoch.
35973
35974 All integral datatypes transferred as part of a memory read or write of a
35975 structured datatype e.g.@: a @code{struct stat} have to be given in big endian
35976 byte order.
35977
35978 @node Pointer Values
35979 @unnumberedsubsubsec Pointer Values
35980 @cindex pointer values, in file-i/o protocol
35981
35982 Pointers to target data are transmitted as they are. An exception
35983 is made for pointers to buffers for which the length isn't
35984 transmitted as part of the function call, namely strings. Strings
35985 are transmitted as a pointer/length pair, both as hex values, e.g.@:
35986
35987 @smallexample
35988 @code{1aaf/12}
35989 @end smallexample
35990
35991 @noindent
35992 which is a pointer to data of length 18 bytes at position 0x1aaf.
35993 The length is defined as the full string length in bytes, including
35994 the trailing null byte. For example, the string @code{"hello world"}
35995 at address 0x123456 is transmitted as
35996
35997 @smallexample
35998 @code{123456/d}
35999 @end smallexample
36000
36001 @node Memory Transfer
36002 @unnumberedsubsubsec Memory Transfer
36003 @cindex memory transfer, in file-i/o protocol
36004
36005 Structured data which is transferred using a memory read or write (for
36006 example, a @code{struct stat}) is expected to be in a protocol-specific format
36007 with all scalar multibyte datatypes being big endian. Translation to
36008 this representation needs to be done both by the target before the @code{F}
36009 packet is sent, and by @value{GDBN} before
36010 it transfers memory to the target. Transferred pointers to structured
36011 data should point to the already-coerced data at any time.
36012
36013
36014 @node struct stat
36015 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct stat
36016 @cindex struct stat, in file-i/o protocol
36017
36018 The buffer of type @code{struct stat} used by the target and @value{GDBN}
36019 is defined as follows:
36020
36021 @smallexample
36022 struct stat @{
36023 unsigned int st_dev; /* device */
36024 unsigned int st_ino; /* inode */
36025 mode_t st_mode; /* protection */
36026 unsigned int st_nlink; /* number of hard links */
36027 unsigned int st_uid; /* user ID of owner */
36028 unsigned int st_gid; /* group ID of owner */
36029 unsigned int st_rdev; /* device type (if inode device) */
36030 unsigned long st_size; /* total size, in bytes */
36031 unsigned long st_blksize; /* blocksize for filesystem I/O */
36032 unsigned long st_blocks; /* number of blocks allocated */
36033 time_t st_atime; /* time of last access */
36034 time_t st_mtime; /* time of last modification */
36035 time_t st_ctime; /* time of last change */
36036 @};
36037 @end smallexample
36038
36039 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
36040 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
36041 structure is of size 64 bytes.
36042
36043 The values of several fields have a restricted meaning and/or
36044 range of values.
36045
36046 @table @code
36047
36048 @item st_dev
36049 A value of 0 represents a file, 1 the console.
36050
36051 @item st_ino
36052 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
36053
36054 @item st_mode
36055 Valid mode bits are described in @ref{Constants}. Any other
36056 bits have currently no meaning for the target.
36057
36058 @item st_uid
36059 @itemx st_gid
36060 @itemx st_rdev
36061 No valid meaning for the target. Transmitted unchanged.
36062
36063 @item st_atime
36064 @itemx st_mtime
36065 @itemx st_ctime
36066 These values have a host and file system dependent
36067 accuracy. Especially on Windows hosts, the file system may not
36068 support exact timing values.
36069 @end table
36070
36071 The target gets a @code{struct stat} of the above representation and is
36072 responsible for coercing it to the target representation before
36073 continuing.
36074
36075 Note that due to size differences between the host, target, and protocol
36076 representations of @code{struct stat} members, these members could eventually
36077 get truncated on the target.
36078
36079 @node struct timeval
36080 @unnumberedsubsubsec struct timeval
36081 @cindex struct timeval, in file-i/o protocol
36082
36083 The buffer of type @code{struct timeval} used by the File-I/O protocol
36084 is defined as follows:
36085
36086 @smallexample
36087 struct timeval @{
36088 time_t tv_sec; /* second */
36089 long tv_usec; /* microsecond */
36090 @};
36091 @end smallexample
36092
36093 The integral datatypes conform to the definitions given in the
36094 appropriate section (see @ref{Integral Datatypes}, for details) so this
36095 structure is of size 8 bytes.
36096
36097 @node Constants
36098 @subsection Constants
36099 @cindex constants, in file-i/o protocol
36100
36101 The following values are used for the constants inside of the
36102 protocol. @value{GDBN} and target are responsible for translating these
36103 values before and after the call as needed.
36104
36105 @menu
36106 * Open Flags::
36107 * mode_t Values::
36108 * Errno Values::
36109 * Lseek Flags::
36110 * Limits::
36111 @end menu
36112
36113 @node Open Flags
36114 @unnumberedsubsubsec Open Flags
36115 @cindex open flags, in file-i/o protocol
36116
36117 All values are given in hexadecimal representation.
36118
36119 @smallexample
36120 O_RDONLY 0x0
36121 O_WRONLY 0x1
36122 O_RDWR 0x2
36123 O_APPEND 0x8
36124 O_CREAT 0x200
36125 O_TRUNC 0x400
36126 O_EXCL 0x800
36127 @end smallexample
36128
36129 @node mode_t Values
36130 @unnumberedsubsubsec mode_t Values
36131 @cindex mode_t values, in file-i/o protocol
36132
36133 All values are given in octal representation.
36134
36135 @smallexample
36136 S_IFREG 0100000
36137 S_IFDIR 040000
36138 S_IRUSR 0400
36139 S_IWUSR 0200
36140 S_IXUSR 0100
36141 S_IRGRP 040
36142 S_IWGRP 020
36143 S_IXGRP 010
36144 S_IROTH 04
36145 S_IWOTH 02
36146 S_IXOTH 01
36147 @end smallexample
36148
36149 @node Errno Values
36150 @unnumberedsubsubsec Errno Values
36151 @cindex errno values, in file-i/o protocol
36152
36153 All values are given in decimal representation.
36154
36155 @smallexample
36156 EPERM 1
36157 ENOENT 2
36158 EINTR 4
36159 EBADF 9
36160 EACCES 13
36161 EFAULT 14
36162 EBUSY 16
36163 EEXIST 17
36164 ENODEV 19
36165 ENOTDIR 20
36166 EISDIR 21
36167 EINVAL 22
36168 ENFILE 23
36169 EMFILE 24
36170 EFBIG 27
36171 ENOSPC 28
36172 ESPIPE 29
36173 EROFS 30
36174 ENAMETOOLONG 91
36175 EUNKNOWN 9999
36176 @end smallexample
36177
36178 @code{EUNKNOWN} is used as a fallback error value if a host system returns
36179 any error value not in the list of supported error numbers.
36180
36181 @node Lseek Flags
36182 @unnumberedsubsubsec Lseek Flags
36183 @cindex lseek flags, in file-i/o protocol
36184
36185 @smallexample
36186 SEEK_SET 0
36187 SEEK_CUR 1
36188 SEEK_END 2
36189 @end smallexample
36190
36191 @node Limits
36192 @unnumberedsubsubsec Limits
36193 @cindex limits, in file-i/o protocol
36194
36195 All values are given in decimal representation.
36196
36197 @smallexample
36198 INT_MIN -2147483648
36199 INT_MAX 2147483647
36200 UINT_MAX 4294967295
36201 LONG_MIN -9223372036854775808
36202 LONG_MAX 9223372036854775807
36203 ULONG_MAX 18446744073709551615
36204 @end smallexample
36205
36206 @node File-I/O Examples
36207 @subsection File-I/O Examples
36208 @cindex file-i/o examples
36209
36210 Example sequence of a write call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
36211 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be written:
36212
36213 @smallexample
36214 <- @code{Fwrite,3,1234,6}
36215 @emph{request memory read from target}
36216 -> @code{m1234,6}
36217 <- XXXXXX
36218 @emph{return "6 bytes written"}
36219 -> @code{F6}
36220 @end smallexample
36221
36222 Example sequence of a read call, file descriptor 3, buffer is at target
36223 address 0x1234, 6 bytes should be read:
36224
36225 @smallexample
36226 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36227 @emph{request memory write to target}
36228 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
36229 @emph{return "6 bytes read"}
36230 -> @code{F6}
36231 @end smallexample
36232
36233 Example sequence of a read call, call fails on the host due to invalid
36234 file descriptor (@code{EBADF}):
36235
36236 @smallexample
36237 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36238 -> @code{F-1,9}
36239 @end smallexample
36240
36241 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} before syscall on
36242 host is called:
36243
36244 @smallexample
36245 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36246 -> @code{F-1,4,C}
36247 <- @code{T02}
36248 @end smallexample
36249
36250 Example sequence of a read call, user presses @kbd{Ctrl-c} after syscall on
36251 host is called:
36252
36253 @smallexample
36254 <- @code{Fread,3,1234,6}
36255 -> @code{X1234,6:XXXXXX}
36256 <- @code{T02}
36257 @end smallexample
36258
36259 @node Library List Format
36260 @section Library List Format
36261 @cindex library list format, remote protocol
36262
36263 On some platforms, a dynamic loader (e.g.@: @file{ld.so}) runs in the
36264 same process as your application to manage libraries. In this case,
36265 @value{GDBN} can use the loader's symbol table and normal memory
36266 operations to maintain a list of shared libraries. On other
36267 platforms, the operating system manages loaded libraries.
36268 @value{GDBN} can not retrieve the list of currently loaded libraries
36269 through memory operations, so it uses the @samp{qXfer:libraries:read}
36270 packet (@pxref{qXfer library list read}) instead. The remote stub
36271 queries the target's operating system and reports which libraries
36272 are loaded.
36273
36274 The @samp{qXfer:libraries:read} packet returns an XML document which
36275 lists loaded libraries and their offsets. Each library has an
36276 associated name and one or more segment or section base addresses,
36277 which report where the library was loaded in memory.
36278
36279 For the common case of libraries that are fully linked binaries, the
36280 library should have a list of segments. If the target supports
36281 dynamic linking of a relocatable object file, its library XML element
36282 should instead include a list of allocated sections. The segment or
36283 section bases are start addresses, not relocation offsets; they do not
36284 depend on the library's link-time base addresses.
36285
36286 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36287 library lists. @xref{Expat}.
36288
36289 A simple memory map, with one loaded library relocated by a single
36290 offset, looks like this:
36291
36292 @smallexample
36293 <library-list>
36294 <library name="/lib/libc.so.6">
36295 <segment address="0x10000000"/>
36296 </library>
36297 </library-list>
36298 @end smallexample
36299
36300 Another simple memory map, with one loaded library with three
36301 allocated sections (.text, .data, .bss), looks like this:
36302
36303 @smallexample
36304 <library-list>
36305 <library name="sharedlib.o">
36306 <section address="0x10000000"/>
36307 <section address="0x20000000"/>
36308 <section address="0x30000000"/>
36309 </library>
36310 </library-list>
36311 @end smallexample
36312
36313 The format of a library list is described by this DTD:
36314
36315 @smallexample
36316 <!-- library-list: Root element with versioning -->
36317 <!ELEMENT library-list (library)*>
36318 <!ATTLIST library-list version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
36319 <!ELEMENT library (segment*, section*)>
36320 <!ATTLIST library name CDATA #REQUIRED>
36321 <!ELEMENT segment EMPTY>
36322 <!ATTLIST segment address CDATA #REQUIRED>
36323 <!ELEMENT section EMPTY>
36324 <!ATTLIST section address CDATA #REQUIRED>
36325 @end smallexample
36326
36327 In addition, segments and section descriptors cannot be mixed within a
36328 single library element, and you must supply at least one segment or
36329 section for each library.
36330
36331 @node Memory Map Format
36332 @section Memory Map Format
36333 @cindex memory map format
36334
36335 To be able to write into flash memory, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain a
36336 memory map from the target. This section describes the format of the
36337 memory map.
36338
36339 The memory map is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:memory-map:read}
36340 (@pxref{qXfer memory map read}) packet and is an XML document that
36341 lists memory regions.
36342
36343 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36344 memory maps. @xref{Expat}.
36345
36346 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
36347
36348 @smallexample
36349 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36350 <!DOCTYPE memory-map
36351 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
36352 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-memory-map.dtd">
36353 <memory-map>
36354 region...
36355 </memory-map>
36356 @end smallexample
36357
36358 Each region can be either:
36359
36360 @itemize
36361
36362 @item
36363 A region of RAM starting at @var{addr} and extending for @var{length}
36364 bytes from there:
36365
36366 @smallexample
36367 <memory type="ram" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36368 @end smallexample
36369
36370
36371 @item
36372 A region of read-only memory:
36373
36374 @smallexample
36375 <memory type="rom" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36376 @end smallexample
36377
36378
36379 @item
36380 A region of flash memory, with erasure blocks @var{blocksize}
36381 bytes in length:
36382
36383 @smallexample
36384 <memory type="flash" start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}">
36385 <property name="blocksize">@var{blocksize}</property>
36386 </memory>
36387 @end smallexample
36388
36389 @end itemize
36390
36391 Regions must not overlap. @value{GDBN} assumes that areas of memory not covered
36392 by the memory map are RAM, and uses the ordinary @samp{M} and @samp{X}
36393 packets to write to addresses in such ranges.
36394
36395 The formal DTD for memory map format is given below:
36396
36397 @smallexample
36398 <!-- ................................................... -->
36399 <!-- Memory Map XML DTD ................................ -->
36400 <!-- File: memory-map.dtd .............................. -->
36401 <!-- .................................... .............. -->
36402 <!-- memory-map.dtd -->
36403 <!-- memory-map: Root element with versioning -->
36404 <!ELEMENT memory-map (memory | property)>
36405 <!ATTLIST memory-map version CDATA #FIXED "1.0.0">
36406 <!ELEMENT memory (property)>
36407 <!-- memory: Specifies a memory region,
36408 and its type, or device. -->
36409 <!ATTLIST memory type CDATA #REQUIRED
36410 start CDATA #REQUIRED
36411 length CDATA #REQUIRED
36412 device CDATA #IMPLIED>
36413 <!-- property: Generic attribute tag -->
36414 <!ELEMENT property (#PCDATA | property)*>
36415 <!ATTLIST property name CDATA #REQUIRED>
36416 @end smallexample
36417
36418 @node Thread List Format
36419 @section Thread List Format
36420 @cindex thread list format
36421
36422 To efficiently update the list of threads and their attributes,
36423 @value{GDBN} issues the @samp{qXfer:threads:read} packet
36424 (@pxref{qXfer threads read}) and obtains the XML document with
36425 the following structure:
36426
36427 @smallexample
36428 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36429 <threads>
36430 <thread id="id" core="0">
36431 ... description ...
36432 </thread>
36433 </threads>
36434 @end smallexample
36435
36436 Each @samp{thread} element must have the @samp{id} attribute that
36437 identifies the thread (@pxref{thread-id syntax}). The
36438 @samp{core} attribute, if present, specifies which processor core
36439 the thread was last executing on. The content of the of @samp{thread}
36440 element is interpreted as human-readable auxilliary information.
36441
36442 @node Traceframe Info Format
36443 @section Traceframe Info Format
36444 @cindex traceframe info format
36445
36446 To be able to know which objects in the inferior can be examined when
36447 inspecting a tracepoint hit, @value{GDBN} needs to obtain the list of
36448 memory ranges, registers and trace state variables that have been
36449 collected in a traceframe.
36450
36451 This list is obtained using the @samp{qXfer:traceframe-info:read}
36452 (@pxref{qXfer traceframe info read}) packet and is an XML document.
36453
36454 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36455 traceframe info discovery. @xref{Expat}.
36456
36457 The top-level structure of the document is shown below:
36458
36459 @smallexample
36460 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36461 <!DOCTYPE traceframe-info
36462 PUBLIC "+//IDN gnu.org//DTD GDB Memory Map V1.0//EN"
36463 "http://sourceware.org/gdb/gdb-traceframe-info.dtd">
36464 <traceframe-info>
36465 block...
36466 </traceframe-info>
36467 @end smallexample
36468
36469 Each traceframe block can be either:
36470
36471 @itemize
36472
36473 @item
36474 A region of collected memory starting at @var{addr} and extending for
36475 @var{length} bytes from there:
36476
36477 @smallexample
36478 <memory start="@var{addr}" length="@var{length}"/>
36479 @end smallexample
36480
36481 @end itemize
36482
36483 The formal DTD for the traceframe info format is given below:
36484
36485 @smallexample
36486 <!ELEMENT traceframe-info (memory)* >
36487 <!ATTLIST traceframe-info version CDATA #FIXED "1.0">
36488
36489 <!ELEMENT memory EMPTY>
36490 <!ATTLIST memory start CDATA #REQUIRED
36491 length CDATA #REQUIRED>
36492 @end smallexample
36493
36494 @include agentexpr.texi
36495
36496 @node Target Descriptions
36497 @appendix Target Descriptions
36498 @cindex target descriptions
36499
36500 One of the challenges of using @value{GDBN} to debug embedded systems
36501 is that there are so many minor variants of each processor
36502 architecture in use. It is common practice for vendors to start with
36503 a standard processor core --- ARM, PowerPC, or MIPS, for example ---
36504 and then make changes to adapt it to a particular market niche. Some
36505 architectures have hundreds of variants, available from dozens of
36506 vendors. This leads to a number of problems:
36507
36508 @itemize @bullet
36509 @item
36510 With so many different customized processors, it is difficult for
36511 the @value{GDBN} maintainers to keep up with the changes.
36512 @item
36513 Since individual variants may have short lifetimes or limited
36514 audiences, it may not be worthwhile to carry information about every
36515 variant in the @value{GDBN} source tree.
36516 @item
36517 When @value{GDBN} does support the architecture of the embedded system
36518 at hand, the task of finding the correct architecture name to give the
36519 @command{set architecture} command can be error-prone.
36520 @end itemize
36521
36522 To address these problems, the @value{GDBN} remote protocol allows a
36523 target system to not only identify itself to @value{GDBN}, but to
36524 actually describe its own features. This lets @value{GDBN} support
36525 processor variants it has never seen before --- to the extent that the
36526 descriptions are accurate, and that @value{GDBN} understands them.
36527
36528 @value{GDBN} must be linked with the Expat library to support XML
36529 target descriptions. @xref{Expat}.
36530
36531 @menu
36532 * Retrieving Descriptions:: How descriptions are fetched from a target.
36533 * Target Description Format:: The contents of a target description.
36534 * Predefined Target Types:: Standard types available for target
36535 descriptions.
36536 * Standard Target Features:: Features @value{GDBN} knows about.
36537 @end menu
36538
36539 @node Retrieving Descriptions
36540 @section Retrieving Descriptions
36541
36542 Target descriptions can be read from the target automatically, or
36543 specified by the user manually. The default behavior is to read the
36544 description from the target. @value{GDBN} retrieves it via the remote
36545 protocol using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{General Query Packets,
36546 qXfer}). The @var{annex} in the @samp{qXfer} packet will be
36547 @samp{target.xml}. The contents of the @samp{target.xml} annex are an
36548 XML document, of the form described in @ref{Target Description
36549 Format}.
36550
36551 Alternatively, you can specify a file to read for the target description.
36552 If a file is set, the target will not be queried. The commands to
36553 specify a file are:
36554
36555 @table @code
36556 @cindex set tdesc filename
36557 @item set tdesc filename @var{path}
36558 Read the target description from @var{path}.
36559
36560 @cindex unset tdesc filename
36561 @item unset tdesc filename
36562 Do not read the XML target description from a file. @value{GDBN}
36563 will use the description supplied by the current target.
36564
36565 @cindex show tdesc filename
36566 @item show tdesc filename
36567 Show the filename to read for a target description, if any.
36568 @end table
36569
36570
36571 @node Target Description Format
36572 @section Target Description Format
36573 @cindex target descriptions, XML format
36574
36575 A target description annex is an @uref{http://www.w3.org/XML/, XML}
36576 document which complies with the Document Type Definition provided in
36577 the @value{GDBN} sources in @file{gdb/features/gdb-target.dtd}. This
36578 means you can use generally available tools like @command{xmllint} to
36579 check that your feature descriptions are well-formed and valid.
36580 However, to help people unfamiliar with XML write descriptions for
36581 their targets, we also describe the grammar here.
36582
36583 Target descriptions can identify the architecture of the remote target
36584 and (for some architectures) provide information about custom register
36585 sets. They can also identify the OS ABI of the remote target.
36586 @value{GDBN} can use this information to autoconfigure for your
36587 target, or to warn you if you connect to an unsupported target.
36588
36589 Here is a simple target description:
36590
36591 @smallexample
36592 <target version="1.0">
36593 <architecture>i386:x86-64</architecture>
36594 </target>
36595 @end smallexample
36596
36597 @noindent
36598 This minimal description only says that the target uses
36599 the x86-64 architecture.
36600
36601 A target description has the following overall form, with [ ] marking
36602 optional elements and @dots{} marking repeatable elements. The elements
36603 are explained further below.
36604
36605 @smallexample
36606 <?xml version="1.0"?>
36607 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "gdb-target.dtd">
36608 <target version="1.0">
36609 @r{[}@var{architecture}@r{]}
36610 @r{[}@var{osabi}@r{]}
36611 @r{[}@var{compatible}@r{]}
36612 @r{[}@var{feature}@dots{}@r{]}
36613 </target>
36614 @end smallexample
36615
36616 @noindent
36617 The description is generally insensitive to whitespace and line
36618 breaks, under the usual common-sense rules. The XML version
36619 declaration and document type declaration can generally be omitted
36620 (@value{GDBN} does not require them), but specifying them may be
36621 useful for XML validation tools. The @samp{version} attribute for
36622 @samp{<target>} may also be omitted, but we recommend
36623 including it; if future versions of @value{GDBN} use an incompatible
36624 revision of @file{gdb-target.dtd}, they will detect and report
36625 the version mismatch.
36626
36627 @subsection Inclusion
36628 @cindex target descriptions, inclusion
36629 @cindex XInclude
36630 @ifnotinfo
36631 @cindex <xi:include>
36632 @end ifnotinfo
36633
36634 It can sometimes be valuable to split a target description up into
36635 several different annexes, either for organizational purposes, or to
36636 share files between different possible target descriptions. You can
36637 divide a description into multiple files by replacing any element of
36638 the target description with an inclusion directive of the form:
36639
36640 @smallexample
36641 <xi:include href="@var{document}"/>
36642 @end smallexample
36643
36644 @noindent
36645 When @value{GDBN} encounters an element of this form, it will retrieve
36646 the named XML @var{document}, and replace the inclusion directive with
36647 the contents of that document. If the current description was read
36648 using @samp{qXfer}, then so will be the included document;
36649 @var{document} will be interpreted as the name of an annex. If the
36650 current description was read from a file, @value{GDBN} will look for
36651 @var{document} as a file in the same directory where it found the
36652 original description.
36653
36654 @subsection Architecture
36655 @cindex <architecture>
36656
36657 An @samp{<architecture>} element has this form:
36658
36659 @smallexample
36660 <architecture>@var{arch}</architecture>
36661 @end smallexample
36662
36663 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36664 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36665
36666 @subsection OS ABI
36667 @cindex @code{<osabi>}
36668
36669 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36670 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36671
36672 An @samp{<osabi>} element has this form:
36673
36674 @smallexample
36675 <osabi>@var{abi-name}</osabi>
36676 @end smallexample
36677
36678 @var{abi-name} is an OS ABI name from the same selection accepted by
36679 @w{@code{set osabi}} (@pxref{ABI, ,Configuring the Current ABI}).
36680
36681 @subsection Compatible Architecture
36682 @cindex @code{<compatible>}
36683
36684 This optional field was introduced in @value{GDBN} version 7.0.
36685 Previous versions of @value{GDBN} ignore it.
36686
36687 A @samp{<compatible>} element has this form:
36688
36689 @smallexample
36690 <compatible>@var{arch}</compatible>
36691 @end smallexample
36692
36693 @var{arch} is one of the architectures from the set accepted by
36694 @code{set architecture} (@pxref{Targets, ,Specifying a Debugging Target}).
36695
36696 A @samp{<compatible>} element is used to specify that the target
36697 is able to run binaries in some other than the main target architecture
36698 given by the @samp{<architecture>} element. For example, on the
36699 Cell Broadband Engine, the main architecture is @code{powerpc:common}
36700 or @code{powerpc:common64}, but the system is able to run binaries
36701 in the @code{spu} architecture as well. The way to describe this
36702 capability with @samp{<compatible>} is as follows:
36703
36704 @smallexample
36705 <architecture>powerpc:common</architecture>
36706 <compatible>spu</compatible>
36707 @end smallexample
36708
36709 @subsection Features
36710 @cindex <feature>
36711
36712 Each @samp{<feature>} describes some logical portion of the target
36713 system. Features are currently used to describe available CPU
36714 registers and the types of their contents. A @samp{<feature>} element
36715 has this form:
36716
36717 @smallexample
36718 <feature name="@var{name}">
36719 @r{[}@var{type}@dots{}@r{]}
36720 @var{reg}@dots{}
36721 </feature>
36722 @end smallexample
36723
36724 @noindent
36725 Each feature's name should be unique within the description. The name
36726 of a feature does not matter unless @value{GDBN} has some special
36727 knowledge of the contents of that feature; if it does, the feature
36728 should have its standard name. @xref{Standard Target Features}.
36729
36730 @subsection Types
36731
36732 Any register's value is a collection of bits which @value{GDBN} must
36733 interpret. The default interpretation is a two's complement integer,
36734 but other types can be requested by name in the register description.
36735 Some predefined types are provided by @value{GDBN} (@pxref{Predefined
36736 Target Types}), and the description can define additional composite types.
36737
36738 Each type element must have an @samp{id} attribute, which gives
36739 a unique (within the containing @samp{<feature>}) name to the type.
36740 Types must be defined before they are used.
36741
36742 @cindex <vector>
36743 Some targets offer vector registers, which can be treated as arrays
36744 of scalar elements. These types are written as @samp{<vector>} elements,
36745 specifying the array element type, @var{type}, and the number of elements,
36746 @var{count}:
36747
36748 @smallexample
36749 <vector id="@var{id}" type="@var{type}" count="@var{count}"/>
36750 @end smallexample
36751
36752 @cindex <union>
36753 If a register's value is usefully viewed in multiple ways, define it
36754 with a union type containing the useful representations. The
36755 @samp{<union>} element contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements,
36756 each of which has a @var{name} and a @var{type}:
36757
36758 @smallexample
36759 <union id="@var{id}">
36760 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36761 @dots{}
36762 </union>
36763 @end smallexample
36764
36765 @cindex <struct>
36766 If a register's value is composed from several separate values, define
36767 it with a structure type. There are two forms of the @samp{<struct>}
36768 element; a @samp{<struct>} element must either contain only bitfields
36769 or contain no bitfields. If the structure contains only bitfields,
36770 its total size in bytes must be specified, each bitfield must have an
36771 explicit start and end, and bitfields are automatically assigned an
36772 integer type. The field's @var{start} should be less than or
36773 equal to its @var{end}, and zero represents the least significant bit.
36774
36775 @smallexample
36776 <struct id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36777 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36778 @dots{}
36779 </struct>
36780 @end smallexample
36781
36782 If the structure contains no bitfields, then each field has an
36783 explicit type, and no implicit padding is added.
36784
36785 @smallexample
36786 <struct id="@var{id}">
36787 <field name="@var{name}" type="@var{type}"/>
36788 @dots{}
36789 </struct>
36790 @end smallexample
36791
36792 @cindex <flags>
36793 If a register's value is a series of single-bit flags, define it with
36794 a flags type. The @samp{<flags>} element has an explicit @var{size}
36795 and contains one or more @samp{<field>} elements. Each field has a
36796 @var{name}, a @var{start}, and an @var{end}. Only single-bit flags
36797 are supported.
36798
36799 @smallexample
36800 <flags id="@var{id}" size="@var{size}">
36801 <field name="@var{name}" start="@var{start}" end="@var{end}"/>
36802 @dots{}
36803 </flags>
36804 @end smallexample
36805
36806 @subsection Registers
36807 @cindex <reg>
36808
36809 Each register is represented as an element with this form:
36810
36811 @smallexample
36812 <reg name="@var{name}"
36813 bitsize="@var{size}"
36814 @r{[}regnum="@var{num}"@r{]}
36815 @r{[}save-restore="@var{save-restore}"@r{]}
36816 @r{[}type="@var{type}"@r{]}
36817 @r{[}group="@var{group}"@r{]}/>
36818 @end smallexample
36819
36820 @noindent
36821 The components are as follows:
36822
36823 @table @var
36824
36825 @item name
36826 The register's name; it must be unique within the target description.
36827
36828 @item bitsize
36829 The register's size, in bits.
36830
36831 @item regnum
36832 The register's number. If omitted, a register's number is one greater
36833 than that of the previous register (either in the current feature or in
36834 a preceding feature); the first register in the target description
36835 defaults to zero. This register number is used to read or write
36836 the register; e.g.@: it is used in the remote @code{p} and @code{P}
36837 packets, and registers appear in the @code{g} and @code{G} packets
36838 in order of increasing register number.
36839
36840 @item save-restore
36841 Whether the register should be preserved across inferior function
36842 calls; this must be either @code{yes} or @code{no}. The default is
36843 @code{yes}, which is appropriate for most registers except for
36844 some system control registers; this is not related to the target's
36845 ABI.
36846
36847 @item type
36848 The type of the register. @var{type} may be a predefined type, a type
36849 defined in the current feature, or one of the special types @code{int}
36850 and @code{float}. @code{int} is an integer type of the correct size
36851 for @var{bitsize}, and @code{float} is a floating point type (in the
36852 architecture's normal floating point format) of the correct size for
36853 @var{bitsize}. The default is @code{int}.
36854
36855 @item group
36856 The register group to which this register belongs. @var{group} must
36857 be either @code{general}, @code{float}, or @code{vector}. If no
36858 @var{group} is specified, @value{GDBN} will not display the register
36859 in @code{info registers}.
36860
36861 @end table
36862
36863 @node Predefined Target Types
36864 @section Predefined Target Types
36865 @cindex target descriptions, predefined types
36866
36867 Type definitions in the self-description can build up composite types
36868 from basic building blocks, but can not define fundamental types. Instead,
36869 standard identifiers are provided by @value{GDBN} for the fundamental
36870 types. The currently supported types are:
36871
36872 @table @code
36873
36874 @item int8
36875 @itemx int16
36876 @itemx int32
36877 @itemx int64
36878 @itemx int128
36879 Signed integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36880
36881 @item uint8
36882 @itemx uint16
36883 @itemx uint32
36884 @itemx uint64
36885 @itemx uint128
36886 Unsigned integer types holding the specified number of bits.
36887
36888 @item code_ptr
36889 @itemx data_ptr
36890 Pointers to unspecified code and data. The program counter and
36891 any dedicated return address register may be marked as code
36892 pointers; printing a code pointer converts it into a symbolic
36893 address. The stack pointer and any dedicated address registers
36894 may be marked as data pointers.
36895
36896 @item ieee_single
36897 Single precision IEEE floating point.
36898
36899 @item ieee_double
36900 Double precision IEEE floating point.
36901
36902 @item arm_fpa_ext
36903 The 12-byte extended precision format used by ARM FPA registers.
36904
36905 @item i387_ext
36906 The 10-byte extended precision format used by x87 registers.
36907
36908 @item i386_eflags
36909 32bit @sc{eflags} register used by x86.
36910
36911 @item i386_mxcsr
36912 32bit @sc{mxcsr} register used by x86.
36913
36914 @end table
36915
36916 @node Standard Target Features
36917 @section Standard Target Features
36918 @cindex target descriptions, standard features
36919
36920 A target description must contain either no registers or all the
36921 target's registers. If the description contains no registers, then
36922 @value{GDBN} will assume a default register layout, selected based on
36923 the architecture. If the description contains any registers, the
36924 default layout will not be used; the standard registers must be
36925 described in the target description, in such a way that @value{GDBN}
36926 can recognize them.
36927
36928 This is accomplished by giving specific names to feature elements
36929 which contain standard registers. @value{GDBN} will look for features
36930 with those names and verify that they contain the expected registers;
36931 if any known feature is missing required registers, or if any required
36932 feature is missing, @value{GDBN} will reject the target
36933 description. You can add additional registers to any of the
36934 standard features --- @value{GDBN} will display them just as if
36935 they were added to an unrecognized feature.
36936
36937 This section lists the known features and their expected contents.
36938 Sample XML documents for these features are included in the
36939 @value{GDBN} source tree, in the directory @file{gdb/features}.
36940
36941 Names recognized by @value{GDBN} should include the name of the
36942 company or organization which selected the name, and the overall
36943 architecture to which the feature applies; so e.g.@: the feature
36944 containing ARM core registers is named @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}.
36945
36946 The names of registers are not case sensitive for the purpose
36947 of recognizing standard features, but @value{GDBN} will only display
36948 registers using the capitalization used in the description.
36949
36950 @menu
36951 * ARM Features::
36952 * i386 Features::
36953 * MIPS Features::
36954 * M68K Features::
36955 * PowerPC Features::
36956 @end menu
36957
36958
36959 @node ARM Features
36960 @subsection ARM Features
36961 @cindex target descriptions, ARM features
36962
36963 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core} feature is required for non-M-profile
36964 ARM targets.
36965 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp},
36966 @samp{lr}, @samp{pc}, and @samp{cpsr}.
36967
36968 For M-profile targets (e.g. Cortex-M3), the @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.core}
36969 feature is replaced by @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.m-profile}. It should contain
36970 registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r13}, @samp{sp}, @samp{lr}, @samp{pc},
36971 and @samp{xpsr}.
36972
36973 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.fpa} feature is optional. If present, it
36974 should contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f7} and @samp{fps}.
36975
36976 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.xscale.iwmmxt} feature is optional. If present,
36977 it should contain at least registers @samp{wR0} through @samp{wR15} and
36978 @samp{wCGR0} through @samp{wCGR3}. The @samp{wCID}, @samp{wCon},
36979 @samp{wCSSF}, and @samp{wCASF} registers are optional.
36980
36981 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} feature is optional. If present, it
36982 should contain at least registers @samp{d0} through @samp{d15}. If
36983 they are present, @samp{d16} through @samp{d31} should also be included.
36984 @value{GDBN} will synthesize the single-precision registers from
36985 halves of the double-precision registers.
36986
36987 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.neon} feature is optional. It does not
36988 need to contain registers; it instructs @value{GDBN} to display the
36989 VFP double-precision registers as vectors and to synthesize the
36990 quad-precision registers from pairs of double-precision registers.
36991 If this feature is present, @samp{org.gnu.gdb.arm.vfp} must also
36992 be present and include 32 double-precision registers.
36993
36994 @node i386 Features
36995 @subsection i386 Features
36996 @cindex target descriptions, i386 features
36997
36998 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.core} feature is required for i386/amd64
36999 targets. It should describe the following registers:
37000
37001 @itemize @minus
37002 @item
37003 @samp{eax} through @samp{edi} plus @samp{eip} for i386
37004 @item
37005 @samp{rax} through @samp{r15} plus @samp{rip} for amd64
37006 @item
37007 @samp{eflags}, @samp{cs}, @samp{ss}, @samp{ds}, @samp{es},
37008 @samp{fs}, @samp{gs}
37009 @item
37010 @samp{st0} through @samp{st7}
37011 @item
37012 @samp{fctrl}, @samp{fstat}, @samp{ftag}, @samp{fiseg}, @samp{fioff},
37013 @samp{foseg}, @samp{fooff} and @samp{fop}
37014 @end itemize
37015
37016 The register sets may be different, depending on the target.
37017
37018 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature is optional. It should
37019 describe registers:
37020
37021 @itemize @minus
37022 @item
37023 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm7} for i386
37024 @item
37025 @samp{xmm0} through @samp{xmm15} for amd64
37026 @item
37027 @samp{mxcsr}
37028 @end itemize
37029
37030 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.avx} feature is optional and requires the
37031 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.sse} feature. It should
37032 describe the upper 128 bits of @sc{ymm} registers:
37033
37034 @itemize @minus
37035 @item
37036 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm7h} for i386
37037 @item
37038 @samp{ymm0h} through @samp{ymm15h} for amd64
37039 @end itemize
37040
37041 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.i386.linux} feature is optional. It should
37042 describe a single register, @samp{orig_eax}.
37043
37044 @node MIPS Features
37045 @subsection MIPS Features
37046 @cindex target descriptions, MIPS features
37047
37048 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cpu} feature is required for MIPS targets.
37049 It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31}, @samp{lo},
37050 @samp{hi}, and @samp{pc}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending
37051 on the target.
37052
37053 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.cp0} feature is also required. It should
37054 contain at least the @samp{status}, @samp{badvaddr}, and @samp{cause}
37055 registers. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
37056
37057 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.fpu} feature is currently required, though
37058 it may be optional in a future version of @value{GDBN}. It should
37059 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31}, @samp{fcsr}, and
37060 @samp{fir}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
37061
37062 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.mips.linux} feature is optional. It should
37063 contain a single register, @samp{restart}, which is used by the
37064 Linux kernel to control restartable syscalls.
37065
37066 @node M68K Features
37067 @subsection M68K Features
37068 @cindex target descriptions, M68K features
37069
37070 @table @code
37071 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.m68k.core}
37072 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.core}
37073 @itemx @samp{org.gnu.gdb.fido.core}
37074 One of those features must be always present.
37075 The feature that is present determines which flavor of m68k is
37076 used. The feature that is present should contain registers
37077 @samp{d0} through @samp{d7}, @samp{a0} through @samp{a5}, @samp{fp},
37078 @samp{sp}, @samp{ps} and @samp{pc}.
37079
37080 @item @samp{org.gnu.gdb.coldfire.fp}
37081 This feature is optional. If present, it should contain registers
37082 @samp{fp0} through @samp{fp7}, @samp{fpcontrol}, @samp{fpstatus} and
37083 @samp{fpiaddr}.
37084 @end table
37085
37086 @node PowerPC Features
37087 @subsection PowerPC Features
37088 @cindex target descriptions, PowerPC features
37089
37090 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} feature is required for PowerPC
37091 targets. It should contain registers @samp{r0} through @samp{r31},
37092 @samp{pc}, @samp{msr}, @samp{cr}, @samp{lr}, @samp{ctr}, and
37093 @samp{xer}. They may be 32-bit or 64-bit depending on the target.
37094
37095 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.fpu} feature is optional. It should
37096 contain registers @samp{f0} through @samp{f31} and @samp{fpscr}.
37097
37098 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.altivec} feature is optional. It should
37099 contain registers @samp{vr0} through @samp{vr31}, @samp{vscr},
37100 and @samp{vrsave}.
37101
37102 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.vsx} feature is optional. It should
37103 contain registers @samp{vs0h} through @samp{vs31h}. @value{GDBN}
37104 will combine these registers with the floating point registers
37105 (@samp{f0} through @samp{f31}) and the altivec registers (@samp{vr0}
37106 through @samp{vr31}) to present the 128-bit wide registers @samp{vs0}
37107 through @samp{vs63}, the set of vector registers for POWER7.
37108
37109 The @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.spe} feature is optional. It should
37110 contain registers @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}, @samp{acc}, and
37111 @samp{spefscr}. SPE targets should provide 32-bit registers in
37112 @samp{org.gnu.gdb.power.core} and provide the upper halves in
37113 @samp{ev0h} through @samp{ev31h}. @value{GDBN} will combine
37114 these to present registers @samp{ev0} through @samp{ev31} to the
37115 user.
37116
37117 @node Operating System Information
37118 @appendix Operating System Information
37119 @cindex operating system information
37120
37121 @menu
37122 * Process list::
37123 @end menu
37124
37125 Users of @value{GDBN} often wish to obtain information about the state of
37126 the operating system running on the target---for example the list of
37127 processes, or the list of open files. This section describes the
37128 mechanism that makes it possible. This mechanism is similar to the
37129 target features mechanism (@pxref{Target Descriptions}), but focuses
37130 on a different aspect of target.
37131
37132 Operating system information is retrived from the target via the
37133 remote protocol, using @samp{qXfer} requests (@pxref{qXfer osdata
37134 read}). The object name in the request should be @samp{osdata}, and
37135 the @var{annex} identifies the data to be fetched.
37136
37137 @node Process list
37138 @appendixsection Process list
37139 @cindex operating system information, process list
37140
37141 When requesting the process list, the @var{annex} field in the
37142 @samp{qXfer} request should be @samp{processes}. The returned data is
37143 an XML document. The formal syntax of this document is defined in
37144 @file{gdb/features/osdata.dtd}.
37145
37146 An example document is:
37147
37148 @smallexample
37149 <?xml version="1.0"?>
37150 <!DOCTYPE target SYSTEM "osdata.dtd">
37151 <osdata type="processes">
37152 <item>
37153 <column name="pid">1</column>
37154 <column name="user">root</column>
37155 <column name="command">/sbin/init</column>
37156 <column name="cores">1,2,3</column>
37157 </item>
37158 </osdata>
37159 @end smallexample
37160
37161 Each item should include a column whose name is @samp{pid}. The value
37162 of that column should identify the process on the target. The
37163 @samp{user} and @samp{command} columns are optional, and will be
37164 displayed by @value{GDBN}. The @samp{cores} column, if present,
37165 should contain a comma-separated list of cores that this process
37166 is running on. Target may provide additional columns,
37167 which @value{GDBN} currently ignores.
37168
37169 @node Trace File Format
37170 @appendix Trace File Format
37171 @cindex trace file format
37172
37173 The trace file comes in three parts: a header, a textual description
37174 section, and a trace frame section with binary data.
37175
37176 The header has the form @code{\x7fTRACE0\n}. The first byte is
37177 @code{0x7f} so as to indicate that the file contains binary data,
37178 while the @code{0} is a version number that may have different values
37179 in the future.
37180
37181 The description section consists of multiple lines of @sc{ascii} text
37182 separated by newline characters (@code{0xa}). The lines may include a
37183 variety of optional descriptive or context-setting information, such
37184 as tracepoint definitions or register set size. @value{GDBN} will
37185 ignore any line that it does not recognize. An empty line marks the end
37186 of this section.
37187
37188 @c FIXME add some specific types of data
37189
37190 The trace frame section consists of a number of consecutive frames.
37191 Each frame begins with a two-byte tracepoint number, followed by a
37192 four-byte size giving the amount of data in the frame. The data in
37193 the frame consists of a number of blocks, each introduced by a
37194 character indicating its type (at least register, memory, and trace
37195 state variable). The data in this section is raw binary, not a
37196 hexadecimal or other encoding; its endianness matches the target's
37197 endianness.
37198
37199 @c FIXME bi-arch may require endianness/arch info in description section
37200
37201 @table @code
37202 @item R @var{bytes}
37203 Register block. The number and ordering of bytes matches that of a
37204 @code{g} packet in the remote protocol. Note that these are the
37205 actual bytes, in target order and @value{GDBN} register order, not a
37206 hexadecimal encoding.
37207
37208 @item M @var{address} @var{length} @var{bytes}...
37209 Memory block. This is a contiguous block of memory, at the 8-byte
37210 address @var{address}, with a 2-byte length @var{length}, followed by
37211 @var{length} bytes.
37212
37213 @item V @var{number} @var{value}
37214 Trace state variable block. This records the 8-byte signed value
37215 @var{value} of trace state variable numbered @var{number}.
37216
37217 @end table
37218
37219 Future enhancements of the trace file format may include additional types
37220 of blocks.
37221
37222 @node Index Section Format
37223 @appendix @code{.gdb_index} section format
37224 @cindex .gdb_index section format
37225 @cindex index section format
37226
37227 This section documents the index section that is created by @code{save
37228 gdb-index} (@pxref{Index Files}). The index section is
37229 DWARF-specific; some knowledge of DWARF is assumed in this
37230 description.
37231
37232 The mapped index file format is designed to be directly
37233 @code{mmap}able on any architecture. In most cases, a datum is
37234 represented using a little-endian 32-bit integer value, called an
37235 @code{offset_type}. Big endian machines must byte-swap the values
37236 before using them. Exceptions to this rule are noted. The data is
37237 laid out such that alignment is always respected.
37238
37239 A mapped index consists of several areas, laid out in order.
37240
37241 @enumerate
37242 @item
37243 The file header. This is a sequence of values, of @code{offset_type}
37244 unless otherwise noted:
37245
37246 @enumerate
37247 @item
37248 The version number, currently 5. Versions 1, 2 and 3 are obsolete.
37249 Version 4 differs by its hashing function.
37250
37251 @item
37252 The offset, from the start of the file, of the CU list.
37253
37254 @item
37255 The offset, from the start of the file, of the types CU list. Note
37256 that this area can be empty, in which case this offset will be equal
37257 to the next offset.
37258
37259 @item
37260 The offset, from the start of the file, of the address area.
37261
37262 @item
37263 The offset, from the start of the file, of the symbol table.
37264
37265 @item
37266 The offset, from the start of the file, of the constant pool.
37267 @end enumerate
37268
37269 @item
37270 The CU list. This is a sequence of pairs of 64-bit little-endian
37271 values, sorted by the CU offset. The first element in each pair is
37272 the offset of a CU in the @code{.debug_info} section. The second
37273 element in each pair is the length of that CU. References to a CU
37274 elsewhere in the map are done using a CU index, which is just the
37275 0-based index into this table. Note that if there are type CUs, then
37276 conceptually CUs and type CUs form a single list for the purposes of
37277 CU indices.
37278
37279 @item
37280 The types CU list. This is a sequence of triplets of 64-bit
37281 little-endian values. In a triplet, the first value is the CU offset,
37282 the second value is the type offset in the CU, and the third value is
37283 the type signature. The types CU list is not sorted.
37284
37285 @item
37286 The address area. The address area consists of a sequence of address
37287 entries. Each address entry has three elements:
37288
37289 @enumerate
37290 @item
37291 The low address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value.
37292
37293 @item
37294 The high address. This is a 64-bit little-endian value. Like
37295 @code{DW_AT_high_pc}, the value is one byte beyond the end.
37296
37297 @item
37298 The CU index. This is an @code{offset_type} value.
37299 @end enumerate
37300
37301 @item
37302 The symbol table. This is an open-addressed hash table. The size of
37303 the hash table is always a power of 2.
37304
37305 Each slot in the hash table consists of a pair of @code{offset_type}
37306 values. The first value is the offset of the symbol's name in the
37307 constant pool. The second value is the offset of the CU vector in the
37308 constant pool.
37309
37310 If both values are 0, then this slot in the hash table is empty. This
37311 is ok because while 0 is a valid constant pool index, it cannot be a
37312 valid index for both a string and a CU vector.
37313
37314 The hash value for a table entry is computed by applying an
37315 iterative hash function to the symbol's name. Starting with an
37316 initial value of @code{r = 0}, each (unsigned) character @samp{c} in
37317 the string is incorporated into the hash using the formula depending on the
37318 index version:
37319
37320 @table @asis
37321 @item Version 4
37322 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + c - 113}.
37323
37324 @item Version 5
37325 The formula is @code{r = r * 67 + tolower (c) - 113}.
37326 @end table
37327
37328 The terminating @samp{\0} is not incorporated into the hash.
37329
37330 The step size used in the hash table is computed via
37331 @code{((hash * 17) & (size - 1)) | 1}, where @samp{hash} is the hash
37332 value, and @samp{size} is the size of the hash table. The step size
37333 is used to find the next candidate slot when handling a hash
37334 collision.
37335
37336 The names of C@t{++} symbols in the hash table are canonicalized. We
37337 don't currently have a simple description of the canonicalization
37338 algorithm; if you intend to create new index sections, you must read
37339 the code.
37340
37341 @item
37342 The constant pool. This is simply a bunch of bytes. It is organized
37343 so that alignment is correct: CU vectors are stored first, followed by
37344 strings.
37345
37346 A CU vector in the constant pool is a sequence of @code{offset_type}
37347 values. The first value is the number of CU indices in the vector.
37348 Each subsequent value is the index of a CU in the CU list. This
37349 element in the hash table is used to indicate which CUs define the
37350 symbol.
37351
37352 A string in the constant pool is zero-terminated.
37353 @end enumerate
37354
37355 @include gpl.texi
37356
37357 @node GNU Free Documentation License
37358 @appendix GNU Free Documentation License
37359 @include fdl.texi
37360
37361 @node Index
37362 @unnumbered Index
37363
37364 @printindex cp
37365
37366 @tex
37367 % I think something like @colophon should be in texinfo. In the
37368 % meantime:
37369 \long\def\colophon{\hbox to0pt{}\vfill
37370 \centerline{The body of this manual is set in}
37371 \centerline{\fontname\tenrm,}
37372 \centerline{with headings in {\bf\fontname\tenbf}}
37373 \centerline{and examples in {\tt\fontname\tentt}.}
37374 \centerline{{\it\fontname\tenit\/},}
37375 \centerline{{\bf\fontname\tenbf}, and}
37376 \centerline{{\sl\fontname\tensl\/}}
37377 \centerline{are used for emphasis.}\vfill}
37378 \page\colophon
37379 % Blame: doc@cygnus.com, 1991.
37380 @end tex
37381
37382 @bye
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